'Way-marking' exit lighting in buildings

[John Webb]

I recently visited a church to advise them on fire detection. We got round to discussing emergency/exit lighting as an adjunct to their means of escape as they have no such lighting at present - well, parts of the building are medievial.

Someone at the meeting proposed that they could use the disused Victorian heating ducts in the floor to provide 'way-marking' lights to the exits with minimal intrusion to the listed interior.

Has anyone ever come across an application like this? And if so, what were your experiences?

[jokar]

To my knowledge that would not meet BS5266 as way lighting is not allowed on its own in premises applications.  It can be used as part of an Emergency escape Lighting scenarion whereby the lights have to be at a higher level.

[John Webb]

Thanks for that comment. I felt they would need additional lighting but we'll have to see what they come up with.

[kurnal]

Another point John would be tracing a consistent pathway- it is most unlikely that the heating duct would actually lead to the door.

What is the existing mains lighting and is that consistent with the medieval parts of the church? If the subcircuits are reasonably  diverse you could think about a UPS solution using the existing fittings.  
A couple of spotlight units would surely not be too invasive if installed carefully and reversibly.
Otherwise you could think about a maintained system using candles!

[wee brian]

This is risk assement boys - if it does the job then who cares what the standard says (well to a point)

Stick some temp lights in the ducts and see what effect you get.

[AnthonyB]

If there is sufficent artificial lighting in normal conditions a photoluminescent way marking system (i.e. not just a few photolum exit signs) is another option perhaps??

[John Webb]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your comments. The church concerned within the last two or three years installed a brand-new lighting system with computer control at considerable expense - but did not include any emergency lights as part of the new installation; what a missed opportunity!

The UPS idea might be possible - we'll have a look at that as well.

The heating ducts do actually lead almost right to the two main entrance/exit doors, which is one of the factors that makes the idea quite attractive.

[wee brian]

Not sure if photolum would be so good. Its not always that bright in a church so they may not get sufficiently exited.

[Ken Taylor]

I'd echo Wee B's concerns. In my recollection many areas in old churches can remain entirely without illumination for long periods.

If visual intrusion is the concern I have come to agreements with English Heritage to have luminaires located behind roof timbers and in various places where they are virtually unnoticeable.

[ian gough]

Good suggestion Anthony. The stuff that's been on the floor (for many years I'm told) in the basement of the National Library for Scotland is impressive.

[AnthonyB]

One of the advantages of the new FS Order is the flexability it allows, and I use it to allow a wider range of appropriate solutions - depending on the situation I've suggested all sorts of EL solutions, from traditional 3HSCNM units, inverter conversions through to (proper) photoluminescent way guiding systems and even emergency handlamps.

As a previous poster implied you need to look carefully at each method on a building by buliding basis, as with Photolum for example you do need to be sure that there will be continuous lighting to 'charge' up the material so it will attain design brightness & duration at all times. One advantage of way marking (even alongside as well of instead of traditional EL) is that it is floor level & useful in smoke logging situations (although whether the route would be tenable if logging was sufficient to block out rof units is debatable)

[Richard Earl]

hi john
i have fitted loads of low level wayfinder in the past and found that as long as you us the correct stuff and their is light for a short time before light fail then it gives some light out.
also i am trialing a photo lum light tube with the rail network at the mo.

lets chat im new to this so i dont know if i can say my company we are well known in the old building sceen

cu
richard