There’s an emergency, and the power goes out—how will you find your way to safety? Thankfully, the emergency lighting is activated and lights your way to the emergency exits.
Basically, emergency lighting is a battery-powered lighting system that is triggered during a power outage. It works hand in hand with the Exit Sign System to facilitate evacuation.
It is, thus, vital that this lighting system is always operational ready; and, this is ensured through regular testing and maintenance.
The following regulations thus require premises to have an operationally-ready and well-maintained Emergency Lighting System:
Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2018 (Fire Code 2018) by the SCDF
SS 563: 2010 (2017) Part 1 and 2 (formerly SS CP 19)
SS 563-1: 2010 (2017) Code of Practice for the design, installation and maintenance of Emergency Lighting and Power Supply Systems in buildings - Part 1: Emergency Lighting
SS 563-2: 2010 (2017) Code of Practice for the design, installation and maintenance of Emergency Lighting and Power Supply Systems in buildings - Part 2: Installation requirements and maintenance procedure
Who is responsible for the Emergency Lighting System?
Building Owners and Council Members are responsible by regulation
Fire Protection Specialists, like BSE, MCST Managing agencies, and/ or technicians are engaged to assist Building Owners and Council Members
What kind of maintenance will the Emergency Lighting System need and how often?
According to regulations, the recommended frequency of inspection for the Emergency Lighting System in buildings is MONTHLY. However, the regulatory testing and maintenance of the Emergency Lighting System are conducted ANNUALLY.
Inspection procedure
Checklist:
Emergency lighting is adequately provided along 1) Staircases, 2) Escape Routes, 3) Public Areas, and 4) Essential Plant Rooms
Automatic operation is tested and in order
Emergency lighting provided is sufficiently bright
Identification (Cl 7.8 CP 19)
Emergency lighting is connected to a secondary power supply
Testing procedure
Functional test up to 10 seconds
Battery discharge test after 1 hour from power shut-down
Testing of battery and voltage conditions
Inspection of power supply, indicators and any other related devices in random in-situ
Tips on having an optimum Emergency Lighting System:
Ensure battery chargers, batteries, inverters, and tubing, distribution and control equipment are in good working condition
Ensure that the battery cabinet is free from corrosion
Ensure luminaires, indicating lights and exit signs are in good working condition