There are
several different Government guides that are very similar, but change
slightly in the text e.g. for hotels (sleeping accommodation) the
wording is appropriate for that type of premises. The
following text is taken from
HM government guide
'fire safety risk assessment, factories and warehouses.'
"Where any escape routes are
internal and without windows, or your premises are used during periods
of darkness, including early darkness on winter days, then some form of
back-up to the normal escape route lighting (emergency escape lighting)
is likely to be required. In simple premises, e.g. small single storey
open plan factories or warehouses with small numbers of staff where the
escape routes are straightforward, borrowed lighting, e.g. from street
lamps where they illuminate escape routes, may be acceptable. Where
borrowed lighting is not available, suitably placed torches may be
acceptable. In larger, more complex premises it is likely that a more
comprehensive system of electrical automatic emergency escape lighting
will be needed to illuminate all the escape routes."
In plain English, it must be
possible to be able to escape from a building in case of fire if the
normal lighting fails. Often the best way to check if there is
sufficient light is to simulate a lighting circuit failure (at night)
and check if there is enough light to see to find the exit route,
operate the fire alarm, read the instructions on a fire extinguisher
etc.
It is also important to remember
that it must also be possible to see to escape using routes not normally
lit, such as an external escape route at the back of a factory, or an
internal corridor in a multi-occupied building. In such cases, it is not
unusual to find emergency lighting installed, but no conventional
lighting!
It may also be possible to
install luminescent way finding systems, which absorb light energy from
the normal light source, and then glow if the lights fail, or at night.
These have the advantage that there is little or no maintenance required
and there are no batteries or bulbs to wear out.
Emergency lights can be purchased
on-line from
www.mfs-fire-extinguishers.co.uk
Contact us if you need help or
advice about emergency lighting, details below.
