Voltimum Technical seminar New Fire Safety Order Implications for the Emergency Lighting Systems Presented by Chris Watts Cooper Lighting and Security Chairman of - British Standards CPL 34/9 Code of Practice (BS 5266) CPL 34/2/2 Emergency Luminaires (BS EN 60598-2-22) CEN CEN 169 Working group 3 (EN 1838 & pr EN 13032-3) CENELEC BTTF 62/8 Central Battery systems (EN 50171) Emergency Lighting Application (EN 50172) IEC Lumex ELP Luminaires & Auto. Test (IEC 60598-2-22 & 62034 ) IEC Wiring Reg. CEI 60364-5-5664-MT34 Wiring for safety services Trade Association ICEL Technical committee chairman Vice Chairman BFPSA training committee
Fire Safety Order - Implementation Oct 06 Main points- Fire certificates cease to have any effect. Responsibility for complying with the Fire Safety Order will rest with the 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is normally the employer or any other person having control of the premises, e.g. the occupier or owner. The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment focusing on the safety of all people on the premises. The assessment must include an action plan to use appropriate fire precautions to compensate for the risks in the building.
Steps for a Risk Assessment The responsible person (normally the employer) MUST perform a risk assessment. 1 Identify fire hazard- sources of ignition- fuel- work processes 2 Identify the location of people at risk 3 Evaluate the risks Check existing fire safety measures are adequate Fire detection & means of escape, including emergency lighting Maintenance and testing of fire precautions- Carry out any improvements needed 4 Record findings and action taken Prepare emergency plan and train employees 5 Keep assessment under review and revise for changes.
Fire Safety Guides - E L Requirements Emergency Escape Lighting- In premises with internal escape routes or which are used during darkness including early darkness on winter days then emergency lighting is likely to be required. In larger more complex premises it is likely that automatic emergency escape lighting will be needed for all escape routes. Checklist -Are your premises used during periods of darkness? The installation of an emergency escape lighting system should be carried out by a competent person in accordance with BS 5266-1 and-8
No. 0-5 6-20 20 + Implications for emergency lighting Fire precautions act Fire Certificate No requirements No requirements except for sleeping risks above 6 people Fire certificate required From Fire Authority Fire Safety Order Risk Assessment Must comply but no written record needed Must comply, with a written record and reports from competent engineer. Self certification with audit by Fire authority.
Premises to old standards prior to 2005 Previous legislation was not retrospective so existing fire precautions and certificates may not be adequate. Risk assessment must consider the risks based on current recommendations and standards not those that applied when the building was constructed. Hotel built in 1970 no lights in open areas, unchecked levels in corridors Hotel built in 2007 0.5lux in open areas - 1 lux in corridors
Removal of fire certificates & the statutory bar Likely changes that may be needed to Emergency Lighting Systems Typical 1970 Premises Escape routes poorly engineered to 0.2 Lux Min Open Areas not covered or to 1 Lux Average Testing facilities not provided Luminaires & C. Systems not 3 rd party certified 2007 Premises Escape routes correctly engineered to 1 Lux Min Open Areas covered to 0.5 Lux Minimum Appropriate testing facilities provided Luminaires to BS EN 60598-2-22 C. Systems to EN 50171
Implications of the Legislation Many smaller premises will now have to install fire precautions Many older premises will now have to improve and upgrade their fire precautions. They will now need to be able to ensure that their testing is kept up to date. Systems need repair quickly after failure to limit the time temporary safety procedures are used. The responsible person needs to use trained competent persons to conduct their system design and installation. The guide directs people to the latest issue of BS 5266 for emergency lighting systems
Changes to BS 5266-1 in Dec 2005. The Code of Practice is an umbrella document for relevant emergency lighting standards The requirements for cinemas and similar establishment are now included replaces CP1007 Consultation - takes account of the risk assessment Exit signs - where occupants are unfamiliar with the building, maintained operation should be considered The requirements for toilets are clarified Luminaires are now referred to BS EN 60598-2-22 clarifying parts of the luminaire to be fire resistant. Format of completion and test certificates now updated
CP 1007 Application Changes CP 1007 BS 5266-1 2005 Mains healthy or mains failed - All emergency lights fully maintained Mains healthy- Whatever maintained lights are needed for safe operation Mains failed- Escape routes (i.e. the aisles) to EN 1838 Note This only applies to premises with seats fixed to the floor
Lighting Levels Escape routes Escape Routes, Verified values are given in ICEL Authenticated Photometric Data Spacing tables 1 Lux to wall 0.5+0.5 = 1 Lux Transverse spacing to wall Transverse spacing Between fittings
6.3.3 - BS 5266-1:2005 Illuminances and response times for open areas are given in BS EN 1838:1999/BS 5266-7:1999, 4.3. It requires 0.5 lux minimum anywhere in the central core of the floor area. This core area excludes the 0.5m to the perimeter of the area. The shadowing effects of movable objects in the core area are excluded. Wall of room Under table excluded Round fixed pillar included 0.5 meter border excluded from requirements Central core requiring 0.5 Lux minimum
6.6 - BS 5266-1:2005 The luminance of escape route signs is specified in BS EN 1838:1999/BS 5266-7:1999, Clause 5. The risk assessment should identify the premises where this is important to make the exit signs maintained to be conspicuous if evacuation is needed while the mains is healthy The product standards BS EN 60598-2-22 checks that the illumination levels are adequate Minimum luminance of any part of the signboard 2 cd/m2 The ratio of maximum to minimum luminance of any area of either colour of the sign shall not be greater than 10:1 The ratio of luminance between white and adjacent colour shall be between 5:1 & 10:1
6.6 Emergency Signs Viewing Distance as BS 5266 pt 7 / EN 1838 H (Height of panel) D (Distance from sign) Internally illuminated Maximum D less than 200 x H Externally illuminated Maximum D less than 100 x H Note the Guide also requires Photoluminescent signs to have Emergency Lights illuminating them
7.4 - BS 5266-1:2005 Provision of reliable emergency escape lighting is essential. The illumination by the emergency escape lighting system of a compartment of the escape route shall be from two or more luminaires so that the failure of one luminaire does not plunge the route into total darkness or make the directional finding effect of the system ineffective. For the same reason two or more luminaires shall be used in each open area This clarifies the previous edition of BS5266-1 6.3 which said that a consideration should be given to eliminating hazards from the failure of a single lamp
Toilets and changing facilities Emergency lights-needed If above 8 m 2 floor area (2 needed) If no windows (1 needed if less than 8m 2 ) Facilities for disabled(1 needed if less than 8m2 ) E. lights not needed If the facilities are smaller than 8 m 2 floor area and have natural daylight available Or if they are single facilities for the able bodied or are part of a hotel suite.
Standards upgrade to support risk assessments Experience of designing systems to protect hazards identified by risk assessments has identified that emergency lighting can fulfil a very useful function beyond the normal protections of escape routes. Protection of those particularly at risk from disabilities or from their location. To protect those who must conduct or complete actions in a supply failure To provide sufficient illumination to enable tasks related to safety activities to be conducted. BSI is developing a standard to give advice on values.
Kitchens Identify fire hazard- Sudden failure of lighting while staff are cooking hot food is potentially dangerous, currently these areas need an emergency light over the extinguisher but guidance should be given as to the light level, response and duration times of emergency lighting over the area for hot food preparation and evacuation routes
Treatment areas Identify people at risk Current value 5 lux on floor if not on escape route Currently the requirement is for the light level needed to evacuate the premises on escape routes we are now considering the light level, response and duration times of emergency lighting of first aid rooms Split between - First Aid points. - Treatment areas for minor Operations/ Dentistry.
Refuges Identify people at risk Refuge areas for disabled staff. In these areas fire wardens will now have to go and collect disabled persons often also transferring them into rescue sleds to enable them safely to be taken down stairs should consider the light level response and duration times of emergency lighting in refuges
Illumination of crash bars Where the exit doors have security devices that require manipulation such as crash bars then the bars should have appropriate downwards illumination Illumination for exit signs on doors that require operation of a manipulative security device should also provide sufficient illumination to facilitate the location and operation of the device
Facilities for checking the Panel It is part of the responsible persons duty to investigate the source of the alarm and investigate the cause Consequently the emergency lighting must be sufficient to read the panel and any associated building plans Light levels at both the panel and building plans must be adequate for them to be read correctly
Operation of Test Facilities Are the users staff trained and capable of operating and recording them correctly? Operators must be trained to Understand and keep to the test schedule intervals They must know the procedure to initiate and terminate the test then check recharge. They must be able to assess if the test is satisfactory and note any needs for maintenance such as blackening of tube ends or excess dirt on diffusers They must be able to initiate rectification in the event of failure of a test and introduce measures to protect occupants until repairs are made
Cooper products to assist compliance LED powered exit signs which have significantly better lamp life than fluorescent signs. Improved light outputs from Alfalux dedicated High power luminaire Conversion of high efficiency mains luminaires High output central systems High quality portable emergency luminaires Automatic Testing systems to assist responsible persons to demonstrate that test schedules have been met safely Products have full data to assist correct designs
Cooper Menvier Britesign Britesign uses two high power LED (Light Emitting Diodes) optimised to provide sign illumination to BS EN 1838/BS 5266-7 for a design life of continuous maintained operation of 4 years. The LED s are mounted at the base of the sign and also give threshold light on crash bars etc.
Cooper Alfalux High Bay The Alfalux self contained luminaire uses a large battery with a high output from the lamp which is then optimised to give the high light outputs needed to compensate for the risks now being identified by risk assessments. Alternatively conversions or central systems can be used
Cooper Menvier Portable Handlamp The use of hand lamps may be appropriate in very small premises but some have a tendency to get broken, discharged lost or stolen. This hand lamp is also particularly useful to assist managers and fire wardens to check if evacuation is complete This rechargeable hand lamp operates automatically in the event of supply failure, it is robustly constructed in accordance with BS EN 60598-2-22 and the draft specific requirements
Automatic Test Systems Automatic test systems are available either as self contained luminaires or as part of a system which collects the controls and indications of test results at a single position and can be used with either self contained or central battery systems
Where Further Data and Advice Voltimum Web Site can be obtained BSI for standards courses and publications ICEL Web Site and training courses CIBSE for design guides and courses Cooper Lighting and Security for detailed product and application guides or our exhibition stand Associated Technologies Fire Alarms FIA web site
Relevant Standards Open Area Lighting BS5266 Luminaire Pt 7:1999 (EN1838) Product Standard EN60598-2-22: 22: 1999 Escape Route Lighting Fire Points BS5266 Pt 7:1999 (EN 1838) Wiring HD384-5 Other Areas (eg Lifts) BS 5266-1 Signage Signs Directive HSE Guide Maintained or non-,main. Duration of Luminaires BS 5266-1 Central System Product Standard EN 50171 New BS5266-10 to cover risk assessment hazards