This includes corridors, stairwells, and any other areas where people might need to navigate in the event of an emergency. The test keys are also available in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of switch they are designed to operate.

The switch is only meant to temporarily disable normal power supply for a quick check of the operation of the luminaire. Our monthly member e-newsletter keeps you informed of current industry issues and legislative changes, as well as forthcoming events and webinars, and podcast releases. Which means you could have one or a number of switches to test the system depending on the number of sub circuits you have.

G. Hotels, then you need to test the lights so that the end of the test corresponds to the start of day. Also if the building has sub circuits then each sub circuit has to be tested separately because if a sub circuit fails then that area needs to be illuminated by the emergency lighting. The monthly emergency lighting tests, also known as the ‘flick tests’, are a short functional test simulating failure of the mains power supply which ensures the lamp switches on and illuminates correctly. This switch can be used to manually activate or deactivate the emergency lighting system, or to switch between different modes of operation. You only need to establish "Do the emergency lights come on in a power failure" (Which as you said is done by operating the EL test switch) you do not need to turn "normal" lights off plunging the place into potential darkness unnecessarily.

Most commonly, a key-switch is used to disconnect the permanent live supply (L PERM) to the emergency fitting, thus simulating a power failure. If it is a small building and all the emergency lights are on one circuit, then yes, you have no choice. A minimum duration of 3 hours should be used for emergency escape lighting if the premises are not evacuated immediately. Each emergency lighting system should have suitable -means for simulating failure of the normal supply for test purposes (i. The walk around test is to check the duration for which emergency lights remain on, which is either done by a flicking off the emergency circuit manually or via a monitored system.Please can you help or advise me where I can get this information from as one of my engineers says that you do and I just wanted to double check. Often, a separate switch with a ‘fish key’ is installed allowing the testing of emergency lights without having to switch off all the power. Such as how many circuits, feeding the EL's, is there sufficient daylight illuminating the escape routes during the daytime, when the occupants can use the common areas in safety, to enable you to leave the the system in emergency mode while you complete the test and there are others. It's important to note that specific testing procedures may vary depending on the type of emergency lighting system in your building. Several different technological approaches to addressable self-test can be taken, including wired (often using DALI as the communications protocol), as well as wire-free using a range of Rf protocols including Bluetooth, Zigbee and other proprietary technologies.

A self-testing emergency fitting is autonomous; it operates on its own, conducting the tests required by BS5266-1 at the appropriate intervals without any communication with adjacent fittings or a central control point. It is this responsible person that should perform the test, but they do not need technical knowledge of electrical wiring systems. So I would suggest the location of test switches is entirely up to you, depending on your test procedure.The results of all testing and any necessary corrective action can be recorded in your fire safety logbook. This is a type of emergency testing that employs a central control point, module or server connected to all the emergency fittings in the installation either by wire or an Rf signal. A normal light switch, or sensor, would usually be on this circuit to enable the end-user to have control over the light fitting in normal operating mode. This forum has provided invaluable information while designing a new fire safety system for the block of flats I partly own, thank you for all of your contributions to date! After the time that you want to test (functional, 10 minutes or 3 hours), flick the switch again to turn the power back on to the system.