Initial Design Considerations

Emergency lighting is an essential part of the building services installation.

To ensure the system is well designed and as reliable as possible, The importance of planning through all phases of the project, from considering legal requirements to final commissioning and maintenance.

Consultation between all interested parties at an early stage of the design cannot be overemphasised to avoid expensive modifications to the completed system. Considerable legislation and associated standards exist covering the various types of premises that involve the need to incorporate emergency lighting. These are referred to later in the Guide. The first stage of system design is to gather the information needed on the project, normally by consultation with the Regulatory Authority and the user. This should cover legislative and likely operational requirements, and customer preferences.

Essential Pre-Design Information

Before designing an emergency lighting scheme the following information needs to be determined from the site drawings:

(1) The duration of the emergency lighting.
(2) Emergency lighting should be of the maintained type in areas in which the normal lighting can be dimmed.
(3) That exit signs are of the maintained type where the premises are used by people who are unfamiliar with its layout.
(4) Building plans need to be assembled showing the location of the fire alarm call point positions, the positions of fire fighting equipment, and fire and safety signs.
(5) Emergency escape routes should be established, and potential hazards investigated.