Emergency Lighting in Manchester
Emergency lighting is designed to provide illumination when the normal lighting supply fails, helping people identify escape routes and move safely through a building. Spark Security Solutions installs, tests, repairs and maintains emergency lighting for landlords, HMOs, offices and shops across Manchester and Greater Manchester.
Its purpose is to operate when required following failure of the normal lighting supply. The appropriate system depends on the building, escape routes, occupancy, fire-risk assessment and applicable fire-safety requirements.
What Does Emergency Lighting Actually Do?
A sudden loss of normal lighting can make familiar corridors, stairways and exits difficult to navigate. Emergency lighting provides an alternative source of illumination to support safe movement and escape.
Illuminates Escape Routes
Emergency escape lighting can help occupants identify and use corridors, stairs, changes of level and routes leading towards exits.
Supports Exit Identification
Illuminated exit signs and emergency luminaires can help make the direction of escape clearer when normal lighting is unavailable.
Operates During Supply Failure
Suitable emergency fittings incorporate an alternative power source, commonly a battery, allowing them to operate when normal lighting fails.
Supports Fire-Safety Arrangements
Emergency lighting can form an important part of a building’s wider fire-safety and evacuation arrangements.
Requires Ongoing Attention
Emergency luminaires, batteries and indicators can deteriorate, making periodic checks and maintenance important.
Works as a System
Individual fittings should be considered as part of the complete escape route and the requirements of the particular property.
Installation, Testing, Repairs & Maintenance
We can support an emergency lighting system throughout its lifecycle — from new installation and alterations to routine testing, repairs and replacement of defective equipment.
New Emergency Lighting
Installation of emergency luminaires and associated equipment for suitable properties, taking account of the building layout and intended escape routes.
Emergency Lighting Testing
Functional and duration testing can help identify failed fittings, battery problems and other defects requiring attention.
Exit Signs
Installation and replacement of suitable illuminated or emergency exit signage where required as part of the escape strategy.
Repairs & Replacement
Defective emergency luminaires, batteries and associated components can be assessed and repaired or replaced where appropriate.
System Alterations
Changes to layouts, escape routes or property use may create a need to review existing emergency lighting arrangements.
Planned Maintenance
Ongoing maintenance can help landlords and property operators deal with failed fittings and other defects before they remain unnoticed.
Emergency Lighting for Different Properties
Requirements are property-specific. Our service is focused on the property types we regularly support rather than broad industrial work.
HMO Properties
Emergency lighting may form part of the fire-safety arrangements in houses in multiple occupation, depending on the property and applicable requirements.
Landlord Properties
Support for landlords requiring installation, testing, remedial work or maintenance of existing emergency lighting systems.
Offices
Emergency escape lighting and exit signage for suitable office environments and escape routes.
Shops
Emergency lighting support for retail premises, staff areas, corridors and relevant escape routes.
Emergency Lighting for Rental & HMO Properties
HMOs and other rented properties can have specific fire-safety requirements depending on their layout, occupancy, licensing position and fire-risk assessment. Emergency lighting should therefore be considered as part of the property’s wider safety arrangements.
Existing System Testing
Existing emergency fittings can be checked to identify obvious failures, defective batteries or luminaires requiring attention.
Remedial Work
Where defects are identified, we can assess suitable repairs, replacement fittings or alterations to the electrical installation.
Property Maintenance
Emergency lighting repairs can be coordinated alongside other electrical work and wider landlord property-maintenance requirements.
Functional Checks vs Full-Duration Testing
Emergency lighting testing is not simply a case of checking whether a green indicator is illuminated. Different checks provide different information about the condition of the system.
Short Functional Test
A functional test simulates failure of the normal lighting supply sufficiently to confirm that emergency luminaires change to emergency operation.
- Checks that emergency fittings operate.
- Can identify obviously failed luminaires.
- Provides a routine indication of system condition.
- Does not by itself prove full battery duration.
Full-Duration Test
A full-duration test operates emergency lighting for its required rated period to assess whether the fittings and batteries continue operating for the necessary duration.
- Tests battery endurance rather than initial operation alone.
- Can reveal deteriorated batteries.
- Requires consideration of battery recharge afterwards.
- Failed equipment may require repair or replacement.
Testing arrangements and frequencies should be appropriate to the installation and applicable fire-safety requirements. BS 5266-8 provides guidance relating to routine servicing and testing of emergency escape lighting systems.
Maintained & Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting
Emergency luminaires can operate in different ways. The appropriate arrangement depends on the application and how the building is used.
Maintained Emergency Lighting
A maintained emergency luminaire operates during normal conditions and continues operating from its emergency supply following failure of the normal supply.
Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting
A non-maintained emergency luminaire normally remains off and operates when the normal lighting supply fails.
The choice should not be made purely on appearance or price. Building use, escape strategy, location and applicable requirements should be considered when selecting emergency lighting.
Emergency Lighting Terms Explained
Emergency Escape Lighting
Emergency lighting intended to provide illumination supporting safe escape when normal lighting fails.
Escape Route
The route occupants are expected to follow from their location towards an appropriate exit or place of safety.
Emergency Luminaire
A light fitting designed to provide emergency illumination using an alternative power source when required.
Battery Duration
The period for which an emergency luminaire is designed to continue operating from its battery or alternative supply.
Exit Sign
Safety signage used to help occupants identify the direction or location of an escape route or exit.
BS 5266
A series of British Standards covering emergency lighting and providing guidance relevant to design, installation, servicing and operation.
Advantages & Things to Consider
Advantages of Proper Emergency Lighting
- Provides illumination when normal lighting fails.
- Helps occupants identify escape routes.
- Supports wider fire-safety arrangements.
- Can provide illuminated exit-direction information.
- Allows system condition to be monitored through testing.
Things to Consider
- Building layout and escape routes.
- Property use and occupancy.
- Existing fire-risk assessment.
- Location and visibility of fittings and signs.
- Battery condition and ongoing maintenance.
- Changes to the property since the original installation.
From Assessment to Ongoing Maintenance
Assess
We review the property, existing system and the work you require.
Plan
Appropriate fittings, locations, repairs or testing requirements are considered.
Install / Repair
Required installation, replacement or remedial electrical work is completed.
Test & Maintain
Relevant testing is completed and future maintenance requirements can be identified.
More Electrical Support from Spark
Emergency Lighting & Fire Safety Systems
Emergency lighting and fire alarms perform different functions, but both can form part of the wider fire-safety arrangements for a property.
Electrical • Protect • Manage • Supply
Spark combines specialist electrical and security services with wider property care and product supply.
Emergency Lighting Across Manchester & Greater Manchester
Spark Security Solutions provides emergency lighting installation, testing, repairs and maintenance from our Manchester base, supporting landlords, HMOs, offices and shops across Manchester and Greater Manchester.
Selected projects outside Greater Manchester may also be considered depending on location and scope of work.
Emergency Lighting FAQ
What is emergency lighting?
Emergency lighting is lighting intended to operate when the normal lighting supply fails. Emergency escape lighting helps occupants navigate escape routes and identify exits where appropriate.
Do HMOs need emergency lighting?
Emergency lighting requirements for an HMO depend on factors including the building layout, occupancy, escape routes, licensing requirements and fire-risk assessment. The appropriate requirements should therefore be established for the individual property rather than assumed from the property type alone.
How often should emergency lighting be tested?
Emergency lighting should be subject to an appropriate programme of routine checks, functional testing and periodic duration testing. The exact arrangements should follow the applicable requirements, system information and relevant guidance such as BS 5266-8.
What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained lighting?
Maintained emergency lighting operates during normal conditions and continues during a supply failure. Non-maintained emergency lighting normally operates only when the normal lighting supply fails.
Can you replace failed emergency lighting batteries?
Where appropriate, defective batteries or fittings can be assessed for replacement. In some cases replacing the complete luminaire may be more practical depending on its age, condition and availability of suitable components.
Can you repair problems found during an emergency lighting test?
Yes. Where testing identifies defective fittings or other electrical problems, we can assess suitable remedial work, repairs or replacement equipment.
Do you install emergency lighting in offices and shops?
Yes. Our service covers suitable offices and shops as well as landlords and HMO properties. Spark Security Solutions does not position itself as a general industrial electrical contractor.
Is emergency lighting the same as a fire alarm?
No. A fire alarm provides detection and warning, while emergency lighting provides illumination when required to support movement and escape. Both can form part of a property’s wider fire-safety arrangements.
Need Emergency Lighting in Manchester?
Whether you need a new emergency lighting installation, testing, replacement fittings or remedial work, contact Spark Security Solutions to discuss your property and requirements.