EICR every 3 years for EM light circuits

[TJC1]

Evening all

Got an email from a prison we do work at who said they have been told that any circuits that contain emergency lights need to periodically tested every 3 years on top of the 5 yearly test.

I have looked through the IET but cant see any info on it? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[Nigel]

There is no such guidance in BS7671 or BS5266.

 

[snowhead]

It may be a Ministry of Justice requirement.

 

[westward10]

It is in GN3.

 

[MG201]

Would they not have emergency lights tested annually and have log books , powering em down for 3 hours and checking key switches etc would circuits still need tested not sure there

 

[Andy C]

Would they not have emergency lights tested annually and have log books , powering em down for 3 hours and checking key switches etc would circuits still need tested not sure there

They do have requirements for all that which is recorded in the log book for continuity purposes. However there is also this requirement for an EICR on the supply cables etc every 3 years apart from the annual discharge check.

 

[westward10]

I am not sure what the reference to 3 years in GN3 applies to. It could be the secondary circuits for a central system where integrity of circuits are essential.

 

[Diver233]

The yearly test only discharges the lights and batteries, only a EICR would provide insulation and continuity results. May also be a prison thing, they still use a lot of MICC cables which any cracking could allow damp into the cables.