Emergency lighting question

[Deano1987]

Hello all,

I'm dean, and this is my first post, so go easy on me as I am new to this.

I have been asked by a customer to install 3 non maintained emergency lights into his shops main area,(which as the moment has none), and I have got a couple of questions I hoped somebody would be able to help me with.

I intend to put them onto the lighting circuit in the shop, which has 6 recessed lights in a suspended ceiling. ( my lights are going on the walls)

I just wanted to check this is how you guys would wire them in, I was going to take my supply from the common from the switch, into the emergency key switch, (obviously out to the light) and on to the next emergency light. Meaning that I can test each without effecting the main lighting?

If someone could tell me if I am on the rights lines, or of not, please put me straight as I do not have much experience with them.

Cheers

Dean

 

[Sidewinder]

Deano,

Welcome to the forum, please take my comments as constructive, coz, you probably won't like them all!

I would put each EM on its own test switch if they are distributed around the shop.

Do you have a copy of BS5266?

Who will be signing the EM lighting cert and which sections?

If you don't have the relevant sections of the EM lighting standard then you really should not be signing off EM lighting works.

There must be a design of the EM lighting to meet the requirements of the RRFSO for the premises FRA & Escape Plan.

Have you seen these?

As I said, loads of unhelpful comments really, please have a think about them and come back to us.

EM lighting can get you in trouble!

Another member on here did just this, and his client was not impressed when he refused to issue the EM lighting certs, as he had not undertaken the design, thus could not issue the certs, or could, but not for the design and with a comment that the placement was defined by the premises "owner/user" and he could not be held responsible!

Possible, Worms, can of!!!

 

[Evans Electric]

Welcome to the Forum Dean , That sounds OK to me , not seen the shop etc.

If it was me I'd probably just come out to one test switch that controls all the fittings.

There are a load of rules /regs for Emgy. Lts but most of them are common sense TBH . Basically illuminate the designated escape route, fitting at each change of direction , over Fire extinguishers, exit doors , floor level changes .

You can look them up .

You're supposed to issue Em.Ltg. Certs etc. Test procedures are down to the owners to sort.

 

[Deano1987]

Hi,

Thanks very much for your replies.

I actually work for somebody, he will be with me during the whole job, but I wanted to get a good idea of what I was doing, before I showed up. I like to try and do as much research as I can on each subject before I get there. He will be in charge of all certificates and testing.

Thanks again for your help guys

 

[Sidewinder]

Ahh, half a story again! ; )

Deano, good on you for the research, you'r boss should be proud of you.

Then it will be down to your boss and the premises "occupier" to sort the details etc.

If you have any further questions please ask away, we don't always bite this much!

 

[Deano1987]

It's been great to get replies, and all advice and knowledge is really appreciated. I won't hesitate to ask again in the future.

Cheers

 

[Manator]

If you had said that in the first place we could have given you some useful information that would have made you look like a super emg lighting engineer.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Some other basics, check the earthing & bonding is ok for the installation. Cables should not just be thrown over a suspended ceiling, but clipped or tied up.

 

[Mr T]

if its easier you could mount a key switch next to the DB then run your cable out to the first light then the next etc

 

[Paultrim]

Don't forget Exit signs are required and will also require to be maintained at all times. Your best route is to familiarise yourself with BS5266 to understand requirements for the location and operation of emergency lighting units etc. it's a relatively easy standard in comparison with some to understand and translate.

On a side note, fit MCB locks to the circuit also to prevent against unauthorised isolation of the circuit.

 

[kerching]

Forgive me for this slight hijack, but it may be relevant.

On site last week doing some Telecomms. Client mentioned that they thought the Em Exit boxes looked dull. They had a 'local firm' have a look and they had been quoted about

 

[Manator]

Don't forget Exit signs are required and will also require to be maintained at all times. Your best route is to familiarise yourself with BS5266 to understand requirements for the location and operation of emergency lighting units etc. it's a relatively easy standard in comparison with some to understand and translate. On a side note, fit MCB locks to the circuit also to prevent against unauthorised isolation of the circuit.

Are you sure Exit signs should be maintained at all times?

 

[Paultrim]

Maintained(back lit) or illuminated from a separate source which allows the sign to be visible at all times if I remember correctly.

 

[Manator]

You are correct in definition, but let us take a lock up commercial premises, why would you have a permanent maintained exit sign?

If we are to install to all regulations we have also to consider Part L 1 and 2, if the building is in use then I see no objections, but I have also installed non maintained units in buildings because the exits have been clearly illuminated by other means, in the case of local lighting failure they are illuminated and still comply with regulations.

 

[steptoe]

Don't forget Exit signs are required and will also require to be maintained at all times. Your best route is to familiarise yourself with BS5266 to understand requirements for the location and operation of emergency lighting units etc. it's a relatively easy standard in comparison with some to understand and translate. On a side note, fit MCB locks to the circuit also to prevent against unauthorised isolation of the circuit.

WHAT? are you for real?

you do know that it is ILLEGAL to lock a circuit in the on position ?

NOT to mention lethal......

 

[Manator]

The last time I saw this practice I wanted to castrate the person who had done it, never ever ever use a lockout kit to lock any mcb in the on position.

 

[batty]

Am I being daft I thought MCB's are not lockable on IE if they trip even if the switch is held up it will still trip out. I probably dreamt this though.

 

[wozz]

Am I being daft I thought MCB's are not lockable on IE if they trip even if the switch is held up it will still trip out. I probably dreamt this though.

Same here. Also i think it was mentioned on the fire alarm course I went on but dont have the BS to find it.

 

[m4tty]

C'mon who's gonna test it out. Andy Tm is the resident experimenter lol I agree with batty as it'll still trip as you can't hold an mcb on if it keeps going out.

 

[Sidewinder]

It will still trip, but I don't believe it is good practice.

How would you isolate in the vent of an emergency?

Especially as you consider that the cost of hitting the main switch could be greater than the loss of one life who was being electrocuted by the single circuit.

ALSO, how would the EM lighting operate when the normal lighting circuit breaker tripped if it is fed from a different circuit, that had not tripped?