Emergency lighting luminaires

Q: Why is LED emergency lighting not maintenance-free?

Led noodverlichting levert een forse besparing op in energieverbruik. Vanwege de lange levensduur van led-lichtbronnen hoeven deze niet meer jaarlijks vervangen te worden, zoals bij tl-lichtbronnen. Toch dient de totale installatie adequaat en aantoonbaar onderhouden te worden. Dit is wettelijk verplicht. De levensduur van leds in vluchtwegaanduiding is 5 tot 12 jaar. De levensduur van de accu’s is 4 jaar.

Q: Why is the lamp replaced every year?

Als een lamp een jaar lang continu brandt, zit deze dichtbij de maximale levensduur. Het is vrijwel zeker dat de lamp tijdens het tweede jaar kapot gaat, zodat er een onveilige situatie ontstaat. Dit speelt alleen bij vluchtwegverlichting die continu brandt, zoals vluchtwegaanduiding. Noodverlichtingslampen die alleen aangaan bij stroomuitval worden wel getest, maar hoeven niet vervangen te worden, zoals vluchtwegverlichting, anti-paniekverlichting en verlichting van werkplekken met verhoogd risico.

Q: A what is an autonomy test?

De term autonomie wordt gebruikt voor de volledige brandduur in nood, op de noodvoeding van de installatie. Dit is de periode dat de installatie autonoom kan functioneren. In Nederland is de eis voor deze autonomie 1 uur. Dit is te controleren door het spanningsloos maken van de installatie of het individuele armatuur.

Q: Why can't I do the annual maintenance myself?

Reguliere inspectie en onderhoud van noodverlichting is volgens het Bouwbesluit en de Arbowet verplicht en is zelfs in een groeiend aantal gemeenten vereist voor de gebruiksvergunning. Daarnaast wordt geëist dat de aanwezige noodverlichting goed functioneert. In geval van calamiteiten zal achteraf gekeken worden of u aan uw zorgplicht heeft voldaan. Het jaarlijks onderhoud dient uitgevoerd te worden door een vakbekwaam persoon, die kennis heeft van elektrotechnische werkzaamheden en inzicht heeft in mogelijke gevaren. Het onderhoud is complexer dan het op het eerste gezicht lijkt en houdt meer in dan alleen het vervangen van een tl-buis. Met name het testen van de autonomie en het vervangen van accu’s vergt gedegen kennis.

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Emergency lighting fixtures for a safe environment

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It is often assumed that when emergency lighting is present, safety is adequately guaranteed. However, emergency lighting fixtures often have (invisible) defects, such as batteries with insufficient capacity or broken lamps. In addition, there may be incorrect escape routes, outdated pictograms, or a shortage of emergency lighting fixtures. An expert periodic inspection of your emergency lighting fixtures is of great importance. We only work with the best quality products.

We are open from Advice and delivery for assembly, maintenance and repair. We do everything in-house and working in accordance with NEN-EN 50171 & 5017.

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Various types of emergency lighting.

Emergency exit signs

These are the emergency lighting fixtures that indicate escape routes and exits for leaving a building.

Anti-panic lighting

These are the emergency lighting fittings provided to prevent panic in areas where people congregate, such as canteens and meeting rooms. These fittings only operate in the event of a power failure.

Emergency lighting

These are the emergency lighting fixtures that illuminate the escape routes. These fixtures only operate in the event of a power failure.

High-risk workplaces

These are emergency lighting luminaires that provide lighting for the safety of persons in workplaces with a potentially hazardous situation such as moving parts, acid baths, hot or flammable materials.

Frequently asked questions about emergency lighting

Why does the battery need replacing after 4 years?

According to standards, emergency escape routes must be illuminated with a minimum of 1 Lux, and this must be guaranteed for one hour in the event of a power failure. Batteries lose their capacity over time, which is why manufacturers set the maximum lifespan at 4 years. After those 4 years, the battery will still work, but never long enough with sufficient light output. Therefore, you will only meet the regulations by replacing the battery in the fifth year.

Why is LED emergency lighting not maintenance-free?

LED emergency lighting offers you substantial savings in energy consumption. You hear everywhere that due to the long lifespan of LED light sources, they no longer need to be replaced annually, as was the case with fluorescent light sources. This is also true, but the entire installation must be adequately and demonstrably maintained. This is even legally required. The lifespan of LEDs in emergency exit signs is 5 to 12 years. The lifespan of the batteries is 4 years.

Why is the lamp replaced every year?

If a lamp burns continuously for a year, it is close to its maximum lifespan. It is almost certain that the lamp will fail during the second year, creating an unsafe situation. This only applies to emergency lighting that burns continuously (emergency exit signage). Emergency lighting lamps that only switch on during a power failure are tested, but do not need to be replaced (emergency exit lighting, anti-panic lighting, and lighting of work areas with increased risk).

Does emergency lighting also need to be installed in a small business?

In the Working Conditions Decree, which is legally binding for every employer, the obligation for emergency lighting is laid down in Article 3.7.4, and that for safety signage for emergency route indication in Article 3.7.5.

The difference between central and decentralised emergency lighting is: Centralised emergency lighting: This system has a central battery bank and control unit from which all the emergency lights are powered and controlled. If the main power fails, the central unit supplies power to all the interconnected emergency luminaires. Decentralised emergency lighting: In this system, each emergency luminaire has its own individual battery and control electronics. Each light operates independently, and if the main power fails, each unit switches to its own battery power.

The difference between these systems is that with decentralised emergency lighting, the battery for the emergency lighting is located within the luminaire itself. With central emergency lighting, the battery is situated centrally somewhere in the building.

A what is an autonomy test?

The term autonomy is used for the full duration in emergency, on the emergency power supply of the installation (this is the period during which the installation can function autonomously). In the Netherlands, the requirement for this autonomy is 1 hour. This can be checked by de-energising the installation or the individual luminaire.

Why can't I do the annual maintenance myself?

Routine inspection and Emergency lighting maintenance is mandatory according to the Building Decree and the Working Conditions Act, and is even required for the usage permit in a growing number of municipalities. Furthermore, it is required that the emergency lighting present functions correctly. In the event of a calamity, it will be assessed afterwards whether you have fulfilled your duty of care. Annual maintenance must be carried out by a competent person who has knowledge of electrical work and insight into potential hazards. The maintenance is more complex than it appears at first glance and involves more than just replacing a fluorescent tube. In particular, testing the autonomy and replacing batteries requires thorough knowledge.