Does a non-maintained emergency need a key switch

[haptism]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

Reason for test switches is 1. to identify unmarked maintained fittings, 2. to isolate em from standard lighting circuit. 3. to identify em fittings that are faulty. 4. to identify the em circuit by switch fitting. (ie DB1/L3/C08) 5. to allow full duration test without switch off normal lighting.
Putting a place in darkness or poor light during the day, is asking for a court case for injury.

1. Its obvious which light is the emergency as its the only bulkhead in the room.
2. Why not use the cb, just make sure its not dark, do it in the morning.
3. Same as no.2 above
4. There is only one lighting circuit, fed from a 5 way cu, will only be one key switch.
5. Same as no.2

This may sound flippant, but its one room and the place closes at 4.30 pm and is not open on a Sunday or bank holidays. Don't get me wrong im all for key switches but do I really need one (and it would be just one), that's what he keeps asking me.

 

[tazz]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

Its your call as the tester, If it was a new install then 100% by BS5266....If existing, make a note on cert, that its only feed from mcb. Whole game here is to cover yourself.

 

[haptism]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

Its your call as the tester, If it was a new install then 100% by BS5266....If existing, make a note on cert, that its only feed from mcb. Whole game here is to cover yourself.

Yeah that seems the most sensible way. Thanks again

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

1. em lighting is 40% less bright when not powered.
2. required to work with switched maintained, exit and non maintained.
3. with normal lighting staying lite....any non lite, must be faulty em fitting
4. All lighting feed from that circuit would be de-powered.
6. only on commissioning or take over....so mcb for lux testing...em switch for periodic testing...making life great.

No. 1, how will that help with maintained, if the non-em lighting is still lit?
No. 2, not aware that it is required?
No. 3, any non lit fitting is faulty, could be em, could be normal.
No. 4, exactly, any still lit will be the em fittings.
No. 6, buildings which contain em lighting are often altered, during the course of their use. New furniture, machines, partitions, new rooms or offices, etc. There is also the fact that dirt and discolouration of finished walls can affect lux levels.
Lux levels may be fine on commissioning, but can drastically change during the course of an installation's life.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

1. Its obvious which light is the emergency as its the only bulkhead in the room.

That would be non-maintained.

 

[baldsparkies]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

Its such a simple fix, and can be fitted local to the E/M light if need be.
There not even an expensive thing to purchase, so not a financial issue, more safety at a modest cost.
It could be a life saver one day, and with a key switch operational maintenance/tests are far more likely to take place.
There's only one common sense approach to this surely !!!

 

[tazz]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

1. and em light will be 40% dimmer, normal fitting will be fully lite.
2. BS5266 requires a facility for testing ie keyswitch.
3. Before using test switch all maintained lighting should be on....on operation of the test switch, any unlit fitting require attention.
4. Putting an office or section of a building in darkness, is a risky business. I would see a no win no fee claim, from Jobbless Joe.
6. BS again, any new, alteration or extension to a building, should be re-tested, re-commissioned, with results documented.
Personally, I would conduct a lux level test on any take over or new contract. Again back side covering.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

No. 1, the fact that the em lighting is 40% dimmer will not help with combined maintained fittings as found in most offices, unless the normal lighting is switched off. With LED lighting that I've installed, there is no difference in brightness between normal and emergency operation.
No. 2, not sure that it requires a facility for testing, more that it requires a testing procedure be in place?
No. 3, not something that can always be achieved.
No. 4, if the em lighting is functioning, and BS5266 is complied with, then there should not be complete darkness.
That aside, a pretty standard RA would indicate that the testing should be conducted out of hours to minimise risk.
No. 5, yes in an ideal world, however that still doesn't allow for deterioration in lux levels do to age, dirt and discolouration of wall and ceiling finishes.
Switching off the normal lighting when conducting the test will allow for verification that the em lighting is adequate, or fit for purpose without having to physically measure lux levels. Something that anyone should be able to do with just standard Mk I eyeballs.

 

[tazz]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

On a pre designed installation you will be requested to install EM lighting to BS5266, you will be requested to install emergency test switches where designed. The schedule will state circuit number, and request that 5266 is followed, so as not to isolate normal operation of lighting (section of BS already stated in post 12). If you are requested to design the system to BS5266. All this must be taken into account......or you will be requested to rip it out and start again.....your choice..!!

 

[mogga]

Re: Does a non-maintained emergecy need a key switch

No. 1, the fact that the em lighting is 40% dimmer will not help with combined maintained fittings as found in most offices, unless the normal lighting is switched off. With LED lighting that I've installed, there is no difference in brightness between normal and emergency operation.
No. 2, not sure that it requires a facility for testing, more that it requires a testing procedure be in place?
No. 3, not something that can always be achieved.
No. 4, if the em lighting is functioning, and BS5266 is complied with, then there should not be complete darkness.
That aside, a pretty standard RA would indicate that the testing should be conducted out of hours to minimise risk.
No. 5, yes in an ideal world, however that still doesn't allow for deterioration in lux levels do to age, dirt and discolouration of wall and ceiling finishes.
Switching off the normal lighting when conducting the test will allow for verification that the em lighting is adequate, or fit for purpose without having to physically measure lux levels. Something that anyone should be able to do with just standard Mk I eyeballs.

Item 1 some commercial shops have 24hr "police" lighting on key switch with EMS so unless identified you could be attempting repair on fitting thats not faulty
Ityem 4 When using discharge lighting there SHOULD be standby lighting so during burn up of lighting there is light