Emergency and Exit Lighting Maintenance

For WA theatres information : maintenance of Emergency and Exit Lighting From Guidelines on the Application of the Health (Public Buildings)Regulations 1992 http://www.population.health.wa.gov.au/environmental/resources/Public%20Buildings%20Guidelines%20Final.pdf Page 63 Appendix 5 - Typical Emergency Lighting / Exit Sign Log Sheet Page 64 Emergency Lighting / Exit Signs Inspection and Maintenance The following information has been extracted from AS 2293.2 and pertains to single point units. Fittings that fail to operate satisfactorily must be either repaired or replaced. Six-Monthly Procedures 1. Ensure that the normal supply has not been interrupted for at least 16 hours prior to conducting a discharge test. 2. For fluorescent lamps, it is recommended that the lamps be replaced if they exhibit excessive end-blackening, even when the lamps still operate. Discharge test 3. Operate the emergency luminaires and exit signs from their battery supply by simulating failure of the monitored supply. The luminaires and exit signs shall remain illuminated for not less than 2 hours when batteries are new and no less than 90 minutes at subsequent tests. Test may be extended until the automatic battery cut-off device terminates lamp operation. (Only recommended for qualified operators) 4. Restore the emergency luminaires and exit signs to normal condition and check that the battery charger operation indicator functions correctly. Twelve-Monthly Procedures 5. Carry out all the checks listed 1 – 4 above. 6. Clean all light-emitting and reflecting surfaces of emergency luminaires and exit signs. 7. Visually check to ensure that the emergency luminaires and exit signs operate in correct relationship to the normal lighting in the designated area. Battery Replacement Whenever the batteries of emergency luminaires and exit signs are replaced for any reason, such replacements shall be made in accordance with the following: (a) Where more than one cell is utilised, the complete battery pack shall be replaced. (b) Replacement batteries shall be of the same type and ampere-hour capacity. (c) A 2 hour discharge test shall be conducted. Cleaning Of Emergency Luminaires And Exit Signs NOTE: The information in Table B1 has been based on recommendations for the maintenance of interior lighting systems in Section 12 of AS 1680.1. As the above is for Central Systems and most theatres will have Single Point Systems I have provided the following. AS/NZS 2293.2:1995 Australian/New Zealand Standard Emergency evacuation lighting for buildings Part 2: Inspection and maintenance 1.1 SCOPE This Standard sets out the periodic inspection and maintenance procedures which are necessary to ensure that emergency evacuation lighting systems will be in a state of readiness for operation at all times. It applies to central and single-point emergency lighting systems, as defined in AS/NZS 2293.1. 1.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1.4.1 Maintenance of the installation Emergency evacuation lighting systems shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the relevant procedures specified in this Standard. The inspection and maintenance procedures shall be carried out only by persons having qualifications and experience suitable for the work on which they are engaged. NOTE: Section 7 of AS/NZS 2293.1 specifies the provision of an operating and maintenance manual to assist in conducting the inspection and maintenance checks required by this Standard. It requires that the information listed in Appendix A of this Standard be included in the manual for the guidance of maintenance personnel. 1.4.2 Maintenance records A logbook in a durable hard-bound cover, or an alternative system approved by the regulatory authority, shall be provided for the recording of maintenance information. The following details shall be entered: (a) All details which are required to be logged in accordance with Section 2 or Section 3,as appropriate. S E C T I O N 3 I N S P E C T I O N A N D M A I N T E N A N C E P R O C E D U R E S F O R S I N G L E - P O I N T S Y S T E M S 3.1 REQUIRED PROCEDURES The procedures described in Clauses 3.2 and 3.3 shall be carried out at intervals of not greater than those specified. Groups of self-contained emergency luminaires and exit signs may be tested on a rotational basis, provided that the maintenance intervals for the individual luminaires or exit signs do not exceed those specified. Any emergency luminaire or exit sign which fails to operate satisfactorily shall be either repaired or replaced. Where battery replacement is necessary, the requirements of Clause 3.4 shall apply. Details of any corrective actions taken shall be recorded in accordance with Clause 1.4.2. NOTE: With reference to the discharge test of Clause 3.2, it should be noted that for part of the test period the building may be without emergency lighting. This risk is considered acceptable, except where the regulatory authority deems otherwise. When selecting a time for the discharge test, consideration should be given to the nature of the occupancy of the building in order to minimize the risk, e.g. conducting the test discharge at a time that will permit recharging of the battery when the building is unoccupied. 3.2 SIX-MONTHLY PROCEDURES 3.2.1 General The procedures specified in Clauses 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 shall be carried out at intervals of not more than six months. NOTES: 1 A check should be made to ensure that no interruption to the normal supply has taken place for a period of at least 16 h prior to conducting a discharge test. 2 For emergency luminaires and exit signs with tubular fluorescent lamps, it is recommended that the lamps be replaced if they exhibit excessive end-blackening, even when the lamps still operate. 3.2.2 Discharge test 3.2.2.1 Where manual discharge test facilities are provided Where manual discharge test facilities are provided, the following procedures shall be carried out: (a) Operate the emergency luminaires and exit signs from their battery supply by simulating failure of the monitored supply. The luminaires and exit signs shall remain illuminated for not less than the required in-service duration. NOTE: Provision may be made for continuance of the discharge test beyond the required duration, e.g. until operation is terminated by the automatic battery cut-off device. (b) Restore the emergency luminaires and exit signs to normal condition and check that the battery charger operation indicator functions correctly. 3.2.2.2 Automatic discharge test facilities Where the emergency luminaires or exit signs are provided with facilities for automatic discharge testing, a visual check shall be made of the operational status of each unit either by means of the indicator at each unit, where self-contained facilities are provided, or by means of the relevant controller or indicator panel where centralized testing facilities are provided. Those units which failed the previous discharge test shall be either repaired and restored to normal condition, or replaced. NOTE: A discharge test may also be carried out at any time using the manual initiation facility, where provided in accordance with Section 4 of AS/NZS 2293.1. 3.2.3 Additional check for indirect lighting systems For indirect lighting systems, carry out the following: (a) Check that the finish of the major reflecting surfaces (e.g. walls, ceilings) have reflectances of not less than those on which the design of the system was based. (b) Check that emergency luminaires of the directional beam type, if used, are aimed in such a manner that the beam will not be directed into the eyes of persons moving through the designated area. 3.3 TWELVE-MONTHLY PROCEDURES The following procedures shall be carried out at intervals of not more than 12 months: (a) Carry out all the checks listed in Clause 3.2. (b) Clean all light-emitting and reflecting surfaces of emergency luminaires and exit signs. NOTE: Appendix B gives guidance on appropriate cleaning materials and their use. (c) A visual check shall be made to ensure that the emergency luminaires and exit signs operate in correct relationship to the normal lighting in the designated area (see requirements for the arrangement and control of single-point systems in Section 2 of AS/NZS 2293.1.) NOTE: This procedure may be carried out in conjunction with the discharge test of Clause 3.2.2. 3.4 BATTERY REPLACEMENT Whenever the batteries of emergency luminaires and exit signs are replaced for any reason, such replacements shall be made in accordance with the following: (a) Where more than one cell is utilized, the complete battery pack shall be replaced. (b) Replacement batteries shall be of the same type and ampere-hour capacity. (c) A discharge test shall be conducted in accordance with Clause 3.2.2 except that the test shall be continued for 1.33 times the required in-service duration. Hope that helps clarify things.