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Good emergency lighting scheme design is crucial for the safety of commercial buildings
Author : J GALE
For the safety of buildings and their occupants, ICEL - the emergency lighting arm of the Lighting Industry Federation (LIF) - emphasises that all relevant emergency lighting regulations, and the standards that support them, should be complied with in both new and existing buildings. There are no short cuts simply to reduce costs that successfully provide a cost effective and well-designed emergency lighting solution.
Before undertaking the design of an emergency lighting scheme, the lighting designer should be provided with the risk assessment of the premises that has been carried out by a competent person on behalf of the owner / occupier. This document should clearly identify any anticipated risks from activities planned to take place in the premises.
Accurate dimensioned plans of the premises should also be made available. These should clearly show the layout of points of specific risk, which may include staircases, lifts, changes of level and any fire fighting or first aid equipment. Moveable partition walls within some buildings can be a cause of concern for scheme designers if the specified lighting levels, or emergency evacuation routes, are adversely affected by the moving of such partitions. Care must be taken to ensure that exit route signs are suitable and are fully visible at all times.
In addition, extra emergency lighting provision may have to be made to ensure that the premises concerned meet the requirements of the Disabilities Discrimination Act (DDA),
Commercial buildings of all kinds cover many different businesses and types of operation, but all contain people, whether workers or visitors. Under the new Fire Safety legislation they must be safe at all times - consequently virtually all commercial and industrial buildings will need emergency lighting schemes that are fit for purpose in protecting them and their occupants if an emergency occurs.
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