Rank: Forum user
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Am i correct in thinking that fire exit signs must be illuminated? I have 2 in our freezer which are standard stick on signs, not picked on fire risk assessment. my concern is fire and power failure, dark freezer, unable to see fire exit
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Rank: Forum user
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No - they just need to be visible. In your case try buying luminous/glow in the dark signs which most H&S sign suppliers and even stationery suppliers can supply. However all lit emergency exit signs should have battery back up as they will be classed as emergency lighting and so require a 3 hour battery capacity. That also asks the question 'has your freezer got emergency lighting?' That's more important than the sign because I assume that there's only one entry/exit to the space so ther emergency exit is blatantly obvious so there can be no confusion about where the emergency exit is - in other words only one exit so it doesn't really need to have a fire exit sign.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You will often be able to use photoluminescent signs instead of luminaires. Many buildings these days have 'emergency lighting' built in anyway (as part of the tube lightings) so photolumionescent signs would be adequate.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks, there are 2 fire exits and there is emergency lighting as well, i will go and switch the lights off tommorow and check if they are luminous
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Rank: Super forum user
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Potts: Do the signs need to be luminous if there is adequate emergency lighting in the space? Sounds a bit belt & braces to me!
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Rank: Forum user
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quote=Potts2030]Am i correct in thinking that fire exit signs must be illuminated?
Yes you are correct, unfortunately some of the previous posts have not been accurate.
The requirements for safety signs and emergency lighting is covered in a number of standards and there are various guides to their installation. A good starting point would be referencing BS 5266, ICEL 1006 and EN 1838.
The key requirements are :-
- emergency exit signs must be illuminated, either by an internal source or an external source that will
not fail in the event of a power failure
- viewing distance is 200 x h of sign for internally illuminated and 100 x h of sign for externally
illuminated signs. If the viewing distance is greater then intermediate signs need to be placed
along the escape route, which also must be illuminated
with regard to the emergency lighting, the key points are :-
- 1 lux along the centre line of the escape route
- illumination level achieved along the route by 2 units in the event of a failure of 1
- illuminate each tread of a flight of stairs
- illuminate changes of level
- illuminate each change of direction
- illuminate fire fighting equipment and call points
The use of photoluminescent signs is good practice, but does not meet the requirement for illumination as there is no guarantee that they have been exposed to sufficient light in order to glow in an emergency situation.
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