Emergency lighting installation & maintenance is important for any business in Bristol. Emergency lighting means you and your employees can evacuate safely in the event of an emergency.
EMC Electrical Group Bristol - Emergency Lighting Installation
Any type of emergency will create panic, it’s simply inevitable. However you can make the evacuation process as easy as possible by utilising an emergency lighting system. When the evacuation route is well lit and easy to follow, the risk of injury is minimised, and the evacuation can be completed more efficiently.
Is emergency lighting mandatory?
Currently in the UK, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, businesses must install emergency lighting in their premises by law. As a business owner it’s your responsibility to ensure this is achieved or you appoint someone capable of doing so for you.
What is the purpose of emergency lighting?
As briefly mentioned in the introduction, emergency lighting is used to illuminate escape routes and fire exits. Lights should also be placed nearby safety equipment such as fire alarms, extinguishers and possibly any machinery which may pose a high-risk.
Why is emergency lighting important?
Emergency lighting is incredibly important. Fast and safe evacuation can save lives. As soon as a fire alarm is triggered, people panic and survival mode kicks in. A clear, illuminated escape route means everyone understands exactly where they are going. This is turn gets people out of the building as quickly as possible in a calmer manner. Proper emergency lighting also stops people from going further than they need to or exiting in a dangerous manner. Emergency lighting also means the emergency services can safety attend to the building for missing persons if necessary.
Emergency lighting regulations – Bristol, UK
Emergency lighting is required or strongly suggested in the following areas:
- Hallways & above fire exits.
- Places with floor level changes.
- Toilet areas.
- Corridor intersections.
- Directional changes within escape routes.
Emergency lighting must remain on for at least three hours where evacuation is not immediately possible. Where evacuation is generally possible straight away this timeframe reduces to one hour.
Emergency lighting comes in four different types – each one equally important. These four types are as follows:
- Escape route lighting
- Open area lighting.
- High risk area lighting.
- Stairway lighting.
Having the correct type of lighting is important too. Each form of lighting has a different light level and other features which make it the most suitable for the particular area.
Emergency lighting inspections
As we have established, emergency lighting SAVES LIVES. Because of its crucial role in a fast and safe evacuation, regular inspections are required. An emergency lighting inspection will highlight any flaws with the system and ensure lights remain powered for the required timeframe. Any of those that fail the inspection will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
EMC Electrical Group – Emergency lighting electricians based in Bristol
Are you a Bristol business owner? Worried your emergency lighting system isn’t up to standard? Don’t take the risk. Protect yourself and your employees with a high quality, reliable emergency lighting system expertly installed by EMC Electrical Group in Bristol.
Contact us today.
