Technical Guidance Note 23: Emergency Lighting to BS 5266 Part 1

Introduction

Lighting provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails.

• To indicate clearly and unambiguously the escape routes;
  
  
• To provide illumination along such routes to allow safe movement towards and through the exits provided;
  
  
• To ensure that fire alarm call points and fire fighting equipment provided along escape routes can be readily located

The minimum response time for Emergency Lighting, upon failure of the main lighting system is 5 seconds.

On a defined escape route the level of illumination at floor level should not be less than 0.2 lux.  In addition for escape routes up to 2m wide, 50% of the route width should be lit to a minimum of 0.1 lux.  Undefined escape routes (open area): luminance over the whole area should not be less than 0.1 lux.

Design

The Emergency light should be mounted at least 2m above floor level.  The spacing depends upon the power of the luminaries and the number provided.

Areas where emergency lighting should be considered:

• Near each intersection of corridors
  
  
• At each exit door
  
  
• Near each change of direction (other than on a staircase)
  
  
• Near each staircase so that each flight of stairs receives direct light
  
  
• Near any other change of floor level
  
  
• Outside each final exit and close to it
  
  
• Near each fire alarm call point
  
  
• Near fire fighting equipment
  
  
• To illuminate exit and safety signs required by the enforcing authority

Near: within 2m.

Other areas include:

• External areas in the immediate vicinity of exits
  
  
• Lift cars
  
  
• Moving stairways
  
  
• Toilets, lobbies and closets
  
  
• Motor generator, control and plant rooms
  
  
• Covered car parks

Maintained operation (M): Luminaires operate continuously acting as normal building lighting, upon failure of the main supply the luminaires defer to, either a battery back-up (continuously charges by the mains), or to a generator output, i.e. M/1, M/2, M/3: Maintained operation of 1, 2 & 3 hours duration respectively.

Non-Maintained operation (NM): The Emergency Lights only actuate when the main supply to the general lighting fails.  A battery backup should power the luminaire for a period of between one and three hours, i.e. NM/1, NM/2, NM/3: Non-maintained operation of 1, 2 & 3 hours duration respectively.

Premises Requiring Emergency Lighting: -

Non-Residential public premises

• Offices (NM/1)
  
  
• Shops (NM/1)
  
  
• Libraries, art galleries, museums (M/1, NM/1)

Common access routes within multi-storey dwellings

• Up to 10 storeys NM/1
  
  
• Over 10 storeys NM/3

Premises used as sleeping accommodation

• Hospitals (large : NM3, M/3)(small : NM/2, M/2)
  
  
• Nursing homes (large : NM/3, M/3)(small : NM/2, M/2)
  
  
• Hotels (depending on size : NM/1 to M/3)
  
  
• Guest houses (depending on size : NM/1 to M/3)
  
  
• Clubs (large: NM/3, M/3)(small: NM/2, M/2)



• Colleges and schools (large: NM/3, M/3)(small: NM/2, M/2)

Note: small = not more than 10 bedrooms and not more than 2 storey

Non-Residential premises used for treatment or care

• Special schools (NM/1)
  
  
• Clinics (NM/1)

Non-Residential premises used for recreation

• Theatres (M/2)
  
  
• Concert (M/2), exhibition, sports halls (NM/2)
  
  
• Public houses and restaurants (large: more than 250 persons: NM/3)(small: NM/2)

Note: These are covered by BS5266: Part 2

Non-Residential premises used for teaching, training and research

• Schools and colleges (NM/1)



• Technical institutes (NM/1)

Industrial premises used for manufacture, processing or storage of products

• Factories (NM/1)



• Workshops (NM/1)



• Warehouses (NM/1)

Multiple use of premises

Any type of premises listed above to be treated in accordance with the most stringent of the applicable recommendations.

Enclosed shopping malls

• Walkways and escape routes M/2



• Commercial premises off such routes NM/1

Covered car parks

To the same standard as Non-residential public premises.

Sports stadia

Refer to “Guide to safety at sports grounds” items 166 to 169

Examples Of Luminaire Positions

Building Control Group
Planning Section
Portland House
Richmond Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 lLF

Tel: 01903 221344

E-mail: building.control@worthing.gov.uk

Minicom: 01903 204500

Fax: 01903 207365

Answerphone: 01903 214034

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