Emergency Light Testing and Its Features

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Emergency lights are an essential safety feature in all commercial buildings. Everyone would have seen an emergency light system at one point or another. They’re mandatory in all non-domestic buildings. There isn’t much point in having an emergency light system unless it is running efficiently. The only way to know if it is working and can get people out of a building safely is through emergency light testing. 

Expert

Although it is perfectly acceptable to have a named person carry out daily visual checks of the signs and order any repairs, it is better to leave the monthly checks to a professional. The yearly inspections need to be carried out by a professional. 

Features of an Emergency Light System

The most visible part of an emergency light system is the signs on or above an emergency door. There’s also the signs pointing to the doors because they need to be clearly marked and easy to find. These are the parts a named person should be checking every day. Another noticeable part is the luminescent strips on steps. Some people also notice the fire fighting equipment hanging on the wall. 

What people don’t see or think of is the equipment that needs to be shut down in an emergency. This varies from building-to-building dependent upon usage. There should be a clear emergency plan with adequate emergency lights, accessible to everyone using the building. 

The public uses a lot of buildings, such as cinemas, shopping centres and restaurants. It is impossible to verbally inform everyone using the building of the emergency exit system or even provide written rules. That’s when the signs and exits need to be very obvious. Plunged into darkness, even the most familiar building becomes disorientating. 

Most people aren’t so familiar with the shopping centre to be able to find their way out in the dark, even if they’ve worked there every day for 12 years. People in smaller buildings experience the small disorientation than larger buildings when plunged into darkness. That is why it is crucial to have a working emergency light system in place. 

Testing

Daily visible checks need to be carried out. The named person needs to be aware of their duties. It is no good to tell people to check the exit signs without knowing who exactly is meant to do that and what they should be looking out for. 

On a monthly basis, the mains need to be switched off to make sure the emergency lights glow. 

Once per year, the emergency lights need to be tested for an extended amount of time, typically about three hours. That means the mains need to be off for this amount of time, and each thing that should be bright needs to remain bright. 

If during any of these inspections, it is discovered that something isn’t working or part of the emergency exit plan isn’t safe, it needs to be rectified immediately. The annual test can be carried out after business hours.