Posted By Renny Thomson
The emergency lighting is usually provided to illuminate the escape route from the building, not to enable working. However, if there is adequate natual light to allow work to continue work, then what is your problem?

Posted By Michael Kent
Thanks for the quick response Renny. The building operates H24 and work at desks could continue using separately powered task lighting. We are looking at possible scenarios and I am trying to get an understanding of the legislative boundaries before we go too far down the road of decision making.

I guess the heart of my question is whether it is permissible under law for a level of normal occupation to continue once the emergency lights have discharged and gone out.

Posted By William R Smith
Remember emergency lighting is just that "emergency lighting" and should only give adequate lighting to escape. Think of the consequences if someone tripped whilst working.
If there is sufficient natural lighting then that is a different matter.

Posted By Robert.
Jay
Thats all very well but the installation of a suitably rated generator not to mention the auto changeover system is definately not a cheap option for most.

Posted By Mike Craven
Looking at some of the responses, I think we need to be clear about what we mean by "emergency lighting". What many of us (myself included) often refer to as "emergency lighting" should in fact be correctly termed "escape lighting" - if the building/room was in darkness or filling with smoke due to fire and/or loss of power, this lighting would probably just be enough to allow people to follow a lit escape route to a place of safety.

"Emergency lighting" might be something completely different. When I was H&S Manager at a College of Further College & Higher Education, we had an "emergency lighting" system in one of the areas - I think it was something to do with examinations. The situation was that, as far as was humanly possible, that area of the college had to continue to function even if the rest of the world had suffered a power cut!!

The "emergency lighting" system came on if the main electrical supply failed, and it provided enough light for people to continue to work, albeit for a limited amount of time whilst the main power supply was not available. The "emergency lighting" might not have been anywhere near as good as the normal lighting, but it was a lot better than "escape lighting"

In terms of who should continue to work in the event of emergency lighting coming-on, perhaps this should be the subject of a risk assessment, taking into consideration reasons for the failure of the main supply, length of time that the back-up system will last, continued availability of a fire detection and warning system, tasks being undertaken, access to other required facilities, etc.

Mike