X1 X3 X5 TEST FISH KEY FOR SECRET EMERGENCY LIGHT GRID SWITCHES REPLACEMENT (3) by ToolsOnline

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Testing involves simulated, circuit-by-circuit mains lighting systems failures. Using a ‘fishtail key’ is one way of conducting this testing. Annual testing requires three-hour load testing, including battery testing and maintenance. Once the mains failure simulation has taken place, lighting failures and issues need to be noted and a plan of action to rectify problems should be devised. After this full discharge test, precautions must be taken as the batteries can take up to 24 hours to recharge and so the premises should not be occupied until everything is restored. For many buildings it is possible to do this over the weekend, but for flats and other premises which are occupied full time, there will need to be other arrangements whilst the batteries are recharging. Yes if you are testing/servicing on the discharge test then no lights would be a problem for persons working in those areas and so this would need doing when unoccupied - so I can see the logic behind the key switches not shutting off power - but that would only be for green LEDs and not red LEDs that would be difficult to visually see - similar if 3 tube lighting is working and one of the tubes is the EL light you wouldn't know if that EL unit was working if the main lights are still being powered... UK fire safety legislation states that emergency lighting is required in buildings to provide light if normal lighting fails during a fire.

In my humble opinion the switch should be of "simulation" status IE cutting power (as it would if in a power cut, fire, etc.) and illuminating EL only. The name of the person or organization responsible for the maintenance and testing of the emergency lighting system. This is purely for emergency use, and so only switches on when there is an emergency and the mains electricity turns off. The battery is charged by the mains and there is a small LED light which should show a green light. This also has to have regular testing to ensure that this still works as it does not switch on usually. This is usually the exit signs. Combined Emergency LightingA key-switch. This is installed on the permanent live supply to an emergency fitting. When actuated it isolates the emergency fitting, thus simulating a power failure. Sometimes there isn’t a test key switch. If not then you have to find the consumer unit and turn off the power to the whole circuit that controls the emergency lights. Hopefully it will be marked which one it is, but it could be more than one circuit. Be very careful when touching anything inside the electrical consumer box, there is a danger of electrocution if something is wrong. If in doubt seek a qualified electrician ** What time of day should I test the emergency lights First floor has a conference room, dining area, servery and kitchen with adjourning conveniences, 11 rooms (classroom or meeting/training rooms), 5 office rooms and 3 sets of conveniences. Self-test has several benefits. First, it saves the labour of manual testing. Secondly, it removes the risk that routine monthly or annual testing is overlooked.

A minimum duration of 3 hours should be used for emergency escape lighting if the premises are not evacuated immediately. The 3 hour time frame allows the fire brigade time to work in the event of a fire after all of the building’s occupants have been safely evacuated. How often should my emergency lighting system be tested? Details of the testing and commissioning carried out on the emergency lighting system, including dates and the results of the tests. Yes and no. If it is a small building and all the emergency lights are on one circuit, then yes, you have no choice. However if it is a large building then it would make sense to stagger the testing. This way the whole building would not be affected if there was a power cut, during the recharge time. Testing Central Battery SystemsIs your building permanently used E.G. Hotels, then you need to test the lights so that the end of the test corresponds to the start of day. In this way the emergency lights will have a good time to recharge during daylight hours. Natural daylight will help if the emergency lights don’t last 3 hours. Should I test ALL emergency lights at once? The duration that emergency lighting should stay on for depends on the relevant regulations and standards, as well as the specific requirements of the building and its occupants. However, the general requirement is that emergency lighting should remain illuminated for a minimum of 1 hour, but it may need to remain illuminated for up to 3 hours in certain circumstances. Non-domestic properties have a statutory responsibility to supply, test, and maintain emergency lighting systems. The reason for the regulations is to promote safety should the power supply go down for any reason. In such an event, emergency lighting provides illumination for safe evacuation or manoeuvre around the building’s interior. It can also support operational continuity in some contexts. It's swings and roundabouts in the building as some areas the key switch shuts off the power to the lights (per room, location) and illuminates the EL. The new refurbished areas the key switch does not cut power to the lights, and with some EL units being part of the main lights this poses a problem to actually see if they are working or not. Yes they have green LEDs in them but you have to look closely to see if they are actually coming on as required. Confirmation that the emergency lighting system has been designed and installed to meet the specific requirements of the building and its occupants.

When zero voltage is detected at L PERM it is the indication to the emergency module in the light fitting that mains power has been lost and that battery power must now be switched on. The kind of emergency lighting system your building requires depends on the nature of your business. For example, the emergency lighting system is not always required to provide light at the same intensity as the mains (however, it should be bright enough for safe evacuation). By working with the qualified engineers at Voltix Services , system designs and the ideal testing regime are all part of our compliance services . Standby lighting enables normal activities within in building to continue in the event of a mains power failure. Standby lighting is not a legal requirement but is a facility that some buildings may need depending on the use and occupancy of the premises. Simple system would be you switch the main lights on as normal, then operate the test key switch which simulates a power cut - so you can visually see the EL works.This performs the same function as a key-switch, isolating the fitting from its permanent live supply and thereby simulating a power failure. BS5266-1 states that emergency lighting should be regularly tested. How often should emergency lighting be tested? Our experienced testers conduct over 14,000 emergency lighting tests every year in properties across the UK. They test and inspect all units to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Pre-service audit You need emergency lighting in areas that could be considered “dangerous” such as commercial kitchens or plant rooms. If your building has rooms larger than 60 square metres, then emergency lighting is recommended. How long do emergency lights need to stay on?