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#1 Posted : 25 September 2009 13:17:00(UTC)
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Posted By TM1 Where would we stand legally, in a warehouse (approx 16,000sqft) with no windows or sky lights, that has no emergency lighting except a small green directional arrow above each final exit fire door? Could we rely on torches? Is this acceptable? Comments welcome
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#2 Posted : 25 September 2009 13:41:00(UTC)
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Posted By Stuff4blokes TM1, sorry to repeat the answer that does not help your specific question but it really does depend on your own risk assessment. This should look at the possibility of losing electrical power in a fire. At 4:45PM on a wet January afternoon will there be sufficient lighting to allow rapid and safe evacuation? Does any racking obscure the lit exit signs? Are there any obstructions or corners on the exit routes that will be dark, what is the travel distance etc etc... The decision on whether the existing arrangements is adequate has to be made by the competent person(s) undertaking the assessment.
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#3 Posted : 25 September 2009 13:55:00(UTC)
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Posted By TM1 I'm of the opinion we need emergency / safety lighting. We don't have a racking system, but the product stored can and does block the exit lights above the doors. Travel distance can be up to 50 metres. There are objects next to aisles that are sharp. The layout of the warehouse changes periodically, i.e we have 'floating aisles' that change depending on the cargo we are storing. I appreciate the notion of "it depends what your risk assessment says" - while I don't like it, our low number of warehouse staff could find their way out with a torch if needed. Before someone says i've answered my own question, my original question was is this truly acceptable? and what would an inspector say or do?
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#4 Posted : 25 September 2009 14:09:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Skyrme TM1 There is a lot of accepted guidance out there on emergency lighting. Try CIBSE & the BS's related to this. BS5266 I think. Try for info: firesafe.org.uk The Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting, icel.co.uk and, http://www.communities.g...resafetylaw/aboutguides/ Hope this helps. Paul.
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