Street Lighting

[Steven N]

Over the weekend I ventured out way past the witching hour. I happened to notice that in my area the street lights are being turned off later in the evening. I guess that my area is not the only one doing this. My question and thought is that does anyone think this may have an effect on premises that use borrowed lighting for emergency lighting purposes? If so do you think they have considered it?

[lancsfirepro]

Interesting point Steven.  Almost certainly it will have an effect if they're operating in hours of darkness and they're relying on the street lights being on.  I don't for one second think it has been considered; if the councils knew people were using street lights in place of e-lights they'd want to be charging for it!

[nearlythere]

Over the weekend I ventured out way past the witching hour. I happened to notice that in my area the street lights are being turned off later in the evening. I guess that my area is not the only one doing this. My question and thought is that does anyone think this may have an effect on premises that use borrowed lighting for emergency lighting purposes? If so do you think they have considered it?

Of course it would Steven. No street lighting - no borrowed light.
Hence why the assessment of risk from fire is a dynamic process.
There does seem to be a trend now for councils to turn out or reduce street lighting in the wee small hours to save money.

[colin todd]

Forget street lighting- I always pay for a Castle facing view at the Waldorf when I visit Edinburgh, and I feel robbed as they turn off the castle lights at around 1am and I am left staring out of the window at a silhouette.

[Owain]

Forget street lighting- I always pay for a Castle facing view at the Waldorf when I visit Edinburgh, and I feel robbed as they turn off the castle lights at around 1am and I am left staring out of the window at a silhouette.

Aye well, Alec Salmond hasnae given us a' free hydro-electric yet so until then poowercairds dinnae grow on trees.

[John Webb]

Hertfordshire CC instituted 'part-time' street lighting last year - in most side streets and on main roads not in town centres the lights go out around midnight and only resume in the morning after 6am if it is still dark. Hasn't been working for a full year yet so I don't know the resulting statistics wrt accidents, crime etc.
But most of the buildings I get involved with sit in the middle of churchyards with little public lighting nearby, so I have always pointed out the probable need for independent lighting anyway!

[AnthonyB]

Whilst the scope for using borrowed artificial lighting is less than it once was as standards change I've sometimes accounted for it, but required investigation as to it's operation, with some clients quite willing to do the groundwork each council budget year to check lighting up times and maintenance turnaround (borrowed lighting is all very well if the council budget only allows for repairs within a 28 day window or not at all)

[The Colonel]

The recently revised BS on emergency lighting also makes comment on borrowed lighting and street lighting being turned off.

[Steven N]

Thank you for your responses, I must visit Edinburgh some time actually its on me bucket list!! I'm pleased to know that it wasn't just me being a bit of an anorak. Seriously I believe having seen the quality of lots of FRA's the last few years that this won't even enter peoples heads. More education work looms i suppose.

[colin todd]

Owain, if Edinburgh had not wasted so much money on the madcap tram scheme, they could have floodlit the castle 24 hours a day for the next 5000 years.

Johnny, As you do so much church work, could you possibly put in a good word to the Almighty for me for when I die, and could you ask the church to pay me back the cost of my marriage, as the former Mrs Todd did not love, honour and obey me until death did us part.

[nearlythere]

Owain, if Edinburgh had not wasted so much money on the madcap tram scheme, they could have floodlit the castle 24 hours a day for the next 5000 years.

Oh I don't know about that Dotty. There is talk that, in order to appease the Scottish nationals, Cameron is going to extend the new HSS right up to the Gyle shopping centre where it will link with the Edinburgh tram system. Just immagine you will be able to jump on a train in the heart of London and a few hours later jump off at Princess Street for a good old scottish haggis and chip.

I wonder did Edinburgh Council remember to use the same gauge?