Posted By Blade
Hi,
if you don't do a monthly test how will you know that you have'nt any defective bulbs?

Posted By Peter Leese
Surely 'onerous' will depend on the resources available - for some it will not be onerous, for others it may well be.

I guess the question is trying to bring out views on how important it is to do it monthly, and if there is any leeway in the frequency of checks.

Posted By Phillipe
Hi, thanks for your replies regarding this subject.

The reason I was asking was simply to see what other people do when it comes to this type of test/inspection and whether they have had any enforcement action from inspecting Fire Officers.

I am not objecting at all to the requirements of the BS when it comes to frequency of emergency lighting test, in fact I support it. Personally I do not consider it an onerous task, however our business has a number of different types of emergency lighting (mainly down to age) and the testing methods can vary from location to location. Some may have a fiche key switch to test, other have to use another method involving banks of batteries, etc.

As a business, we test our sprinklers weekly (our insurance cover has stated this), we test our alarms weekly and as far as I was aware our emergency lighting monthly. But apparently not, we test the emergency lighting 6 monthly and annually, but fail on the monthly test. The reasons for this I have yet to find out, but will endeavour to do so today.

I suppose I am looking at this from 2 ways:

1. Yes we should do what the BS recommends and action monthly, 6 monthly & annually

or

2. We have a system of PPM in place clearly but just because it does not reflect the BS 100% should that be a reason to change it?

I would imagine a straw poll on here would suggest that most organisations would perform the BS recommended approach, but as it does not have any legal status per say, I was wondering what your thoughts were and also what you guys n gals actually do in terms of testing frequency.

Cheers

Phil

Posted By Phillipe
Yes, alarm checks are weekly and not monthly as suggested in this thread.

Posted By Andy Brazier
Perhaps someone could list here exactly what BS5266. The trouble with forums is that people often quote what they think they can remember, or what they actually do. That's fine, but can cause confusion.

I have no particular interest in testing of emergency lights, alarms etc. But I do know that errors during testing are often the greatest causes of system failure. The classic being failure to reset the system properly after the test. Therefore it is entirely right to challenge test frequencies. A logical approach would be for the results of your tests to inform your testing frequency. So if you test every week and never find a fault, it would be reasonable to increase to fortnightly, then monthly etc. Conversely, if you are having problems with your system, daily or even hourly testing may be appropriate.

Posted By Ashley Wood
Take a look at the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order section regarding emergency lights! This is legislation.

Posted By Gff
Ashley

Are you shure it's legislation or guidance the reform order is not prescriptive about what tests and frequency of test are to be done unless I have missed something in it

G'

Posted By Granville Jenkins
Hi Phillepe

If 'you' choose not to carry out a monthly test of the emergency lighting, 'you' had better fasten your seatbelt - if an accident/incident were to occur because the emergency lighting was functioning correctly it would be for 'you' to prove to a judge that you had taken all reasonably practicable measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff and any visitors to your premises.
In forming a decision the courts would look to the relevant regulations, approved codes of practice and 'guidance notes' provided by professional bodies such as the British Standards Institute.

If you cannot show that you either met or exceeded these requirements you will be in the 'hot seat- under health and safety legislation you could be fined up to £20,000 and/or face 2 years in prison - your employer will not be allowed to bail you out, and your employer obviously would not want to or be allowed to take your place in prison.

Regards
Granville

Posted By pluto
This thread has been illuminating!

Although BS committees are sometimes dominated by vested interests they do generally come up with what should be regarded as many years of accumulated experience. This is why Courts do tend to regard them as 'words from Moses' when things have gone wrong.

Risk assessment is OK but are you really confident that your competence is better than the BS?

I do sometimes come away from the standard, (no. of fire extinguishers is one) but generally pay up and sleep more soundly.

Posted By Peter Leese
Shaun, you've said you've been caught out without emergency lights.

I would have put money on it that if you or any ex fireman were doing an FRA that you would be carrying a pocket torch. I learnt that lesson within 2 months of starting fire audits in some of the older London buildings and have carried a maglite ever since. I'm surprised you don't do the same.

PS: I always take a Christmas cracker compass as well - so that I can identify which stairs are which.

Posted By Phillipe
In response to your question Andy Brazier, the BS states that emergency lighting should be tested:

New emergency lighting installations

Daily
Monthly
Six monthly
Three yearly
After the 1st 3 yrs then on an annual basis


There seems to be some confusion on here regarding the annual tests. If the system is new then it only has to be tested annually after it has been in operation for 3 years. I suppose the six monthly testing in the interim period means it is being done on an annual basis. I have taken that from the Tolleys Fire Safety Management Handbook 2nd Edition, written by Ron Miller FIFireE of Fire Safety Consultants Ltd. No reason to suggest that is not accurate is there?

After investigation at my end it would appear the monthly testing has been overlooked, based on cost...I will be addressing my concerns today to resolve this issue once and for all.

Thanks and regards

Phil

Posted By Phillipe
Exactly, that is my point, it should be done in house. Our Property Team have said that they will need to contract it out, like they do the six monthly/annual.

Education is the lesson of the day !