For such a small paragraph in BS5266, I fend many questions with respect to when you must provide emergency lighting and when it should be supported with emergency lighting calculations. I assume I am not alone in this, so I thought I would share my interpretation of the requirements. I could not find any information on when you would consider a multi-closet facility to have borrowed light, the assumption at the end is unfounded and my interpretation only. Comments appreciated. [post comment] The original intend of this post was to find if this table helped simplify the process of determining the requirements for emergency lighting in bathrooms etc. The intent was not to discuss the design process, nor the question of what borrowed light is, or any other standard. Unfortunately, I am unable to delete the topic or close it. Applicable for: Toilets Bathroom Showers Changing Rooms Use of Space Provision of Borrowed Light Area of Space Emergency Lighting Required Calculation Required For Use by Disabled Persons All 8m2 or less YES NO For Use by Disabled Persons All Above 8m2 YES YES Single Closet Facilities With Borrowed Light 8m2 or less NO - Single Closet Facilities Without Borrowed Light 8m2 or less NO - Single Closet Facilities With Borrowed Light Above 8m2 YES YES Single Closet Facilities Without Borrowed Light Above 8m2 YES YES Multiple Closet Facilities With Borrowed Light 8m2 or less NO Multiple Closet Facilities Without Borrowed Light 8m2 or less YES NO Multiple Closet Facilities With Borrowed Light Above 8m2 YES YES Multiple Closet Facilities Without Borrowed Light Above 8m2 YES YES Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits With Borrowed Light 8m2 or less NO - Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits Without Borrowed Light 8m2 or less NO - Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits With Borrowed Light Above 8m2 YES YES Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits Without Borrowed Light Above 8m2 YES YES Note: closet, wall and doors must allow borrowed light. Using standard partition sizes and typical minimum ceiling height this would include 300mm above, and 100mm below. Where closet cannot be provided with borrowed light then emergency lighting per closet should be provided.

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5.2.8.5 Toilet facilities and changing rooms

For such a small paragraph in BS5266, I fend many questions with respect to when you must provide emergency lighting and when it should be supported with emergency lighting calculations.

I assume I am not alone in this, so I thought I would share my interpretation of the requirements. I could not find any information on when you would consider a multi-closet facility to have borrowed light, the assumption at the end is unfounded and my interpretation only. Comments appreciated.

[post comment] The original intend of this post was to find if this table helped simplify the process of determining the requirements for emergency lighting in bathrooms etc. The intent was not to discuss the design process, nor the question of what borrowed light is, or any other standard.

Unfortunately, I am unable to delete the topic or close it.

Applicable for:
Toilets
Bathroom
Showers
Changing Rooms

Use of Space	Provision of Borrowed Light	Area of Space	Emergency Lighting Required	Calculation Required
For Use by Disabled Persons	All	8m2 or less	YES	NO
For Use by Disabled Persons	All	Above 8m2	YES	YES
Single Closet Facilities	With Borrowed Light	8m2 or less	NO	-
Single Closet Facilities	Without Borrowed Light	8m2 or less	NO	-
Single Closet Facilities	With Borrowed Light	Above 8m2	YES	YES
Single Closet Facilities	Without Borrowed Light	Above 8m2	YES	YES
Multiple Closet Facilities	With Borrowed Light	8m2 or less	NO
Multiple Closet Facilities	Without Borrowed Light	8m2 or less	YES	NO
Multiple Closet Facilities	With Borrowed Light	Above 8m2	YES	YES
Multiple Closet Facilities	Without Borrowed Light	Above 8m2	YES	YES
Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits	With Borrowed Light	8m2 or less	NO	-
Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits	Without Borrowed Light	8m2 or less	NO	-
Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits	With Borrowed Light	Above 8m2	YES	YES
Hotel Bathroom/Ensuits	Without Borrowed Light	Above 8m2	YES	YES

Note: closet, wall and doors must allow borrowed light. Using standard partition sizes and typical minimum ceiling height this would include 300mm above, and 100mm below. Where closet cannot be provided with borrowed light then emergency lighting per closet should be provided.

0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

Will there actually be a borrowed light source after dark during a total area blackout?
Z.
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0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

There will be rooms where borrowed light will NOT be appreciated under normal circumstances, such as bedrooms. And if borrowed light is to be relied upon, then its source must be available at all times, and posters, or temporary obstructions like curtains or blinds must not be allowed to interfere with it, especially if it travels through glass windows. Installed emergency lights will be more reliable.
Why would hotel bathrooms/ensuites not require an emergency luminaire? They are likely to be fully enclosed.
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0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

It is necessary to consider minimum illuminance and uniformity of illuminance for escape routes. When designing illumination levels it must be borne in mind that obstructions may exist in escape routes, so minimum levels may be inadequate.
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0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

“Where closet cannot be provided with borrowed light then emergency lighting per closet should be provided.”
One emergency luminaire above closet partitions may serve two closets.

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0 Chris Pearson over 3 years ago

What exactly is the topic? Without a copy of BS 5266, it is rather difficult to comment.
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0 Jon Steward over 3 years ago

Poor old zoom is banging his head.
It all starts with a risk assessment then design accordingly.
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0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

You may wish to consider BS EN 1838.
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0 lyledunn over 3 years ago

I see you want to close the topic Alexander McNair, but I think you raise an interesting point. I concur with what you have set out other than the last items referring to toilets or bathrooms or en-suites with toilets in hotel rooms and a single closet facility for an able-bodied person. As I see it, unless the hotel room has been designated for use by a disabled person, then there is no requirement for emergency lighting irrespective of area. Equally, for a toilet for use by a single able-bodied person then, again, irrespective of area, no emergency lighting is required.
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0 Sparkingchip over 3 years ago

Meanwhile some clever git installed presence detectors to turn the normal lighting on and off without giving people time to do what they need to do.
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0 Legh Richardson over 3 years ago

lyledunn:

I see you want to close the topic Alexander McNair, but I think you raise an interesting point. I concur with what you have set out other than the last items referring to toilets or bathrooms or en-suites with toilets in hotel rooms and a single closet facility for an able-bodied person. As I see it, unless the hotel room has been designated for use by a disabled person, then there is no requirement for emergency lighting irrespective of area. Equally, for a toilet for use by a single able-bodied person then, again, irrespective of area, no emergency lighting is required.
I believe there are requirements for the facility of emergency lighting in toilets and bathrooms of buildings where the public have access. I can't imagine that even a hotel room does not have the facility for emergency lighting! I think its called emergency exit lighting that should lead to an emergency exit.
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5.2.8.5 Toilet facilities and changing rooms

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