Emergency Lighting
emergency compliant bulkheads and downlights are commonly installed in such spaces to provide maximum visibility in challenging environments. Alongside product type, power source is also a key consideration when it comes to specification. ‘Self-contained’ and ‘central battery source’ are the two main types of power source, both of which deliver reliable illumination when required but offer different benefits.
Self-contained systems Self-contained systems are connected to the normal mains power but in the event of an emergency, the luminaire switches over to a battery located within itself. Central battery systems are powered by a back-up source such as a generator.
Self-contained emergency luminaires are usually the preferred option for small-to-medium sized projects. They are quick to install and easy to extend or alter later. Operating independently of each other, one major benefit of this type of energy source is that if one unit fails, the operation of other luminaires is not affected. This independence also offers flexibility when it comes to the placement and installation of individual fixtures, making them suitable for a wide variety of building layouts and retrofit projects. Products with pulse charging lithium battery technology offer the highest standards of reliability and lower parasitic load, resulting in lower power consumption and longer lifespans.
Central battery systems
Central battery systems, on the other hand, are normally used for larger projects where the number of emergency luminaires required is in the hundreds. They offer more efficient battery management and can often provide longer backup power durations. Central battery source systems also allow for centralised management and monitoring of the entire emergency lighting
network which can be advantageous where comprehensive control is essential. In most cases, when it comes to project specification, a combination of both self- contained and central battery system powered luminaires are chosen to provide complete protection during times of power failure. In addition to power source, testing methods are also a key product consideration for emergency lighting. The testing of emergency luminaires is a legal requirement in the UK, with required standards and regulations outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, The Health and Safety at Work Act, Building Regulations, The EU Workplace Directive and the Fire Safety Regulations.
Most commonly, products tend to have either manual or automatic test options. Manual testing is just that - each luminaire is physically tested by an appointed individual. The process
usually involves isolating all lighting circuits and luminaires before checks are carried out on each emergency light. The mains supply is then restored and the whole building or circuit must be walked again to check that the emergency lights have returned to being operational. A much speedier and accurate option is to use fittings with intelligent self-test technology. When these units are first installed, the fitter will randomly select a test date of between 200 and 365 days. Once this date is set it will continue to test at the same time every year for a full three- hour test. Every 30 days the installation will also be automatically tested for ten minutes. A small LED button on the fitting will illuminate to show either regular function or that a fault has occurred providing much speedier and more cost-effective testing maintenance. Recent advances in technology have also seen the creation of dashboard monitors. These enable any emergency luminaires that are connected to a smart lighting system to be centrally monitored and tested wirelessly at the touch of a button. The dashboard can drill down into the lighting system and highlight if an individual luminaire or driver is outside of expected operational parameters. This indicates that the luminaire or driver may need attention to proactively repair or replace, rather than waiting for a failure to occur. Regardless of which types of products are specified, emergency lighting installations are critical to ensuring occupant safety. The consequences of failing to comply with legislation is very serious, potentially resulting in prosecutions for negligence and fatalities during emergencies. By stocking a varied and comprehensive range of emergency lighting fittings, wholesalers can ensure that they are able to fully service customer projects and maximise sales revenues.
ewnews.co.uk
August 2024 electrical wholesaler | 21
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