NEWS
Beijer Ref opens training academy in Glasgow
B C
eijer Ref UK has underlined its commitment to raising industry standards with the official opening of its training academy, in Glasgow.
Lord William Haughey OBE, Chair of City Facilities Management Ltd, performed the opening ceremony, with the launch forming part of the wholesale group’s ambition to offer convenient top-level training to engineers across the UK by building on the success of its
existing academies, which include two air conditioning training centres, an industrial refrigeration academy and an F-Gas/sustainable solutions academy in Wetherby. Hayley Cattell, managing director of Beijer Ref UK & Ireland, said: “It was great to welcome so many visitors to Glasgow. Our aim is to provide engineers with the training they need, where they need it. The ultimate target is for no engineer to be more than two hours away from expert guidance.”
The new facility, at 140 St Andrews Road in Glasgow, boasts an extensive range of sustainable heating and cooling training rigs, with a training room dedicated to renewable technology including CO2 and A2L systems and a heat pump training area covering the latest heating products. More than 50 people attended the event, with most taking the opportunity to book discounted training courses on the day. Available industry courses include: • F-Gas Category 1 • Introduction to CO2 as a refrigerant • Installing & commissioning CO2 condensing units • Basic refrigeration electrics & safe isolation • Hydrocarbon & flammable refrigerants • Basic introduction to industrial refrigeration
Lord Haughey opens the new Glasgow Training Academy watched by Beijer Ref UK & Ireland managing director Hayley Cattell, business support and design director Lee Downham, and guests
Significant changes to emergency lighting standards strengthen building safety
A (Electrotechnical Contractors’ Association) and Fire and Security Association (FSA) Members and the wider electrotechnical sector are set to benefit from major updates to emergency lighting standards following a comprehensive review and revision of three key British Standards.
The last of these changes came into effect on October 29 with the
publication of the updated BS 5266:2025 Emergency Lighting of Premises: Code of Practice. The new updates complement amendments made in 2024 to BS EN 1838:2024 Lighting Applications – Emergency Lighting for Buildings and BS EN 50172:2024Emergency Escape Lighting Systems.
All the updates aim to enhance safety and compliance, as well as provide clearer, more consistent guidance for the design, installation, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems in public and commercial buildings. Emergency lighting is a vital life-saving measure, guiding occupants to safety during evacuations, power outages, or other emergencies. The revised standards address critical areas including system verification, illuminance requirements, circuit integrity under fire conditions, and documentation protocols, ensuring a higher level of safety and compliance across the built environment. Mike Smith, technical director at ECA, said: “ECA and its members have made significant contributions to the updated BS 5266, with member representatives on the British Standards Committee that oversaw the amendments to emergency lighting. “ECA has created platforms for Member involvement in standards development, ensuring
that proposals are grounded in industry expertise and practical application. These efforts have led to clearer guidance, improved safety, and more robust compliance frameworks across the sector.”
Key updates across the standards • Enhanced guidance and clarity: The three standards now offer more coherent and accessible guidance, with some documents having doubled in length.
• Emergency escape lighting: New lux level requirements apply to the entire width of defined escape routes, not just the centreline. Additional focus for specific areas include toilet and changing rooms, and switchboards associated with the provision
of normal and escape lighting within motor generator, control, switch or plant rooms.
• Circuit integrity in high-risk areas: BS 5266 introduces measures requiring emergency luminaires in high-risk areas to be wired from at least two separate circuits. No more than 20 luminaires may be affected by a single circuit fault.
• Verification and testing: While initial verification protocols remain fundamentally unchanged, the revised standards provide more detail and a structured format.
• Shutdown and recommissioning procedures: New recommendations include the requirement for emergency lighting systems be protected from deep discharge during prolonged shutdowns, with clear procedures for safe recommissioning.
• Photometric performance verification: All three standards now require five-year verification of system photometric performance to confirm continued compliance with design criteria.
• Documentation and handover: Handover documentation requirements have been clarified, through the addition of more detail and a better layout.
• Risk assessment: Continued emphasis throughout the new Standards for a thorough and comprehensive risk assessment to be performed, which forms the basis for emergency lighting design.
These changes are designed to ensure that emergency lighting systems continue to meet evolving safety expectations, with a focus on both initial compliance and the ongoing maintenance of systems throughout the building lifecycle.
Support and further guidance To assist professionals in navigating these substantial updates, ECA and FSA have produced detailed guidance notes and support resources. FSA members benefit from access to the ECA technical helpline, extensive documentation, editable certificates, and an emergency lighting logbook template. Additionally, the newly introduced EAL Level 3 Award offers structured learning for those involved in emergency lighting design, installation, and maintenance in line with the updated standards.
OMICRON Zero • Eurovent certified performance
• First air-source simultaneous heating & cooling unit using R290 as a near zero GWP, natural refrigerant solution
• Up to 70°C Hot Water
• High TER 7.75* *W45 A7 / W7 A35
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk Swegon qp BSEE
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10/11/23 16:13 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2025 5
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