LIGHTING
Within the healthcare sector specifically, lighting levels higher than the specified minimum may be required in ‘high risk’ areas such as operating theatres, labour wards, or intensive care units, and careful consideration must be given to the specific area and its use. In certain environments the standby lighting may need to equal 90% of the normal mains illuminance levels, or even above, to ensure that operational efficiency can be maintained.
Although the revisions to the Emergency Lighting Code of Practice BS5266:1 2016 – which also require emergency lighting to be checked on a regular basis, and results to be logged by the person responsible for the building – have been widely accepted as a step in the right direction for emergency lighting, especially in large, densely populated hospitals, they have also brought a new, unique set of challenges.
Technological innovation As LED technology has evolved, costs have been reduced, while a significant number of new features and benefits have been introduced, providing healthcare estate managers with measurable improvements in their emergency lighting provision. Leading edge technologies are now delivering safer and more reliable systems, that not only far exceed the performance levels of heritage lighting schemes, but also contribute to reductions in accidents and errors, and an increased sense of security for patients, visitors, and staff.
By specifying high quality and energy- efficient LED emergency battery technologies, healthcare estate managers can also yield financial benefits that go far beyond the initial energy savings. The longer lifespan of such solutions, for instance, can deliver long-term reductions in both maintenance and replacement costs, due to the longer life of the LEDs and components.
Flexible and reliable batteries When the main electrical supply fails, emergency lighting systems are designed to come into operation. In most facilities, the largest part of emergency illumination lights the pathways and exits that lead out of the building. While this is also the case in many healthcare environments, the specialist lighting requirements of areas such as accident and emergency (A&E) departments, critical care units, and general surgery wards, necessitate a flexible and reliable battery that best reflects the technical requirements of such facilities. An advantage of using modern emergency lighting solutions, such as state-of-the-art emergency battery technologies, is the ability of such systems to operate across a wide wattage range – from 3-80W – meaning that they are
74 Health Estate Journal May 2019
Within the healthcare sector specifically, lighting levels higher than the specified minimum may be required in ‘high risk’ areas such as operating theatres.
compatible with LED luminaires up to 42V DC from any lighting manufacturer. What this means is that they can now provide a solution that makes life easier for installers and specifiers, excluding the requirement to carry multiple battery back variants for different wattages and different areas of a hospital.
For healthcare estate managers, working against a backdrop of ever- tightening NHS budgets, this degree of flexibility can save NHS Trusts the time and effort often associated with sourcing and obtaining multiple emergency battery back-up units for different zones of the same facility. Some emergency battery back-up units can even provide power to any luminaire during outages, essentially offering the ability to convert LED luminaires within a hospital into emergency lighting during a power outage or evacuation procedure – powering the lamp for up to three hours from the built- in back-up battery.
A ‘non-maintained’ solution Specifically designed for LED lighting as a maintained solution, battery back-up technology can also work as a non- maintained solution for most types of light fittings, including a range of
Mo Hanslod
Mo Hanslod, CEO at Bri-Tek Technologies, says that it is his belief that the business is a leading innovator in its field that arouses his passion in his role. He explained: “Over the past nine years the company has achieved three ISO standards, and launched a universal emergency battery back-up – designed and manufactured in the UK – which, within two years of launch, has become Bri-Tek’s flagship product, with a new version to be introduced this year.” He continued: “Having started off supplying LED lighting to the industrial and commercial sector, my team and I now offer a full service solution – encompassing audit , design, supply, and install, as well as being able to advise on and undertake complete retrofits. So far 2019 is building up to be our most exciting year yet, with plans to launch a ground-breaking emergency streetlight, and to increase sales with the addition of other ‘eco’ energy products to the Bri-Tek portfolio – in areas ranging from infrared heating and voltage optimisation to energy storage. We now also have the ability to offer ESOS audits.”
architectural lighting fixtures. The ultra- compact design of some state-of-the-art LED emergency battery packs makes them easy to install, delivering a sleek and unobtrusive solution for any application. In fact, the leading products on the market offer a simple ‘plug and play’ solution, significantly reducing installation times and costs across a wide range of healthcare applications.
Given the crucial responsibility they have for maintaining the safety of patients in their care, it is perhaps little surprise that hospitals are strictly governed when it comes to maintaining safety and reducing the risks to patients, visitors, and staff, during emergencies such as power outages. Should any emergency occur, estates managers must have suitable and sufficient processes in place to ensure the safe evacuation of occupants. The integration of advanced emergency lighting technologies is helping to enhance existing systems, maximise safety, and minimise disruption to building operations. The importance of emergency lighting is clear, and while healthcare providers will hope it will never be needed, it is clear that such systems plays an integral role in guaranteeing the safety of patients, staff, and visitors, alike.
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