LIGHTING
annual test, a replacement
is available immediately. If
an inexperienced supplier
is selected, replacements
aren’t always easy to source,
and can leave facilities with
inadequate emergency lighting.
However, Greer says that even some
manufacturers of lighting systems haven’t
always been fully-competent about the
tests that can be carried out in their own
systems. This is why, whether you’re using
third party testers or sta from inside the
company to carry out the testing, they
should be fully quali ed and up to date
with the latest regulations.
NOT TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED
Seen by professionals as one of the
most important considerations for new
buildings or when upgrading current
systems, emergency lighting should not
be an afterthought. In spite of this, many
decision-makers take its importance
for granted and see it as a low-priority
additional cost, without considering the
consequences.
A 2020 report by industrial and
commercial lighting company Hilclare
(www.is.gd/uvacuz) revealed that 44%
of rms surveyed in
England didn’t have the
correct form of emergency
lighting installed. Such
infractions can result in
substantial nes or even prison
sentences.
Gardner says: “A ‘ t and forget’
mindset is at the heart of why outdated
and faulty emergency lighting systems
are so widespread. Compliance can often
fall between the cracks, particularly as
so many building owners and facilities
managers employ third parties to
test and resolve any issues with their
emergency lighting systems. However, in
the eyes of the law they are accountable
for damages, lack of testing or
maintenance and shifting regulations.
“It is important to do your research
before having emergency lighting
systems installed, as substandard ttings
could lead to ine cient evacuation during
an incident. In addition to the potential
human impact, nancial consequences
must be considered, and while the use of
re safety equipment can help with the
reduction of insurance premiums, it can
also have the opposite e ect when done
incorrectly.”
LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE
● HSG 38 Lighting at Work 1997 (www.is.gd/ugujoq) provides detailed information
about the management of light hazards and the possible solutions that could be
implemented. The amount of light on a surface a ects an employee’s vision, with
higher illuminance required the ner the detail of work being carried out
● Regulation 8 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
(www.is.gd/xalagi) requires every workplace to have suitable and su cient
lighting, which should be natural as far as is reasonably practicable. Several
aspects of lighting in the workplace must be considered within this legislation,
including lighting design, the type of work being undertaken, the work
environment, health aspects, individual requirements, lighting maintenance,
replacement, disposal and emergency lighting
● BS EN 12464 supplies information regarding the luminance environment in the
workplace, with a particular emphasis on the lighting requirements needed to
undertake speci c tasks
● There is also legislation surrounding emergency lighting – namely, BS EN 1838
and BS 5266-1.
surveyor (pictured at right, upper image)
describes the testing procedure: “First
and foremost you look at the Electricity
at Work Regulations 1989 and the current
edition of BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations,
which many of us refer to as the Bibles.
Then you carry out a visual inspection,
looking to see that the equipment
is suitable for its location and wellmaintained.
There could be ammable,
corrosive, or high-pressure environments,
which means you could have a number of
di erent lighting types on one site.
“Then you would go on to do periodic
tests after the system has been installed,
carrying out tests such as earth loop
impedances, insulation resistance of
circuits to make sure there’s no defects or
possible re problems, and polarity.”
Greer says that for a periodic
inspection, 10-20% of the system
is tested in the rst instance, then a
di erent 10-20% each time until the
whole system is checked over a period of
years. However, if defects are found, the
inspection area would increase to around
50%; if further defects were discovered
the whole system would need to be
checked, because the chances are that
if there’s one defect, there are probably
more elsewhere.
POOR LIGHTING DESIGN
Emergency lighting companies are often
presented with applications that are outof
date and solutions that are ill- tting for
a modern working environment. Corridors
and escape routes must be illuminated
to at least 1 lux, but many older systems
fall short of this, which endangers sta ,
visitors and customers who are on site.
A common mistake that people make
when installing new lighting is picking
substandard ttings. Initially, these
may save money, but those savings are
quickly o set by increased maintenance
and replacement costs. It is important
to choose a lighting manufacturer with
experience in supplying emergency
lighting, so if a tting fails a monthly or
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/uvacuz)
/ugujoq)
/xalagi)
/www.operationsengineer.org.uk