Don’t be Left in the Dark about Emergency Lighting

Dec. 3, 2008 - PRLog -- There seems to be a lot of confusion and it may have developed into a bit of a grey area in knowing where to go and who to ask about getting the correct emergency lighting and fire prevention advice.  By speaking to the right organisations and getting a proper risk assessment, you will then provide the best protection for those in your care.

Managing Director of Steel City Lighting Direct, who specializes in industrial and commercial lighting products, Tony Baxter said, “Emergency escape lighting can be both maintained i.e. on all the time or non-maintained which operates when the normal lighting fails. Systems are available with durations of between one and three hours.”

Maintained internally illuminated exit signs will be necessary where the lighting may be dimmed or extinguished.

The confusion lies about what is exactly required for emergency lighting.  But each premises is an individual as are the people who are going to be cared for. This means that each care home has to be individually risk assessed and passed so that requirements are met.

The primary purpose of emergency escape lighting is to illuminate escape routes, but it also illuminates other safety equipment. The emergency escape lighting luminaries can be stand-alone, dedicated units or incorporated into normal light fittings.

Monica Bell from Greenacre Care Services Ltd has recently installed all the required prevention equipment for her care home.  Four essential areas to go for information, advice and risk assessment are; Building Regulations, The Fire, Health and Safety Executive, Your Local Planning Department and Local Authority.

Mrs Bell added, “Don’t skimp on safety, put the very best system in place.  To protect people and get them out safely and quickly is paramount.”

It is vital you seek advice for a risk assessment from the official bodies, authorities and professional services then use emergency lighting suppliers like Steel City Lighting Direct in conjunction with a registered contractor.

Mr Baxter added, “The size and type of your premises and the risk to the people in your care will determine what emergency lighting is needed.”

The government legislation that covers emergency lighting is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – Fire Safety Order, which came into force on 1 October 2006.  The order applies to non-residential premises and to the common parts of residential flats and houses in multiple-occupation, this includes lifts, stairwells and entrance halls.

The order says that for most care homes, a more comprehensive system of fixed automatic emergency escape lighting is likely to be needed, especially in larger more complex multi-story premises particularly those with extensive basements or where there are significant numbers of residents, staff or members of the public.

The responsibility for compliance to Fire safety including emergency lighting lies with the designated Responsible Person.  There could be serious consequences and hefty fines if standards are not met.

Jenny Clough, from the Grange Nursing Home, Sandiacre, Nottingham said, “There is no emergency lighting in any of the rooms here at our home, but there is in the corridors.   You have fire safety inspections once a year and every six months we have fire safety training.   We have to find the fire to evacuate the residents, so emergency lighting is very important.”

If you are in any doubt about what emergency lighting you may need then it is essential you contact all the relevant authorities who can then advise you by giving you a risk assessment. Then Steel City Lighting Direct can supply you with the right product for the right premises.


About Steel City Lighting
Steel City Lighting is an approachable, friendly and competitive UK supplier of lighting products. Based in Sheffield, we stock a wide variety of lamps and fittings, with particular emphasis placed on low energy products. In order to make Steel City Lighting a name you can trust we follow one simple philosophy: Place The Customer First.
We strive, everyday to bring our customers the highest quality products at the best prices possible. Unlike many other online sellers, Steel City Lighting is a direct importer of thousands of high quality lighting and electrical products. This means that you, the customer, are able to enjoy much lower prices simply by cutting out the middle man!

We understand that each customer is different and that your needs differ from everyone else. At Steel City Lighting we don't believe that you are just a name or number but a person and if you have a problem, question or even just fancy a chat about one of our products, we are more than happy to help!
Unlike others we have a voice at the other end of the phone, not just an email or message service so you can be reassured that we are real people, ready to help you!

Editor’s Note: Steel City Lighting is represented by the search engine optimisation (SEO) team at Top Position, the online advertising consultancy. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726233

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Steel City Lighting is an approachable, friendly and competitive UK supplier of lighting products. Based in Sheffield, we stock a wide variety of lamps and fittings, with particular emphasis placed on low energy products. In order to make Steel City Lighting a name you can trust we follow one simple philosophy: Place The Customer First.