Emergency Lighting
Designed To Protect You In Case of Power Failure
Vedhas offer a complete range of products, installations, repairs and maintenance of emergency lighting systems
Effective emergency lighting systems are very important, in ensuring the safety of people using a building, but as well as complying with the latest Health & Safety regulations. When it comes to safety, don’t take a chance, lighting systems have to work when and where they are needed. For this reason, it important to have the right advise and that is what we can do for you.
We can help you choose an emergency lighting system that is right for you. Designing it and installing it safely, our maintenance and service plans will allow your emergency lighting to work effectively and correctly at all times. With an ever-growing range of systems available, offering varied and more complex multi-functions, so, choosing the right system can be difficult. We can give you the best advice you need and design the correct system you are required to have. Our in house technical consultants have been trained to BS standards and continuously go to training provided by leading manufactures to ensure you get the best system.
Emergency Lighting Routine Testing Requirements
EN50172:2005 requires that at times of minimum risk the system is routinely tested. The following regime taken directly from the standard shows how often and what should be tested. This is only a brief overview and full consultation with the standard is advised
Daily
A visual inspection of every maintained emergency luminaire to ensure the lamp is operating correctly and in central or generator based systems that the control panel or indicators are showing normal conditions. Any faults must be entered into the system logbook and a check that any previously reported faults have received attention.
Monthly
- Self-contained emergency luminaires should be energized from their internal batteries by simulation of the supply, for sufficient time to ensure correct lamp operation and light output.
- Central systems shall be energized from their batteries for a period not exceeding 25% of their capacity and all emergency luminaires checked for correct lamp operation and light output.
- Generator systems shall be energised for their full rated duration and the lamps checked for correct operation and light output throughout the test.
Six Monthly
- All self-contained and central battery 3 hour emergency systems shall be continuously energized from their internal battery packs for a period of one-hour and the lamps checked for correct operation and light output.
- Generator supplied systems should have the monthly test applied.
Three Monthly
- Self-contained emergency luminaires shall be energized from their internal batteries for their full rated duration and the lamps checked for correct operation and light output throughout the test.
- Central systems shall be energised for their full rated duration and the lamps checked for correct operation and light output throughout the test.
Note
For Self-contained emergency luminaires the 3 year test should be carried out annually
Emergency Lighting Definitions
ANTI-PANIC LIGHTING
is the part of the emergency escape lighting provided to avoid panic and provide illumination to allow people to reach a place where an escape route can be found.
BALLAST
The component that controls the operation of a lamp from a specified low or high voltage AC or DC source (Typically between 12 and 240 volts)
BALLAST LUMEN FACTOR (BLF)
The ratio of the light output of the lamp when the ballast is operated at its design voltage compared with the output of the same lamp operated with the appropriate ballast supplied at its rated voltage and frequency.
BATTERY
Secondary cells providing the source of power during mains failure.
BATTERY - RECOMBINATION
A battery that is designed to recombine the electrolyte, constructed so that no provision is made for replacement of electrolyte (sometimes called sealed).
BATTERY - VENTED
A battery that requires replacement of electrolyte at regular periods.
BATTERY CAPACITY
The discharge capability of a battery, being a product of average current and time, expressed as Ampere-hours (Ah) over a stated duration. Note: At fast rates of discharge the full ampere hour capacity of the battery is not available.
BS5266
The British Standard for emergency lighting, it has now been revised to conform with the European Standard EN1838. It is now issued in the UK under the reference BS EN 1838/BS5266 Part 1/7/8
BS EN60598-2-22:1999
This is British/European luminaire product standard.
CANDELA (CD)
The unit of luminous intensity.
CENTRAL BATTERY SYSTEM
is a system where the batteries for a number of fittings are housed in one location, usually for all of the fittings in one subcircuit.
CENTRAL TEST
A testing system for a wide range of applications operating on 24v, 50v or 110v as well as 230v AC Static Invertor projects.
COLOUR RENDERING INDEX (CRI)
A measure of the degree to which the appearance of a surface colour under a given light source compares to the same surface under a CIE reference source. The index has a maximum value of 100.COLOUR TEMPERATURE (°K)
All materials emit light when heated (e.g. metal glows red through to white as the temperature increase). The temperature to which a full radiator (or ‘black body') would be heated to achieve the same chromaticity (colour quality) of the light source being considered, defines the correlated colour temperature of the lamp, quoted in degrees Kelvin.
COMBINED EMERGENCY FITTING (SUSTAINED)
is a light fitting containing two or more lamps at least one of which is energised from the emergency supply, the remaining lamps are supplied from the normal supply.
CONVERSION KIT
A product used to provide standard mains luminaries - including low voltage - with an emergency back up should the mains power fail.
DESIGN VOLTAGE
The voltage declared by the manufacturer to which all the ballast characteristics are related.
DISABILITY GLARE
Glare produced directly or by reflection, that obscures or impairs vision of an object, but does not necessarily cause any discomfort.
DISCOMFORT GLARE
Glare which causes visual discomfort.
DOWNWARD LIGHT OUTPUT RATIO (DLOR)
The ratio of luminaire light output below the horizontal, compared with total lamp light output.
EMERGENCY EXIT
is a way out intended to be used at any time. Final Exit is the terminal point of an escape route at which persons are no longer in danger from any hazard requiring evacuation of the building.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
is the lighting provided for use when the normal lighting mains supply fails, or when local sub circuit failure occurs.
ESCAPE ROUTE LIGHTING
is provided to ensure the means of escape can be effectively identified and used.
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SAFETY SIGN
A sign that is illuminated, when it is required, by an external source within 2m.
F ' MARK
Shows the luminaire can be mounted on flammable surfaces.
FINAL EXIT
The terminal point of an escape route, beyond which point persons are no longer in danger from fire or any other hazard requiring evacuation of the building.
GLARE
The discomfort or disability that occurs when there is an excessive change of luminance in the field of vision.
HIGH RISK AREA LIGHTING
The part of escape route lighting provided at a potentially dangerous location to enable proper shutdown procedures for the safety of the operator and other occupants of the building.
HOUSING 850ºC TEST
Mandatory test for emergency luminaires used on escape routes, to establish that materials do not burn at given temperature. Self-extinguishing grades of plastic must be used, or alternatively glass and/or steel.
ICEL 1001 REGISTRATION
The industry standard for the approval of photometric performance and claimed data of emergency lighting equipment, which is tested by the British Standards Institute.
ICEL 1004
The industry standard and accepted practice for the conversion of mains luminaries to having an emergency battery powered back up.
ILLUMINANCE (LUX)
The luminous flux density at a surface, indicated in lm/m2.
INGRESS PROTECTION (IP) NUMBER
Classification of the degree of protection a luminaire provides against the entry of solid foreign bodies and moisture.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SAFETY SIGN
A sign that is illuminated, when it is required, by an internal source.
ISOLUX DIAGRAM
Diagram showing contours of equal illuminance.
K FACTOR
The ratio between the light output from the lamp in the worst condition, normally at end of discharge and with cable volt drop, to the light output at nominal voltage.
LAMP LUMEN MAINTENANCE FACTOR (LLMF)
The proportion of light output of a lamp after a stated period, compared with initial lumen output.
LAMP SURVIVAL FACTOR (LSF)
The proportion of functioning lamps in an installation after a stated period.
LIGHT LOSS FACTOR (LLF)
See Maintenance Factor.
LIGHT OUTPUT RATIO (LOR)
The ratio of the total light output of a luminaire, compared with total lamp light output.
LUMEN (LM)
The unit of luminous flux used to describe the quantity of light emitted by a source or received by a surface.
LUMINAIRE
Apparatus which distribute the light given by a lamp or lamps, including all the items necessary for fixing and protecting the lamps and for connecting them to the electrical supply.
LUMINAIRE MAINTENANCE FACTOR (LMF)
The proportion of light output from a luminaire with dirt deposition after a stated period, compared with the initial light output when clean.
LUMINANCE (CD/M2)
The perceived brightness of a surface, measured by the intensity of light emitted or reflected from a surface area in a given direction.
LUMINOUS EFFICACY (LM/W)
The ratio of light emitted, to the power consumed by a lamp.
LUMINOUS FLUX (LM)
The total light emitted by a lamp, measured in lumens.
LUMINOUS INTENSITY (CD)
The power of a light source or illuminated surface to emit light in a given direction, measured in candela.
LUX
The unit if illuminance, equal to one lumen per square metre (lm/m2).
MAINTAINED EMERGENCY LIGHTING
is a light fitting containing one or more lamps all of which operate from both the normal and emergency supply at all times.
MAINTENANCE FACTOR (MF)
The ratio of the illuminance provided by an installation at a stated period, compared to the installation when new. Calculated as a product of lamp lumen, lamp survival, luminaire and room surface maintenance factors.
MOUNTING HEIGHT
is the vertical distance between the light fitting and the floor.
NON-MAINTAINED EMERGENCY LIGHTING
is a light fitting containing one or more lamps all of which operate from the emergency supply only following the failure of the mains supply or local sub circuit.
NORMAL LIGHTING
is all permanently installed artificial lighting operating from the mains supply for use when inadequate lighting is available during occupation of the building.
RATED DURATION
is the manufacturer's declared duration for a battery operated emergency light. Typically one to three hours when fully charged.
RATED LOAD
The maximum load which may be connected to the system which will be supplied for the rated duration.
RE-CHARGE PERIOD
The time taken for the batteries to regain sufficient capacity to achieve their rated duration.
ROOM INDEX (K)
Index defining the relationship between the height, length and width of a room. Used for illuminance calculations.
ROOM SURFACE MAINTENANCE FACTOR (RSMF)
The proportion of illuminance provided by a lighting installation with dirt deposition on the room surfaces after a stated period, compared with the illuminance when the room was clean.
SAFETY SIGN
A sign which gives a general safety message, obtained by a combination of colour and geometric shape and which, by the addition of a graphic symbol or text, gives a particular safety message (ISO 3864: 1984).
SELF CONTAINED EMERGENCY LIGHT FITTING
is a fitting or sign providing maintained, nonmaintained or combined emergency lighting in which all of the operating components are within 1 meter of the housing.
SELF TEST
A testing system for a wide range of self contained luminaries.
SLAVE FITTING
is an emergency light fitting without it's own batteries that is designed to work within a central battery system.
SPACING TO HEIGHT RATIO (SHR)
The ratio of the distance between luminaire centres in relation to their height above the working plane. Maximum spacing to height ratio (SHRmax) is the maximum spacing of an array of luminaires that will achieve a ratio of min/max direct illuminance of at least 0.7.
STANDBY LIGHTING
That part of emergency lighting provided to enable normal activities to continue substantially unchanged (IEC 50 - Chapter 845).
STATIC INVERTOR
A central system which enables mains luminaries to be utilised as emergency fittings without the need for additional wiring.
SUSTAINED EMERGENCY LIGHTING
See combined emergency lighting.
UNIFORMITY RATIO
The ratio between maximum to minimum illuminance measured at the working plane.
UTILISATION FACTOR AT ZERO REFLECTANCE (U.F.O.)
Determines the proportion of light output from a lamp that falls directly on the floor for different room indexes and types of diffuser.
UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY (UPS)
A versatile method of providing back up power and or steady, constant mains supply to specific applications such as I.T & telephones as well as being used to provide an emergency lighting facility in certain installations.
UPWARD LIGHT OUTPUT RATIO (ULOR)
The ratio of luminaire light output above the horizontal, compared with total lamp light output.
UTILANCE (U)
The proportion of luminous flux emitted by a luminaire which reaches the working plane.
UTILISATION FACTOR (UF)
The proportion of luminous flux emitted by a lamp (or lamps) which reaches the working plane.
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