statutory documentation to be held on site

European legislation (Directives) has been introduced that requires escape routes and hazardous areas to be protected, to ensure the safety of people at these places at all material times. These Directives are:

Construction Products Directive: 89/106/EEC;(1)

Workplace Directive: 89/654/EEC;(2) and

Signs Directive: 92/58/EEC.(3)

These three European Directives have been implemented into UK law and, for emergency lighting, these this has been achieved through the Building Regulations: Approved Document B, in England and Wales (The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations and associated Technical Standards for Scotland and the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and Technical Booklet E for Northern Ireland), the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations, respectively.

The Building Regulations 1991 Approved Document B 2002 edition states that emergency lighting is required to provide sufficient illumination to ensure that means of escape from a building can be used safely and effectively; activities, in particular those involving use of hazardous equipment, can be terminated safely; and emergency actions can be carried out effectively at appropriate locations in the workplace. Crown immunity is removed except for defence and prison establishments.

The UK has applied a class A deviation to European standard EN 1838, reflected in BS 5266-7,(10) which allows the UK to continue to apply its present requirements for escape routes that are permanently unobstructed.

Further extensions to the provisions, defined in table 9 of the Approved Document, include open areas larger than 60 m2 in retail, commercial, industrial, storage and other non-residential premises; school buildings without natural light or used outside daylight hours; windowless toilets < 8 m²; toilets > 8 m²; generator, switch, battery and emergency control rooms; and common escape routes in shops, commercial buildings, car parks and multi-storey residential premises.

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997(7) require that:

(a) emergency routes and exits shall be indicated by signs; and

(b) emergency routes and exits shall be illuminated with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in case the supply to the normal lighting fails.

These Regulations require compliance through a risk assessment. The Regulations are supported by a guidance document Fire safety ? an employer?s guide. It is enforced by the Fire Authorities.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations identify the requirements for safety signs in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive has also produced a guidance document to the regulations called Safety signs and signals. Fire safety signs that did not comply with these Regulations should have been brought into line by 24 December 1998. Compliance with the several parts of BS 5499 will deem to comply with the Regulations.

The safety lighting requirements for participants of sports events are defined in BSEN 12193 and in the Home Office?s Guide to safety at sports grounds.

Some workplaces require a licence from the local authority. The Fire Authority may require higher levels of emergency lighting and specific solutions for premises such as theatres and cinemas, music and dancing, public entertainment or gambling, or where alcohol is sold.

Premises used as sleeping accommodation such as nursing homes, children?s homes, residential care homes and independent schools may be registered with the local authority but they also need to be accepted by the Fire Authority and should have of emergency lighting with a minimum duration of at least two hours.

The HSE publication Fire safety in construction work(17) details requirements for escape route lighting and emergency lighting on construction sites.

There are two documents particularly pertinent to railways and railway premises: the Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations and the HSE Railway safety principles and guidance series.

This information is paraphrased from the Society of Light and Lighting Lighting guide 12: Emergency lighting which is due for publication shortly.

Jonathan David

Secretary

The Society of Light and Lighting

Hi Peter,

The main statutory duties in relation to emergency lighting are:

* The Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 require all employers to conduct a fire risk assessment: one of the considerations for the risk assessment to address is the need for emergency lighting.

* The Building Regulations Approved Document B, Fire Safety (which applies to all new buildings, refurbishments, alterations, etc.) states that all escape routes should have adequate artificial lighting. Essentially, all escape routes require emergency lighting: other areas specifically requiring emergency lighting are set out in a table (table 9). You can download the document (PDF format) from:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_buildreg/documents/page/odpm_breg_027756.pdf

There is an useful Q&A about emergency lighting on the website of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC):

http://www.niceic.org.uk/approved/emergency.html

With regards certification, the NICEIC recommends the following:

--

On completing the installation of an emergency lighting system, or part of it, or of a major alteration to an existing installation, an emergency lighting completion certificate should be supplied to the occupier/owner of the premises. A copy of this certificate may be required by the enforcing authority.

On completion of a three-yearly inspection and test schedule, an emergency lighting periodic inspection and test certificate should be issued to the occupier/owner of the premises. This certificate should be supplied at intervals of no more than 3 years or on the completion of a major alteration or addition to an existing installation, or at such other times as required by the enforcing authority. A copy of this certificate may be required by the enforcing authority.

A log book should be kept on the premises in the care of a responsible person appointed by the occupier/owner and should be readily available for examination by any authorized person. The log book should be used to record the following information:

a) Date of any completion certificate including any certificate relating to alterations.

b) Date of each periodic inspection and test certificate.

c) Date and brief details of each service, inspection or test carried out.

d) Date and brief details of any defects and of remedial action taken.

e) Date and brief details of any alterations to the emergency lighting installation.

--

The main guidance on emergency lighting is 'British Standard 5266, Code of Practice for the emergency lighting of premises other than private domestic premises, cinemas and certain other special premises used for entertainment'.

More information on the BS 5266 Series is available from:

http://www.bsi-global.com/Local+Authorities/Standards/Emergency+Planning/bs5266.xalter

Hope that helps

Ciaron Dunne

Emergency Lighting

Can you tell me what my statutory duties with regard to the above asset are. What testing am I required to do and what certificates do I have to hold