How often do we need to certify emergency lighting?

[Guest JohnRo]

In our block of flats, a competent person does the monthly functional checks and one hour test 6 monthly. Annual checks are done by a company who can issue a Certificate.

We are now told that the latter is legally required six monthly

Is this correct ?

John

[Tom Sutton]

You are not required to do a 6 monthly test, daily monthly and annually who ever told you ask them to check the latest British Standard, BS EN 50172:2004 BS 5266-8:2004.

Check out http://www.firesafe....gency-lighting/

[Guest Jamiew]

Dear Sir can you advise what you would recommend/legislate for regular emergency light testing. are we obliged to carry out monthly flick tests, a 1 hour test and also a 3 hour test every year? Should we meet regualtions with one of these tests or all of them? Many thanks

[Tom Sutton]

According to the appropriate British standard BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004 Emergency escape lighting systems. Specifies the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises,it should follow the following procedure.

Daily emergency lighting inspection (only for central back-up systems)

This check only applies to emergency lighting systems with one central back-up battery system. In this case, there is a daily visual inspection of indicators on the central power supply to identify that the system is operational. No test of operation is required. This test does not apply to emergency lighting with self-contained back-up batteries in each unit (standard emergency lighting).

Monthly emergency lighting tests

All emergency lighting systems must be tested monthly. The test is a short functional test in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004.

The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this test while minimising damage to the system components, e.g. lamps. During this period, all luminaires and signs shall be checked to ensure that they are present, clean and functioning correctly.

Annually

A test for the full rated duration of the emergency lights (e.g. 3 hours) must be carried out. The emergency lights must still be working at the end of this test.

The result must be recorded and, if failures are detected, these must be remedied as soon as possible.

Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/emergency-lighting/

[Guest Guest]

I have recently joined a fire company and I have been told that Fire alarm systems and Emergency lights have to be tested twice a year by a qualified engineer. I have read your previous notes but I am now confused, as the people around me have a wealth of experience.

[Tom Sutton]

Fire alarm systems and Emergency lights have their own testing and servicing routines and should be carried out by a competent person, check out,

http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-alarms/ and http://www.firesafe.org.uk/emergency-lighting/

[Guest Gary McLean]

Hi Tom, who is a compitant person and what qualification are required

[Tom Sutton]

A person is to be regarded as competent, where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly to carry out any such duties assigned to him.

That the easy bit, how you select a competent person that’s the hard bit. First what professional qualifications he/she have is a good starting point, do they have independent recommendations which you are able to check out. Is insurance available if things go pear shaped and you must also consider at least three candidates to assess the average cost of the service which will ensure you are not being overcharged. It is the same as employing any other contractor you must do your research.

Check out http://www.bafe.org.uk/schemes.php it is not a guarantee but it is one of the few qualifications available for many fire safety professions.

[Guest Supa sparks]

If in doubt always use a person or firm that are registered under the Competent persons scheme.

NICEIC, or  Nappit are a good start, both verify the qualification of members and also do an annual inspection.

[Tom Sutton]

Thanks supa sparks for your imput the more we have the better.

[Guest Philippa]

Just to be clear, if the monthly and annual checks (which we can ourselves) do not raise any issues, does the system need any routine servicing from an electrician?

Thanks!

[AnthonyB]

No, only where a repair or alteration is required.

[Guest David Mclean]

Just discovered your site . Excellent. We are in a court of 6 separate blocks, with 4 flats in each block.

We are 27 years old and just had our entrance lights to each block replaced .They called it 'emergency lighting .'

Much better .Lights come on automatically, and we are wellpleased .

They now tell us we have to have them checked etc at £240  a year .Is that right ?  We never had to do that with the old lights .

It is to do with emergency light rules regulations. But do we come under that regulation? Surely we are too small. 

Any advice appreciated .

Thasnking you

David Mclean

[AnthonyB]

Size of premises has no bearing on applicability of legislation. Even a tent in a field if not used as a private dwelling is subject to fire safety legislation.

If your fittings are genuine emergency lights (that will stay illuminated upon power failure using their internal batteries and can often be identified by their green LED light (which is illuminated under normal conditions to show the battery charger is on) then they require a suitable system of maintenance under the Fire Safety Order. The benchmark is in BS5266-1 where the fittings should be tested monthly for function (brief on/off test) and annual for duration (full 3 hours under battery).

If the installation has been made by a competent person and in line with BS5266-1 then there will be secret key test switches that would allow you to carry out this testing.

[Guest EML Testing]

On 28/09/2012 at 15:44, Tom Sutton said:

You are not required to do a 6 monthly test, daily monthly and annually who ever told you ask them to check the latest British Standard, BS EN 50172:2004 BS 5266-8:2004.

 

Check out http://www.firesafe....gency-lighting/

Check out each of the HM Gov Guides to Fire Risk Assessment - Appendix A

[Tom Sutton]

BS 5266 part 8 : 2004 is clear there is no six monthly test only the daily, monthly, annual test and the regulating authority may require specific tests. I think the gov guide is incorrect and I am not surprised.

I do accept my wording could be better but if you read the following submission in June it is clear and if the link was checked out it is quite clear there too.

 

[AnthonyB]

6 monthly test hasn't existed since 2004 and just wears out the battery packs sooner, it's only used by those who are out of date or after a quick buck!

[Guest Pellis5582]

For annual testing, is there 30 days grace as it's not always possible to get to a site on the same date ever year, or does it have to be done before the previous cert runs out?

[AnthonyB]

Technically no grace period, but realistically a few days either way doesn't matter, if it's within a month it shouldn't be the end of the world either.

[Guest Andy]

is there a legal requirement to issue an annual emergency lighting certificate or is it best practice

[AnthonyB]

You need to evidence your system of maintenance, a certificate is one way of doing this but not exclusive.

[Guest Andy]

Is it a compliance issue proving the system is in full working order with no changes or is it a legal requirement

[Tom Sutton]

It is a legal requirement The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 17 Maintenance and you need evidence to prove you are complying in case you end up in court.

[Gary]

Hello,

 

I am the resident of a small residential development and I also look after the communal areas on behalf of the owners - i.e. I look after the management company.

 

Last year, an electrician installed new LED emergency lamps across the our development (which is comprised of three small blocks). These replaced a series of old fluorescent emergency lamps. He also installed a test switch in each area.

I’ve been running and recording the required monthly checks as required and we have just reached our 12 month anniversary of the new lamps, so the annual test is now due. I have read this thread several times, and I still cannot seem to understand whether we definitely need a professional organisation to carry out the three hour test or whether I can do it myself? Of course, if there are any faults found over the course of the annual test then I would bring-in the electrician to make the necessary adjustments and repairs.

Please can you advise me whether I am able to carry out the annual test myself without professional intervention?

 

Additionally, we have a smoke ventilation system (AOV) in the each of the three small blocks. I check that the vent opens and closes via the manual switch every month, at the same time I test the emergency lights, but I presume I need to test the smoke sensor on an annual basis using a smoke generating machine. I cannot find any information about the formal necessary testing of this system, so would be grateful if somebody can guide me towards the necessary legislation.

 

Thank you, in advance, for any help you can offer with these matters.

Gary

[Guest Melix]

Hi there.  Do large warehouses need emergency lighting or would glo-in-the dark floor strips or specialist paint be sufficient to aid a persons escape?