Here are the most common mistakes businesses make when installing LED emergency lighting with fire alarms, and how to avoid them.

1. Failing to Conduct a Proper Fire Risk Assessment

The Mistake:

Skipping or rushing a fire risk assessment leads to insufficient or incorrectly positioned emergency lighting. This can leave key areas, such as stairwells or escape routes, poorly lit during an emergency.

How to Avoid It:

• Conduct a comprehensive fire risk assessment as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Identify all areas where emergency lighting is essential, including corridors, staircases, and high-risk zones.
• Involve fire safety professionals to ensure no critical areas are overlooked.

2. Installing Inadequate or Non-Compliant Lighting

The Mistake:

Using lighting that doesn’t meet UK standards (e.g., insufficient brightness, incorrect type for the location) or opting for non-LED alternatives that are less reliable and energy-efficient.

How to Avoid It:

• Use LED emergency lights that meet the requirements of BS 5266 (the British Standard for emergency lighting).
• Ensure the lights provide adequate brightness (measured in lumens) and have a battery backup capable of lasting at least 3 hours during a power outage.
• Choose specific types of LED lighting for different areas. For example, high-output LEDs for larger spaces and lower-level lighting for corridors.

3. Poor Integration with Fire Alarm Systems

The Mistake:

Failing to properly connect LED emergency lighting with fire alarm systems can result in delays or failures during emergencies. This often occurs when businesses treat these as separate systems rather than an integrated solution.

How to Avoid It:

• Work with a qualified fire safety installer to ensure the emergency lighting and fire alarms are synchronised.
• Use systems that activate LED lighting automatically when the fire alarm is triggered.
• Consider integrating smart systems where emergency lighting adjusts dynamically to guide occupants towards safe exits based on the fire alarm’s location data.

4. Incorrect Placement of Emergency Lights

The Mistake:

Placing lights too far apart, in non-critical areas, or where they’re obscured by furniture or equipment. This results in poorly illuminated escape routes and reduced visibility during emergencies.

How to Avoid It:

• Install LED emergency lights at key points, such as:
  • Along escape routes.
  • At exit doors.
  • Near staircases, intersections, and changes in direction.
  • Above fire equipment, such as extinguishers or manual call points.
• Follow the spacing recommendations in BS 5266 for optimal coverage and visibility.

5. Neglecting Emergency Lighting for High-Risk Areas

The Mistake:

Overlooking high-risk areas like kitchens, server rooms, or manufacturing zones. These areas often require enhanced emergency lighting to ensure safety during specific emergencies, such as equipment fires or smoke accumulation.

How to Avoid It:

• Identify high-risk areas during your fire risk assessment and install specialised LED emergency lighting.
• Use heat-resistant lighting in environments with high temperatures, such as commercial kitchens.
• Ensure lighting in these areas is brighter and positioned to reduce glare or shadows that could obscure hazards.

6. Ignoring Maintenance and Testing Requirements

The Mistake:

Assuming once installed, emergency lighting and fire alarms will work indefinitely without regular testing or maintenance. Faulty lights or alarms may not function when they’re needed most.

How to Avoid It:

• Schedule regular maintenance checks for both systems:
  • Test emergency lights monthly for functionality.
  • Conduct full-duration tests annually to ensure lights can operate for the required time (typically 3 hours).
  • Test fire alarms weekly and have them serviced at least every 6 months.
• Keep a log of all maintenance and testing activities to demonstrate compliance.

7. Overlooking Compatibility Issues

The Mistake:

Using emergency lighting and fire alarm systems that aren’t compatible with each other, leading to failures in synchronisation or activation during an emergency.

How to Avoid It:

• Purchase fire alarms and emergency lights from the same manufacturer or consult an expert to ensure compatibility.
• Use interconnected systems or smart solutions that can communicate effectively, ensuring simultaneous activation.

8. Failing to Train Employees

The Mistake:

Assuming that employees will automatically know how to evacuate safely once emergency lighting and alarms are installed. Without proper training, employees may panic or use unsafe exits.

How to Avoid It:

• Provide regular fire safety training that includes evacuation procedures and the role of emergency lighting and alarms.
• Conduct fire drills at least once a year to familiarise employees with escape routes and the emergency systems.

9. Neglecting Emergency Lighting for External Areas

The Mistake:

Forgetting to install emergency lighting in outdoor areas, such as pathways leading to assembly points. Darkness in these areas can delay evacuation and increase the risk of injuries.

How to Avoid It:

• Include external escape routes in your fire risk assessment.
• Install weather-resistant LED emergency lighting along outdoor pathways and assembly points.

10. Trying to Cut Costs with Substandard Equipment

The Mistake:

Opting for cheaper, substandard emergency lighting or fire alarm systems to save money. These systems often fail to meet compliance standards and may not function properly during an emergency.

How to Avoid It:

• Invest in high-quality, compliant equipment from reputable suppliers.
• Remember that while the upfront cost might be higher, reliable systems save money in the long run through lower maintenance costs and improved energy efficiency.

In Summary

Integrating LED emergency lighting with fire alarm systems is a vital part of fire safety compliance, but it’s easy to make mistakes that compromise their effectiveness. By avoiding these common pitfalls, such as neglecting risk assessments, poor placement, or failing to test systems regularly, you can ensure your emergency systems work seamlessly to protect lives and property.

🔦 Remember: Fire safety isn’t just about installation; it’s about ongoing maintenance, testing, and training. For professional guidance on setting up or auditing your emergency systems, call us today on 01553 423 433.

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Have questions about your fire safety setup? Contact us for expert advice on integrating LED emergency lighting with fire alarms to ensure compliance and safety. Let’s make your workplace safer together! 💼

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