Emergency Lighting Systems

Emergency Lighting Standard – I.S. 3217:2023

Emergency lighting is required when the main power supply is cut and any normal illumination fails. This may be a result of a fire, or a power cut and the normal lighting supplies fail. Sudden darkness is a possible danger to the occupants, either through physical danger or panic, to exit the premises safely.

What is emergency lighting?

  • Emergency escape lighting – the part of an emergency lighting system that provides light for the safety of people leaving a location or attempting to terminate a potentially dangerous process beforehand.
  • Escape route lighting – the part of an emergency escape lighting system provided to ensure that the means of escape can be effectively identified and safely used by occupants of the building.
  • Open area lighting – the part of an emergency escape lighting system provided to minimise panic and ensure there is sufficient illumination to allow the occupants of a building to reach a place where an escape route can be identified.

The points of emphasis when placing emergency lighting are as follows:

  • Near each exit door and each final exit door outside the building to a place of safety
  • Near stairs so that each flight of stairs receives direct light and near any other change in level and direction
  • At each intersection of corridors, externally illuminated escape route safety signs, escape route direction signs and other safety signs needing to be illuminated under emergency lighting condition
  • Near each piece of fire fighting equipment, fire alarm panels and manual call points
  • Near each first aid post, any escape equipment provided for the disabled, near disabled refuges, disabled refuge panels and call points, disabled refuse communication systems and disabled toilet alarm call positions
REQUEST A QUOTE

Commissioning Certificates and Logbook

Irish Standards require written declarations of compliance to be available on site for inspection.  These should detail the quality of the installation, satisfactory test of operation and a log of all system tests.

System logbooks, with commissioning forms, testing forms and instructions, should be provided by the installer/commissioner.

Emergency Lighting Systems

Maintenance Servicing and testing

(Regular servicing shall be carried out by a competent maintenance contractor as per I.S. 3217:2023.)

Please note I.S. 3217:2023 states the following, that all routine tests and quarterly maintenance tests in accordance with Clause 11 is carried out in the property in which a Emergency Lighting System is installed.

  • Daily Inspection:
    Indicators of central safety power supply systems (CPS) shall be visually inspected for correct operation.
    NOTE: This is a visual inspection of indicators and monitors to identify that the system(s) is in a ready condition and does not require an operational test.
    These checks are carried out by OWNER / MANAGER.
  • Monthly inspection and testing methodology, schedule and checklist;
    The following shall be checked:
    • visually check that each emergency lighting lamp in all maintained and combined emergency luminaires or combinations thereof are operational and illuminated, and ensure that all non-illuminating lamps are replaced.
    • visually check that LED status indicators on all self-contained luminaires, including ATS (Type S), are illuminated and showing a healthy status,
    • all deficiencies, defects, faults, or combinations thereof previously recorded in the emergency lighting logbook have been rectified.
    These checks are carried out by OWNER / MANAGER.
  • Three-monthly (quarterly) inspection and testing methodology, schedule and checklist:
    • The sequence shall ensure that inspections and testing meet the following schedule:
    • carried out four times in a 1-year period,
    • carried out every 3 months on the due date ± 30 days.
    • One of the four required inspections and tests shall be carried out as part of the annual inspection and testing schedule.
    These checks are carried out by HALL ALARMS LTD.
  • Service Provider
    Quarterly and Annual Checks to be done by a company that have the ability to issue Confirmation Documents for the system.
    These checks are carried out by HALL ALARMS LTD.
  • Three-monthly (quarterly) Checks:
    • Review of Log Book.
    • Battery duration tests (3 x 30 minutes tests).
    • Test and inspect controlling equipment.
    • (100% of devices will be tested on each quarterly visit.)
    • Visual Inspection of fittings for location and damage.
  • Annual Checks:
    • Includes Three-monthly (quarterly) Checks / Primarily Test and Report.
    • Review of Log Book.
    • Battery duration tests (1 x 3 hour test).
    • Controlling equipment, Batteries + Every Device (100% of devices will be tested on each quarterly visit.)
    • Visual Inspection of fittings for location and damage.

Emergency Lighting Systems