Emergency Lighting
A frequent question we receive at FSL from our clients is about emergency lighting requirements and what testing regime should be in place. Concerns that have been raised include are they doing enough to ensure compliance or are they going over and above what is required. Therefore we have decided to provide some guidance on this issue, reflecting the current guidance.
Regular servicing and periodic maintenance of emergency lighting systems is essential. The occupier/owner of a building must employ a competent person to supervise the servicing of the system. In most cases outside contractors are used to maintain the emergency lighting on behalf of the occupier/owner. It has become apparent that in some cases contractors are still insisting on testing regimes that were in the previous BS5226 Pt 1 - 1999. for example, 6 monthly tests are no longer in BS5266 Part 8, 2004. There are therefore a lot of Responsible Persons (RP's) paying out for quarterly testing of their emergency lighting when they could have a "competent person" conduct an in-house "flick" test and pay only for the annual periodic inspection/discharge test to be undertaken by a contractor.
Practical guidance on testing Emergency Lighting from BS5266 Part 8, 2004
Monthly
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the short duration tests shall be recorded. Tests shall be carried out as follows:
a) Switch on in the emergency mode each luminaries and each internally illuminated exit sign from its battery by simulation of a failure of the supply to the normal lighting for a period sufficient to ensure that each lamp is illuminated.
During this period, all luminaries and signs shall be checked to ensure that they are present, clean and functioning correctly.
At the end of this test period, the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored.
Annually
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the full rated duration test shall be recorded. For all other systems the monthly inspection shall be carried out and the following additional tests made:
a) each luminaries and internally illuminated sign shall be tested for its full rated duration in accordance with the manufacturer's information;
b) the supply of the normal lighting shall be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing the normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning;
c) the date of the test and its results shall be recorded in the system logbook.