Emergency Lights & Exit Signs

You don’t have to be a trained and certified technician to test an emergency light—but it helps. Emergency Lights are the most neglected fire safety apparatus, yet the role they play in preventing panic and directing an orderly flow of traffic during times of crisis is undeniable. At CTS Fire & Safety, our certified and professionally trained team can test your emergency lights with accuracy and certainty, and perform service where necessary in accordance to all NFPA standards. Additionally, our documentation will clearly denote any and all service so that you have a detailed breakdown for any inspection or liability report.

When it comes to occupant safety and efficient evacuations, few elements play a more important role than emergency lights—and you need knowledgeable technicians servicing them. Let’s start a conversation about how CTS Fire & Safety can help you Expect More with your facility’s emergency lights.

Landlord Responsibilities for Emergency Light Testing

Are you unsure about the responsibilities around emergency lighting? Well, you’ve come to the right place.

If you are a landlord or owner of any domestic or commercial property, it is your responsibility to ensure emergency light testing procedures and tests are carried out efficiently and correctly under the law. These are necessary to establish legal emergency lighting systems under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

We have put together a guide regarding the rules for emergency lights and testing regulations, based on type of accommodation, so read on to find out more.

What is the Emergency Light Testing Process?

Emergency lights is lighting that provides illumination to your building if there were ever to be loss of power in your main system as well as giving reliable light to escape routes and fire equipment. As a landlord, it is important to ensure all your escape routes in corridors, stairways and lobbies are lit well and visible to people living in the building. If you own a house, HMO, or flats, the amount of emergency lighting varies depending on how many storeys there are, how complex the layout is and how much daylight and street lighting you have.

If you’re unaware of the processes regarding emergency light testing, be sure to book in time with a qualified emergency lighting engineer to make it easier!

If you already have emergency lighting, the engineer will check the quality of the lighting. Any necessary battery changes or charging will be undertaken.

Any faults that are discovered during the testing will be discussed with the customer and quotes for any necessary repairs will be given.

Training can be made available for anyone who will need to have the responsibility of checking the lighting and conducting monthly tests. Annual tests should also be carried out to make sure emergency lights are working and creating the expected light level.

Emergency lighting certifications should be made available to you, to verify your lighting complies with the law.

What Emergency Lighting is Needed in Houses?

If you are a landlord and own one or more houses, it is important to know what emergency light testing is needed for different types. With houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), if there are only two storeys, conventional lighting is only necessary. With HMOs up to three or four storeys, conventional and emergency lighting is again needed, especially if the route is difficult to navigate and there is no natural light. Finally, HMOs with five or six stories require emergency escape lighting as well as conventional lighting. It is important to take into consideration these emergency lighting regulations when the HMOs have shared cooking facilities too.

Even in non-shared households, emergency lighting is needed. However, conventional lighting is only necessary in two storey houses. Although, for three to six storey houses, the combination of conventional lighting and emergency lighting is needed. Especially if the route is complex and there is no natural lighting.

What Emergency Lighting is Needed in Flats?

Emergency lighting is also required if you are a landlord who owns one or more flats, whether this be in self-contained or flats in multiple occupations (FMO). If you own a single storey or more of a building with FMO, conventional lighting as well as emergency escape lighting if needed is required. If there needs to be a fire or general emergency escape route, it will also be necessary to have this. For landlords who own self-contained flats, two to six storey buildings will need conventional lighting and emergency escape lighting too.

Where is Emergency Lighting Needed?

So you know you need emergency lighting, but you also need to know what is needed and where it needs to be situated. Luminaries in lighting fitted altogether where necessary, containing one or more lamps with individual lights. For emergency lighting, the luminaries can be fitted in individual units or part of a system within the flat or house you own. Luminaries can be obtained in many variations, for example bulkhead, recessed louvres as well as illuminated fire escape signs for exits. However, LED lamps are becoming popular for conventional and emergency lighting, due to it’s longer life span (so no constant battery changing or charging). Furthermore, it releases less heat when lit, increasing its safety and efficiency in comparison to conventional lights.

When positioning emergency lighting you should bear in mind there is a two metre rule, where possible. This would need to be done two metres from the ground or as close as possible and no lower than that. Moreover, the emergency lighting should be equally lit. It must also be 2 metres below:

Stairways and changes in floor levels

Exit doors and secondary escape exits where borrowed light and street lights may be poor

Change of directions

Corridor intersections

Alarm call points and fire fighting equipment

To have emergency lights tested and installed, be sure to hire a lighting engineer who will ensure all these regulations are adhered to and carried out!

Need to know more?

If you require more guidance on emergency light testing and the practices, be sure to refer to the British Standards Institution and Fire Safety orders. Below is a list of all the relevant information:

BS 5266-1: 2016 Code of practice for emergency lighting of premises – gives general rules and guidance on the provision and operation of emergency lighting in most premises other than dwelling houses

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

BS EN 1838: 2013 Lighting applications – emergency lighting – specifies the illumination to be provided by emergency lighting (including luminance, duration and colour)

BS EN 50172: 2004/BS 5266-8: 2004 Emergency escape lighting systems – specifies the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises

BS EN 60598-1: 2015 Luminaires. General requirements and tests – see the 60598 series for particular requirements

BS EN 62034: 2013 Automatic test systems for battery powered emergency escape lighting- specifies a test system for battery powered emergency lighting

BS EN 50171: 2001 Central power supply systems – specifies central power supply systems for emergency lighting luminaires.

If you are a landlord and need emergency light testing, UK Safety Management offers free quotes to carry out this service for you! We have specialist engineers who will find any emergency lights that need to be re-serviced and rectified. Fill out the following request form to receive a free no obligation quote from us, to keep your commercial property safe from asbestos.

A Guide to Emergency Lighting - Introduction

A Guide to Emergency Lighting - Introduction

WHAT IS EMERGENCY LIGHTING?

Emergency lighting is lighting that automatically comes into operation when the mains power supply to the normal lighting fails.

DO I NEED EMERGENCY LIGHTING?

Premises that would normally require emergency lighting include: shops, offices, factories, warehouses, schools, hospitals, the public (landlord) areas of residential blocks, railway stations & airport termini, carparks, leisure centres, pubs, theatres and places of worship.

Emergency lighting is required wherever the public has access to a building or where people are employed.

Premises that do not normally require emergency lighting are individual houses and the privately occupied areas (flats and maisonettes) within larger residential blocks.

Emergency lighting is not required in private residential property that does not have public access.

Because emergency lighting concerns the safety of the public and employees it is heavily regulated. Several regulations, laws and standards define when and where it is required, the light levels that must be provided and how it should be maintained and tested.

For more information, read here:

To understand the regulations related to emergency lighting: What are the regulations & standards governing emergency lighting?

To understand about the different types of emergency lighting: What are the different types of emergency lighting fixture ?

To understand the process of emergency lighting design: Emergency Lighting Design

To understand emergency lighting testing: Emergency Lighting Testing

For FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS & STANDARDS GOVERNING EMERGENCY LIGHTING?

Below is a summary of the most important regulations and standards affecting emergency lighting.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (or RRO). This applies to England and Wales, but equivalent legislation is in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is very broad in its scope. The RRO applies to all premises except for: Domestic premises Offshore installations Fields, woods or other land (provided they are away from an undertaking’s main premises) Aircraft, locomotives or rolling stock, trailers or semi-trailers used as a means of transport or a vehicle for which a licence is in force Mines Boreholes The RRO applies regardless of the ownership of a building, so the public sector, private sector, individuals, charities and trusts all fall within its scope. The RRO introduces the concept of the “Responsible Person”. In Scotland this is the “Duty Holder” and in Norther Ireland it is the “Appropriate Person”. Their responsibilities are considerable, but so far as emergency lighting is concerned they are required to ensure that: Emergency exits and routes are indicated by signs, and Emergency exits and routes requiring illumination are provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting. Emergency lighting is subject to a suitable system of maintenance

(or RRO). This applies to England and Wales, but equivalent legislation is in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is very broad in its scope.

It will be clear from the above that for the “Responsible Person” to discharge their duties it is necessary that there are standards to follow concerning the design of an emergency lighting installation, the construction and performance of the emergency lighting fixtures themselves and the testing of the installation.

Building Regulations 2010 Fire Safety Approved Document B. This document (download here )mandates the use of escape lighting in almost all buildings and situations except for private residential premises. See table 5.1 and paragraphs 5.25 – 5.27. This document also states that escape lighting must comply with BS 5266-1 and that exit signs must comply with BS 5499-4.

BS 5266-1. Emergency lighting – Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises. Some of the key provisions of BS 5266-1 are as follows: Minimum lux levels for emergency lighting. BS 5266-1 defines the minimum lux levels that should be provided as follows: Defined escape routes should be illuminated to a level of not less than 1 lux along their centre line at floor level. Open areas should be illuminated to a level of not less than 0.5 lux at floor level. High risk task areas should be illuminated to a level of not less than 10% of the average of the normal lighting provided at that point. The location of emergency light fittings should include. BS 5266-1 advises where emergency lighting should be placed. Near each exit door intended to be used in an emergency Near stairs, so that each flight receives direct light Near any change in level Externally illuminated escape route signs and other safety signs needing illumination under emergency lighting conditions At each change of direction At each intersection of corridors Near each final exit to the outside of the building and to a place of safety Near each first aid post Near each piece of fire-fighting equipment and call point Near escape equipment provided for disabled people Near refuges and call points including two-way communication systems and disabled toilet alarm call positions Near manual release controls that release electronically locked doors Outside the building close to each final exit In toilets used by disabled people and multiple closet facilities All motor generator rooms, plant rooms, control rooms and switch rooms Pedestrian escape routes from covered and multi-storey car parks Emergency lighting duration . BS 5266-1 states that emergency light fittings should be able to operate for 3 hours following a mains power failure. 1 hour is also permissible, but only if the building will be evacuated immediately in the event of a power failure and not re-occupied till the batteries have been fully recharged. Emergency lighting testing . BS5266-1 defines the testing that should be performed on an emergency lighting system as follows: A brief functional test at least once each month A full duration test at least every year A visual inspection at least every year BS 5266-1 also advises that records of all tests and repairs should be kept in a log book.

Some of the key provisions of BS 5266-1 are as follows: BS 5499-4. Code of practice for escape route signing. This standard gives recommendations for the selection and use of escape route signs conforming to ISO7010. Some of the key provisions of BS 5499-4 include: Signage design. BS 5499-4 mandates the use of legends and directional arrows, all defined in BS EN ISO 7010. These are widely known as ISO7010 legends and are easily distinguished by their use of an image of a man running through a door. BS 5499-4:2013 also mandates the use of supplementary text, such as “Exit” or “Fire exit” alongside the legend and arrow. However, the EC safety signs directive (92/58/EC) adopted a pictogram-only approach (no text). For a summary of the signage designs that are currently approved for use in the UK

Please check “What type/style of emergency exit sign are allowed in the UK?” Signage location . BS 5499-4 advises where signs should be located and the principles that should be adopted to ensure that they are appropriately sited. Signage mounting heights . BS 5499-4 advises that signs should be mounted consistently and conspicuously and recommends specific mounting heights that should be adopted wherever practical. Use of directional arrows . BS 5499-4 makes it clear that “straight ahead” is to be indicated with an up-arrow. Sign size and viewing distance . BS 5499-4 defines the maximum viewing distance for an illuminated sign based on its luminance measured in cd/m². When NVC Lighting states the maximum viewing distance of an illuminated emergency exit sign it is in relation to BS 5499-4. BS 5499 -4 makes frequent reference to other standards. In particular, BS 5499-4 refers to: BS 5266-1 for the inspection, testing and maintenance of exit signs BS EN 60598-2-22 for all constructional aspects of emergency lighting signage BS ISO 3864-1, -3, -4 for detailed aspects of signage design such as colours, graphics and text

This standard gives recommendations for the selection and use of escape route signs conforming to ISO7010. Some of the key provisions of BS 5499-4 include:

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMERGENCY LIGHTING FIXTURE?

Emergency lighting fixtures can be classified in at least two ways:

How it works Self-contained Maintained & non-maintained Central battery Maintained & non-maintained Its function Escape lighting Open area & signage Standby lighting High risk task lighting

Classified according to how they work there are two main types of emergency lighting fixture:

Self-contained emergency lighting fixtures have their own re-chargeable batteries and an associated re-charging circuit built in. When mains power fails the batteries automatically provide the power required to operate the fixture. Because it is necessary for the batteries to be kept at or near to a 100% fully-charged state it is mandatory that self-contained emergency lighting fixtures are connected to a permanent (un-switched) live supply .

Please check How should emergency lighting be tested and wired? . Self-contained emergency lighting fixtures account for about 80% of the UK emergency lighting market and are suitable for many types and sizes of building.

A typical emergency conversion kit. This is used to convert a normal mains powered light fitting, such as an LED panel, into an LED panel that will function as a self-contained emergency fitting if there is a power failure. The plastic enclosure contains the necessary electronics and the batteries to power the fitting for 3 hours.

Central battery emergency lighting fittings are connected, via special fire-resistant cable, to a central battery that will deliver the required power when mains power fails. Central battery systems account for about 20% of the UK emergency lighting market and are mostly confined to large buildings and estates such as office blocks, campuses and hospitals.

Both self-contained and central battery emergency lighting can be “maintained” or “non-maintained.”

What is Maintained and Non-maintained in Relation to Emergency Lighting?

A maintained emergency lighting fixture works as a normal lighting fixture when mains power is available and remains illuminated (usually at a reduced output level) using battery power when mains power fails. Typical examples of maintained emergency light fittings would include: LED panel and LED downlight conversions. These fittings are widely used in offices, classrooms and corridors. In a typical installation 1 in every 5-10 panels or downlights would be a maintained emergency conversion. This means that it is a standard panel or downlight to which an emergency conversion pack has been added, so that it looks and operates as a standard fitting but remains on (usually at a reduced output level) when mains power fails.

works as a normal lighting fixture when mains power is available and remains illuminated (usually at a reduced output level) using battery power when mains power fails. Typical examples of maintained emergency light fittings would include:

A typical LED panel. When installed along with the emergency conversion kit (pictured above) this becomes a maintained emergency light fitting. When mains power is available it can be switched on and off as normal, but if mains power fails it automatically switches on at a reduced output level using its batteries, and can remain illuminated for at least 3 hours. The plastic enclosure contains the necessary electronics and the batteries to power the fitting for 3 hours.

Exit signs. These are often installed as maintained fittings, so that they are fully illuminated when mains power is available, and remain illuminated using battery power when mains power fails.

A typical exit sign. These are often installed to operate as maintained fittings, so they are on when mains power is available and remain on (using their battery power) if mains power fails.

A non-maintained emergency lighting fixture is off when mains power is available and switches on, using battery power, when the mains power fails. Typical examples of a non-maintained fittings include: LED bulkheads. These are popular along escape routes and over doorways and are most often installed as non-maintained fittings. They illuminate only when mains power fails. LED twinspots. These are widely used in industrial and warehouse premises. They are almost always installed as non-maintained fittings that illuminate only when mains power fails.

is off when mains power is available and switches on, using battery power, when the mains power fails. Typical examples of a non-maintained fittings include:

Typical bulkhead and twinspot emergency light fittings. These are almost always installed as non-maintained fittings, so they only illuminate when there is a power failure.

Classified according to their function there are three main types of emergency lighting: