Emergency
Lighting
Emergency lighting inspection & maintenance
In most circumstances almost all commercially occupied buildings in the UK will have a duty to ensure their building is equipped with functional and a well maintained emergency lighting systems. The TES team will can offer a design service for new installations and can also evaluate your current system to ensure evaluate your many variations within the design of your building, and access what is needed to install the correct emergency lighting solution.
How your building is used and the activities of your occupants will play a big part in the emergency lighting needed. Your building may have visitors that are not familiar with the layout of the building and finding the nearest route to the exit. Emergency escape lighting is crucial to a safe evacuation of all building occupants.
Why do you need emergency and exit lighting systems?
Emergency lighting is firstly intended to ensure the safe evacuation of the premises in the even of a mains failure. Identification of safe escape routes building escape routes is critical to the safe and calm evacuation of all building occupants.
Another consideration of an emergency lighting system is to aid emergency services should they need to re-enter a building post evacuation.
What is emergency lighting?
- An emergency lighting system is designed to provide temporary lighting in an emergency situation in which the mains power may fail and normal illumination fails to function. This could be the result of a fire, flood, or simply a regular power cut resulting in sudden darkness which could prompt panic by the building occupiers.
Emergency lighting is installed to illuminate automatically when the mains power is lost, the emergency lighting system should be designed to provide adequate lighting levels and must remain illuminated long enough to allow all occupants to safely evacuate the premises.
Where is Emergency escape lighting necessary?
Our fully trained emergency lighting engineers are well versed in the requirements of BS5266 and will be able to advise on what is required in order for your installation to comply with relevant legislation and standards.
As a minimum emergency lighting is generally required at the following locations:
- Escape Routes
- Fire Exits (Internal)
- Fire Exits (External to point of safety)
- Stairwells
- Change of height
- Floor level changes
- Fire Alarm Call Points
- Fire Extinguisher Locations
- Fire Alarm Control Panel
- Plant & Switch Rooms
- High Risk Task Area’s
How often should you test emergency lights?
It is essential that an emergency lighting system is well maintained and fully functional so that it works if and and when it is required. Your emergency lighting system should have a functional test carried out each month and the results recorded in the emergency lighting logbook, any faults identified should be rectified by an electrician as soon as possible.
The installation should also be formally tested by a suitably qualified engineer annually, this test will include a full discharge of the batteries and an internal inspection of the fittings along with any to ensure your building meets all relevant legislation and standards.
why is it important to Have a documented inspection.
Although annual testing is not a legal requirement having a functioning emergency lighting system is, often insurance companies or fire officers will require evidence that you, as the duty holder, have taken all necessary steps to ensure the system is functional and complies with the requirements of BS5266 and other relevant legislation.
Why use TES for your emergency lighting?
TES Compliance are experts in the installation and maintenance of emergency lighting systems UK.
Please get in contact with our friendly team should you have any questions on info@tescompliance.com, or call our electrical team on 01293 912 318 for a free electrical survey within your premises.
