For those of you that undertake commercial and industrial emergency lighting installations. I would like to know what and how you provide lighting design information in compliance to BS5266-1 final certification. I'm currently looking to use third party provision. Using photometric data is a minefield for me and spacing tables are not always available for all fitting and various lighting manufacturers software are complex to me. I know that the client should undertake a risk assessment as probably in the best position to do so and then work with a designer, but the building designers seem to throw it back to electrician. I wondered what other installers did.
Generally required by building control officers here. Where no consultant involved, the electrical contractor can normally get a free design service from the supplier.
One way is to come up with a design that seems sensible then go round at night with a Lux meter and accept that you may need to add an occasional fitting.
In my experience, BS5266 corresponds very well with what feels right. If you can't see a trip hazard then the lux measurement will confirm the lighting is too low, if you can it will be above the minimum. To demonstrate compliance just annotate a drawing with the light levels at minimum points on the main exit routes.
One problem with this approach is when there is lighting coming in from outside. You can't usually ask the council to turn off the street lighting for your test and yet, in some cases the street lighting can be brighter than your Emergency Lighting.
Great idea, but it sounds as though it's the sort of thing that comes with experience and I know everyone has to start somewhere. I don't expect to be undertaking a huge amount of work in this area to gain that experience. I agree that BS5266-1 is a straightforward enough document.
