Most business owners understand how important it is to have a proper fire evacuation plan in place. They may have extinguishers of various types mounted at strategic locations and have taught their staff how to use them in the event of an emergency. However, they also need to pay close attention to exit lighting, as in the event of a fire during the hours of darkness, this will be equally as crucial. What do you need to be aware of if you want to be in compliance and provide a safe working environment for your staff?

Legal Requirements

Australian building codes require that emergency lighting has to be in place. You must also install the system if you have any individual rooms or have hallways that link the rooms together.

The code also describes how each sign must be designed and where it must be placed in order to be as effective as possible. However, it is not enough to simply install these signs and then forget about it. All of the signs will need to be inspected at least once per month by a qualified individual. They will need to see that the bulbs are in good working order and that the battery charger is capable of doing its job. Typically, they will turn the system off for a long duration so that they can test the discharge rate of the battery. These units will need to be replaced if they are not up to specification.

Experts Only

It is simply not enough to test these systems by yourself and then self diagnose any issues. You may need to bring in a fire safety professional to tell you if you have any issues, and to apply the discharge and other tests.

Too Much at Stake

Don't leave this to chance and risk a catastrophe in the event of a night-time fire that may cut the electricity supply. You may also find that your insurance company has something to say if you do not have the right type of equipment and make sure that it is serviced as required by the regulation.

Bringing Everything up to Speed

Reach out to technicians who are experienced in this area and ask them to survey your property. They will let you know if you're in compliance and will quickly bring you up to speed.

For any questions about your fire equipment, contact a fire protection professional.