Emergency Lighting System Design Guide

This guide should be read in conjunction with current standards.

LEGISLATION CHANGES AND REQUIREMENTS

The British Standard BS5266 has been revised to conform with the European Standard EN1838 (issued in the UK under reference BS EN1838/BS5266 Part 7) which specifies luminous requirements for emergency systems installed in premises. It also now calls up the luminaire product standard BS EN60598-2-22: 1999. Emergency lighting is provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails and is therefore powered from a source independent of that supplying the normal lighting. For the purposes of this standard emergency lighting is regarded as a generic term of which there are a number of specific forms. NORMATIVE REFERENCES EN 60598-2-22, Luminaires Part 2-22: Particular requirements Luminaires for emergency lighting. (IEC 60598-2-22: 1997, modified). prEN 50172, Emergency escape lighting systems. ISO 3864: 1984, Safety colours and safety signs.

EMERGENCY ESCAPE LIGHTING GENERAL

To provide visibility for evacuation purposes lighting is required in the volume of the space. In this standard the recommendation is filled by the mounting of luminaires at least 2m above the floor. Signs which are provided at all exits intended to be used in an emergency and along escape routes shall be illuminated to indicate unambiguously the route of escape to a point of safety. Where direct sight of an emergency exit is not possible, an illuminated directional sign (or series of signs) shall be provided to assist progression towards the emergency exit. An escape lighting luminaire complying with EN 6059~2-22 shall be sited to provide appropriate illuminance near each exit door and at positions where it is necessary to emphasise potential danger or safety equipment. The positions to be emphasised shall include the following (see opposite page):

At each exit door intended to be used in an emergency; Near stairs so that each flight of stairs receives direct light; Near any other change in level; Mandatory emergency exits and safety signs; At each change of direction; At each intersection of corridors; Outside and near to each final exit;

The following positions if not on the escape route or in an open area shall be illuminated to 5 lux minimum on the floor. Near (see note) each first aid post; Near (see note) each piece of fire fighting equipment and call point.

NOTE: For the purposes of this clause, near is normally considered to be within 2m measured horizontally, subject to photometric data. ESCAPE ROUTE LIGHTING

For escape routes up to 2m in width, the horizontal illuminances on the floor along the centre line of an escape route shall be not less than 1 lx and the central band consisting of not less than half of the width of the route shall be illuminated to a minimum of 50% of that value.

The ratio of the maximum to the minimum illuminance shall not be greater than 40:1 along the centre line of the escape route. Disability glare shall be kept low by limiting the luminous intensity of the luminaires within the field of view. The emergency escape route lighting shall reach 50% of the required illuminance level within 5s and full required illuminance within 60s.

OPEN AREA (ANTI-PANIC) LIGHTING

The horizontal illuminance shall be not less than 0,5 lx at the floor level of the empty core area which excludes a border of 0,5 m of the perimeter of the area. The ratio of the maximum to the minimum anti-panic area lighting illuminance shall not be greater than 40:1. Disability glare shall be kept low by limiting the luminous intensity of the luminaires within the field of view. The anti-panic area lighting shall reach 50% of the required illuminance within 5s and full required illuminance within 60s.

Compliance can be checked by measurement or by comparison with authenticated data from a supplier. (ie third party verified) STANDBY LIGHTING

When standby lighting is used for emergency escape lighting purposes it shall comply with the relevant requirements of this standard. Where a standby lighting level lower than the minimum normal lighting is employed, the lighting is to be used only to shut down or terminate processes.

HIGH RISK TASK AREA LIGHTING

In areas of high risk the maintained illuminance on the reference plane shall be not less than 10% of the required maintained illuminance for that task, however it shall be not less than 15 lx. It shall be free of harmful stroboscopic effects. The uniformity of the high risk task area lighting illuminance shall be not less than 0.1. Disability glare shall be kept low by limiting the luminous intensity of the luminaires within the field of view. Illuminance levels should be checked, either by taking measurements or by calculation from authenticated. The data is usually presented in the form of spacing tables. Light output from signs and or exit boxes shall not be considered unless verified photometric data is available. For mains lighting luminaires converted for emergency use, the organisation responsible for the conversion should provide photometric data. Luminaire performance will be adversely affected by the build-up of dirt and inadequate maintenance. Existing luminaires should be checked to ensure lamps and lighting controllers are clean, undamaged and not blackened. Luminaire markings should be checked to establish certification marking and ambient temperature limits, as well as any stated IP rating of the luminaire.

VERIFICATION OF LUMINAIRE PERFORMANCE

ROUTINE SYSTEM TESTING

All emergency lighting systems should be regularly inspected and tested. Results obtained and details of any corrective action should be entered into a log book which is held on site. An appropriate printout of computer data from an automatic testing device also meets this requirement.

Test procedures in accordance with the recommendations of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations and the code of practice. Risk assessment of an existing installation should include a full system test and the results should be entered on assessment sheets.

When carrying out a test, simulating a mains failure, safe procedures must be followed:

Do not switch off other essential services or equipment. Do not fully discharge a system if the building has to be re-occupied before recharge is completed (typically 24 hours). Do not test by removing fuses this practice is not acceptably safe. Purpose designed test switches or systems should be utilised.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING DESIGN PROCEDURES

CARRY OUT A RISK ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE REQUIREMENTS

Verify escape routes. Establish position of fire alarm call points and fire fighting equipment. Establish position of fire and safety signs. Investigate potential hazards on escape routes. Establish open areas. Establish requirements for external escape lighting. Locate lifts, moving stairways, toilets, control rooms, covered car park. Investigate need for standby lighting. Establish areas of low risk for location of central power system. If a central battery unit is used, please ensure there is adequate space, ventilation and at least one self contained emergency light located to give adequate illumination of the unit in the event of an emergency.

DESIGN OF ILLUMINANCE

Position emergency lighting on plans to cover points of emphasis. Verify mounting heights of illuminaries. Investigate possible deterioration of luminaire light output due to dirt and dust. Check voltage and possible voltage drop. Determine mode of operation. Choose emergency lighting luminaires. Obtain detailed photometric data of luminaires complying with the requirements of BS5266 Pt 7:9999(EN 1838). Design scheme to the minimum illuminance required by the EN.

SAFETY SIGN REQUIREMENTS Safety signs for emergency escape and first aid signs shall meet the following requirements.

Safety signs shall be illuminated to at least 50% of the required luminance within 5s and full required luminance within 60s. The colours shall conform to the requirements of ISO 3864. The luminance of any area of safety colour of the sign shall be at least 2 cd/m2 in all relevant viewing directions. The ratio of the maximum to the minimum luminance within either white or the safety colour shall be not greater than 10:1.

All signs must be of the same type within a building and not mixed.

TYPICAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Near is defined as 2 metres horizontally within BS5266 subject to photometric data. Please contact your local Sales Engineer or our Petersfield Service Centre for a free of charge Design Service.

Fire Alarm System Design Guide

The sounder device should give a minimum sound level of 65dB(A) or 5dB(A) above any background noise lasting morethan 30 seconds. It shall operate at 500Hz to 1000Hz.All systems should have a minimum of 2 sounder circuits

A person searching a zone for a fire should not have to travel more than 60m to identify the source of a fire. A person should not have to travel more than 45m to reach a manual call point

For areas where people are sleeping, sounder devices should produce a minimum of 75dB(A) at the bedhead with all doors shut. Decibel loss occurs through doors: -20dB(A) through a normal door, -30dB(A) through a fire door.

For ceilings that feature an apex: as long as the height of the apex from the rest of the ceiling is less than 150mm for Heat detectors or less than 600mm for smoke detectors, then these can be treated the same as flat ceilings. For higher apexes, a device should be installed at the highest point. The distance to adjacent devices canbe increased by 1% per 1 degree of the angle of the roof.

Manual Callpoints should be positioned 1.4m (/-200mm) from floor level (DDA requirements should be taken into account). Any non-mechanically protected cable medium should have additional protection up to 2m from floor level.

Heat detector covers 50m2. Should not exceed 3.5m from any given point. General spacing guidance: 3.5m from awall, 7.5m between detectors

Smoke detector covers 100m2. Should not exceed 7.5m from any point. General spacing guidance: 5m from a wall, 10m between detectors.

Do not site detectors less than 1m from air inlet sor air conditioning units.

Detectors should not be mounted within 500mm of any obstruction. If the top of solid partition is less than 300mm from the ceiling, it should be treated as a wall. Similarly, ceiling obstructions such as beams should be treated as wallsif they are deeper than 10% of the ceiling height.

Vertical shafts like lifts and stairways should have a detector mounted within 1.5m of any opening. Enclosed stairways should have a detector on each main landing.

Voids less than 800mm in height need not have independent coverage, unless fire or smoke is able to spread

from one area to another through the void or risk assessment shows an AFP (Automatic Fire Protection) to be necessary. Obstructions such as beams will lessen coverage. Beams more than 10% of room height regard as a wall.

Never mount detectors closer than twice the depth of luminaire.

The sensing element of a Heat detector (thermistor) should not be less than 25mm below the ceiling and not greater than 150mm below the ceiling.

The sensing element of a Smoke detector should be below 25mm from the ceiling, but not more than 600mm. <PLEASE NOTE: All call points must be of the same type to ensure that testing can be completed. Approved Document M requires all communal toilets and bathroom/shower areas to be fitted with flashing beacons.For more details visit: www.regulatoryreformorder.org.uk

PROPERTY PROTECTION
P1/M Manual call points plus rooms and areas excluding small lobbies and cupboards plus sounder / strobes outside and Redcare. P2/M Manual call points plus areas listed on paperwork. When P2/M there is always a detector sited near the fire panel.

LIFE PROTECTION
L1/M L2/M As per P1/M except sounders / strobes outside. All escape routes and rooms that lead onto escape route plus specified areas must be listed. Redcare recommended. FL3/M All escape routes and rooms that open onto it. Redcare recommended. L4/M Escape routes plus staircases only.

MANUAL ONLY
TYPE M Only call points no detectors

These guidelines reflect the main requirements of BS5839. Channel are pleased to offer a FREE OF CHARGE design assistance service. Please contact your local sales engineer or our Petersfield Service Centre for details.

This guide should be read in conjunction with current standards. DDA Sounder Strobes in all toilets and communal areas refer to part M. Building Regulations 2000 Part M should be read in conjunction with BS.5839. Part 1 2002.

PLEASE NOTE:
All systems that include call points must be suffixed with M, ie P2/M, P1/M etc. Any areas which require detection and have a void over 800mm (height) require detection within this void. Approved Document M states that in Hotels, Motels, student accommodation or other buildings offering sleeping accommodation for a significant number of people, both audible and visual indication must be given in the bedrooms, communal toilets and bathrooms/shower rooms.