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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Mushy on October 09, 2009, 08:48:38 AM
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Hi
Can I just confirm that under BS 5266 Part 1:2005 there is no requirement to carry out a 6 monthly discharge test of E/L and that it is done on an annual basis for the full rated duration.
I don't have a copy to hand...ok I dont have a copy! :o
Thanks
ps..or does testing come under BS 5266-8:2004?
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Mushy
Its part 8, and yes, six monthly no longer exists.
7.2.4 b) refers
davo
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Thanks Davo...appreciated mate
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No probs, just make sure they kill the lighting circuits rather than flick test ;D
davo
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I work in a hospital and the quote for the job includes a 6 monthly discharge test of one hour as well as annual discharge test of 3 hours
I can't understand why the testing comes under BS 2004 and general rules and guidance comes under BS 2005 though
someone has nicked me copies
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Mushy
See below
7.2.2 Daily
Indicators of central power supply shall be visually inspected for correct operation.
NOTE This is a visual inspection of indicators to identify that the system is in a ready condition and does not require a test of operation.
7.2.3 Monthly
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the short duration tests shall be recorded.
Tests shall be carried out as follows:
a) Switch on in the emergency mode each luminaire and each internally illuminated exit sign from its battery by simulation of a failure of the supply to the normal lighting for a period sufficient to ensure that each lamp is illuminated.
NOTE The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this clause whilst 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.
At the end of this test period, the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored.
b) In addition to a), for central battery systems, the correct operation of system monitors shall be checked.
c) In addition to a), for generating sets, refer to the requirement of ISO 8528-12.
7.2.4 Annually
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the full rated duration test shall be recorded.
For all other systems the monthly inspection shall be carried out and the following additional tests made:
a) each luminaire and internally illuminated sign shall be tested as per 7.2.3 but for its full rated duration in accordance with the manufacturer's information;
b) the supply of the normal lighting shall be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to
ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning;
c) the date of the test and its results shall be recorded in the system logbook;
d) in addition, for generating sets, refer to the requirements of ISO 8528-12.
For further explanation is suggest you locate your nicked copies ;D
davo
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cheers again davo....
no chance of finding it....it's probably filed away under 'this is mine keep off' by now
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There is a lot of ignorance about with customers as well as contractors (but more often the latter) still using the long defunct 6 monthly test.
The again there's a lot of RP's paying out for quarterly testing of their EL when they could 'flick' in house (so to speak) and only pay for the annual (although they could do that themselves too if they had the time).
It's all about actively seeking out the changes in guidance & BS - too many do their initial training/buy an initial guide and years later still rely on that despite things having changed in the interim rather than taking an interest in their job and researching for changes regularly.
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There is a lot of ignorance about with customers as well as contractors (but more often the latter) still using the long defunct 6 monthly test.
It's all about actively seeking out the changes in guidance & BS - too many do their initial training/buy an initial guide and years later still rely on that despite things having changed in the interim rather than taking an interest in their job and researching for changes regularly.
I find it's a combination Anthony, of the customer relying on his past knowledge and the service provider not passing the updated info on. They (the contractor) often simply look at a tender (outdated) and quote for that rather than having the bottle to approach the client and explaining their fault for fear of losing a tender ::)
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Mushy
See below
7.2.2 Daily
Indicators of central power supply shall be visually inspected for correct operation.
NOTE This is a visual inspection of indicators to identify that the system is in a ready condition and does not require a test of operation.
7.2.3 Monthly
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the short duration tests shall be recorded.
Tests shall be carried out as follows:
a) Switch on in the emergency mode each luminaire and each internally illuminated exit sign from its battery by simulation of a failure of the supply to the normal lighting for a period sufficient to ensure that each lamp is illuminated.
NOTE The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this clause whilst 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.
At the end of this test period, the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored.
b) In addition to a), for central battery systems, the correct operation of system monitors shall be checked.
c) In addition to a), for generating sets, refer to the requirement of ISO 8528-12.
7.2.4 Annually
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the full rated duration test shall be recorded.
For all other systems the monthly inspection shall be carried out and the following additional tests made:
a) each luminaire and internally illuminated sign shall be tested as per 7.2.3 but for its full rated duration in accordance with the manufacturer's information;
b) the supply of the normal lighting shall be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to
ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning;
c) the date of the test and its results shall be recorded in the system logbook;
d) in addition, for generating sets, refer to the requirements of ISO 8528-12.
For further explanation is suggest you locate your nicked copies ;D
davo
Can I just confirm that the above is BS 5266-8:2004
The contractor has stated that because the E/L is over 3 years old then a 6 monthly test must be carried out and I need to find out where this is written (if it is!)
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Think they maybe referring to BS5266:1999
Discharge test - The luminaires must be tested for their full rated duration period and checked for satisfactory operation. The supply must then be restored and the charging indicators rechecked. This test must be performed at least annually and the results logged
Note: BS 5266-1: 1999 allows a one hour test to be performed as an alternative every six months for the first 3 years of the system, but the guidance document to the Fire Precaution Regulations calls for the annual test at all stages of equipment life.
I have recommended 6 monthly tests still where our sites are unmanned. A 1 hour drain down/function test, along with the annual goes some way to compensate the non monthly checks. Seems the IO was ok with this regime.
You work in a Hospital? Obviously E/L is essential and maybe the FRA for whatever reason may have warrant the increase in test regimes...or as mentioned contractors misleading you with old BS guidance to earn a extra few quid.
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Thanks hammer
can anyone confirm that the above quote from Davo is BS 5266-8:2004
With ther large number of E/L units in the hospital what is the forums opinion of carrying out a six monthly test instead of the monthly check?
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Mushy
See below
7.2.2 Daily
Indicators of central power supply shall be visually inspected for correct operation.
NOTE This is a visual inspection of indicators to identify that the system is in a ready condition and does not require a test of operation.
7.2.3 Monthly
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the short duration tests shall be recorded.
Tests shall be carried out as follows:
a) Switch on in the emergency mode each luminaire and each internally illuminated exit sign from its battery by simulation of a failure of the supply to the normal lighting for a period sufficient to ensure that each lamp is illuminated.
NOTE The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this clause whilst 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.
At the end of this test period, the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored.
b) In addition to a), for central battery systems, the correct operation of system monitors shall be checked.
c) In addition to a), for generating sets, refer to the requirement of ISO 8528-12.
7.2.4 Annually
If automatic testing devices are used, the results of the full rated duration test shall be recorded.
For all other systems the monthly inspection shall be carried out and the following additional tests made:
a) each luminaire and internally illuminated sign shall be tested as per 7.2.3 but for its full rated duration in accordance with the manufacturer's information;
b) the supply of the normal lighting shall be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to
ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning;
c) the date of the test and its results shall be recorded in the system logbook;
d) in addition, for generating sets, refer to the requirements of ISO 8528-12.
For further explanation is suggest you locate your nicked copies ;D
davo
Can I just confirm that the above is BS 5266-8:2004
The contractor has stated that because the E/L is over 3 years old then a 6 monthly test must be carried out and I need to find out where this is written (if it is!)
Must admit the way I understood the BS5266:1999 was that systems 3 years or less could have the 1 hour drain down, function test 6 monthly. If it was over 3 years old then the annual checks would kick in..
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Yes Mushy the extract Davo posted is from the current standard BS 5266 part 8 2004 which sets out the minimum standards for the testing of emergency escape lighting.
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Thanks Kurnal
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what's anyones opinion on a hospital not doing the monthly checks cos its so big and doing a 6 monthly one hour discharge test instead and then the usual annual test?...I know a lot could happen to units in between the 6 month test but is it feasible?
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As I read it there are two types of test here. The monthly test is to ensure that the units are still working, bulbs ok, the things actually work etc. The annual test is to test the batteries to see whether they can still hold enough charge to last the specified time. So the proposed six month test does not fulfil the monthly test and is extra to the annual test so IMHO it is useless.
Without knowing the actual workings, I would suggest deligating the monthly test to the local staff who I assume carry out other routine checks (cleanliness, H&S etc.) and then carry out random tests to see if the tests are being carried out, the results recorded and the tests are accurate.
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what's anyones opinion on a hospital not doing the monthly checks cos its so big and doing a 6 monthly one hour discharge test instead and then the usual annual test?...I know a lot could happen to units in between the 6 month test but is it feasible?
Personally I dont think that idea works Mushy. Now if you have twice as many units as you need then it may be arguable that you will test them half as often (and provided there is sufficiently diverse wiring to ensure that one fault cannot affect all units in an area).
I think you should organise the task into small chunks- instead of all of them monthly you could do 25% of them weekly when you do the fire alarm tests, or 3% of them daily?
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The Annual discharge test also involves "checking the charging arrangements for proper functioning" - for self contained units, how is this achieved? I'm trying to figure out if annual tests can be done in house or is an electrician with some kind of electrical testing device required?
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I've never found any form do anything on the annual test that the user couldn't do themselves - to check the charger beyond seeing if the LED charging indicator comes back on once off test on self contained units would require disassembly in situ for testing or going back the next day to do a flick test to see if the battery packs had power in.
As long as it is safe & simple for the user to put fittings onto test (i.e. test switches fitted instead of fiddling around inside a consumer unit to isolate the right circuit) I can't see any reason why a user cannot do both monthly and annual tests as long as they have the time and the basic knowledge of what they are looking for - should a fitting not perform as expected then it's time for the sparks.
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Mushy
I go along with the general consensus that the emergency lighting should be checked monthly
As already suggested carve them up into manageable chunks. In one hospital I deal with regularly part of the role of the security guards at night is to check the emergency lighting. They do it on their rounds when its quiet late at night / early in the morning.