emergency lighting

[i=p/u]

hi guys, ive read for two days solid on emergency lighting as im testing a restaurant tomorrow and ive came across this 2 page guide and was wondering what you think of its accuracy and isit up to date for yous who know this stuff thanks trev http://www.ucl.ac.uk/estates/maintenance/fire/documents/UCLFire_TN_022.pdf

 

[brspark]

Sorry its late, have been searching for stuff i have used in case it helps you. Mine was for a project which
involved me inspecting emergency lighting and i had to put together all forms etc for testing.

Have attached more certs and web page i used for info......Emergency Lighting

 

[oxocube]

Looks good to me, check the log book for previous test results, especially the last annual test. The log book should also tell you whether its a 1 or 3 hour system, probably be 1 hour assuming the restaurant is open 6 or 7 days a week.

Your biggest problem is that you will probably get failures and this should be explained to the client, because if the EL isn't working its illegal to open the restaurant. Could get a bit stressful.

 

[KINKY]

Is it a self-contained or Slave, central battery System?

You need to take care when you choose to test the system.

BS5266 recommends if it’s a self-contained system the testing is staggered/alternate fittings tested, with the remainder tested the following day or once the previous lights are fully recharged.

If they are slave lights with a central source there are two options.

Say it’s a 3hr duration, test the battery to 2hrs and by means of observing the central battery voltage & calculation, determine if it would stand up to a full 3hr duration test.

It’s also good practice when design central battery systems to allow for a 25% spare capacity, this is for future expansion and to always ensure the system is never fully discharged after testing.

Only problem with the above method is the discharge curve is exponential so calculation is unreliable.

Or another method recommend by BS5266 is to do a full duration test at a time lease likely to cause problems.

The reason for this is, say you did a full duration test on a self-contained system and shortly after there was an explosion, fire whatever, there would be no emergency lighting!!!

 

[i=p/u]

thanks guys, well i went this morning to do tests as the restaurant didnt open too 2pm, so was low risk time.

there is 25 em lights , i switched off lighting circuits and the em lights kicked in. i tested for 2 hours as i read in em lighting guide two hours for non maintained.
i noticed alot of the lamps had black streaks in the them and the charging lights didnt come back on 4 of them.
there was no existing plan or logbook for the emergency lighting. and couldnt see any bs number marked on fittings so didnt know if they were upto date.to 5......2-2?
also alot of the bulkhead fittings had the exit stickers stuck onto light casing wich i feel prevent light comming out. i asked person in charge and they said noting has been done since it went on fire back in 2006.
isit true that non maintained fittings should be replaced every 4 years???

 

[i=p/u]

any help is appreciated if your in my shoes

 

[i=p/u]

anyone one want to guide me little more, if ya would x

 

[UNG]

I normally do a 1 hour duration test every six months and a 3 hour test every 12 months. I 'm considering purchasing one of these ACT D4000 Emergency Lighting Battery Tester for checking battery condition. From past experience batteries will last from 3 to 5 years depending on operating and charging conditions and battery overheating is one of the causes of premature failure

 

[i=p/u]

cheers for replying , you can tell im knew to this but have read the web inside out on emergency lighting. if you were me would you say to change the lot as havent been tested in 5 years and have no logs or any info atall, when i did test the charging indicator didnt come on of 4 of them. and the lamps are getting black in good few and all few covers are rotten with greese....

do you normaly replace every 4 years for non maintained. or do you wait till break down completely. i will learn this inside out .just emailed boss emergency light course for aygust.

 

[i=p/u]

thes tester is 170, il email him that too.

 

[UNG]

I repair or replace when the batteries fail the duration test so some sites have batteries that still work after 6 or 7 years or longer

Yes the tester is expensive at £170 + vat but does provide the information needed to make the informed decision as to whether the battery is good or is close to the end of it's life. I have used one of their other battery testers for years on intruder and fire alarm batteries so I know they work

With regard to a course not sure what you are going to get out of it that buying a copy of BS5266 and reading it wouldn't achieve

 

[Electro-tech]

I tend to do a full duration test if no records, If tubes are blackened ,I replace. If luminaire or battery faulty ,I Replace the whole unit, changing just the battery is not always guaranteed. I use a lux meter and also if you understand the design I also look to see if I can improve the system.Remember there are different meanings of emergency lighting.Escape route lighting, a priority ,signage height/distance and correct legands.

 

[i=p/u]

cheers elctrotec,
i have found four that need replaced as mains light hasnt came back on

i would say replace all lamps as are blackened

i would reccomend cleaning all covers as hasnt been done in 6 years

i would reccomend taking all exit stickers off em fittings cover

i would reccomend moving fire extinguishers and first aid beside maintained fitting and extra signage

there is no other records or logbook so i would supply one of these to keep upto date and show you how to test for for 2 mins every month and anually.

now all i need is a periodic inspection form for em lighting if anyone could help, the ones i viewd online are very drawn out....

any input lads on what ive mentioned is all appreciated

 

[i=p/u]

remember this my firsst time with emrrgency lighting so kinda want to be confident

 

[Electro-tech]

There is this, but you need Open Office Org which is a free to download, to formfill.
Emergency Lighting Reports - Downloadable Electrical Test Certificatesd Scroll down and download.
Forgot, do not remove stickers or legends from em covers.These are there for directions in the event of fire to evacuate the building safely. A cheap option of illuminated signage.