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electricians guide

ELECTRICIANS
GUIDE TO
EMERGENCY
LIGHTING

Published by The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom

The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England & Wales
(no. 211014) and Scotland (no. SCO38698).
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products and services, such as this one, which we hope you find useful.
2009, 2014 The Institution of Engineering and Technology
First published 2009
Second edition 2014
This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention. All
rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism
or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may be
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Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2AY, United Kingdom.
Copies of this publication may be obtained from:
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
PO Box 96, Stevenage, SG1 2SD, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1438 767328
Email: sales@theiet.org
www.theiet.org/wiringbooks
While the author, publisher and contributors believe that the information and guidance given in this
work are correct, all parties must rely upon their own skill and judgement when making use of them.
The author, publisher and contributors do not assume any liability to anyone for any loss or damage
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advice. Any and all such liability is disclaimed.
Extracts from BS 5266-1 (2011) are reproduced within this Publication with the permission of the
BSI Standards Limited. Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. British Standards can be obtained in
PDF or hard copy formats from the BSI online shop: www.bsigroup.com/shop or by contacting BSI
Customer Services for hard copies only: Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001, Email: cservices@bsigroup.com.

ISBN 978-1-84919-771-7
eISBN 978-1-84919-772-4
Typeset in the UK by Carnegie Book Production, Lancaster
Printed in the UK by Polestar Wheaton

Contents
Cooperating organisations

Acknowledgements

Preface
Chapter 1

11
Legislation

13

1.1 Introduction
1.2 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
1.3 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
(SI 1999 No. 3242)
1.4 The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
(SI 1992 No. 3004)
1.5 The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
(SI 1996 No. 341)
1.6 The Building Regulations 2010 (SI 2010 No. 2214)
1.7 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (SI 2005 No. 1541)
1.8 The Cinematograph (Safety) Regulations 1955 (SI 1955 no. 1129)
as amended

20

Chapter 2

21

Building Regulations

13
14
15
16
16
18
18

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Approved Document B, Volume 1 dwellinghouses
2.3 Approved Document B, Volume 2 buildings other than dwellinghouses

21
23
24

Chapter 3

27

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

Emergency lighting standards

European standards
British Standards
Definitions
BS 5266 Emergency lighting

27
27
29
30

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Chapter 4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10

Chapter 5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10

33
33
37
40
44
47
49
49
50
53
54

Electrical installation

57

Basic requirement
Self-contained luminaires
Central power supply systems
Cable support, fixings and joints
Segregation
Continuity of supply to the emergency lighting
Isolation
Warning notices
Inspection and testing
BS 7671:2008 as amended

Chapter 6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
6.11
6.12
6.13

Design

Introduction
Primary escape route signs and luminaires
Additional emergency lighting luminaires
Escape route illumination
Open area (anti-panic) lighting
High risk task area lighting
Standby lighting
Classification of emergency lighting systems
Requirements for safety signs
Automatic test systems

Operation and maintenance

57
57
58
60
60
61
62
62
63
63
65

Disabled persons
Legislation
Instructions
As-installed drawings
Handover
Logbook
Care of batteries during installation
Servicing
Routine inspection and testing
Certificates
Automatic testing systems (ATS)
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
Guidance

65
65
65
65
66
66
67
67
68
69
70
70
71

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Annex A Model completion certificate

Annex B Model certificate for completion of small new installations and
verification of existing installations
Annex C Model periodic inspection and test certificate

72

Chapter 7

83

7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4

Safety signs

Introduction
Format of safety signs
Emergency escape and first-aid signs
Fire-fighting signs

Index

76
79

83
84
86
88
89

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Cooperating
organisations
The IET acknowledges the invaluable contribution made by the following organisations in
the preparation of this Guide.
BEAMA Installations Ltd
Eur Ing M.H. Mullins BA CEng FIET
P. Sayer IEng MIIE GCGI
British Standards Institution
Department for Communities
and Local Government
A. Burd
Electrical Contractors Association
G. Digilio IEng FIET ACIBSE MSLL
Electrical Contractors Association
of Scotland t/a SELECT
D. Millar IEng MIIE MILE
Electrical Safety Council
Fire and Security Association
M. Turner

Health and Safety Executive

K. Morton CEng MIET
Institution of Engineering
and Technology
M. Coles BEng(Hons) MIEE
P.E. Donnachie BSc CEng FIET
Scottish Government
Building Standards Division
C. Donnelly
Author
P.R.L. Cook CEng FIET
The author would like to record special
thanks to Eur Ing Leon Markwell MSc BSc
CEng MIET MCIBSE LCGI of the ECA for
his particular assistance in preparing the
publication.

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Acknowledgements

References to British Standards are made with the kind permission of BSI. Complete copies
can be obtained by post from:
BSI Customer Services
389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL
For all enquiries contact:
Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001
Fax: +44 (0)20 8996 7001
Email: cservices@bsi-global.com
www.bsi-global.com/en/Shop/
References to Building Regulations, Approved Documents and guidance are made with the
kind permission of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Downloads
of Approved Documents are available from the Planning Portal: www.planningportal.gov.uk

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

10

Preface
The Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting is one of a number of publications prepared
by the IET to provide guidance on electrical installations in buildings. This publication is
concerned with emergency lighting and in particular emergency escape lighting and must
be read in conjunction with the legislation, Approved Document B and the relevant British
Standards, in particular BS 5266.
Designers and installers should always consult these documents to satisfy themselves of
compliance.
It is expected that persons carrying out work in accordance with this Guide will be
competent to do so, competence being a statutory requirement of the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 for those engaged in electrical work.

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

11

Index
A
Additional emergency lighting 4.1.5; 4.3
Alterations record
6.6
Annual testing
6.9.3
Anti-panic glare limits
4.4.1; 4.5
Anti-panic lighting
3.4.5
Approved codes of practice
1.2
Approved Document B
2.2; 2.3; 7.1.2
Approved Documents status
2.1.3
As-installed drawings
4.1.5; 6.4
Automatic test systems
4.10; 6.11

B
Batteries
British Standards
BS 5266
BS EN standards
BS 7671:2008
Building Regulations

6.7; 6.8.2
3.2
3.4
2.3.3; 3.1; 3.2
5.10
1.6; Chap 2

C
Cable categories
2.3.3
Cable fixings
5.4.1
Cable joints
5.4.2
Cable segregation
2.3.3; 5.3; 5.5
Cable support
5.4.1
Cables
2.3.3; 5.3.2
Call points
4.2.2
Car parks
4.3; 4.8.5
Categories X, Y
4.8
Central batteries
6.8.2
Central control testing systems
4.10.2
Central power supply systems
5.3
Central power supply systems
standard
3.2
Certificates
6.10
Change of direction
4.2.2
Change of level
4.2.2
Cinematograph (Safety) Regulations 1.8

Circuit arrangements
5.6; 5.7
Classification of emergency lighting
systems
4.8
Class of premises
4.8.5
Combined emergency luminaire,
definition
4.8.3
Combined lighting
4.8
Commissioning record
6.6
Compartment lighting
4.4.2
Competence
Preface
Completion certificates
6.10;
Chap 6 Annex A
Conformity declaration Chap 6 Annex A
Connection of supply
6.7
Continuity of supply
5.6
Corridors, intersection of
4.2.2
Critical electrical circuits
2.3.3
Cross-sectional area
5.3.3

D
Daily inspection
6.9.1
Declaration of
conformity
Chap 6 Annex A
Defects record
6.6
Definitions
1.1; 3.3; 4.8
Design
Chap 4
Design certificate
Chap 6 Annex A
Design procedure
4.1.6
Design sequence
4.1.6; Fig 4.1
Disability glare limits
4.4.1; 4.5; 4.6
Disabled persons
4.2.2; 4.3; 4.5; 6.1
Drawings
6.4
Duration of emergency
lighting
4.1.4; 4.8.1; 4.8.5
Dwellings
2.2

E
Electrical circuits, critical
Electrical installation

2.3.3
Chap 5

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

89

Index
Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989
Emergency escape lighting
Emergency escape lighting,
definition
Emergency escape lighting
systems standard
Emergency escape route
lighting, definition
Emergency escape signs

Preface; 6.2
3.4.3
1.1; 3.3
3.1
1.1; 3.3
7.3; Fig 7.4;
Fig 7.6
1.7; 4.2.2

Fire safety order

First-aid posts
First-aid signs
Fixings, cable
Flame temperature

1.7; 6.8.1
4.2.2; 4.4.1
7.3; Fig 7.8
5.4.1
2.3.3

G
Generators
Glare limits

6.8.3
4.4.1, Table 4.2

Emergency exits
Emergency lighting
completion certificate Chap 6 Annex A
Emergency lighting,
definition
1.1; 3.3
Emergency lighting design
procedure
4.1.6
Emergency lighting
duration
4.1.4; 4.8.1; 4.8.5
Emergency lighting standard,
BS 5266
3.4
Emergency lighting standards
Chap 3
Emergency lighting, suitable
and sufficient
1.4
Emergency routes
1.7
Emergency sign locations
4.1.6
Emergency standby lighting
4.7
Equipment standards
3.2
Escalators
4.3
Escape lighting, additional
4.1.5; 4.3
Escape route illumination
2.3.1; 4.4
Escape route luminaires
4.2
Escape route signs
4.2; 4.9; 7.3
Escape route sign viewing
distances
4.2.3; 4.9
European standards
3.1
Evacuation strategy
4.1.6
Exit doors
4.2.2
Exit signs
2.3.2
Exit sign viewing distances
4.2.3

Handover of system
6.5
Hazards
3.4.4; 4.1.6
Health and Safety at Work etc.
Act
1.2
Health and Safety (Safety
Signs and Signals)
Regulations 1996
1.5; 7.1; 7.2
High risk task area lighting
3.4.4; 4.6
High risk task area lighting,
definition
1.1; 3.3
Houses
2.2

No entries

Facilities
4.8.1; 4.8.4
Failure of supply
4.1.2
Fault action record
Chap 6 Annex C
Fire-fighting equipment
4.2.2; 4.4.1
Fire-fighting signs
7.4; Fig 7.5;
Fig 7.9
Fire-resistant cables
2.3.3; 5.3.2
Fire risk safety assessment
6.1

I
Illuminance minimum
4.4.1
Illumination levels
4.4.1
Inhibiting mode
4.8.4
Inspection and test certificate,
periodic
6.10.2
Inspection and testing
5.9; 6.9
Inspection and test
record
Chap 6 Annex C
Installation
Chap 5; 6.7
Installation conformity Chap 6 Annex A
Installation drawings
6.4
Instructions on O&M
6.3
Isolation
5.7

J
Joints

5.4.2

K
L
Legislation
Chap 1; 6.2
Lifts
4.3
Lighting applications Emergency
lighting, standard
3.1
Lighting fittings spacing
4.4.1
Lighting levels
4.4.1

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

90

Index
Lighting of workplace
Location of emergency
lighting
Logbook
Luminaire installation
Luminaire spacing
Luminaire types
Luminance, signs

1.4
4.1.6; 4.2.2
6.6
Chap 5
4.4.1
4.8.2
4.9

M
Maintained emergency luminaire,
definition
4.8.3
Maintained lighting
4.8
Maintenance
Chap 6
Maintenance instructions
6.3
Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations 1.3; 4.1.1
Mandatory signs
4.2.2; 7.2;
Fig 7.3
Minimum duration
4.1.4; 4.8.5
Minimum illumination
4.4.1
Model certificates
Chap 6 Annexes
Mode of operation
4.8.1; 4.8.3
Monthly testing
6.9.2

N
Natural light
Non-maintained lighting
Non-maintained luminaire,
definition
Non-residential premises
Notices

1.4
4.8
4.8.3
4.8.5
5.8

O
Objective of escape lighting
4.1
Open area lighting
1.1; 3.4.5; 4.5
Open area lighting,
definition
1.1; 3.3
Operating instructions
6.3
Operation and maintenance
Chap 6

P
Periodic inspection and
test certificate 6.9.2; Chap 6 Annex B
PH classification
2.3.3; 5.3.2
Plans
4.1.5
Plant rooms
4.3
Primary escape route signs
and luminaires
4.2
Process lighting
4.6
Product standards
3.2

Prohibitory signs
7.2; Fig 7.1
Provisions for escape
lighting
2.3.1, Table 2.1; 4.1

Q
No entries

R
Ratios of illuminance
4.4; 4.5; 4.6
Records
4.1.5
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005
1.7; 6.8.1; 6.9.3 Note
Remote rest mode
4.8.4
Response times
4.1.3
Risk assessment 1.3; 4.1.1; 6.9.3 Note
Risk assessment, emergency lighting 4.1.6
Routine inspection and testing
6.9

S
Safety assessment
6.1
Safety signs
1.5; 4.2; 4.9; Chap 7
Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2.1
Segregation
2.3.3; 5.3; 5.5
Self-contained luminaires
4.8; 5.2
Servicing
6.8
Signs
1.5; 4.2; 4.9; Chap 7
Spacing tables
4.4.1; 4.5
Stairs
4.2.2; 4.3
Stand-alone luminaire testing
4.10.3
Standards
Chap 3
Standby batteries
5.6; 6.8.2
Standby generators
6.8.3
Standby lighting
3.4.2; 4.7
Standby lighting, definition
1.1; 3.3
Standby supply
5.6
Statutory instruments
Chaps 1 and 2
Supervision
6.7.1
Support, cable
5.4.1
Survival times of cables
5.3.2
Sustained luminaire
4.8.3
Switching
5.7
Switch rooms
4.3

T
Task area lighting
Test certificates
Test records
Test systems
This way signs
Toilets
Type of system

1.1; 3.4.4; 4.6

6.10
Chap 6 Annex C
4.10
7.3; Fig 7.7; Fig 7.10
4.3
4.8.1

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

91

Index

U
Uniformity of illuminance

4.4.1

V
Verification
Viewing distances
Voltage drop

Chap 6 Annex A
4.2.3
5.3

W
Wales, building regulations for
2.1.2
Warning and escape, means of
2.1
Warning notices
5.8
Warning signs
7.2; Fig 7.2

Waste Electrical and Electronic

Equipment Directive
Wiring
Workplace (Health, Safety and
Welfare) Regulations

6.12
Chap 5
1.4

X
X type luminaire

4.8.2; 5.2

Y
Y type luminaire

4.8.2

Z
No entries

Electricians Guide to Emergency Lighting

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

92

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