Emergency lighting???

[pete433]

Hi all

Does anyone have any advice on the following, we have a few blocks of flats we are inspecting (just the communal areas), they are three floors high and have basic general power and lighting. They do not have any emergency lighting is this required, we think so but not sure???

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[MDJ]

Whats the Fire officer say?

 

[pete433]

Is this our best option to call the local fire officer for input???

 

[MDJ]

I could easily tell you what I think as I do emergency lighting a lot, but to be 100% if your telling a client they need a system "you need back up", what better than the fire officer, there is a very large book on emergency lighting haha, I haven't got the energy to go through it all, but if your looking at flats then the residents will need to know where the exits are and if there is a fire alarm system then an emergency light will need to be positioned near the break glasses.

 

[pete433]

Thanks, there is no fire system in the communal areas as the flats are individual and have 60 minute rated doors so apparently not required. I will find the local fire officer and discuss as it seems that this is the way forward.

 

[MDJ]

Someone else may have a view too, but when inspecting an existing premises you need to be careful about whats needed etc, if it's new then different you can design what you want.

 

[jones750]

Hi all, this is my first post. Regarding the actual regs or other documents im not to sure if you definitely have to. I would of thought so with it being a "public area". I have recently been working on some flats myself and they all had emergency lights installed. i was installing the fire alarm.

 

[pete433]

I find it interesting that the install could vary from place to place person to person.

 

[MDJ]

when I say design what you want I mean you can design the system, but the fire officer will still need to approve it, as your looking at an existing premises you have to be careful what you suggest to the current landlord, he may get a second opinion which makes you look an ---, hence getting a fire officer in if your unsure what your doing, it is easy for me to say have a EM on each landing and above any exits, but it may not be right in that building.

 

[pete433]

My gut feel is that emergency lighting will be required to BS 5266 in the communal areas although as MDJ states best to back it up with the fire officer.

 

[rattlehead85]

I think if it is a block of flats with a communal area with a designated fire escape route and if it consists of more than two floors you will need an emergency lighting scheme covering the staircases and exit points. Running man signage forming part of the system is also required.

 

[pete433]

We have been told to get a fire risk assessment on every block 32 in total, costing £100 a shot after this they have stated all blocks will require emergency lighting but not a fire system.

 

[gnuuser]

with out a doubt get your local fire code officer involved in the decision
and include discussing the design, layout and possible alternate locations for lighting
they will have valuable input for you and you will be covering your rump insurance wise as well