Emergency Lighting
Inspection
In the event of an emergency it is of paramount importance that your safety systems activate and perform to their utmost in order to protect life and fulfil your legal obligations as a business.
Why do I need it?
Thorough testing and inspection of your emergency escape lighting could be the difference between life and death.
Fire risks can be reduced and with a considered compliance program, avoided all together but if the worst was to happen how would your people escape the risk?
Electroglow are experts in the inspection and maintenance of fire safety systems that include escape lighting. Beyond the initial installation you have a legal obligation to ensure the system is periodically tested for faults and is well maintained.
Legal Requirements for emergency Lighting
UK fire regulations stipulate that your emergency lights should be turned on and off monthly to test them and have a full service once a year. The latest British Standard recommends that you have a 3 hour emergency lighting test once a year, during which your main light circuit should be switched off and your emergency lights left on for a 3 hour period to find out of any batteries need replacing
How often should a functional test of the emergency lighting system be carried out?
Daily check for operation. This need not be more than simple walk-around and visual check to determine if the indicator lamps are fully illuminated.
Every month you need to switch off the mains power supply to the emergency lighting unit. Often, a separate switch with a ‘fish key’ is installed allowing the testing of emergency lights without having to switch off all the power. Once the mains supply is off you need to walk past all the emergency lights to ensure they are working. If there are any defects these need to be repaired immediately. It is important to record the results of your monthly checks in your fire safety logbook.
Annual emergency lighting full duration test also needs to be undertaken where the switching off the mains power supply to the emergency lighting units and then leave the units illuminated for a longer period (usually three hours). The lights should be on for the whole length of time. If any of the emergency lights fail within this time their backup battery needs to be replaced.