Emergency Lighting - full discharge tests

[Chris Houston]

How might one do the above in a building that is constantly occupied?

[Graeme]

it's okay if the building has lots of natural light but in most cases i always get moaned at because the toilets are in darkness.
or do you mean should the building not be occupied until the fittings are recharged?

[kurnal]

I suppose

Test switches should prevent disruption- but many places don.t have these

Timing-time the exercise to maximise the potential use of borrowed natural light coupled with minimum numbers of persons at risk

Temporary lighting for any areas without test switches and without borrowed light.

By testing early morning the recharge cycle should be ok well before  tea time to sustain the lights for as long as it really takes to evacuate the building- probably 30minutes is the maximum realistic duration for fire safety. 3 hours is a very large safety margin of around probably 6 times the required duration for fire safety.

I think the safety margin is so wide because of the potential delay charging up after a power cut, and so that as batteries start to deteriorate there is always a good margin in reserve.

[Chris Houston]

These buildings have NO natural light.

[kurnal]

Dont they ever close down? If not, then you need to install test switches or temporary lighting.

[Graeme]

I suppose


I think the safety margin is so wide because of the potential delay charging up after a power cut, and so that as batteries start to deteriorate there is always a good margin in reserve.

is the 3hr duration not meant for hotels etc so if there was a power cut then people would not have to be asked to leave unless the power cut was lengthy?

office etc need much less but every fitting i come across are all 3hr as standard.

edit for missed out word -G

[kurnal]

Yes thats a good point Graeme, in fact at the back of my mind theres something about 3 hours for sleeping risks and 2 hours and even one hour elsewhere from an old code of practice- if I get time I will look it out.

[jokar]

Parts 7 and 8 provide information but TM 12 although technically out of date gives a table, table 12, that identifies premises against time.

[AnthonyB]

Although the old 1/2/3 hour tables are a bit superfluous as they don't reflect the fact that virtually all E/L fittings are made with 3 hour cells (presumably it's easier & cheaper than having the various types)

If starting afresh, self monitoring/testing systems would suit, but if its an existing system in a premises reliant on artificial light it's difficult.