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.

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0 Sparkingchip over 3 years ago

The issue I have with “Borrowed light” is this:
Around fifteen to twenty years ago there was Guidance published by what I guess back the was the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister before it became the DCLG, then the MHCLG regarding borrowed light.
The example given was that if a block of flats had a stairwell with full height windows and a street lighting column outside then emergency lighting may not have been required, because the street lighting column would illuminate the stairs and landings whilst the internal lighting was not functioning.
I am sure you can see flaws in the idea that you could rely on a street lighting column outside of the building, but it was there in official guidance that was frequently referred to by Local Authorities and others.
I went and did the NAPIT Emergency lighting course back in September 2008 and we discussed this idea, then ripped it apart and discounted it as a practical solution.
So now I really question any suggestion of borrowed light for emergency lighting purposes, there's a building I have worked in that has a full height internal window between two stairways in a divided building with each half in separate ownership. The owner of the side of the building I was working in wanted to rely on next doors emergency lights shining through the internal window if there was a power cut, I am sure you can see the flaws in that plan as well.
Back to the topic, I am not convinced that the concept of borrowed light in toilet cubicles with doors and partitions around the stall that allow a small amount of light to shine into the cubicles above and below them is a workable solution, the emergency lighting in the cubicle is not expected to allow the user to be able to carry on reading a book, but they do need to be able to get out of there with their dignity intact.
So a hard and fast definition of borrowed light for emergency lighting purposes is required along with the expected outcome.
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0 Sparkingchip over 3 years ago

The issue I have with “Borrowed light” is this:
Around fifteen to twenty years ago there was Guidance published by what I guess back the was the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister before it became the DCLG, then the MHCLG regarding borrowed light.
The example given was that if a block of flats had a stairwell with full height windows and a street lighting column outside then emergency lighting may not have been required, because the street lighting column would illuminate the stairs and landings whilst the internal lighting was not functioning.
I am sure you can see flaws in the idea that you could rely on a street lighting column outside of the building, but it was there in official guidance that was frequently referred to by Local Authorities and others.
I went and did the NAPIT Emergency lighting course back in September 2008 and we discussed this idea, then ripped it apart and discounted it as a practical solution.
So now I really question any suggestion of borrowed light for emergency lighting purposes, there's a building I have worked in that has a full height internal window between two stairways in a divided building with each half in separate ownership. The owner of the side of the building I was working in wanted to rely on next doors emergency lights shining through the internal window if there was a power cut, I am sure you can see the flaws in that plan as well.
Back to the topic, I am not convinced that the concept of borrowed light in toilet cubicles with doors and partitions around the stall that allow a small amount of light to shine into the cubicles above and below them is a workable solution, the emergency lighting in the cubicle is not expected to allow the user to be able to carry on reading a book, but they do need to be able to get out of there with their dignity intact.
So a hard and fast definition of borrowed light for emergency lighting purposes is required along with the expected outcome.
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5.2.8.5 Toilet facilities and changing rooms

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