Emergency/ Escape lighting.

[Andy W]

Hi Folks.

We have an internal corridor about 12m long with three offices, about 25 people in total. There is a set of fire doors at either end with luminaries over the top. Would you expect to see and twin spot emergency lights along the corridor? If so, how many? The offices are only used during the day, and this is not likely to change.

I have looked at approved document B, Table 9 and lighting is required if over 30m. Am I missing something?

The electrical contractor has installed three twin spot's in this area. I feel that we are being ripped off.

Thanks

Andy

[nearlythere]

Without knowing it, without seeing it, without metering it, without doubt this would appear to be OTT by a million miles.

[Andy W]

Thanks.

Also, we have three twin spots in the generator room. This is about 5m x 5m. 4 twin spots in an open plan office 7m x 12m. One of these pairs is about 3m from a window and pointing towards it.


Andy

[nearlythere]

Ditto my last.

I take it the installer designed it? Or is the designer on commission? Or is the designer the installer's mate? Is the designer sleeping with the installer?

[Andy W]

I'm in the wrong profession.

Should have been a sparkey- seems like you can take advantage.

Can't understand why the powers that be don't have a survey done first.

Oh well

Andy

[Andy W]

The insaller designed it.

I have had no input at all- he gets a free hand so can do what he likes.

[nearlythere]

I would call in the police. Something is going on here.

[Andy W]

He was also PA testing everything every year. Even double insulated PC's.

I think its a case of the upper management trusting what he says- and he is taking advantage.

Andy

[jayjay]

Most emergency lighting manufactures publish photmetric data. These  are a set of tables that can be used to determine the spacing between lights, depending on the ceiling height corridor width and orientation of the fitting. An allowance may have to be made on the reflectance of the walls and ceilings.

From what you say twin spots seem excessive they are normally used in large areas such as warehouses and halls.

[nearlythere]

From what you say twin spots seem excessive they are normally used in large areas such as warehouses and halls.

and Andy's boss's offices.

[AnthonyB]

Office corridors usually can be adequately lit with a few £14 8W bulkheads or for aesthetics and a bit more light a conversion kit in the existing fluorescents (more costly though).

Twinspots are OTT and too low down can cause distraction glare issues - I found a corridor with a 21W twinspot that I had replaced as it was dazzling people!

[Tom Sutton]

British Standard BS 5266: Part 1: 2011 requires escape route lighting in corridors to be, on the centre line, 2m width, 1lx and in offices 1lx and some offices may not require any, depending size.

Special areas have different levels, plant rooms requires 15 lx but as been said well OTT.

[Andy W]

Thanks all.

I will have a word with the MD, but I don't expect anything to change.

Andy

[Fishy]

Twin spots are usually pretty hopeless when installed at low level.  They just dazzle anyone that is approaching them.  Had some installed illuminating landings on a staircase, & they were worse than useless - they were positively dangerous.

[lyledunn]

Bounce the light output off the ceiling or wall, much reduces glare.