Maintained or Non-maintained emergency lighting

[yellowvanman]

Whilst doing an EICR on a village hall noticed that all emergency lights don't work in the event of power failure.

Been given go ahead to replace. Just had a quick look at the BS5266 but can't find anything on guidance as to when and where you should install maintained lights as opposed to non-maintained.

Can anyone help?

 

[MDJ]

Cover yourself and use maintained, they may hire the hall out to the public, would be even better if you could switch them on with the lighting in there as well.

 

[Octopus]

Buy the ones that can be either, and the change is made via removing a jumper.

If its a door directly to outside it should always by on

 

[yellowvanman]

If its a door directly to outside it should always by on

Can you quote where you got that from?

 

[Octopus]

Can you quote where you got that from?

I hate to say this BUT I think its in the NICEIC Snags and Solutions covering Emergency lighting!

 

[MDJ]

It only needs to be lit when the public are in the building, for example a bring and buy sale or a jumble sale etc etc, that's why switching them on with the lights is a good idea and usually specified by engineers when Jobs in these sort of places carried out, Murdocks idea of a combined with a jumper link is a good one

 

[yellowvanman]

Just found a bit thats says use maintained where room lighting could be dimmed/off.

This village hall is used for parties/pantomines etc. so maybe the main hall needs maintained plus bar area and above the exits.

 

[Hants-Spark]

Cant remember if I actually read it or just what I was told but aren't you meant to use Maintained externally over exit doors where steps/stairs are??

 

[sjm]

Maintained lights can be switched on/off as per normal lighting. Non maintained are for emergency lighting only. The choice depends on whether you need to use the emergency light for normal illumination and emergency, or solely for emergency.

In an emergency you need to light the way to the assembly point and show emergency exits, (door directly to outside) however I don't think this needs to always be lit.

Hope this helps.

 

[Octopus]

I hate to say this BUT I think its in the NICEIC Snags and Solutions covering Emergency lighting!

Page 25 of said book "Maintained emergency lights" - BS 5266 recommends a maintained mode of operation for premises where normal lighting can be dimmed or turned off below levels required for identification and illuminance of escape routes.... such as theatre, cinema. It also recommends Maintained for sites where people will not be familiar with the location/premises.

As clear as mud, but I do what I stated in my first answer as it makes sense to me plus if needed you can simply change the mode by refitting the jumper. TLC do the ones I fit.