Emergency lighting changes

[AnthonyB]

I'm still finding people carrying out 6 month 1 hour part duration tests on EL despite it being dropped in 2004 and lots of 'healthy debate' about why it went and that it's still worth doing.

Now from memory it did come up on here at the time and the reasoning was posted - but whilst the thread search on here goes back a long time it cuts off before the year it changed so I can't find it.

If anyone recalls the reason why & can repost them it would be appreciated as some parties won't accept the change without a reason why!

[Graeme]

I find a lot of Customers dont want the annual 3 hour test and ask for them to be tested same time as fire alarm - so works out 2 x 1hr tests per year.

I understand the need for 3 hour tests on Hotels etc but not for small offices etc.

On another note - I have noticed since em-lights swapped over to LED that the quality has dived and some fittings fail the 3 hours on their first 3 hour test.   I am reluctant to install the self contained bulkhead types that I get most problems with.

[AnthonyB]

Still isn't to BS and two 1 hour tests don't add up to one 3 hour test, plus even if you only wanted a one hour test it's annual not 6 monthly.

Also it's rarely the customers in my findings, when they realise they are being over tested under the belief they had to they are not happy (completely different if they choose to do it knowing it's above minimum requirements)

Besides that doesn't answer the original question as to why part duration tests were removed - as far as I recall it was because modern batteries don't need it and it might even be bad for them.

[Fishy]

[quote author=AnthonyB link=topic=8619.msg81245#msg81245 date=1599771733

Besides that doesn't answer the original question as to why part duration tests were removed - as far as I recall it was because modern batteries don't need it and it might even be bad for them.
[/quote]

...I wasn't going to say anything (because I really can't remember clearly)? but I did have some vague memory along the same lines.  NiCd battery 'memory' issues, effectively reducing their capacity over time???

[lyledunn]

There is a good case for bringing back the 6 month test. There are some absolutely crap fittings out there that don?t last one year from new. I mentioned before that we installed over 100 LED units in an office block, well-known manufacturer, only to find 30% failure rate at the first inspection some 12 months later. Let me tell you that this is not an unusual situation!

[colin todd]

Ah so. Why you clitisizing oul excerrent emelgency right fittings, Ryle Dunn. You no happy with oul fakes, you go buy expensive quarity fittings. We no rike you cor oul fitting clap. We lemember your name fol when we take over the wold.

[Bruce89]

Next thing you will be saying Colski is Coronavirus is the China Virus 

[colin todd]

Nah we no make anything new Bluce  Ormighty. Only fake. Maybe we make copy or vilus flom someone else.  Did Ryle weely think there any rithium in our battelies??? ha ha ha ha ha ha Has he seen cost of rithium.

[Graeme]

There is a good case for bringing back the 6 month test. There are some absolutely crap fittings out there that don?t last one year from new. I mentioned before that we installed over 100 LED units in an office block, well-known manufacturer, only to find 30% failure rate at the first inspection some 12 months later. Let me tell you that this is not an unusual situation!

Agreed - very common and well known brands

[Stinky]

Anyone noticed emergency escape lighting in a two-storey block of flats in ADB 2006? says you don't need it.
But then check ADB 2019 and it no longer says that two-storey blocks don't need it.