Emergency Lighting Circuits!!!

[fantomcat_2k]

Hi, can anyone help,
Im due to start a job testing and inspecting an emergency lighting circuit next week, yet i have no experiece of working with them at all!!!

The only things i have inspected and tested are domestic and normal lighting circuits, can anyone tell me what extras i need to be aware of in order to test it, and second, does anyone have any idea of what i should be charging for this?- there's approximately 40 luminaries in all.

I know that doing a normal inspection and test goes the same way here, but do i need to test the backup batteries or anything, could someone give me a step by step procedure?

Thanks and please help, Steve

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Hi, can anyone help,
Im due to start a job testing and inspecting an emergency lighting circuit next week, yet i have no experiece of working with them at all!!!

The only things i have inspected and tested are domestic and normal lighting circuits, can anyone tell me what extras i need to be aware of in order to test it, and second, does anyone have any idea of what i should be charging for this?- there's approximately 40 luminaries in all.

I know that doing a normal inspection and test goes the same way here, but do i need to test the backup batteries or anything, could someone give me a step by step procedure?

Thanks and please help, Steve

Not done them, but no specifics in the regs (see 110.1(xxii)) and therefore initially I would presume, be inspected as per any other fitting. BS 526 covers the spec for lighting, but manufacturers instructions will detail battery testing/life. Most batteries should have an install date (if inserted) and a life expiry on the battery.

 

[sparks1234]

Emergency lighting should have a suitable log book which the client should have been filling in, also dependant on what type and battery packs they have as to how long they should last.
Are they new (ish) or old, have they been tested previously?
The list goes on, dont forget that this is a safety circuit and lives may depend on it

 

[fantomcat_2k]

Yeah, its ok, by no means what-so-ever would i cuts corners during my testing,

The client doesn't have anything written about the circuit at all, which i find a little bothersome, i dont really want to have to sit and draw out the installation!!!!

Also- i know the installation is originally 50 years old, but was rewired during the 80's its also ia city centre office for a very rich company, so im looking for as much infomation on this thats i can find.

I think the emergency lighting was "maybe" renewed in 2005 but so far i dont have any details- nothing is written at all- which suggests to me that this was never done properly previously!!!

I heard that you must leave the battery backup on for a t least one hour to make sure the batteries can withstand and emergency situation, but i can find that in the regs!!!

Also- this is the standard emergency lights- the ones where you get the Fire Exit light etc... so i was hoping somepeople may have delt with this before...

I have been told that there is a green LED in each fitting to tell you that the battery is charging, and the client also tells me that they have a specail "key" to turn the circuit on the emrgency "mode"

am i to assue the emergency side of things is ok, if the likghts remain on for over an hour whilst on battery power?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks, Steve

Not done them, but no specifics in the regs (see 110.1(xxii)) and therefore initially I would presume, be inspected as per any other fitting. BS 526 covers the spec for lighting, but manufacturers instructions will detail battery testing/life. Most batteries should have an install date (if inserted) and a life expiry on the battery.

dont you have to have a sperate certificate to test emergency lighting systems, i heard this on the grape vine???

 

[Spudnik]

Just because the LED is lit doesnt mean that the battery is taking a charge.

Thats why there is a key switch so that you can shut power off to them to fool them into working.

If they dont light up when you test them, its time to replace

 

[sparks1234]

Just because the LED is lit doesnt mean that the battery is taking a charge.

Thats why there is a key switch so that you can shut power off to them to fool them into working.

If they dont light up when you test them, its time to replace

You also need to make sure they last and dont just light up, dont just switch them on and off briefly

Make sure the units at 1 hour and not 3 hour if thats what you are testing them for

Sorry to sound like an old woman but cover your ar**,

 

[jboy1888]

The test period for the emergency lights is either 1hr or 3hrs its dependant on the buildings purpose (ie hotels, schools etc are all 3hrs) I have a list to determine the time to test for i will try and attach it but if your unsure do the 3hr test and remember the building should not be occupied for a period of 24hrs after test to enable the batteries to charge again. With regards to the batteries if there 4 years or older they must be replaced even if they work for the full duration of the test. And another thing to look out for depending on the fittings, if they are bulkhead fittings as in the attachments the correct sticker must used on it, the word EXIT must be replaced with the picture of the guy going through the door sticker (see attached)

 

[Graeme Harrold]

The test period for the emergency lights is either 1hr or 3hrs its dependant on the buildings purpose (ie hotels, schools etc are all 3hrs) I have a list to determine the time to test for i will try and attach it but if your unsure do the 3hr test and remember the building should not be occupied for a period of 24hrs after test to enable the batteries to charge again. With regards to the batteries if there 4 years or older they must be replaced even if they work for the full duration of the test. And another thing to look out for depending on the fittings, if they are bulkhead fittings as in the attachments the correct sticker must used on it, the word EXIT must be replaced with the picture of the guy going through the door sticker (see attached)

The "Pictogram" is a must for any safety sign, the text is supplementry , Your local sign maker should be able to sort you out with a few cut to size..............

 

[ryanryan]

you can get the Guidane Notes for Emergency Lighting..

 

[senor_fabulous]

It is a case of walking round the building, identifying and noting down the types of emergency light and the location, maybe even numbering them up. Emergency lights will be located at exit, entry points, staircase at least one per room, more if it is a large room or open plan office. They will be identified with a red or green led. You may well find there is a pattern ie a coridor where every other light is an emergency. You will need to find the key swith (usually mk, ask any wholesaler or spark) which switches the permanant live. Walk round checking each light, note down, any problems then come back after an hour or three depending on the use of building, and recheck the lights noting any failures etc.

 

[ryanryan]

you may also try to secure a contract, where u functionally test once a month, 1nc a month for an hour and a 3hr anually.

also if you buy any bulkhead luminaire, you will find a sample test sheet within..