 |
Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
 |
Kelly Rose
Editor |
ARTICLE
Lighting up time
23 January 2013
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) ensures that all buildings are accessible and user-friendly to those with a wide range of disabilities. Paul Turner explains the importance of having an emergency lighting system th
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) ensures that all
buildings are accessible and user-friendly to those with a
wide range of disabilities. Paul Turner explains the
importance of having an emergency lighting system
that is DDA compliant
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) makes it unlawful for building owners and service providers to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason related to their disability. It was first introduced in 1996, but it wasn't until 2004 that reasonable adjustments to the physical features of buildings had be put in place.
As with every other aspect of a building's infrastructure, this also applies to emergency lighting.
Law and order While there may be a lack of specific guidelines in the DDA itself, there is one standard which is very clear in terms of what is required when it comes to emergency lighting provision. BS5266- 1:2005 is the code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises, and offers guidance on the positioning of emergency luminaires, minimum height levels, acceptable glare levels and minimum routine testing schedules. The guidelines within BS5266-1:2005 are compliant with the content of the DDA.
The introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 brought all the elements of fire safety together. It places the onus on a designated 'responsible person' within an organisation to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire. This includes making sure that the emergency lighting system is fit for purpose.
Specifics UK fire safety legislation states that people in premises must be able to find their way to a place of total safety if there is a fire, by using escape routes that have enough lighting.
If an area is larger than 60m2, emergency lighting and signage should be installed. When designing an emergency lighting system, luminaires should be installed at points of emphasis. These are mandatory locations which feature specific hazards, safety equipment and signs.
BS5266-1:2005 states the maximum viewing distances and luminance conditions for safety signs. Signs are either internally or externally illuminated and the maximum viewing distances for internally illuminated signs is 200 times the panel height, and 100 times the panel height for externally illuminated signs.
Additional emergency lighting should be provided in toilet facilities and other similar areas exceeding 8m2 floor area or with no borrowed light, and all toilets for the disabled.
Products Using products with the correct Lux level is imperative and BS5266-1:2005 recommends a minimum of 1 Lux at floor level on escape routes. Emergency lighting should also be positioned in such a way to ensure that the brightness of a luminaire doesn't dazzle people, preventing obstructions or signs from being properly seen.
One significant technological development is the use of light emitting diode (LED) technology which is costeffective and environmentally friendly - it produces less than four per cent of the carbon emissions of traditional lighting.
One lighting system, for example, utilises LEDs and is based around an addressable, emergency lighting control panel with battery back up and features addressable, self-contained luminaires and signage.
This system operates via functional extra low voltage (FELV). This means that the responsible person no longer has to rely on an electrical contractor to maintain the system. As the system is FELV based and operates on 40V, the responsible person can change a battery or luminaire if required.
Maintenance All emergency lighting systems and signs should be regularly inspected and tested in order to meet the requirements of European law. Results obtained and details of any corrective action should be entered into a logbook which is held on site.
A full record sheet needs to be maintained for each emergency luminaire and these sheets have to be available for inspection by the authorities at any time.
Failure to provide full test records can result in legal action and closure of the building, and if the emergency lighting is defective, the insurance policy for the building may be invalid.
Provision While the standards define an adequate minimum provision for the safe evacuation of a building, additional emergency lighting should be installed if necessary. A comprehensive risk assessment is the key to making sure that the DDA is complied with and the safety of disabled persons is properly considered.
Paul Turner is the systems sales manager of Hochiki Europe.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) makes it unlawful for building owners and service providers to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason related to their disability. It was first introduced in 1996, but it wasn't until 2004 that reasonable adjustments to the physical features of buildings had be put in place.
As with every other aspect of a building's infrastructure, this also applies to emergency lighting.
Law and order While there may be a lack of specific guidelines in the DDA itself, there is one standard which is very clear in terms of what is required when it comes to emergency lighting provision. BS5266- 1:2005 is the code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises, and offers guidance on the positioning of emergency luminaires, minimum height levels, acceptable glare levels and minimum routine testing schedules. The guidelines within BS5266-1:2005 are compliant with the content of the DDA.
The introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 brought all the elements of fire safety together. It places the onus on a designated 'responsible person' within an organisation to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire. This includes making sure that the emergency lighting system is fit for purpose.
Specifics UK fire safety legislation states that people in premises must be able to find their way to a place of total safety if there is a fire, by using escape routes that have enough lighting.
If an area is larger than 60m2, emergency lighting and signage should be installed. When designing an emergency lighting system, luminaires should be installed at points of emphasis. These are mandatory locations which feature specific hazards, safety equipment and signs.
BS5266-1:2005 states the maximum viewing distances and luminance conditions for safety signs. Signs are either internally or externally illuminated and the maximum viewing distances for internally illuminated signs is 200 times the panel height, and 100 times the panel height for externally illuminated signs.
Additional emergency lighting should be provided in toilet facilities and other similar areas exceeding 8m2 floor area or with no borrowed light, and all toilets for the disabled.
Products Using products with the correct Lux level is imperative and BS5266-1:2005 recommends a minimum of 1 Lux at floor level on escape routes. Emergency lighting should also be positioned in such a way to ensure that the brightness of a luminaire doesn't dazzle people, preventing obstructions or signs from being properly seen.
One significant technological development is the use of light emitting diode (LED) technology which is costeffective and environmentally friendly - it produces less than four per cent of the carbon emissions of traditional lighting.
One lighting system, for example, utilises LEDs and is based around an addressable, emergency lighting control panel with battery back up and features addressable, self-contained luminaires and signage.
This system operates via functional extra low voltage (FELV). This means that the responsible person no longer has to rely on an electrical contractor to maintain the system. As the system is FELV based and operates on 40V, the responsible person can change a battery or luminaire if required.
Maintenance All emergency lighting systems and signs should be regularly inspected and tested in order to meet the requirements of European law. Results obtained and details of any corrective action should be entered into a logbook which is held on site.
A full record sheet needs to be maintained for each emergency luminaire and these sheets have to be available for inspection by the authorities at any time.
Failure to provide full test records can result in legal action and closure of the building, and if the emergency lighting is defective, the insurance policy for the building may be invalid.
Provision While the standards define an adequate minimum provision for the safe evacuation of a building, additional emergency lighting should be installed if necessary. A comprehensive risk assessment is the key to making sure that the DDA is complied with and the safety of disabled persons is properly considered.
Paul Turner is the systems sales manager of Hochiki Europe.
MORE FROM THIS COMPANY
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SECTION
