Hi all, Bit of background; I work for a small design and fabrication firm (8 people) and have been asked to implement the recommendations of our H&S consultancy with a view to forging this as a career path. One of their recommendations was to supply torches at fire extinguisher points as an emergency lighting system. My own fire safety training consists of a Fire marshal certificate, knowledge of our work/premises and common sense. The main flaw I see with this idea is that if no-ones near any of the torches or extinguisher points and we have a power failure and fire; how would anyone find their way to this emergency lighting system? There is no ambient lighting in the area (street lighting or light from other buildings) so in the dead of winter it gets pitch black. To install a full emergency lighting system would be quite pricey for us but the more I think about this; the more stupid it seems to me. Does anyone else have any experience of a system like this being used? If so, how do you justify this? Training? Incorporate it into the emergency plan? Just don't see how this is a sensible suggestion myself....

Is this what your after http://www.safetlight.co.../safety_lighting_faq.asp (ps I do not work for the company)....I have also seen ones with luminous handles.

I think the key consideration is suitable and sufficient i don't think torches would be adequate given that it is a fabrication company. You can buy twinspot emergency lights relatively cheaply £30-£40 having a few of these wired in around the place so when the mains fails they will come on automatically. some and i could argue that you need to get them installed to the relevant BS but i think suitable and sufficient would meant that you could get them installed without the BS or at least they will be more effective than torches. However you will still need to test they are operating correctly on a monthly and yearly basis. torches may be fine in an office environment but my view not for a fabrication workshop. But as always without seeing the premises or knowing more i can only offer this as another possible consideration. Phil

Unless you work in a really bad area for power cuts then it would be unlikely anyone would carry the torches with them for very long if you accept the fact you only ever get a power cut maybe once every couple of years if that also i don't think it's practical or realistic to expect people to carry torches with them every day at work. At my old company the only time we carried torches where if we working is ceiling roof voids where if the lights failed you would never find your way out. phil

Not knowing the safety critical aspects, I presume that what is required is emergency escape lighting, based on the risks. How about having self contained "escape sign" at the exits that double up as emergency escape lighting? In my view they do provide "enough" lighting to make your way out and should serve the purpose, although they may not provide the level of actual lighting as specified in the relevant British Standard. A couple of factors that should be considered are 1) the risk of having a fire and power failure at the some time before the alarm is sounded is your fire detection & alarm system. 2) the ease or difficulty of making your way to the final exit door.

Thanks for all the replies. I think that whilst a torch in someones hand is sufficient lighting to navigate their way to an emergency exit; finding your way to a torch may be an issue. Some of the above suggestions seem like pretty good ideas. Personally, I would prefer to get some kind of permanent emergency lighting system but as with all many small businesses cash flow and landlord may be an issue there. Certainly fluorescent strips on the torches will be an ideal interim solution. Thanks again for the advice peoples!

Can you foresee the torched being used in conjunction with the extinguishers as an aid to fire-fighting, or, will they most likely be for evacuation purposes or simply finding your way around in the event of a loss of internal lighting ? If you're going to use them as an aid in fire extinguishment then people will quickly run out of hands, if they are for evacuation purposes in the event of a fire then be careful where they are positioned as you may lead people further into the risk area if you're not fitting a torch at every extinguisher. In the event of a loss of lighting you could be aware of what route people will be most likely to take to get to the torches, I'm thinking about machinery, stairwells etc, and any other risk that the retrieval of the equipment might pose to them. Training is always a key issue and making realistic fire training, putting people under pressure as they certainly will be in the event of a fire emergency is again something to think about, lots of fire training tends to be a little too nice for my liking.

Was at a CPD seminar last week, Orbik Electronics and Lighting (http://www.orbik.co.uk/ [no connections to them]) had a very good presentation on lighting a signage requiments. I will ask them if I can forward it to people not attending, or if you contact Barry Williams - Tech Director he they may send it to you. Luminescent signs alone will be outside the regulations in the near future (if not already - I need to check), with more changes on pictograms coming into effect at EU level and cascading down in about 3 - 4 years. Torches 'may' be used but must be the correct type - in a charger with an indicator to show that the supply is working and as part of a proper assessment and strategy. Concur with Phillip on checking the competencies of your consultant.