Emergency lighting is required in emergency situations when the main power supply is cut or due to some reason, it’s broken. Without light, there will be complete darkness, which is a possible danger to workers. This situation can cause physical damage, accidents, and a sense of panic.
As a legal obligation, all commercial sites should have weekly flick tests to check if emergency lights are working fine. An annual test also needs to be conducted to see if lights work in an emergency or not.
The British standard provides clear and strict guidelines to work with the emergency lighting. Hotels, hospitals, schools, clubs, nursing homes, colleges, multi-story dwellings, museums, shops, offices, and other licensed premises are governed by BS 5266-1. All commercial institutes should meet the defined standards.
Integral Fire Management is here to help you with emergency lighting testing.
Speak with our trained professionals to arrange your emergency lighting testing; call us at 0203 802 4648 or send us an email at info@integralfm.co.uk, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Why Is Emergency Lighting Testing Required?
Emergency lighting testing is essential for your business. Let us understand the reason why it is required:
1. Safety
The main purpose of Emergency Lighting Testing is to ensure the safety of workers and occupants in case of any power failure or any other emergency. Emergency Lighting guides workers in evacuating the building as it highlights emergency escape routes and exit marks.
This helps prevent panic and injuries in case of darkness or emergency. Regularly testing these systems ensures that they will perform smoothly when needed.
2. Legal Regulation
The maintenance and testing of emergency lighting is mandatory under UK rules and regulations, such as the Regulatory Reform Order 2005. These laws state emergency routes and exits should be well-lit, and maps displaying the exit routes should be hung.
Regular testing keeps managers and owners away from legal fines and penalties. They also have to ensure that standards and functions are as per the laws or above the standard.
3. Reliability
Regular testing of Emergency Lighting Testing helps build reliability in the system in an emergency. The system should be maintained, and batteries, bulbs, and equipment should be checked regularly to ensure they are in excellent and working condition.
The owner and employees could rely on the system only if it is tested regularly and, they have seen how the system works, and all markings are correct. To reduce chaos on the day, you can conduct drills with employees to understand a complete plan of action and evacuation.
4. Check the System
Emergency Lighting Testing helps identify the issues beforehand, which can lead to a huge disaster in an emergency. Some lights may not work, some bulbs may be burnt out, or any other major problem that can cause panic will be identified by regular emergency lighting testing.
5. Insurance
Some insurance companies require an Emergency Lighting Testing report to insure the premises. Under those policies, the system should be regularly tested and maintained to validate the policy. Failing to comply can result in cancellation of the policy or not giving the claim in case of any emergency.
These companies validate insurance only if you have proper equipment and systems and they are well maintained.
Types of Emergency Lighting Testing
As per your business scale and kind, you can choose the frequency of the emergency lighting testing. The most common are these three patterns:
1. Monthly Functional Tests
Monthly tests are performed to check the functionality of the emergency lights. All regular lights were turned off during this test, and only emergency lights were turned on. This test also checks the exit signs and escape route lights.
Any defect or problem found in this test should be resolved promptly. Lights should be lit throughout the operation with appropriate brightness.
2. Annual Full Tests
The second test is an annual test that checks the complete system’s performance over a year. In this test, the main power supply is disconnected, which should trigger the emergency lighting units and backup systems.
Unlike monthly tests, the duration of this test aligns with industry standards and regulatory requirements. This test can last from one to three hours, depending upon the size and kind of business. The system is compared to last year’s reports, and appropriate suggestions and feedback are given.
3. Periodic Inspection
The third test is Periodic Inspection by a qualified professional. You can hire fire safety engineers or skilled professionals to assess your safety system. This inspection will include a detailed assessment of lights, batteries, fixtures, wiring, and control systems.
This ensures all the systems are up to date and compliant with regulations and rules. Any maintenance or repair identified during periodic inspections should be promptly addressed and resolved.
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Conclusion
Emergency lighting testing is a necessity of safety management in buildings, especially large-scale commercials. This testing helps us reduce risk, enhances safety, and ensures all your employees will be well in case of any emergency power cuts. Emergency lighting testing is far more than a legal obligation; it is a vital measure in saving lives.
How We Can Help
Integral fire system is an agile and fast-growing fire company. Our services are of the highest standards; our members are well trained, we keep the complete process transparent, and we do our services efficiently and quickly and provide excellent customer support.
Our fire management and protection services are available for all kinds and sizes of business. From hospitals to housing developments to shopping centres, we can help you out. We offer a wide range of services like fire protection services, passive fire protection, fire risk assessment, asbestos surveys, fire alarm inspection, emergency lighting testing, and PAT testing.
