Emergency lighting
Why carry out maintenance?
In an emergency, such as the threat of smoke or fire, emergency lighting is crucial if normal lighting fails. Unfamiliar surroundings will only exacerbate the problem. If people are to move safely out of a danger area, the hazards and directions must be clearly visible – so any emergency lighting must be sufficiently bright, correctly positioned and illuminated for a sufficient length of time that the building occupants can be evacuated safely. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005, employers of more than 5 staff must ensure that such adequate emergency lighting is provided along escape routes.
Orkid Life Policy
A suitably qualified engineer will carry out inspection and testing every six months, to fulfil the requirements of the six monthly and annual inspections, testing and certification. Tests will be carried out as indicated at the following intervals:
Six-Monthly
- The monthly inspection will be carried out;
- The system energised solely from the back-up battery for a continuous period of 1 hour;
- All self-contained luminaries, internally illuminated signs and central battery systems will be energised for a continuous period of 1 hour, or for 15 minutes for a 1 hour system.
Annually
- The monthly inspection will be carried out.
- Full visual inspection of the system;
- Each emergency lighting installation tested and inspected for compliance;
- All self-contained luminaries, internally illuminated signs and central battery systems will undergo a full duration test; at the end of the test period the supply to normal lighting will be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored;
- On completion of the above tests an inspection certificate will be issued showing any deviations and subsequent recommended actions and the log book updated accordingly.
We would also recommend that any batteries should be checked, on a regular basis, to ensure that terminals are clean, connections are correct, the correct level of electrolyte is present and that there are no leakages.
Regulations
Orkids maintenance policy for the testing and inspection of emergency lighting fulfils the requirements of BS 5266-1:2005 Emergency lighting: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises.
Additional Emergency Lighting Services
As well as maintenance and 24/7 emergency cover for your emergency lighting system, Orkids’ experienced engineers can undertake extensions and modifications to existing systems where there is a change in usage or premises, and update or improve systems to ensure full compliance and safety.