The Facilities
Manager’s Guide to:
Electrical Testing, Fire
Alarms and Emergency
Lighting Regulations
Updated May 2016
CONTENTS
Introduction
1
Chapter 1: PAT (Portable Appliance Testing)
2
Chapter 2: Fixed Wire Testing
5
Chapter 3: Fire Alarm Tests and Inspection 8
Chapter 4: Emergency Safety Lighting Tests and Inspection
11
Conclusion
14
About the Authors
15
INTRODUCTION
Legal obligations surrounding electrical safety can be a difficult area, with new legislation interacting with
well-known, older laws and ‘common-sense myths’ making it a wholly confusing compliance problem. Failure
to comply with the rules can be costly in many ways - it can lead to custodial sentences for those deemed
‘responsible person(s)’, large fines and, even worse, preventable death. What’s more, insurance companies
simply won’t pay compensation or for fines resulting from a criminal offence, as determined by being in
breach of your statutory responsibilities.
In many cases, the law does not specifically say when electrical testing and inspection should be conducted,
who it should be conducted by nor does it specify the frequency. The law generally states that workplaces
must ensure that electrical systems, including Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting systems, must be kept
safe at all times. The only effective means to that end is to ensure that regular testing is done and your
documentation will provide proof and defence that you have done your utmost to avoid all preventable
incidents.
Workplaces have a duty to ensure the safety of the occupants and generally that duty falls to you - the
Facilities Manager. This guide has been developed to ensure that the duty of maintaining, inspecting and
testing electrical systems, including Fire Alarms and Emergency Safety Lighting is demystified, clear and easy
to understand. It concisely outlines the necessary procedures of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Fixed Wire
Testing, Emergency Safety Lighting and Fire Alarm Testing and Inspection to make your life as a Facilities
Manager that little bit easier.
Please note
This document is designed as a guide to the legislation surrounding electrical testing and is not
a substitute for training or legal advice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the
information presented is correct at the time of publishing, but this cannot be guaranteed.
1
CHAPTER 1:
PAT (PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING)
food mixers, etc. It also includes heavier items like
printers, washing machines and vending machines.
Hairdryers wired into the wall are included but larger
items that are not designed to be moved (like water
boilers) are not covered by this legislation, but will
Myths and half-truths are common when it comes be covered by rules governing fixed installation
to electrical testing, so this chapter has been written maintenance.
to ensure that Facilities Managers understand what How does PAT testing work?
the law requires, how PAT works and to outline
Portable Appliance Testing is a process that includes
the practical considerations of Portable Appliance
the vital step of visual inspection for obvious damage
Testing.
and wear and tear. The responsible person carrying
What is Portable Appliance Testing?
out PAT will check for problems like frayed cables
PAT (or Portable Appliance Testing) is as simple as it and cracked plugs before switching an appliance on
sounds - it is testing to ensure that portable appliances to check for operational issues. A large majority of
are fit and safe for use and adhere to the guidelines electrical faults can be discovered during the visual
set down by the five different laws that cover Health inspection.
If you’ve ever been in a place of work you will have
likely seen an appliance with a Portable Appliance
Test certificate sticker, even if you didn’t notice it.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is something that
many people have heard of, but find a little confusing.
and Safety in the workplace. These regulations will
be covered in the law section.
The purpose of portable appliance testing is to
ensure that appliances are in good working order,
maintained correctly and pose little to no risk to
the people using them. Portable appliance testing is
separate to adhering to any manufacturer’s guidance
on regular interval testing, but it is good practice to
ensure that manufacturer guidelines are followed.
PAT regulations do not cover private households,
just workplaces. Local authorities and the Health and
Safety Executive are responsible for enforcing and
policing the legislation.
What is the definition of ‘portable’?
For the purposes of PAT, ‘portable’ is defined as an
appliance that can be disconnected from a power
supply (generally using a plug) and moved. This
includes, but is not limited to: easily movable objects
such as kettles, lamps, televisions, projectors, toasters,
2
After an appliance has passed a visual inspection, the
electrical safety aspect of PAT can be conducted. The
exact tests required depend on the type of appliance
being tested as well as its electrical class. There are
three different classes of appliance; Class 1 has single
insulated wiring, requiring an earth connection,
whereas Class 2 appliances have double insulated
wiring. Class 3 appliances are supplied by a lower
voltage than Class 2 and Class 1 appliances. More
information on appliance classes is available at hse.
gov.uk
Common faults include incorrect fuses, overheating
or broken plug tops and generally faulty cables.
What tests could a portable appliance need?
REMEMBER: The safety of the person conducting
the portable appliance test is paramount, so the
type of tests performed for potentially dangerous
appliances must be determined by a risk
assessment.
Safety Switch Tests
This requires specialist testing equipment and
ensures that the tripping mechanism for an appliance
works as it should.
What does the law say about PAT?
Five laws govern portable appliances in the workplace:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Requiring employers and employees to ensure the
health and safety of all in the work premises (including
visitors, contractors and the general public, where
applicable).
The Management of Health and Safety Work
Regulations 1999
Putting the onus on the employer to perform
adequate risk assessments to ensure the lowest level
of danger for employees and ensure the safety of the
As already covered, the tests performed on a portable
workplace as far as is possible.
appliance will vary according to its type and class.
There are five different types of tests which could be
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment
used on an appliance:
Regulations 1998
Earth Continuity Test
The most common test, performed using a specific
PAT tester machine (or ohmmeter)
Earth Resistance Test
Determining the resistance provided by earthing
rods, which should be less than 1Ω
Insulation Resistance Test
Ensuring insulation of the electrical appliance
prevents the leakage of electrical current
Polarity Check
Requiring the employer to ensure the safety of any
equipment used by employers (including fixed,
portable and transportable equipment) that relies
on an electrical energy source. This excludes fixed
installations.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Defining what constitutes electrical equipment and
the maintenance and safety requirements of safe use
of electricity in the workplace.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992
Governing the maintenance of equipment, devices
Ensuring plugs and cord extension sockets are wired and systems within the workplace.
correctly
PAT is also covered by the non statutory document,
the IET Code of Practice for in-service Inspection and
Testing of Electrical Equipment.
3
Interpreting the laws covering PAT
Many people believe that PAT must be conducted
on an annual basis for all their portable appliances.
However, this is not the case. Legally, anyone
conducting PAT must be trained in portable
appliance testing - this is covered in the law as a
‘competent person’ who can perform the checks
safely. Performing combined inspection and testing
will require a higher level of knowledge, the ability
to use specialist equipment and the experience and
expertise to interpret test results.
Businesses must adhere to the Electricity of Work
Regulations 1989 (as well as the other four laws
covered in the above section), but PAT inspection
is not an obligation. The law requires businesses to
maintain appliances to ensure safety and keep records
of routine maintenance. Annual PAT inspection can
often be an unreasonable burden on the business,
and the HSE makes it clear that, in many case, this is
unnecessary (see http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/
faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm, last accessed
and available, August 2015).
Did you know?
PAT is formally known as “In-service Inspection and
Testing of Electrical Equipment” by the Institution
of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the IET, originally
established as the Society of Telegraph Engineers
in 1871. 2006 saw the integration of the IEE with
the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) to
form the Institution of Engineering and Technology
(IET), the “largest multidisciplinary professional
engineering institution in the world”.
Practical considerations for Facilities
Managers regarding PAT
It is wise to draw up a list of the appliances covered
by the legislation. Estimate how often appliances
are used and refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines
for regular maintenance and servicing. This will aid
you in determining how often appliances should be
serviced and when PAT should be conducted.
The law does not require you to label equipment
that has been tested, nor to keep records, but record
keeping is good practice and will help you manage
your equipment servicing needs. If an appliance does
cause harm to someone in the workplace, it will be
invaluable evidence that all necessary checks were
performed.
You should also make it clear to employees who use
appliances that they are also bound by Health and
Safety at Work laws and so have a responsibility to
report any damage and wear and tear they notice.
4
CHAPTER 2:
FIXED WIRE TESTING
Fixed Wire Testing can be a confusing concept, as it’s
known by many names; Fixed Installation Testing,
Electrical Installation Condition Reporting, Periodic
Inspection and Testing, Hard Wire Testing, Fixed
Testing, Periodic Testing and Electrical Testing. For
the purposes of this eBook, we’ll stick to Fixed Wire
Testing. As already covered in Chapter 1, Portable
Appliance Testing (PAT) covers the Inspection
of appliances that are movable (frequently or
infrequently) and not installed in place, intended to
stay in situ. Fixed Wire Testing covers the rest of the
testing required, on installations and other systems
as determined by the laws already addressed in
Chapter 1.
Fixed Wire Testing will require each circuit to be
powered off so that the condition of the circuit can be
identified. Specialist equipment is used for the tests
to highlight any lack of earthing or bonding, discover
and rectify overloaded circuits and to find potential
hazards. Circuit breakers and trip mechanisms will
be tested and put through tests to replicate fault
conditions to ensure their fail-safe mechanisms are
sound. Common faults found in electrical installations
are faulty equipment or wiring, overloaded sockets
and circuits, broken accessories and poor installation
work.
What is Fixed Wire Testing?
Switching devices inspection
Fixed Wire Testing covers all the electrical systems
not inspected by PAT guidelines: hard wiring in a
building, lighting, sockets, air conditioning, fixed plant
(installations) and main panels. Just like PAT, Fixed
Wire Testing relies on a mixture of visual inspections
and specialist equipment to determine safety.
Visual inspection of a small sample of switching
devices to assess their working condition
How does Fixed Wire Testing work?
Although visual inspection is an integral part of Fixed
Wire Testing, due to the way that many installations
are set up, it is simply not possible or practical to
visually inspect every single joint and termination.
However, sample visual inspections are a core part
of the Fixed Wire Testing procedure and inspection
should cover as much of the accessible parts of
the installation as possible. Fixed Wire Testing will
examine switchgear, luminaire points and socket
outlets to check the conductor terminal connections
are properly installed, secure and safe.
What tests are part of Fixed Wire Testing?
Protective devices inspection
Verification of the accessibility, condition and presence
of those devices used for isolation, protection and
switching. Overload settings and protection of the
fuse or circuit-breaker will be assessed
Reporting is an essential part of the Fixed Wire
Testing procedure and any signs of wear, damage,
deterioration or overheating from the initial visual
inspection must be included in this document,
known as the Electrical Installation Condition
Report. More information on this mandatory
report is included later in the chapter.
5
What will the Electrical Installation Condition
Ensuring that each circuit is labelled correctly and that Report show?
Marking and labelling
the following is clearly marked; different voltages, An essential part of your records and the Fixed
earthing and bonding connections, Residual Current Wire Testing procedure, the Electrical Installation
Devices (or R.C.Ds)
Condition Report will detail all the results of each test
and show whether the tested areas and installations
are safe to use until the next due installation. It will
Continuity of Protective Conductors and
document damage, deterioration and wear and tear
Earthed Equipotential Bonding
that affects safety and identify and report on any
Verifying the continuity of any installations that may problems that breach regulations.
be safely isolated from the supply. Continuity and
IMPORTANT NOTE:
earth fault loop impedance tests will ensure the
‘combined’ integrity of conductors.
The report will either be labelled as satisfactory or
unsatisfactory and will also highlight any hazards
Polarity Test
and potential areas of concern and detail them as
Ensuring correct polarity at the meter and consumer
follows:
unit (or distribution board), socket outlets have safe
connections with their conductors, lamp holders are
correctly attached to the earthed neutral conductor C1
and multi-pole devices have been installed correctly. There is a real danger present which presents a likely
risk of injury. Immediate remedial action is necessary
Earth Fault Loop Impedance
Connection of a resistor from the phase to the
protective conductor to confirm correct connection
and warn of reversed polarity.
C2
There is a potentially dangerous issue which requires
very urgent remedial action
Insulation Resistance
C3
Ensuring insulation prevents the leakage of electrical
current.
There is an issue which requires improvement whilst not immediately unsafe, the fault or issue is
not compliant with current standards
Operation of Devices for Isolation and
Switching
Verifying how effective isolation and switching
devices are as well as their labels and markings.
Operation of Residual Current Devices
Simulation of fault conditions to ensure that current
trips where it should.
6
What does the law say about Fixed Wire
Testing?
The laws covering Fixed Wire Testing are the
same laws which outline the PAT Inspection
requirements:
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Practical considerations for Facilities
Managers regarding Fixed Wire Testing
It may or may not be your responsibility to arrange
Fixed Wire Testing - if you are renting the premises
that you manage from an external landlord, you must
check your tenancy agreement. Most agreements
require 5 yearly (quinquennial) testing as well as
testing at the end of a tenancy.
• The Management of Health and Safety Work
Circuits must be switched off to ensure safe Fixed
Regulations 1999
Wire Testing, which may cause some inconvenience
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment to those using the facilities. It may be better to
Regulations 1998
arrange for testing to happen outside operational
hours, if this is possible.
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) If any C1 (highly dangerous) faults are identified (see
the Electrical Installation Condition Report section,
Regulations 1992
above, for more details), check whether your tester
Please see Chapter 1 for a brief explanation of these
will isolate or fix these at the time.
laws.
Fixed Wire Testing is also covered by British
Standard BS 7671: 2015 Amendment 3 (IET Wiring
Regulations), which is a regulation rather than a
statutory document.
How often should Fixed Wire Testing be
completed?
Regular audits of your sites will help you manage and
prioritise how often Fixed Wire Testing should be
conducted and good record keeping is essential for
ensuring you can easily locate necessary certificates
of compliance and Electrical Installation Condition
Reports.
Choosing a contractor with nationwide coverage is a
good idea if you have multiple sites and will help you
How often you should conduct Fixed Wire Testing negotiate rates and levels of service.
can depend on a lot of factors, including the type of
installation and where it is (e.g. a hospital, educational Notify staff well in advance about upcoming testing
establishment, office or shop, etc). It will also depend so that they are aware to save their computer work
on the amount of use and the way an installation is or power down machinery.
used, how frequently (and how well) an installation is
maintained and any external influences, such as the REMEMBER TO: Keep all reports safe for the life
of your installation to ensure compliance and to
environment and conditions in which it is kept.
provide evidence of your testing regime in the case
A change of occupancy will usually trigger a need for
of an incident or a surprise visit from the Health
Fixed Wire Testing and for the majority of commercial
and Safety Executive.
properties, a period of 5 years between Fixed Wire
Testing Inspections is required, with routine checks
being completed annually. This is as recommended
by IET guidelines.
7
CHAPTER 3:
FIRE ALARM TESTS AND INSPECTION
Everyone is familiar with the fire drill, usually
conducted when rain is on the horizon and you left
your umbrella at home. However, a fire drill isn’t
the only necessary part of testing and inspecting a
Fire Alarm - this is a more involved process requiring
careful planning and attention to the type of Fire
Alarm installation.
Weekly check procedures
The wider issue of general fire safety and
compliance is a complex area and is covered in
more detail in The Facilities Manager’s Guide to
M&E Compliance.
6 month check procedures
What is Fire Alarm Testing and Inspection?
Fire Alarms protect people, assets and property
so must be maintained properly to prevent
contaminants, dirt and age from compromising their
operation. Fire Alarm Testing and Inspection can
prevent problems from arising and quickly remedy
any issues that do crop up. Improper maintenance,
deliberate, criminal vandalism and building work can
damage fire protection equipment, preventing its
optimum operation.
Fire alarms must be tested on a weekly basis and
the results of the tests should be recorded in the
fire logbook. To ensure all call points are tested on
a regular basis, different call points should be used
every week.
• Visual inspection to highlight damage and
deterioration
• 10% of manual call points and automatic detection
systems are tested for correct operation
• Batteries tested for operation
• Control Panel Fire and Fault Indication Lamps
checked to ensure they are in good working order
• Defects discovered recorded on the ‘observations
and recommendations’ section of the fire log
book
• Any defects determined as C1 or C2 defects (see
Fixed Wire Testing section for more detail on C1,
How does Fire Alarm Testing and Inspection
C2 and C3 defects)
work?
Fire Alarm Testing and Inspection will test and
calibrate all the systems, simulate fault conditions,
ensure the right sensitivity levels and check any
batteries and emergency power supplies. The testing
and inspection procedures will also allow you to
assess the likelihood of needing to replace your
entire Fire Alarm system and help you to ensure a
proper system response in the case of an emergency
situation.
8
Annual check procedures
P1 systems are installed in all parts of the building
and are designed to minimise the damage caused
All of the 6 month check procedures are followed to the property in between the fire starting and the
again, but with the addition of:
arrival of firefighting teams.
All manual call points and automatic detection P2 systems are installed in defined parts of the
systems are tested for correct operation
building identified as higher fire risk areas or areas of
Batteries are tested for operation and for performance importance to the company’s operation and business
continuity (e.g. server rooms for IT companies) to
under load (removing mains power supply)
provide early warning.
What types of Fire Alarm Systems are there
and what are the differences?
Category L (and L1 to L5)
Category L systems are automatic fire detection and
fire alarm systems. They are divided into 5 different
systems as follows;
What does the law say about Fire Alarm
Testing and Inspection?
The laws specifically covering Fire Alarm Testing and
Inspection are The Electricity at Work Regulations
1989, which mandates the proper maintenance of all
electrical equipment with the potential for causing
injury.
L1 systems are designed to provide the earliest
warning of a fire to allow the maximum available There is no indication for the frequency of the
time for evacuation. They are installed throughout maintenance. However, it is recommended by the
IET that Fire Alarm Testing and Inspection should be
every part of a building.
carried out regularly and that Fire Alarms should be
L2 systems are installed in defined parts of a building, maintained according to the regulations and guidance
designed to give all occupants as much possible provided by British Standard BS5839 Part 1 2013 Fire
time to evacuate a building. They are identical to L3 Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings. This
systems, but with additional detection for specified is a non-statutory Code of Practice for the design,
high risk areas, such as kitchens, where people sleep installation, commissioning and maintenance of
or where hazardous materials are present.
systems in non-domestic premises.
L3 systems are purpose designed for early warning The laws covering Fire Safety in general are The
to everyone. Identical to L3 systems but excluding Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) which
provision for high risk areas, when there are none means that you must carry out suitable and sufficient
present.
fire risk assessments, test and maintain fire protection
L4 systems are installed in parts of the escape routes equipment and provide adequate fire safety training
comprising circulation areas and spaces, including for your employees.
corridors and stairways.
L5 systems are generally specialist systems designed
for specific fire safety objectives (separate from the
other available Category L systems).
Category M
Category M systems are manual systems (i.e. not
automatic).
Category P ( and P1 & P2)
Category P systems are automatic fire alarm and
detected systems designed to protect property and
are split into 2 subdivisions:
9
provided by British Standard BS5839 Part 1 2013 Fire
Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings. This
is a non-statutory Code of Practice for the design,
installation, commissioning and maintenance of
systems in non-domestic premises.
Communicate regularly with occupants about their
responsibility to report any issues with Fire Alarms people have been known to tape over flashing lights
or horns where they are faulty to prevent annoyance
without thinking to report the initial fault.
Further details on your responsibilities regarding
overall fire safety are available in The Facilities
Manager’s Guide to M&E Compliance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If rooms change purpose, such
an office becoming a storage facility, this can change
the needs of the installed systems. A lot of paper in
an area previously designated as office space or a
change of function from a stationery cupboard to a
server room can increase the risk of fire.
Other British Standards relating to Fire
Alarms include:
BS 5839-1:2013
BS EN 54-11:2001
BS 5839-3:1988
BS EN 54-4:1998
BS EN 54-2:1997+A1:2006
BS 5839-6:2013
BS 5839-8:2008
BS 5839-9:2003
Practical considerations for Facilities
Managers regarding Fire Alarm Testing and
Inspection
Find a contractor with nationwide coverage if you
have multiple sites - this will allow you to negotiate
rates and keep better track of the records of your Fire
Alarm Tests and Inspections.
Notify staff well in advance of your testing dates and
times to minimise disruption, confusion or potential
concern.
When improvements are being made to a building,
make sure that these do not impact on the safety and
operation of your Fire Alarms. Painting over them or
knocking off key functional parts can render them
useless.
10
CHAPTER 4:
EMERGENCY SAFETY LIGHTING
TESTS AND INSPECTION
For most people, Emergency Safety Lighting is usually
only noticed when something goes wrong or when
it’s pointed out by an air steward on their wellearned holiday flight. But for a Facilities Manager, it’s
a very important, final part of ensuring the safety of
occupants during an incident. Without Emergency
Safety Lighting, people evacuating a dangerous
building may encounter unexpected hazards that
could have been avoided or simply harm themselves
in an otherwise safe building that has lost power.
Water-based ventilation systems should be checked
regularly to prevent against the risk of legionella.
What is Emergency Safety Lighting Testing
and Inspection?
Emergency Lighting allows the safe passage of
employees and visitors to a building in the event of
an emergency or loss of power. Emergency Safety
Lighting should illuminate automatically when the
normal lighting fails and should be of a level that
enables all occupants to leave the building as quickly
and safely as possible. Emergency Safety Lighting
Testing and Inspection will involve visual inspection,
simulation of emergency circumstances and reporting
of defects.
How does Emergency Safety Lighting
Testing and Inspection work?
Annual Testing & Inspection procedures
• Visual inspection of all luminaries to ensure good
working condition
• Charging indicators checked for operation - both
when charging and after the test
• Defects like failed batteries and lamps will be
noted and reported on as a non-compliance issue
• Emergency Safety Lighting will be run on batteries
for 3 hours to ensure it functions correctly and
lasts the duration.
• Emergency Safety Lighting will be tested and
inspected while normal lights are functioning
so there is no need to power off normal lighting
during any testing.
What types of Emergency Safety Lighting
systems are there and what are the
differences?
There are three basic types of Emergency Safety
Lighting systems: Maintained Emergency Lighting,
which means that luminaire are powered on at
all times whether normal or emergency lighting is
used; Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting, which
powers on only when a the normal lighting power
fails and Central Battery Emergency Lighting, which
means luminaires for maintained or non-maintained
operations are powered from a central emergency
power system not contained within the luminaire.
11
Emergency Safety Lighting can be split into
the following subdivisions:
What does the law say about Emergency
Safety Lighting Testing and Inspection?
Emergency Escape Lighting
Emergency Safety Lighting Testing and Inspection is
governed by the following laws:
Part of the requirements of The Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005, this provides light for those
leaving a location or to help operatives terminate
potentially dangerous operations before leaving a
location.
Escape Route Lighting
The lighting system that allows occupants of a
building to clearly see and use escape routes.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Requiring building managers or employers to carry
out suitable and sufficient Emergency Safety Lighting
risk assessments and test and maintain Emergency
Safety Lighting equipment.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
This mandates the proper maintenance of all
electrical equipment with the potential for causing
Open area lighting
injury. There is no indication for the frequency of
Emergency Safety Illumination that allows occupants the maintenance. However, it is recommended by
of a building to reach a place where they can access the IET that Emergency Safety Lighting Testing and
Inspection should be carried out regularly and that
an escape route.
Emergency Safety Lighting should be maintained
according to the regulations and guidance provided
High risk area lighting
by British Standard 5266 Part 1 2011 Emergency
Lighting that activates in an emergency situation for Lighting, which is a non-statutory Code of Practice for
the purposes of allowing people involved in dangerous the Emergency Escape Lighting of Premises.
work activities to start shut-down procedures for the
Other British Standards relating to Emergency
safety of the operator.
Safety Lighting include:
• BS 5266-1: 2011
• BS EN 1838:1999 / BS 5266-7:1999
• BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004
• BS EN 60598-1: 2008
• BS EN 62034:2006
• BS EN 50171:2001
12
Practical considerations for Facilities
Managers regarding Emergency Safety
Lighting Testing and Inspection
The annual testing is not the only necessary
testing for Emergency Safety Lighting - emergency
lighting systems should also be checked monthly
(in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004/ BS 52668:2004). Short and functional, this test should
simulate failure so that luminaires and signs can be
checked for proper function.
Daily checks are necessary where the power source
is one central, back-up battery system. This requires
daily visual inspection of the central power supply
indicators.
Find a contractor with nationwide coverage if you
have multiple sites - this will allow you to negotiate
rates and keep better track of the records of your
Emergency Safety Lighting and Inspections.
Notify staff well in advance of your testing dates and
times to minimise disruption, confusion or potential
concern.
Keep documentation of all Emergency Safety Lighting
Tests and Inspection records. This will help you in case
of an incident where you must show evidence you
have done everything possible to prevent accidents
due to insufficient lighting.
When improvements are being made to a building,
make sure that these do not impact on the operation
of your Emergency Safety Lighting. Painting over light
covers, damaging bulbs or knocking off key functional
parts can render them less visible and therefore noncompliant.
Communicate regularly with occupants about their
responsibility to report any issues with Emergency
Safety Lighting - Health and Safety is everyone’s
responsibility.
13
CONCLUSION
The safety of your electrical systems, including Emergency Safety Lighting and Fire Alarms is crucial to ensure
that both life and property is as free from hazards, danger and risk as possible. Most accidents of this kind
are due to poor supervision, inadequate risk assessment or faulty electrical equipment and the costs to those
involved are higher than just compensation payouts and fines. The pain and suffering, time off work, need
to replace or repair equipment, increased insurance premiums and legal costs all add up to a mistake that
should have been avoided. Precaution and prevention are important; morally, legally and financially.
DID YOU KNOW? Electric shocks as low as 50 volts can stop breathing or stop the heart and static electricity
can easily cause fire or explosion when it comes into contact with an explosive atmosphere.
For more information on any of the laws or guidance included in this eBook, please refer to the Health
and Safety Executive’s website at hse.gov.uk. Further details on British Standards detailed in this eBook are
available at the BSI’s website at http://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/
Important note: whilst all reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained in this eBook, readers should note that this document does not constitute nor replace legal
advice or advice from a trained advisor. In many cases the information presented is generalist and cannot
apply to all circumstances nor facilities.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
About INTEGRAL
INTEGRAL UK Ltd is the largest independently owned Mechanical, Electrical and Fabric property maintenance
business in the UK, providing both Planned Preventative and Reactive Maintenance to over 1,600 clients in
40,000 locations.
From a reputation of delivering engineering excellence and a strong partnership culture, we provide a range
of maintenance solutions individually tailored to suit our client’s needs. Our one-team approach ensures we
always strive to identify opportunities for improved efficiency that provide our clients with cost effective,
sustainable solutions.
With 19 offices our regional infrastructure allows us to maintain control of the business and ensure quality of
service. Unlike many of our competitors we are national specialists in planned and responsive maintenance
and all our services are based on `self delivery`, which means that we employ only the best, fully qualified inhouse technicians and engineers to maintain quality standards. With nearly 2,000 technicians and engineers,
we operate one of the largest national mobile maintenance fleet - an engineer in every postcode – enabling
us to focus on first time fix and a quick and efficient response.
Contact details
If you want to find out more about how Integral can help you, Contact Mark Evans on
mark.evans@integral.co.uk or call on 0121 553 5511
www.integral.co.uk
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