Testing emergency lighting

[Adam W]

I don't have a copy of BS5266 and I'm not about to fork out £122 for one, but I'd like to think I'm competent to turn a switch off and on again once a month, and I'm even willing to initial to say I've done it.

The way I see it emergency light testing is like fire alarm testing or even PAT testing (ISI&TEE) - you're not designing a system, just testing it, and a caretaker could do that.

Again, I haven't done a special course and got a certificate to say I can design an emergency lighting system, but I can integrate emergency lighting into the primary lighting system, and in a situation where nobody else is going to consider emergency lighting until it's too late I'd be happy to put my neck on the line. Same with the testing of it - I'm happy to take that on if nobody else will.

 

[westward10]

Thanks. I am competent. I just was not 100% sure of the implications and requirements.
I will take a look Monday and make an informed judgement.

Being competent I assume you have a good working knowledge of the necessary standards and requirements.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Any competent Electrician can install, test and maintain an emergency lighting system.
It takes a bit more info to design or to state whether an existing system complies.

 

[westward10]

I don't have a copy of BS5266 and I'm not about to fork out £122 for one, but I'd like to think I'm competent to turn a switch off and on again once a month, and I'm even willing to initial to say I've done it.

The way I see it emergency light testing is like fire alarm testing or even PAT testing (ISI&TEE) - you're not designing a system, just testing it, and a caretaker could do that.

Again, I haven't done a special course and got a certificate to say I can design an emergency lighting system, but I can integrate emergency lighting into the primary lighting system, and in a situation where nobody else is going to consider emergency lighting until it's too late I'd be happy to put my neck on the line. Same with the testing of it - I'm happy to take that on if nobody else will.

When you integrate emergency lighting into an existing system how do you go about this, what are your primary considerations.

 

[Adam W]

When you integrate emergency lighting into an existing system how do you go about this, what are your primary considerations.

Generally the same considerations as for the primary lighting system, such as the use of the space and future maintenance, plus the direction of the escape route.

 

[westward10]

What photometric data do you provide, see BS5266:1 2016.

 

[Adam W]

What photometric data do you provide, see BS5266:1 2016.

See posts #16 and #20.

 

[Deleted account]

I don't have a copy of BS5266 and I'm not about to fork out £122 for one, but I'd like to think I'm competent to turn a switch off and on again once a month, and I'm even willing to initial to say I've done it.

The way I see it emergency light testing is like fire alarm testing or even PAT testing (ISI&TEE) - you're not designing a system, just testing it, and a caretaker could do that.

Again, I haven't done a special course and got a certificate to say I can design an emergency lighting system, but I can integrate emergency lighting into the primary lighting system, and in a situation where nobody else is going to consider emergency lighting until it's too late I'd be happy to put my neck on the line. Same with the testing of it - I'm happy to take that on if nobody else will.

Hi Adam w,

I've feel I must disagree. I have no quals in emergency lighting also, but suspect I may be able to test correctly,

But the reason I wouldn't do this job (just because I suspect I could do it )is I don't know what I don't know.

there are parts of this job I may be ignorant of so it would be unfair and wrong to charge a customer for works I am not compitant in doing.

Thinking your compitant or suspecting your compitant does not make you compitant.

If I where to take on a job such as this I would at the very least get a copy of bs5266 and go on a course.

 

[Leyland30]

It’s all in BS5266:12016.

 

[suffolkspark]

Its an awkward one as i have worked in several buildings where the emergency lighting is checked monthly in house by designated office staff, who were not say competant to design a system but they could flick a key switch and see if they lit or not. Im sure if you had in writing that you are literally carrying out functional or a 3hr test only and that if compliance of that system with bs5266 needs to be confirmed then somebody competant to do so should be appointed if so required?

I don't see how that leaves you open to any liability as your only doing as asked and have made clear that that task doesnt nescacerily (sp?) mean it complies with relevant regs?

 

[Taylortwocities]

In my experience, the monthly functional test can be carried out by the cleaner, who ticks off a log sheet.
But
Initial certification and the required 12-monthly soak/discharge checks must be done by someone who knows the requirements.
Passing the “17th Edition” does not make you competent wrt Em Lighting.

 

[gnuuser]

Thanks. I am competent. I just was not 100% sure of the implications and requirements.
I will take a look Monday and make an informed judgement.

here is where your code books come into play, different designs and setups can preset different requirements and amendments to code and are generally detailed in the code books.
when i had to inspect at work I carried a copy of the specific pages of the code book right with the clip board (even though i had them memorized).
our company would do the initial inspection with 1 inspector ( a master) and 2 witnesses (usually a journeyman and an apprentice)
subsequent inspections were done by the qualified journeyman and apprentice to verify the system continues to operate and hasn't been altered in any way. Proper documentation was required and the company was fined if it wasn't done correctly.

as others have stated if you are unsure you shouldn't do the inspection or at least have a copy of the pertinent regs to refer to.

 

[Nigel]

If you are testing emergency lighting systems then you should be competent and understand the implications of BS5266: Part 1.

There should be a log book for the system(s) and you would be signing this log book to confirm that the installation is, and continues to be, compliant with the various requirments.

If you don't know about this, then don't do it. If there's a fire and the occupants of this public building cannot get out because your "certified" emergency lights don't work, then it will be YOUR dangly bits on the chopping block when the courts come to pin the blame on somebody.

Just saying.....

You sign the logbook to say you have inspected. Not that it is compliant.

 

[Nigel]

I suggest you refuse to do it too. 17th edition and BS7671 has nothing to do with emergency lighting.
You aren’t competent in this particular area.

The Standards states that the installation must also meet BS7671.

 

[Nigel]

I don't have a copy of BS5266 and I'm not about to fork out £122 for one, but I'd like to think I'm competent to turn a switch off and on again once a month, and I'm even willing to initial to say I've done it.

The way I see it emergency light testing is like fire alarm testing or even PAT testing (ISI&TEE) - you're not designing a system, just testing it, and a caretaker could do that.

Again, I haven't done a special course and got a certificate to say I can design an emergency lighting system, but I can integrate emergency lighting into the primary lighting system, and in a situation where nobody else is going to consider emergency lighting until it's too late I'd be happy to put my neck on the line. Same with the testing of it - I'm happy to take that on if nobody else will.

Everything wrong with our industry in a single post right here.