Emergency Lighting Servicing and Testing
The main purpose of emergency lighting is to illuminate escape routes, although it also allows occupants to find fire-fighting equipment, if there’s a fire.
UK fire safety legislation stipulates that emergency lighting must undergo a full test once a year and be ‘flick-tested’ at least once a month.
Emergency lighting is usually powered by rechargeable batteries that self-charge from the mains power or other power source.
The lights, known as ‘luminaries’, are either on constantly (‘maintained’) or are triggered by an interruption in the main power supply (‘non-maintained’).
A test checks that your system and luminaries are in full working order up to the stipulated British Standard by simulating a mains power cut.
The minimum permitted duration of an emergency escape lighting system is 1 hour and so your annual test will check that all of your lights turn on and stay on for at least 60 minutes and for as long as 3 hours, depending on the type of batteries you are using.
If you are responsible for commercial premises which have emergency lighting installed, then you will need to make sure that either you, a designated ‘competent person‘, or a fire safety company undertake the regular emergency lighting tests as required by law.
Monthly Emergency Lighting Test
The purpose of the monthly test is to briefly check that all luminaries are in place, working and clean. This test can be carried out by you or a member of your team, as long as they follow the correct procedures.
How to test emergency lighting on one circuit, or a number of large circuits:
Simulate a mains failure (usually with an emergency lighting test-key supplied by your fire safety provider)
Walk around the circuit checking that every emergency light is illuminated
Switch the mains lighting back on
Walk around the circuit for a second time to check that all batteries are charging
The test should be carried out in as short a time as possible to preserve the light fittings and batteries
Annual Emergency Lighting Test
We recommend that your annual test is carried out by a fire safety professional, otherwise you risk being in breach of UK fire safety regulations which can bring tough penalties.
Your annual emergency lighting test takes the same form as the monthly test, with the difference that it should last for either 1 hour or 3 hours, depending on the type of batteries you have in your system.
It’s called a ‘full discharge’ test and it tests that your batteries last as long as they should and meet the minimum legal requirement. Any failed batteries or lighting tubes should be replaced as quickly as possible following the test, and any more serious faults should be immediately investigated.
If your emergency lighting needs testing, then get in touch with our friendly team today for prices and to book an appointment.
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info@attentivefire.co.uk
02089310468
Unit 4,
297-303 Edgware Road,
NW9 6NB