Are emergency lights required in this situation???

[The Ghost]

Attending a job the other day in a shop. The shop is 20m long and 10m wide. There is an office/store/kitchen at the back leading to a communal store and passageway for four shops. Each unit locks its own door to this communal area.
The fire officer has told the owner there is no need for any exit lights at the back or front. I was somewhat surprised at this. Is there a need or is it too small to need emergency lights? I know I plan to go on a course at the end of the month and should have the definitive answer to this but in the meanwhile...

 

[Spoon]

Pinched the below from this info.




Looks like anything larger than 60m² may need one.

 

[westward10]

Is there any fire fighting equipment.

 

[The Ghost]

Is there any fire fighting equipment

None at all.

 

[The Ghost]

larger than 60m²

Well I am flummoxed I suppose I will wait until I have done my course for the answer to this. The area is definitely greater than 60m². Perplexing then at the moment.

 

[Adam W]

From the way I understand the situation I would have said it needs emergency lights, but I'm not going to argue with the fire officer.

 

[westward10]

None at all.

There are very few instances of a non domestic property that escape the requirements for a fire extinguisher.

 

[westward10]

From the way I understand the situation I would have said it needs emergency lights, but I'm not going to argue with the fire officer.

I have done on a few occasions, never assume these people know the correct information.

 

[Adam W]

I have done on a few occasions, never assume these people know the correct information.

I'm thinking it could be more a situation of the owner trying to pinch pennies, then if it hits the fan they turn round and say they thought that's what he was saying.
Maybe worth getting something in writing or hearing it straight from the horse's mouth.

 

[Deleted account]

IT may be that the emergency lighting is nessicary. It's just the exit signs don't need to incorporate lights.

 

[westward10]

The site should have had a fire risk assessment which will note the requirements for safety services.

 

[westward10]

IT may be that the emergency lighting is nessicary. It's just the exit signs don't need to incorporate lights.

If there is directional signage it requires em lighting.

 

[bigspark17]

If the fire officer has stated that there is none required in his report then none are required, he has his signature on the report. Nothing stoping you going beyond his report and adding extra tho aslong as the client is aware imo.

 

[The Ghost]

The client was adamant and I would not argue with a fire officer and I was just there for a box change.

 

[westward10]

Did the fire officer bod put this in writing and do they have a fra.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I'm kind of surprised none is needed. I am not that au fait with the relevant regs by any stretch. But the fact there are four units all opening onto a communal passage could mean a fair number of the public could be in the various units at the time of a power cut.
I recently fitted approx 6 ELs and signage in a smaller unit consisting of five rooms and two escape routes. This was at the request of the fire officer.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I'm kind of surprised none is needed. I am not that au fait with the relevant regs by any stretch. But the fact there are four units all opening onto a communal passage could mean a fair number of the public could be in the various units at the time of a power cut.
I recently fitted approx 6 ELs and signage in a smaller unit consisting of five rooms and two escape routes. This was at the request of the fire officer.

 

[westward10]

I would like to actually hear what the fire officer said because the absence of emergency lighting in a non domestic premises is highly irregular.

 

[The Ghost]

put this in writing

Exactly what I was thinking. I do not know. I don't think I will pursue it as it is a bit too much mission creep. Just surprised no emergency light is required ala the fire chief!

 

[Nigel]

Really depends on what the FRA states.

If the shop is only going to be open during daylight hours and there is a sufficient amount of natural daylight entering the shop then why would emergency lighting be required?