Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises.
Emergency light testing requirements uk.
Maintaining your emergency lighting units ensures that all users have sufficient illumination in the event of an emergency to evacuate a building.
Emergency lighting usually takes effect automatically to provide sufficient levels of light for a minimum period of time in the event of sudden failure or loss of mains power supply.
Section 7 9 3 of the life safety code addresses the nfpa s requirements for periodic testing of emergency lights.
In bs 5266 1 1999 the legislation clearly states the requirements of testing emergency lighting units.
Emergency light testing frequency.
The annual test should be a full rated duration test to ensure that the emergency lights are still working and producing the acceptable level of light at the end of the test.
Tests should be recorded in a log book.
When you have emergency lighting installed you need to be checking that it remains in good working order.
It is a duty holder s legal responsibility to ensure the health safety and welfare of their employees at work.
To do this you would simulate a mains power failure.
Testing requirements for emergency lighting.
Bs en 50172 bs 5266 8 emergency escape lighting systems specify the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises.
It is important that testing is.
Annual emergency lighting testing.
The role of the responsible person in a premises is to carry out periodic checks.
More details are set out on our dedicated emergency light testing page.
Aside from installing emergency lights employers also have the legal responsibility to do emergency light testing in their business premises this is to ensure that the system is in good condition and will automatically and properly work during emergency situations.
The 2018 edition on the code also added a fourth option specifically for the testing of your epss equipment for your emergency lighting system as opposed to the lighting system itself.
General information about emergency lighting testing.
Emergency lighting such as emergency escape lighting standby lighting fire safety signs and luminaires are provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails and are an essential requirement in the workplace.
All emergency lighting systems need testing monthly.
So for example if a luminaire is rated for a 3 hour duration then after 3 hours in an emergency situation the light should still be lit.
And the emergency lighting system must be arranged to provide illumination automatically in the event of any interruption of normal lighting section 7 9 2 3.
Emergency lighting should be tested every month with an annual duration test to prove that the lighting can perform for the required duration typically three hours.
That way you know everyone can depend on it when they need to most.