Emergency Lighting

Emergency Lighting

DTF Electrical Contractors are specialist emergency lighting consultants and cover all aspects from design, install and testing and auditing to companies across the whole of the UK.

It is absolutely vital that your Emergency Lighting is reliable and regularly tested and maintained to ensure compliance with BS 5266-1:2011 and it is also a legal requirement that all premises and locations that members of the public or employees occupy have suitable emergency lighting. We are able to carry out all Emergency Lighting Testing works and supply a break-down of costs quickly and cost-effectively. This is further supplemented by carrying out site-specific risk assessments.
The idea behind emergency lighting is in the event of an emergency evacuation of a building and/or in the event of a power failure, all escape route out the building will be suitably illuminated. During Emergency Lighting Testing all key components within the system will be inspected and tested, Including functionality and correct wiring of key switches, luminaries and control equipment throughout.
Not only can we design and install a complete emergency lighting system, we can provide regular maintenance and statutory 6 month and annual NICEIC-approved testing to ensure it continues to work as efficiently as it should. We can also audit your existing emergency lighting system to see if it is compliant by law.

Do businesses and public buildings require their emergency lights to be tested?

YES! As emergency lights are installed to assist in evacuating a building in the event of loss of supply to the mains lighting circuits. These emergency lights should still operate for 3 hours on a battery back-up and must be checked regularly to ensure they will work for the required duration in the case of an emergency. If they fail the test they should be replaced immediately to remain complaint for both legal and insurance reasons

Legal requirements

Landlords, employers or occupiers have a legal and moral duty under the “Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations 1999” and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to carry out an annual risk assessment of their premises to ensure in the event of an emergency the safe escape of the buildings.

All emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in case lighting fails. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that these systems are suitably maintained and tested to ensure they are safe and compliant. All emergency lighting systems should now be installed, tested and inspected in accordance with BS5266-1.

Where are emergency lights required?

Emergency lights are required in all areas where artificial lighting is installed including:

  • On escape routes
  • Open areas greater than 60 square metres
  • Areas of special risk
  • Near to stairs and adequate to shine direct lights on all treads
  • At any change in floor level
  • At any changes in direction
  • Near to corridors and intersections
  • Near to fire fighting equipment or fire call points
  • Near to first aid points
  • Outside each final exit point

Who should carry out the work?

Emergency Lighting Testing should only be carried out by a fully qualified and experienced test engineer, such as a fully qualified electrician who has experience of test and inspection and has been trained and qualified in electrical inspection work specifically.

What is the procedure for testing?

The test required is a simulated mains failure to the light unit for the duration of the hourly rating (1-3 hours). It requires that every circuit supplying an emergency light is isolated to demonstrate that the internal battery in the emergency fittings keeps the exits illuminated during a power failure. Each light is inspected to ensure it operates correctly and that the lamp inside is sound. The engineer will also ensure that there are a sufficient number of lights and check all fittings are correct.

How much will it cost?

Costs will depend on a number of factors such as:

  • Type of building
  • Size of building
  • The number of circuits to be tested
  • The availability of circuit data
  • Ehether testing takes place while the building is manned or vacant. (in or out of hours)

Call DTF Electrical Contractors Limited today on 07851951553 for a FREE quotation.