The needs of every building must be outlined in a fire risk assessment. This fire risk assessment needs to be reassessed every year to ensure it meets the changing needs of the premises. British Standards and Codes detail the nature and installation of emergency escape lighting systems. It is worth noting that the duration of emergency lighting may vary depending on the specific application. For example, in areas where there is a higher risk to the safety of occupants, such as escape routes, the emergency lighting may need to remain illuminated for a longer period of time. This should be determined through a risk assessment and in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards. This performs the same function as a key-switch, isolating the fitting from its permanent live supply and thereby simulating a power failure. The team here at Fire Trade Supplies have assembled a collection of Fish Key Emergency Lighting including F9099 grid keys (PK6), Multi-EL (3 pairs of assorted EL keys), EL key - crabtree style (PK6) as well as many more combinations which can all be found in our store. It supplies the power that keeps the emergency batteries charged. That’s why it must not be affected by any switching of L SW.

Confirmation that the emergency lighting system has been installed in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards. Is your building permanently used E.G. Hotels, then you need to test the lights so that the end of the test corresponds to the start of day. In this way the emergency lights will have a good time to recharge during daylight hours. Natural daylight will help if the emergency lights don’t last 3 hours. Should I test ALL emergency lights at once? A minimum duration of 3 hours should be used for emergency escape lighting if the premises are not evacuated immediately. The 3 hour time frame allows the fire brigade time to work in the event of a fire after all of the building’s occupants have been safely evacuated. How often should my emergency lighting system be tested? Non-domestic properties have a statutory responsibility to supply, test, and maintain emergency lighting systems. The reason for the regulations is to promote safety should the power supply go down for any reason. In such an event, emergency lighting provides illumination for safe evacuation or manoeuvre around the building’s interior. It can also support operational continuity in some contexts. If everyone goes home at 5pm then perhaps start the test then, or up to 3 hours before. So you know that if there was a problem after the test no one would be in the building and the emergency lights would have a long time to recharge overnight, before people start working again in the morning. But the building is used 24/7 365 days a year!Yes and no. If it is a small building and all the emergency lights are on one circuit, then yes, you have no choice. However if it is a large building then it would make sense to stagger the testing. This way the whole building would not be affected if there was a power cut, during the recharge time. Testing Central Battery Systems Self-test has several benefits. First, it saves the labour of manual testing. Secondly, it removes the risk that routine monthly or annual testing is overlooked. L PERM is the permanent live supply and must have no normal (manually operated) switch or sensor on it. However, a key-switch is permissible and will usually be installed on this circuit. L PERM has two functions: In my humble opinion the switch should be of "simulation" status IE cutting power (as it would if in a power cut, fire, etc.) and illuminating EL only.

BS5266-1 states that emergency lighting should be regularly tested. How often should emergency lighting be tested? Test facilities often take the form of a fishtail key inserted into a specific switch, either near the main fuse board or relevant light switches. Additional Combined Services There are different types of emergency lighting; it can be maintained, non-maintained, or combined. Often there are choices with how long they remain on after a power failure. Maintained Emergency Lighting The name of the person or organization responsible for the maintenance and testing of the emergency lighting system. Confirmation that the emergency lighting system has been designed and installed to meet the specific requirements of the building and its occupants.As I understand it the EL light units that (should) have LEDs on them, the LEDs are illuminated when in normal 'charging' mode but go out when in EL mode? Any other relevant information, such as details of training provided to staff on the use of the emergency lighting system. Details of any repairs or replacements carried out on the emergency lighting system, including dates and the nature of the work carried out. Yes if you are testing/servicing on the discharge test then no lights would be a problem for persons working in those areas and so this would need doing when unoccupied - so I can see the logic behind the key switches not shutting off power - but that would only be for green LEDs and not red LEDs that would be difficult to visually see - similar if 3 tube lighting is working and one of the tubes is the EL light you wouldn't know if that EL unit was working if the main lights are still being powered...

The duration that emergency lighting should stay on for depends on the relevant regulations and standards, as well as the specific requirements of the building and its occupants. However, the general requirement is that emergency lighting should remain illuminated for a minimum of 1 hour, but it may need to remain illuminated for up to 3 hours in certain circumstances. Simulate a power failure by either an emergency key switch or by switching off the mains power to the emergency lighting. Details of the emergency lighting system, including its location, components, and the type of system installed. They can also provide insights on the suitability of systems in respect of applicable British standards and codes.Be very careful when touching anything inside the electrical consumer box, there is a danger of electrocution if something is wrong. If in doubt seek a qualified electrician ** What time of day should I test the emergency lights A key-switch. This is installed on the permanent live supply to an emergency fitting. When actuated it isolates the emergency fitting, thus simulating a power failure. This means that the emergency light fitting works with the main lights and is connected to the other lights and is controlled with the normal lighting. When the power fails, the emergency light remains on through the battery which has been charged whilst the mains is on. It can also be turned off whilst the mains is on if it is not needed. The battery often emits around 10% of the normal light levels. Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting This depends on the size and complexity of your building and the time it would take to evacuate. The minimum duration for an emergency escape lighting system is one hour. One hour’s duration should only be used if the premises are evacuated immediately on power supply failure and it is not reoccupied until full capacity has been restored to the batteries. These professionals can advise on the steps that need to be taken to determine the extent and details of the emergency lighting system within a particular building.