Emergency lighting is an essential safety feature that provides illumination during power outages or emergencies, assisting individuals in the safe evacuation of a building. Building safety should be a top priority for all businesses.
Automated self-testing (AST) for emergency lighting highlights a significant development in the safety and efficiency of building management. This innovative technology eliminates the need for the manual testing of lighting systems, as it automatically checks itself to ensure that the battery and lamp in each light is fully operational.
This wireless technology offers a cost-effective solution by removing the expenses associated with manual inspections. Wireless Bluetooth systems can also be used for general lighting, providing efficiency and flexibility in lighting control. This will enhance overall convenience, making it easy to adjust lighting settings when needed to meet specific needs and preferences.
BS5266 and European standards have provided detailed guidance and requirements on the application and practice of emergency lighting.
To ensure that the emergency lighting is functioning properly, two assessments are required, including a function test, which verifies the correct operation of the emergency lighting on a monthly basis. This test ensures that the system activates correctly, by providing immediate light during times of crises.
In addition, the second evaluation is a duration test, which is carried out once a year. This critical assessment specifically evaluates the ability of the self-contained battery in supplying emergency light with its full rated duration of emergency operation, with the lights being operated on emergency power for up to 3 hours.
Results from these monthly and annual tests must be recorded alongside written declarations of compliance and a declaration of satisfactory test of operation. AST systems provide precise and timely electronic results through an easily accessible web-portal, making it the perfect choice for retrofit upgrades within LED lighting schemes.