A legal necessity, not a luxury. We design, install, and maintain BS 5266-1 compliant emergency lighting systems that ensure your staff can escape safely in a blackout.
If the main power fails in your building tonight, would your staff be plunged into total darkness? Would they be able to find the fire exits safely, or would they be stumbling over machinery and office furniture?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every business owner, landlord, and “Responsible Person” has a non-negotiable legal duty to ensure that emergency routes and exits are adequately illuminated at all times. Failure to comply doesn’t just risk fines; it risks lives and can instantly void your business insurance policy.
At Yare Electrical, we take that responsibility seriously. We provide full-service emergency lighting solutions for businesses across Norfolk—from the initial photometric design of escape routes to the rigorous annual statutory testing required by law.
Is Your Logbook Up To Date?
Why Emergency Lighting is Critical
Emergency lighting is a lifeline. During a fire or power cut, panic is the biggest danger. A correctly designed system activates instantly when the mains power fails, providing sufficient light to achieve three critical goals:
- Panic Prevention: Allowing occupants to orient themselves and find the nearest exit without confusion.
- Hazard Highlight: Illuminating stairs, changes in floor level, obstacles, and fire fighting equipment (extinguishers and call points).
- Safe Shutdown: Providing “High Risk Task Lighting” for machinery operators to shut down dangerous equipment safely before evacuating.
Understanding Your System: Maintained vs. Non-Maintained
When we design your system, we select the right type of fitting for the environment. Many business owners are unaware of the difference:
Non-Maintained Fittings
These lights are normally off. They only switch on when the power fails. The battery charges continuously via the mains, ready for an emergency. These are typically used in offices and corridors where standard lighting is sufficient during the day.
Maintained Fittings
These lights are always on (acting as a normal light fitting) but will remain lit via battery power if the mains fails. These are legally required in public venues like cinemas, theatres, and licensed bars in Norwich, where the normal house lights might be dimmed.
Design Standards: Where Do You Need Light?
We design systems compliant with BS 5266-1:2016. This standard dictates specific lux levels (brightness) for different areas of your building:
- Escape Routes (Corridors & Stairs): The centre line of the escape route must be lit to a minimum of 1 Lux. This ensures people can move quickly without tripping.
- Open Areas (Anti-Panic): In large spaces like open-plan offices, retail floors, or assembly halls (>60m²), there is no single “route.” Here, we provide 0.5 Lux across the entire floor area to prevent panic.
- High-Risk Task Areas: For industrial clients using rotating machinery, saws, or chemical vats, sudden darkness is lethal. We install higher intensity lighting (minimum 15 Lux or 10% of normal lighting) to allow operators to see clearly while they make the process safe.
Crucial Note: We also ensure “Points of Emphasis” are lit. This includes fire aid kits, fire alarm panels, and changes in floor level.
Modern LED Upgrades: Save Money on Maintenance
Is your building full of ugly, flickering fluorescent bulkheads? These older units are expensive to run and prone to battery failure (the “memory effect” of old NiCd batteries). At Yare Electrical, we specialise in LED Emergency Lighting retrofits.
- Aesthetics: We install slimline, recessed LED “spots” that are barely visible until they activate, preserving the look of your office or hotel.
- LiFePO4 Batteries: Modern Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries last far longer (often 5-7 years) compared to older types, reducing your long-term replacement costs.
- Energy Efficiency: An LED “Running Man” exit sign consumes just 2-3 Watts, compared to 15-20 Watts for a fluorescent version. Over 24 hours a day, this saving adds up significantly.
Your Legal Duty: Testing & Maintenance
Installing the lights is only the first step. If you do not test them, you are not compliant. Many businesses fail fire inspections because they cannot produce an up-to-date logbook. Yare Electrical offers planned maintenance contracts to manage this for you.
1. Monthly Function Test (The “Flick” Test)
A short functional test is required every month to ensure the lamp illuminates when mains power is cut. We can install “Key Switches” next to your light switches to make this easy for your facilities manager. Alternatively, we can attend monthly to perform this test and sign your logbook.
2. Annual Duration Test (The “Drain” Test)
Once a year, your system needs a full rated duration test (usually 3 hours). We simulate a power cut and leave the lights running for the full 180 minutes. If a battery fails after 2 hours and 50 minutes, the unit fails and must be repaired.
We verify that the lights charge back up correctly afterwards and provide a BS 5266 Completion Certificate for your records.
Why Choose Yare Electrical?
We are experts in the specific requirements of commercial and industrial buildings in Norwich.
- NICEIC Approved: Our work is certified and recognised by all major insurance companies.
- Retrofit Specialists: We can upgrade existing buildings with minimal damage to decor, using wireless or self-contained units.
- Complete Documentation: We provide asset registers, logbooks, and zone charts, so you are ready for any Fire Officer inspection.
Ensure Your Building is Safe
Don’t wait for a power cut to find out your batteries are dead. Contact Yare Electrical today on 01603 626400 to book a compliance survey or annual test.