Emergency lighting and monthly testing

[Gary Howe]

Is the monthly requirement to do the following, still applicable in the updated BS5266 pt1: 2005?



'Supply fail is simulated for no more than a quarter of the rated duration'


Regards


Gary

[barrhump]

The following may help.

BS 5266 Part 1 now states that “Routine inspections and tests are specified in BS EN 50172:2004/BS 5266-8:2004”

BS 5266 Part 8 2004 states
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.

[AnthonyB]

Basically the monthly test is purely long enough to check that bulbs haven't failed and that battery packs or inverters aren't totally bust.

It's often referred to as a flick test because if you have testing points throughout an area you only need to flick on to test briefly for you to see all the lamps.

If you only have one testing point per floor or worse none leaving you tripping the lighting ring at the distribution board, then of course the test period will be longer as you've got to go around the whole floor/building before you can restore power