Emergency lighting regs?

[Deltron]

Hi there ppl,

Does anyone know how many lights i need in underground car-parks per square meter etc. I know each exit must be lit up with a running man exit sign but not for the main large area

Cheers

 

[needasparks]

Some where between 1 and 100. Get a lighting manufacture to scheme it fella, that way you have the photometric data that has to acompany the lighting certificate when its done.

 

[Deltron]

Thanks man for your help, but do you know about emergency lights?

 

[Guest123]

Aside from all the usual - exits, stairs & escape routes etc etc, you'll find that all of the pedestrian routes must be illuminated also.

Do you have access to BS 5266???

This book is also useful.....

Electrician's Guide to Emergency Lighting: Amazon.co.uk: Paul Cook: Books

 

[needasparks]

Affraid i do.
The reason i say that is if you want it to comply to regulations you must be able to proove it meets all requirements of the regulation which you obviously don't to ask. Its not a bad thing, only that you can get a lighting company to do this for you free if they think you will by their fittings. Its the best way to do it, I do this on all jobs i do now and am happy then that nothing has been missed.

 

[Deltron]

Yeah thanks, i know about the book and intend to get it but i needed info now ish to prepare quote before my Xmas holiday! And to get an idea of how many lights and that. The existing lighting is already poor with many fittings not working so i was thinking of putting in new circuit of maintained lights. any ideas?!
I don't suppose anyone knows a free download, i have been scouring the net with no joy!

 

[needasparks]

It makes sence to me to be a maintained lighting circuit but then i don't know the setup with daytime lighting levels, client running costs etc, you will also have to look into the size and number of exit legends which form part of the install.

 

[hughesy]

i was once told the lighting had to be uniform (think this means no shadows ) but that would take way too many lights , is there another installation you can compare it to.

 

[Deltron]

Ah thanks needasparks :tounge_smile: can u recommend any good suppliers to ring up for car park lights?

 

[Deltron]

i'm afraid i cant compare this to another, me and my colleague have taken on a big job and its a bit of a learning curve. We are ambitious! I'm not even sure how many lights im allowed for each lighting circuit for emergency lights. and how many key activation points i need etc???!? I know in this place, half the emergency lights don't work however!

 

[Engineer54]

It's all well and good to be ambitious, but it's rather foolish don't you think, taking on an installation that you know little to nothing about??

 

[hughesy]

think it will need a central battery back up system rather than the fittings with internal back up batterys especially from a maintenance and test point of view, if you google a company called dc emergency systems they supply all items and they also do big installations so would definatley know what you need.

 

[needasparks]

From what you say it needs re-designing, Yes you can have shadows but it will be down to the lux levels in dwell areas, In the main its safe movement in main areas and the exit route should be covered along its duration, stairs, ramps change of direction and final exits should be clearly marked, Maintained lighting can be taken care of with photocell or timered switching as long as a test facility is install to each circuit. Fittings should be vapourproof design as vehicles may discharge fuel, there's a lot to take into account and most people get it wrong, just take a look at your local carpark and you will know what i mean. Most of the big boy companies Dextra, Thorn, etc will normally take a day or two to do for you .

 

[Deltron]

Yes and no! I believe in myself so that helps! They have lights there existing and have had quotes but we will see. All i have to do is put in enough emergency lighting so it is adequate and improves the installation so satisfactory. Put new circuits in with key switches to test and then certificate! How hard can that be?!
got to think big to get to the top :39:

 

[ian.settle1]

You could download a program like Dialux or Relux which are free.

 

[needasparks]

Till someone falls over or something happens and guess who's door the insurance companies gonna be knocking on as the designer.
Fire alarms and emergency lighting schemes can't just be played at and must be correct ,
we are all no better than the worst job we have ever done. Don't let this be yours !

 

[Engineer54]

That to me sounds like a case, more of ''chancing'' than anything else!! You don't seem to even know what's actually required, you don't know the minimal lux levels for any part of the installation either!! Unfortunately things always look easier than they actually are!!

 

[Deltron]

Yeah true, i heard 1 sparky got 18 years man slaughter for ticking the polarity box on a PIR. The lady died as the current went through her and her heart couldn't take it. I think the rcd did trip as well.

 

[Deltron]

lol i think your right! basically if i get a few lighting companies to price up the materials and get the right lux levels and play it safe, i would be safe no?! i hate this quote but surely "it ain't rocket science!"
I just believe you got to aim big! i seen how my old bosses do it and im sure i can!

 

[needasparks]

start the van rodders, were out of here.:banghead:

 

[Engineer54]

lol i think your right! basically if i get a few lighting companies to price up the materials and get the right lux levels and play it safe, i would be safe no?! i hate this quote but surely "it ain't rocket science!"
I just believe you got to aim big! i seen how my old bosses do it and im sure i can!

Ah, ...But did he learn to walk before he could run first??

Nothing to do with being rocket science or not, Your mucking around in a situation where your leaving yourself totally open to claims from just about anyone who uses this car park facility. Get it wrong, and those claims will be found ''Proved''!!

 

[Deltron]

start the van rodders, were out of here.:banghead:

This time next year we will be millionaires! :devil2:

 

[Deltron]

I hear ya! i do engineer54! we have to think that way, always back yourself up i know!
Just think i can do this, going to research it thoroughly ofcourse tho! i just wanted to know what i am up against! It can't be that hard tho in the scheme of things, no?!?! lol

 

[Engineer54]

This time next year we will be millionaires! :devil2:

Or owe injured claimants millions!!! :rofl:

 

[Deltron]

Hmmm, always the pessimist eh?! lol

 

[Deltron]

Cheers for all your help guys, really good :angel_smile:

 

[mogga]

Affraid i do.
The reason i say that is if you want it to comply to regulations you must be able to proove it meets all requirements of the regulation which you obviously don't to ask. Its not a bad thing, only that you can get a lighting company to do this for you free if they think you will by their fittings. Its the best way to do it, I do this on all jobs i do now and am happy then that nothing has been missed.

just a thought Who would sign the "Designer" part of EIC if you got them to design system how could you them sign off design and I verymuch doubt they would sign off
Just a thought as I would also go to them if situation arose it hasnt so far

 

[needasparks]

Iv'e never had a problem with them so far, Their name is all over the drawings as designer as they have a whole team of designers that just need a building layout drawing and you get a priddy CAD design back. TBH i have found them sometimes over the top with the layout but i guess it is covering themselves and it also gets good advertisement for them to achitects etc. But then i don't have to worry something could be wrong.