The Building Decree 2012 and the Working Conditions Act require proper emergency and evacuation lighting in buildings where work is carried out and/or where more than 75 people may be present at any one time. This includes office buildings, schools, shopping centres, event locations and apartment complexes. Emergency and evacuation lighting includes all lighting that continues to burn or is activated in the event of a power failure. In addition to escape route lighting with the familiar ‘running man’, this includes anti-panic lighting and orientation lighting, which together ensure that people can still find their way out safely in the event of a fire or calamity. Also in rooms where no natural daylight enters the room.
For emergency lighting in rooms larger than 60 square metres, a standard of at least 1 lux at 1 metre and for 1 hour applies, says Jeroen de Jonge, former sales director at Bever Innovations, Industrial Division. “In new buildings, this standard is often very well met. In existing buildings, however, emergency and evacuation lighting unfortunately still leaves much to be desired. In most cases, facilities are available, but they are outdated. Worn-out battery packs and broken light sources are more the rule than the exception. Not out of a lack of will, but often out of unawareness. Because who is actually responsible for emergency and evacuation lighting? How often should tests and maintenance be carried out? And where should test data be stored? The moment an emergency occurs and emergency and evacuation lighting fails, it is unfortunately too late. That is why De Jonge calls for action now. “This can be done easily, quickly and conveniently with our emergency lighting.
Standard luminaire and emergency lighting in one
Especially for the challenges mentioned above, Bever Innovations has expanded its LS LED fixtures with an extra number of LEDs on the PCB (electronic circuit board). “Instead of 80 LEDs, the fixtures have 84 LEDs,” says De Jonge. “We have also added a very compact battery pack. This battery pack can be mounted at approximately 20-30 metres from the luminaire and in an easily accessible location, which simplifies periodic maintenance. The battery pack is charged by the luminaire’s driver. The LED luminaire is also included in the lighting plan of the location as standard. In the unlikely event of a power failure, the four LEDs in the lamp switch on automatically at 100% of their output. This is an excellent way to meet the standard of > 1 lux at 1 metre. Thanks to the integration of Bever Innovations Smart Technology, managers can easily read the status of their emergency lighting from a distance. They can also adjust the illumination time (2 instead of 1 hour) and light output of the LEDs.
When a luminaire breaks down, this is automatically reported back to the network. This makes 100% predictable maintenance possible and ensures (escape) safety in the building at all times.
Easily interchangeable
Companies that already have standard LS LED luminaires in their spaces can exchange these luminaires for Bever Innovations emergency lighting luminaires one-to-one, says De Jonge. “Then it’s just a matter of fitting the battery pack and you’re done.” To achieve the standard of > 1 lux at 1 metre, replacing just a few luminaires is enough, he stresses. “Another option is to set up the emergency and evacuation lighting as a preferred group, where the luminaires are powered by an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). However, this involves greater investment and installation work, whereas this is not necessary with the LS emergency luminaires. This makes our Luci’s an excellent choice, especially for existing buildings.”
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