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You may be familiar with standards for building codes and fire alarms, but did you know that there are also rules for emergency light testing in Queensland?
In the unfortunate event of a fire or another type of emergency, the first thing that’s often affected in such an event is a building’s main power supply. In turn, the last place that you want to be is inside the building in question, as the combination of smoke and a lack of lighting dramatically increases the chances of a potential disaster.
As such, having the appropriate emergency lighting and exit signage is critical – and a legal requirement. As these types of systems usually have their own independent sources of battery power, and are triggered by factors such as smoke, regular emergency light testing is a must for commercial enterprises – but what are the rules linked to doing so in Queensland?
When a fire starts, panic can often set in – and a clearly illuminated pathway can save precious seconds during the event of an emergency. In a smoky hallway where the visibility of a door may be obscured, an exit sign can guide you through the building and outside to safety.
As a critical part of any planned evacuation procedure, emergency light testing, maintenance and monitoring is critical for ensuring that a building’s safety plan will be sufficient for guiding people towards meeting points and away from potential hazards. As such, there are strict rules associated with keeping commercial emergency lighting working as it should.
In Australia, there is a standard for emergency evacuation lighting in buildings. There are three parts to the standard, which are outlined in the following legislation –
There are specific requirements for the installation of emergency escape lights. In order to install your system correctly, you must refer to section 5 of the AS 2293.1 standard for the system design, installation, and operation of emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings.
In addition to the rules surrounding installation and replacement, there are also provisions for emergency light testing. As outlined in the relevant legislation, all emergency lights and exit signs must be tested at least once every six months, and the inspections should include lamp tests and replacements, in addition to a ninety minute discharge test. Aside from physically testing the lighting, inspection and cleaning of fittings and reflective surfaces must occur at least once every twelve months.
Emergency lights normally have their own circuits with separate battery powered sources. Most emergency and exit lights are attached to the main buildings AC power as normal, but if the main power goes out, such as in the case of an emergency situation, the lights need their own power source to continue to function without interruption.
It’s for this reason that a licensed electrician should be the person to conduct the rigorous testing required by both state and federal law, as any shortcuts have the potential to be catastrophically life threatening. In addition, using an industry professional can also help businesses to outsource other responsibilities, such as performing other legal requirements such as fire alarm maintenance.
If you’re on the hunt for a decent sparky to help you navigate emergency light testing, maintenance or even an installation in Queensland, finding a reputable and local electrician to get the job done can feel a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Thankfully, the team at Shield Electrical offer a solution.
Here at Shield Electrical, we are a Brisbane based electrical contracting company, and pride ourselves on being shockingly good at watt we do. For us, friendly and reliable customer service isn’t just a nice add on – it’s how we do business. Don’t take our word for it though, just ask our clients.
Established in 2015, Shield Electrical is lighting the way when it comes to providing electrical work with world class customer service. With our headquarters based in the central suburban pocket of Coorparoo, our team of qualified industry professionals are readily available to deliver quality workmanship, fast quotes, and affordable pricing.
Whether you’re on the hunt for an electrician for domestic services, residential, commercial and industrial construction, security systems or even just further energy saving tips, get in touch with us at Shield today to source practical solutions that don’t break the bank.
