What is the purpose of Emergency Lights?
In 2020, UK fire and rescue services rescued over 36% of individuals due to fire, flooding, and other threats from non-residential buildings. A great increase from 5 years ago. Due to the ever-changing profile of risks today, building owners are required to have emergency lights, and proper emergency measures installed and re-evaluated randomly.
The purpose of these light installations is to ensure compliance and safety for every establishment. Emergency lights are essential, especially in both residential and non-residential buildings.
Additionally, failure to follow the required emergency standards, building owners can be fined up to £400,000.
Besides the fines, during an occurrence of an emergency, where lives may be at risk, and if the system has malfunctioned or other required emergency measures are faulty, the building owners can face jail time.
Installing your building’s emergency surveillance can be just a piece of cake if you follow these key tips:
Ensure that it has enough light for evacuation.
Make sure these are placed in the proper location where the light can cover a wider range. Remember, some people in your building aren’t aware or familiar with the whole place. That is why there must be something that can guide their path towards the emergency exit or evacuation.
Observe the standards and fire codes
Standards that are set by authorities and are needed to be followed. Building owners should familiarize these certain standards to ensure that they are following them. Moreover, it is better and advisable to hire professionals who are knowledgeable of codes and standards.
Fire codes also determine the longevity of an emergency. Professionals also advise using LED lights to have a brighter emergency light which can also function longer.
Have an independent power source for your emergency lights
Most often, lights in buildings automatically shut when there’s an emergency because electrical wires can cause further threats if the power is not disconnected. That is why these should be connected to a different or an independent power source. Ask a professional installer or your contractor to use multiple battery packs so your emergency lights can have more capacity and maximum run time.
Frequently test your emergency lights.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests different ways to test these lights to maintain and ensure that these lights are in good working condition. Regular inspection is a big help to make sure that your emergency lights won’t fail during times of emergency.
- 30 seconds of functional testing every month, and annual testing of 1.5 hours.
- A visual examination using a computer-based test, and a 1.5 hours self-test annually.
In need of contractors for safe and ensure emergency light installation in London?
We at prime electrics have highly-trained skilled professionals who can ensure the standard installation of your building’s emergency lights. Please Click Here to check the full range of services we offer & to visit our social media click on our Facebook page.
