FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
TESTING TIME
When choosing emergency lighting products, also consider testing functions. The huge emphasis placed on testing emergency lighting has meant that in recent years manufacturers – us included – have developed intelligent self-test technologies to make the testing process much quicker and easier for users. These products perform tests automatically on a selected date each month and year as required and in compliance with legal regulations. They feature a small LED button on each fitting which indicates regular function or signals a fault, leading to quicker and more cost-effective testing and maintenance process.
Of course, products that require more traditional manual testing are still available but are much more labour intensive. Here, once all lighting circuits and luminaires have been isolated, a tester must pass through the whole building or circuit, checking that each emergency luminaire is operating correctly. Once the mains supply is restored, the whole building or circuit must then be walked again to check that the emergency lights have returned to being operational.
As you can appreciate, the growing trend towards intelligent self-testing products and adaptive systems is transformational in reducing time-consuming manual maintenance checks.
POWER SOURCES
When it comes to power source, fittings are either ‘self-contained’ or require a ‘central battery source’ such as a generator. Each option offers different pros and cons. Self-contained systems operate independently of each other, which means that if one unit fails, it does not affect the operation of other luminaires. Maintenance and testing of such fittings can often be more straightforward as can installation which is usually quicker and easier.
Emergency lighting systems operated from a central battery source offer more efficient battery management and can often provide power for longer durations. They are also much less susceptible to ambient temperature and air conditions as the battery supply is housed in a protective environment. A combination of both self-contained and central battery source systems may be necessary to ensure comprehensive protection during power failures.
Emergency lighting is much more than just a box to tick, it is a matter of life and death. As regulations continue to evolve, staying informed and adaptable will be key to maintaining high safety standards and protecting lives in the built environment. By embracing the latest technologies, such as intelligent self-testing and adaptive lighting solutions, FMs will be able to ensure they maintain the highest standards while simplifying compliance procedure.
