Legislative Requirements
The purpose of the emergency lights is to assist occupants in identifying exits and paths of travel from a building in an emergency.
An Emergency Lighting and Exit lighting system must; –
✅ Be installed to meet the requirements as outlined in the applicable Australian Standard.
✅ Be clearly visible to persons approaching an exit.
✅ Be located in positions where exits are not readily apparent, i.e., corridors, hallways, and lobbies, and have arrows directing occupants to an exit.
✅ Be located on, above, or adjacent to each door providing egress.
✅ Be identified with clear and legible writing using letters and symbols of adequate size.
✅ Be automatic in operation in the event of a power supply failure to the main lighting system.
Emergency Lighting Maintenance
As per the Standard, every six months.
The standard calls for a test every six months; this means a test when the Annual Fire Safety Statement is due and one six months after that. Twice a year.
The test is completed via a separate emergency lighting test switch. The Emergency lighting and the exit lighting are tested on battery power for a minimum of 90 minutes.
Who Can do the Maintenance and Repairs
We recommend a licensed Electrician with the relevant Accreditations with the FPAA.
To Sign the Annual Fire Safety Statement for the relevant safety measure for the emergency and exit lighting, the licensed electrician needs to have the correct accreditation with the FPAA.
New Legislation makes it mandatory that the technician signing to pass for the safety measure must be accredited and must have an accreditation number, which must also be on the annual fire safety statement referencing the relevant safety measures being passed.
Record Keeping
The Asset Register
There is more than just a 90-minute test, inspect and replacing faulty emergency lighting.
There is a requirement for record-keeping.
This includes (but is not limited to) creating an asset register where each emergency light, exit light, and emergency luminaires have a bar code or ID number, which is referenced in the records.
Repairs, replacements, passes, and failures are recorded here with the relevant data, such as the date of the event.
