Why do we need emergency lighting?
In the case of a mains power outage, emergency lighting's job is to illuminate the evacuation route to a level that makes it safe for building occupants to leave.
All types of buildings must have emergency lighting systems, with the exception of isolated single-family homes and non-habitable constructions, according to the Australian Building Code.
What distinguishes emergency lights that have been maintained from those that have not?
While mains power is present, a properly maintained emergency light (such as an LED batten with battery backup) will emit its usual level of lighting; but, when mains power fails, the emergency light will function on battery power and emit a lower level of illumination. commonly seen on firestairs and parking lots.
If the mains power goes off, a non-maintained fixture (such a spitfire emergency light) won't glow. used often in professional workplaces.
What is the normal battery life expected in an emergency light, and what variables could shorten it?
- High ambient temperatures
- Storing the emergency luminaires for an extended time after purchase, before installing them.
- Leaving emergency batteries in a discharged stage for extended periods, e.g. during construction
- Temperatures below 0ºC for LiFePO4 batteries
How frequently must the emergency lights be tested?
For a variety of tests, AS 2293 specifies test intervals of 6 months and 12 months. The major goal of the testing is to confirm that when the mains power is shut off, emergency lights must continue to function for 90 minutes on battery power. This is to guarantee that, in the case of a mains power breakdown, the lights have enough residual battery capacity.
Cleaning emergency lights' diffusers on a regular basis is a good idea to prevent dirt buildup from dimming the light. This is especially crucial in settings like a parking lot.
What various emergency lighting test systems are there?
A manual test
In order to do this test, the tester must shut off the electricity at the switchboard, wait 90 minutes, and then go around to ensure that all emergency lights are still functional. This test needs to be carried out without having a negative impact on the building's residents.
Solo automatic self-test
A battery will be automatically tested at predetermined intervals by a fitting with a standalone automated self-test (such the Chamaeleon III), which will also display the results of the test through an indicator on the fitting. Without needing to cut off the power or wait 90 minutes, the tester may rapidly determine whether fittings have passed or failed the test by looking at the indication.
Supervised system
All emergency lights in a monitored system are wired or wirelessly linked to a computer. Software is used to schedule emergency testing, and a computer shows the findings. As required by the regulations, each and every emergency fitting must still be physically inspected for things like cleanliness and condition. In comparison to a standalone self-test, this system requires more wiring and is more costly to install.
If a luminaire fails to perform for the requisite 90 minutes of testing, do I need to buy and install a new one?
When a fitting fails the emergency test, there is a misperception that the entire fitting needs to be replaced. Most of the time, replacing the battery is all that is necessary. It would be wasteful to throw away the complete fitting because the battery failed the emergency test because LED luminaires and the integrated battery charging circuitry have lengthy lifespans.
The emergency lights' batteries may they be changed by a layperson?
An electrician is needed to replace the battery in luminaires where the battery is housed inside the fitting because power must be cut off before the fitting can be removed to reach the battery.
The Chamaeleon III luminaire has an externally accessible battery drain that enables battery change without shutting off the power or calling in an electrician.
Can I put used batteries for my emergency lights in the trash or recycling?
Batteries shouldn't be disposed of in regular trash or in the household recycling bin for environmental or safety concerns. They ought to be disassembled carefully and precious resources retrieved at a recycling centre where they are reprocessed. For information on recycling batteries, speak with your local municipality or an electrical wholesaler.
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