Emergency lighting – testing & maintenance
In an emergency situation, where the power may have failed, the buildings occupants need clear, signposted routes to safety.
This is where emergency lighting is so important and as therefore requires regular testing and maintenance.
All Nationwide engineers are trained in accordance with BS5266, FIA guidelines and follow SP 203-4 procedures for maintenance, fault finding and remedial works.
Regular testing saves lives
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) and health and safety legislation state that it is a legal requirement for all commercial properties to be a safe environment at all times, even when the mains fail.
Emergency lighting is required to operate fully automatically and give illumination of a sufficiently high level to enable all occupants to evacuate the premises safely, to provide guidance to the most effective exit by using safety signs that are visible at every stage of the escape route and to illuminate the route to ensure rapid egress avoiding obstacles.
Failure to comply not only risks lives, it also raises the possibility of prosecution and can invalidate insurance policies.
"Regular servicing is essential. The occupier/owner of the premises shall appoint a competent person to supervise servicing of the system. This person shall be given sufficient authority to ensure the carrying out of any work necessary to maintain the system in correct operation"
System Testing Requirements
Monthly: (user)
- If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the short duration tests shall be recorded.
- Test each luminaire and exit sign by removing the local electrical supply ( Flick test) to check each lamp operates.
- Check that they are present, clean and functioning correctly. After the test, restore the local electrical supply and check that the battery charge indicator is on.
- A function test for a period sufficient to ensure that each lamp is illuminated to check that the luminaire is working.
Users need to be made aware of their responsibility to ensure that user tests are carried out in accordance with BS 5266-1:2016
Annually: (maintenance provider)
- Each luminaire and emergency sign should be energised from its battery for its full rated duration period.
- Testing of the luminaires must be carried out from the emergency lighting test switch where available. Where no test switch is available, great care should be taken if isolating circuit breakers or main isolation devices.
- Checks are required to ensure the luminaires are fed from the live side of the normal lighting circuit for any area and operate on local lighting failure.
All Nationwide engineers are trained in accordance with BS5266, FIA guidelines and follow SP 203-4 procedures for maintenance, fault finding and remedial works.
