Questions about Emergency Lighting?

Simran

I am a Product Design student needing a bit of feedback on a very basic questionnaire about Exit Emergency Lighting. The last question is really for the Emergency Services but please fill in what you can and post it back. I really appreciate any feedback. Also your answers dont have to be long!

Many Thanks!

Miss Marway



EXIT EMERGENCY LIGHTING QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Do you know what TYPE of emergency lighting is used in your building that you work?

2. How is the emergency lighting powered?

3. Do you think that current emergency exit signs are sufficient, particularly in an environment that is unfamiliar?

4. Do you think that emergency exit signs can be seen clearly in all emergency situations? E.g. Fires, Blackouts.

5. What do you think of an emergency wayfinder? (Wayfinder – more obvious means of lighted exit signage with directions to show way of evacuation)

6. Do you think that a wayfinder would make a difference in terms of evacuating a building? E.g. It would speed up evacuation, Save lives?

7. From your personal experience are there any problems or issues that arise when evacuating a building?

8. Do you agree that speeding up the time to evacuate a building is valuable?

9. From your personal experience or knowledge, have particular buildings been evacuated quicker than others? (The reason for asking is because I want to know if this can be affected by the size of the building or by the type of public building etc.)

metman

Somewhat bizarre topic for ES but ho hum.

Simran wrote: »

EXIT EMERGENCY LIGHTING QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Do you know what TYPE of emergency lighting is used in your building that you work?

I would be very surprised if there is any.

2. How is the emergency lighting powered?

See above.

3. Do you think that current emergency exit signs are sufficient, particularly in an environment that is unfamiliar?

Not something I've given much thought to but yes.

4. Do you think that emergency exit signs can be seen clearly in all emergency situations? E.g. Fires, Blackouts.

As I've never been looking for one in a fire, I can't say.

5. What do you think of an emergency wayfinder? (Wayfinder – more obvious means of lighted exit signage with directions to show way of evacuation)

These work fine on aircraft as they're explained to joe public what they are. In a building that people are not familiar with these might not be readily understood.

6. Do you think that a wayfinder would make a difference in terms of evacuating a building? E.g. It would speed up evacuation, Save lives?

For staff that work there, they would already know where emergency exits are located. For visitors, possible that they would not even be aware of the existence of such a system, let alone understand what it does.

7. From your personal experience are there any problems or issues that arise when evacuating a building?

People ignoring instructions from ES personnel. People thinking the incident is not serious enough to warrant leaving/not re-entering a building, i.e false alarm etc.

8. Do you agree that speeding up the time to evacuate a building is valuable?

Of course. Time is paramount when a fire is spreading or there is a bomb threat.

9. From your personal experience or knowledge, have particular buildings been evacuated quicker than others? (The reason for asking is because I want to know if this can be affected by the size of the building or by the type of public building etc.)

In my own experience buildings that do regular evacuation drills and have good security staff/fire marshals and a good internal alarm system fare better than those without. Not really a revelation though!

Simran

Thank you so much for the quick response.
Very much appreciated.

civdef

Emergency lighting is something the fire service inspects and regulates, so this would be relevant to the forum.

1. Do you know what TYPE of emergency lighting is used in your building that you work?

Yes

2. How is the emergency lighting powered?

Self-Contained non-maintained luminaires.

3. Do you think that current emergency exit signs are sufficient, particularly in an environment that is unfamiliar?

Well, they comply with current requirements. See my comments to following questions(By the way - do you know the Irish Standard for emergency Lighting IS3217 was updated last year?)

4. Do you think that emergency exit signs can be seen clearly in all emergency situations? E.g. Fires, Blackouts.

The whole point of emergency lighting is that it works when the pwower fails, so yes in blackouts. In fire, the problem can be the smoke rises and the lights & signs are mounted at high level - so they get obscured, but hopefully evacuation has taken place by then.

5. What do you think of an emergency wayfinder? (Wayfinder – more obvious means of lighted exit signage with directions to show way of evacuation)

They're very location specific, can be very useful in big covered carparks, for example. In smaller non-complicated layouts, they're probably not necessary.

6. Do you think that a wayfinder would make a difference in terms of evacuating a building? E.g. It would speed up evacuation, Save lives?

Possibly in the big complicated layout areas described, probably not elsewhere. - Theyre useful in aircraft because of potentially fast fire growth rates, tight spaces which mean rapid smokelogging and narrow escape routes.

7. From your personal experience are there any problems or issues that arise when evacuating a building?

Loads. Biggest is getting people to move at all. After that, people tend to use exits they're familiar with, rather than the most efficient routes, often emergency routes are obstructed. Very big topic.

8. Do you agree that speeding up the time to evacuate a building is valuable?

Of course.

9. From your personal experience or knowledge, have particular buildings been evacuated quicker than others? (The reason for asking is because I want to know if this can be affected by the size of the building or by the type of public building etc.)

All depends on the level of management (i.e. well developed and exercised evacuation procedures) and occupant profile (e.g nursing homes are slow to evacuate).

deadwood

civdef wrote: »

Well, they comply with current requirements. See my comments to following questions(By the way - do you know the Irish Standard for emergency Lighting IS3217 was updated last year?)

The chicks must love you, civdef!

Simran

Thank you Civdef :rolleyes:

msg11

1. Do you know what TYPE of emergency lighting is used in your building that you work?

No idea, never explained to me

2. How is the emergency lighting powered?

Back up lighting and power for exits

3. Do you think that current emergency exit signs are sufficient, particularly in an environment that is unfamiliar?

Yes, ever clear where the exits are

4. Do you think that emergency exit signs can be seen clearly in all emergency situations? E.g. Fires, Blackouts.

On the shop floor yes, in the back of the store no, on the middle of the floor no.

5. What do you think of an emergency wayfinder? (Wayfinder – more obvious means of lighted exit signage with directions to show way of evacuation)

Great idea, possably easily implmented with in floor LED's

6. Do you think that a wayfinder would make a difference in terms of evacuating a building? E.g. It would speed up evacuation, Save lives?

Yes. It would help me, if the store was to become rapidly filled with smoke

7. From your personal experience are there any problems or issues that arise when evacuating a building?

No, and shoplifters don't have a problem with them either. In the case of an emergency exit

8. Do you agree that speeding up the time to evacuate a building is valuable?

Yes

9. From your personal experience or knowledge, have particular buildings been evacuated quicker than others? (The reason for asking is because I want to know if this can be affected by the size of the building or by the type of public building etc.)

Yes, Where I work now is quicker too get out of, besides my old school.

foxtrot-oscar

I cant really answer this as i spend my working day in a vehicle, but the employers were nice enough to cable tie one of them rescue hammers to the roof though, although the vehicle im in 9/10 times its missing

deadwood

Almost forgot.

Simran wrote: »

EXIT EMERGENCY LIGHTING QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Do you know what TYPE of emergency lighting is used in your building that you work?
The usual type over the door with back-up battery.
2. How is the emergency lighting powered?
Mains and battery.
3. Do you think that current emergency exit signs are sufficient, particularly in an environment that is unfamiliar?
Yes.

4. Do you think that emergency exit signs can be seen clearly in all emergency situations? E.g. Fires, Blackouts.
I doubt it in a fire.
5. What do you think of an emergency wayfinder? (Wayfinder – more obvious means of lighted exit signage with directions to show way of evacuation)
Anything that gets people out quicker can only be a good thing, can't it?

6. Do you think that a wayfinder would make a difference in terms of evacuating a building? E.g. It would speed up evacuation, Save lives?
As above - can you describe a wayfinder?

7. From your personal experience are there any problems or issues that arise when evacuating a building?
Bags and baggage are urgently required all of a sudden.

8. Do you agree that speeding up the time to evacuate a building is valuable?
Yes.
9. From your personal experience or knowledge, have particular buildings been evacuated quicker than others? (The reason for asking is because I want to know if this can be affected by the size of the building or by the type of public building etc.)
Anyworkplace or school clears out VERY quickly!
I remember being in college during the Troubles and bomb scares were frequent - no problem clearing the place!
Ever tried clearing a pub though?!
I think Tommy Tiernan had the gag about the fire alarm going off in a pub located between a fireworks factory and a young offenders home.

Good luck with the study.

foxtrot-oscar

deadwood wrote: »

Almost forgot.


Good luck with the study.

it was a pub made out of christmas trees, situated between a fireworks factory and a young offenders home, your quite right. He sums it up perfectly "ha ha is that my phone"

How many times have you been somewhere when the alarm goes off and people just look around and maybe give a bit of a sniff, then carry on.

You can have all the measures you want in place its just peoples attitude.


i think by way finder the op means lighting or maybe glow in the dark signage to direct persons to the neares exit, like on a plane you have the tangoed totty telling you in the event of a fire the aisle lighting will direct you to the nearest exit.

Geri Boyle

Part B of the building regs would be very useful for you if you can get your hands on a copy. All emergency lighting is powered by a back up generator so black outs arent an issue . I think there is an architecture forum on here, they could help you out more with Travel Distances and fire cert requirements etc. Good luck with it.

civdef

Pfft, architects and fire safety, good one!

Deadwood, I'll admit emergency lighting isn't fierce exciting, but it was just such a novelty to see a non-Garda thread. It was all a bit much.

Paulzx

civdef wrote: »

The whole point of emergency lighting is that it works when the pwower fails, so yes in blackouts. In fire, the problem can be the smoke rises and the lights & signs are mounted at high level - so they get obscured, but hopefully evacuation has taken place by then.


/QUOTE]



This is something that has always struck me. Yes, these signs are excellent in a blackout situation and can be clearly seen. However, due to their high positions they become obscured by smoke very early in the devolpment of a fire. As anyone who has been in a smoke clogged building will verify, visibility is zero and light will not penetrate thick smoke. I'm not well up on legal building requirements but obviously these are designed as an aid to get you out of the building before any build up of smoke occurs

deadwood

civdef wrote: »

Pfft, architects and fire safety, good one!

Deadwood, I'll admit emergency lighting isn't fierce exciting, but it was just such a novelty to see a non-Garda thread. It was all a bit much.

100% agreed.

Good to see other contributors.


This should float your boat:



And without clothes on:

civdef

Look at the twinspots on that...

If you think that's good, here's what I think the OP is in to:




Anyway, here's some good info on the topic for anyone really into it:

http://www.nsai.ie/EN/index.cfm/area/page/information/emergencylighting
(Legal requirement now for anyone installing or designing)

metman

civdef wrote: »

Look at the twinspots on that...

If you think that's good, here's what I think the OP is in to:




Anyway, here's some good info on the topic for anyone really into it:

http://www.nsai.ie/EN/index.cfm/area/page/information/emergencylighting
(Legal requirement now for anyone installing or designing)

Wasn't that staircase on an episode of Miami Vice?

Eru

My building has 1 emergency light which is red and comes on during a power failure. It gives me a headache

My building does not have a second door nevermind an emergency door and therefore no lighting.

In the event of fire Im dead so there will be no evacuation.

foxtrot-oscar

metman wrote: »

Wasn't that staircase on an episode of Miami Vice?

Wheres me wicker shoes and pastel couloured suit?

Random

I'm assuming this queston isn't specific to those working in the ES.


EXIT EMERGENCY LIGHTING QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Do you know what TYPE of emergency lighting is used in your building that you work?

- no

2. How is the emergency lighting powered?

- not a clue

3. Do you think that current emergency exit signs are sufficient, particularly in an environment that is unfamiliar?

- no

4. Do you think that emergency exit signs can be seen clearly in all emergency situations? E.g. Fires, Blackouts.

- no

5. What do you think of an emergency wayfinder? (Wayfinder – more obvious means of lighted exit signage with directions to show way of evacuation)

- not 100% sure what this is still ?

6. Do you think that a wayfinder would make a difference in terms of evacuating a building? E.g. It would speed up evacuation, Save lives?

- see above

7. From your personal experience are there any problems or issues that arise when evacuating a building?

- people grabbing personal belongings, people finishing phone calls, people chatting

8. Do you agree that speeding up the time to evacuate a building is valuable?

- yes

9. From your personal experience or knowledge, have particular buildings been evacuated quicker than others? (The reason for asking is because I want to know if this can be affected by the size of the building or by the type of public building etc.)

- the main problems I've seen is whe there's too many false alarms and inadequete info for people. they start to ignore warnings etc



Maybe my answers are worthless to your research. Then again maybe they serve to show how the level of knowledge varys.