Emergency Lighting

What is emergency lighting?

These are lighting units which contain several rechargeable batteries and come on when mains electricity is lost. The batteries are kept recharged by being connected to the mains. Good batteries, fully charged should last 3 hours. They are not usually lit (though there are ordinary light fittings available that also contain batteries for emergency power loss).

Why would I need them?

If you have a fire, it can burn through ordinary cable and take out your lighting. Corridors may be dark and smoky. The emergency lighting units will allow everyone to see their way to emergency exits and escape. Even if it’s only a power cut, a building with corridors and stairs in pitch dark is a dangerous place where accidents are much more likely.

How easy are they to install?

Very. They are connected to the existing wiring, with their own isolator keyswitch, so they can be independently switched on for testing, or off for maintenance.

Do they need testing?

Yes. They require a monthly “flip” test on and off, to check they function, then a six monthly one hour duration test, and if the building is occupied at night, an annual three hour duration test. The technician switches them on at the isolator switch and leaves them on while carrying out the rest of the fire servicing routines.