For any commercial property, emergency lighting is a critical safety feature. In the event of a power outage or other emergency, this lighting is intended to provide appropriate light to guide people off the premises, safely and quickly. As a result, keeping up emergency lighting testing, and ensuring that this is fully working, is not only necessary for safety but also mandated by law. The emergency lighting certificate serves as a formal documentation that a building’s emergency lighting system is compliant with the relevant standards and regulations. But what is this? And what does it involve?
What are the legal requirements for emergency lighting?
There are several important legal requirements and standards for emergency lighting. These are mostly derived from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation enforces proper fire safety precautions, including emergency lights, for all business properties. Comprehensive guidelines for emergency lighting system design, installation, and maintenance are available in British Standard BS 5266-1:2016. Adherence to this standard guarantees that in an emergency, the lighting system will function efficiently, offering enough light to ensure a safe evacuation.
What does an emergency lighting certificate involve?
An emergency lighting certificate verifies that the emergency lighting system on your property has been professionally tested and inspected, and that it meets all of the necessary standards. After a thorough evaluation of the system, a certified electrical team like us at Walker Electrical, will issue this certificate. This evaluation entails testing the lighting units’ performance, making sure the lights turn on in the event of a main power outage, and confirming that the lighting levels are sufficient and uniformly dispersed throughout escape routes, exits, and important locations.
Ongoing testing and maintenance
Continuous compliance is essential for emergency lighting systems, and this means implementing regular testing and maintenance. Annual full duration tests and monthly functional tests are advised by the BS 5266-1:2016 standard. Every emergency light is momentarily turned on as part of a monthly test to make sure everything is working properly. Every year, the lights are put through a more rigorous test in which their endurance is verified by running them for their entire rated time, which is usually three hours. Test results should be well documented, and any problems or failures should be fixed right away.
For more information or advice, or for professional electrical installation that you can rely on, get in touch with the team today, here at Walker Electrical. We are Preston’s leading electrical experts.