What is Emergency Lighting?

In its simplest most common form, it is a dedicated lighting system designed to ensure adequate illumination of escape routes from buildings. These systems are most commonly linked to Fire Detection and Alarm Systems and as such are mentioned in the Regulatory Reform Order.

Emergency lighting is normally required to operate fully automatically and give illumination of a sufficiently high level (escape routes to 2m width, horozontal illuminances at floor/centre line, minimum of 1 lux) to enable persons of all ages to evacuate the premises safely. Most new buildings now have emergency lighting installed during construction, the design and type of equipment is normally specified by the relevant local authority, architect or consultant.

Emergency Lighting

The British Standard provides the emergency lighting designer with laid down guide lines which form the general basis for the designer to work to. British Standard BS 5266: Part 1: 2005 includes in its scope residential hotels, clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and colleges, licensed premises, offices, museums, shops, multi-storey dwellings etc. Although this standard recommends the types and durations of emergency lighting systems relating to each category of premise it should be remembered that the standards are minimum safe standards for the types of premises and that a higher standard may be needed for a particular installation.

Shops, offices and other premises previously excluded from legislation require the installation of additional emergency lighting to satisfy the Emergency Lighting and the New Fire Safety legislation – the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Not only must premises contain emergency lighting and escape route signage, the equipment installed must be the correct type, installed in the correct location and satisfy the requirements of BS 5266.

Type of system

Most emergency lighting schemes fall into one of the following categories:-

Non-maintained - The emergency light units only illuminate in the event of a mains failure.
Maintained - The emergency light units are illuminated at all times using the same lamps for both normal and emergency operation.
Sustained - The emergency light units are fitted with two lamps or two sets of lamps. One of which operates on mains 240V AC supply, the other which operates from the battery supply in the event of mains failure. It is basically a non-maintained system with the addition of mains lamps which should be illuminated whenever the premises are occupied.

The type of system and emergency duration is often expressed in abbreviated form as per the following examples:-

M3 - Maintained System, emergency duration 3 hours.
NM2 - Non-maintained System, emergency duration 2 hours.
S1 - Sustained System, emergency duration 1 hour.

What inspection and testing does an emergency lighting system need?

Inspection, Testing, & Certification, and/or Maintenance of Emergency Lighting systems, must be in accordance with the various British Standards BS 5266 parts 1,7,8,and 10 and other relevant requirements.

Premises (other than cinemas and certain other specified premises used for entertainment) should comply with BS 5266-1:2005. This requires a systematic shedule of inspections and tests to be carried out at the following intervals:

Completion certification for new installation or alterations
daily
monthly
six-monthly
annual test .

Emergency Lighting Competent Engineer Scheme

The Industry Committee on Emergency Lighting (ICEL) and British Standards Institution (BSi) launched a competent Engineer certification scheme for the Design, Installation and Testing of Emergency Lighting. Certelec offers a range of emergency lighting services provided by experienced, registered Engineers who are certified under this scheme.

Certelec Emergency Lighting Services

BS 5266 Completion Certificate

Certelec can inspect and verify the addition or installation of an emergency lighting system for a completion certificate.

Periodic Inspection and Test Certificate

A full inspection and test of the emergency lighting system is carried out for the annual requirements under BS 5266. You will receive the following documentation:

Periodic Inspection and Test Certificate to BS 5266
Copy of all test results
"Plain English" Appendix listing any works needed for the system to comply with BS 5266

Emergency Lighting System Design

Certelec can produce a Design to meet BS 5266-1:2005 for either a new installation, or for any required alterations/additions to an existing system.

Documentation will include ACAD drawings, applied (lighting cone) calculations to prove design meets the requirements of BS 5266, 3D views (where Relux software is used). Certelec will provide a signed 'Design Declaration of Conformity' as required by BS 5266-1:2005.

Costs

The cost of any of the above is wholly dependant on the size of the premises and amount of emergency lighting involved, we offer you a free survey and quotation. Once a quotation has been agreed there will be no hidden, additional costs. The only extras to be considered are a) congestion charging, and b) car parking where essential to the carrying out of work/s. Discounts are available if the work is carried out at the same time as an electrical installation inspection and test.