Although most people are aware of this new sign format, introduced in the UK over the last decade, the fact that it should have replaced the older sign format is relatively unknown.
Many occupiers have limited understanding of how their emergency lighting systems operate and those that do realise their obligations to test and maintain these systems often sub-contract the maintenance.
To help solve any problems that may be encountered on such contracts, and to clarify the current requirements, the ECA, in conjunction with the Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting has released the updated publication Guidance for electrical contractors on emergency lighting legislation.
The Guide details health and safety regulations for emergency exit signs, their format and positioning. It also outlines a schedule of the routine tests and maintenance procedures that should be carried out by any subcontractor employed to manage such systems.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations introduced in 1996 to enact the EU signs directive required that all text-only (exit and fire exit) safety signs produced to comply with BS 2560 should have been replaced by 24 December 1998 with the pictogram format running man.
There is some debate over the actual form this pictogram should take, but the Regulations state that small differences in the pictograms or symbols are okay as long as they do not affect or confuse the intended message. All signs within an installation should be of the same format – either a person running towards a door or a person in a doorway.
Fire safety signs fitted to a new installation are recommended to be of the EU Signs Directive format – the person running towards a door. Signs being fitted to an existing building should match those already installed, providing that they comply with the Directive or BS 5499 Part 1.
The need for maintenance
All emergency lighting systems must be subjected to regular testing and inspection. These systems should not be viewed as fit-and-forget – without correct maintenance a system that has been carefully designed and correctly installed and certified to the necessary standards may still fail when needed. The building owner's insurance policy may also be affected if the emergency lighting systems are not maintained.
Although some central battery systems may need to be maintained by specialists, trained, competent electrical contractors can maintain many emergency lighting systems. BS 5266 and prEN 50 172 define the requirements for regular inspection and testing; emergency lighting testing requirements are outlined in ICEL 1008.
The results of all testing and maintenance carried out must be recorded in a logbook for inspection on demand. Inspection certificates should also be issued upon successful completion of routine maintenance and testing.
Methods of testing
All emergency lighting installations should be provided with a method of testing, usually by means of simulating supply failure through a test switch. Such switches must be positioned so that unauthorised switching is not possible and the supply is never unintentionally left disconnected. Some manufacturers provide automatic systems that conduct tests in accordance with the standards.
There is a risk of failure of the normal lighting supply after tests are conducted, therefore they must be completed at times of low risk. If possible, only alternate fittings should be tested at any time to minimise the risk of insufficient emergency lighting cover after testing due to reduced battery power.
When carrying out a test by simulating a mains failure:
- do not switch off other essential services and equipment;
- do not fully discharge a system if the building has to be reoccupied before recharge is completed (typically 24 h).
In the running
- The Health & Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations were introduced in 1996 to enact the EU Signs Directive
- All text-only fire safety signs should have been replaced by 24 December 1998 with the pictogram format running man signs
- Small differences in the pictograms or symbols are acceptable providing that they do not affect or confuse the message that the sign conveys
- If fire safety signs are to be fitted to a new installation they should be of the EU Signs Directive format
- Although some central battery systems may need to be maintained by specialists, trained, competent electrical contractors can maintain many emergency lighting systems
Lighting the way
A product recently introduced to the UK is set to bring benefits to the emergency lighting market. Liteline, distributed by Channel Safety Systems is a flexible, non-heating, linear light source. The product consists of a copper wire core thinly coated with an electroluminescent phosphor material, which is applied using semiconductor technology. It is supplied in lengths of up to 100 m as standard and is no bigger than a domestic telephone cable. Liteline provides 360° illumination and is offered in various colours. It can be set for continuous light or to flash at regular intervals – the speed of flashing is adjusted by changing the frequency of the power source. No light source is needed for the system, it is powered from a low voltage supply, such as 9 V batteries, and controlled with an inverter; two A4 batteries will power two metres of cable at 400 Hz for 27 h continuous use or 38 h flashing. Liteline has no fatal cut-off point, it will fade gradually over a long lifespan. The flexibility of the product makes installation simple and fast, it can be simply fixed by gluing along escape routes, down bannisters and along step treads to mark walkways. It is weatherproof and splash resistant.Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor