2018-03-12
New Signs for Manual Fire Alarm Call Points
From August 31st 2017 the key Standard regarding Fire Alarm systems, BS 5839-1:2017 - Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Buildings was amended. Within this amendment many key changes were introduced including some which affect manual fire alarm call points and, as a consequence, their associated safety signage.
2018-03-12
New Signs for Manual Fire Alarm Call Points
From August 31st 2017 the key Standard regarding Fire Alarm systems, BS 5839-1:2017 - Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Buildings was
amended. Within this amendment many key changes were introduced
including some which affect manual fire alarm call points and, as a
consequence, their associated safety signage.
It is widely understood that under the Regulatory Reform (Fire) Safety Order 2005 manual fire alarm call points are required to be indicated by a sign and that BS ISO 16069: 2017 Graphical Symbols – Safety Signs – Safety Way Guidance Systems (SWGS) recommends that they are positioned at the "high” location (1.8 – 2.2m). However, the recent amendment to BS 5839-1:2017 now requires in section 35.2.2 Recommendations for siting and selection of manual call points that:
The following recommendations are applicable:
- This
part of BS 5839 recommends manual call points should be fitted with
protective covers (see 20.2b). While that recommendation is not
retrospective, in existing systems in which there is frequent unwanted
operation of manual call points, protective covers should be fitted.
- Manual call points should not be sited where they are likely to be exposed to accidental damage (e.g. by normal operations in the building, trolleys or forklift trucks). Where compliance with 20.2 makes such siting essential, suitable guards should be provided to prevent impact on the manual call points.
Examples include manual call points located adjacent to fire exits from sports halls and gymnasia in which ball sports are played. Protective covers may be provided for this purpose.
As such, it is advisable to consider the appropriate safety signage to reflect the new requirement for protective covers to be fitted to manual fire alarm call points. Everlux have developed a new range of photoluminescent safety signs to meet these requirements.
Supplementary signs can be added to existing call point location signs.
2018-02-28
Visit us at FM Ireland!
We are counting down the days until the next Facilities Management (FM) Ireland edition!
On the 6 & 7 March, FM Ireland will return to the RDS in Dublin and our team couldn’t be more excited about returning there. After all, this show is specifically designed to bring Irish suppliers and their customers together face-to-face. The Exhibition even includes clearly-defined areas dedicated to Health & Safety, Fire Safety and other key sectors.
2018-02-28
Visit us at FM Ireland!
We are counting down the days until the next Facilities Management (FM) Ireland edition!
On the 6 & 7 March, FM Ireland will return to the RDS in Dublin and our team couldn’t be more excited about returning there. After all, this show is specifically designed to bring Irish suppliers and their customers together face-to-face. The Exhibition even includes clearly-defined areas dedicated to Health & Safety, Fire Safety and other key sectors.
We are eager for receiving you at stand E15, where we will be displaying our extensive range of photoluminescent safety signs and systems, including:
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Everlux photoluminescent safety signs for high, intermediate and low location levels | Everlux Escape and Alarm Zone Plans | Excellence by Everlux range -photoluminescent safety signs for luxurious environments |
So, please accept our invitation and drop by our stand to say hello, discuss your safety signage requirements, or just to grab the latest editions of the Everlux and Excellence by Everlux catalogues.
The FM Ireland is free to attend. You can register online at www.fmireland.com/registration
2018-01-11
Join us at Intersec 2018!
Take note on your calendar: Your opportunity to discover the latest in Security, Safety and Fire Protection, all in one platform, will take place in Dubai, from January 21st to the 23rd!
2018-01-11
Join us at Intersec 2018!
Take note on your calendar: Your opportunity to discover the latest in Security, Safety and Fire Protection, all in one platform, will take place in Dubai, from January 21st to the 23rd!
We are obviously talking about Intersec, a show for all trade professionals from these industries, looking for products to enhance their business.
Here at Everlux we are very excited about returning to this show once again and meet our business partners, for presenting them what we have been working on for the past few months.
Please accept our invitation and join us at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. At the Everlux stand you’ll be able to find our extensive range of photoluminescent safety signs and systems, including:
- Photoluminescent EXIT Signs (UL Listed)
- Safety Way Guidance System (SWGS)
- Photoluminescent Safety Signs for Tunnels (Everlux AL)
- Escape and Alarm Zone Plans
- Excellence by Everlux product range, with new base materials and accessories
- Four-Sided Assembly Point Sign
- Safety signs for the maritime market and…
- … the Everlux Iconic Dark Tunnel!
Register now free of charge and be sure to visit the Everlux team on Stand 4-H12.
We sincerely hope to see you there!
2018-01-03
The Grenfell Tower Fire - What lessons can be learnt...
The terrible fire and multiple deaths resulting from the Grenfell Tower fire has inevitably resulted in a widespread inquest into the circumstances which lead up to the fire and in particular, the properties of the cladding materials used.
2018-01-03
The Grenfell Tower Fire - What lessons can be learnt...
The Grenfell Tower Fire – What lessons can be learnt and how might Photoluminescent Escape Route Marking Systems have helped save lives?
Adrian Iley, Director, Photoluminescent Safety Products Association.
Of course the jury is out pending such enquiries but it is already clear that the quality of cladding materials used was only one part of the story – there were clearly many other areas where the safety of the residents was compromised. In particular, the lack of any kind of effective escape route marking system which could aid escape in such dangerous circumstances; e.g. stairways in thick smoke conditions. The report in the Sunday Times (25 June) stated "The Grenfell stairwell should have provided a safe passage away from danger; instead, as toxic draughts swirled through the building, it turned into a vertical tunnel of smoke. Heavily laden fireman trying to reach higher floors and residents desperate to flee downstairs were left groping around in a poisonous darkness and harrowing scenes of desperation and panic....the smoke grew thicker with each floor we went up….around the ninth floor we lost all visibility and the heat was rising....”It was horrendous,” one firefighter said. "You could not see your hand in front of your face.”
The terrible fire and multiple deaths resulting from the Grenfell Tower fire has inevitably resulted in a widespread inquest into the circumstances which lead up to the fire and in particular, the properties of the cladding materials used. This has uncovered the fact that Grenfell is just one of many examples where a combination of budget pressure and poor oversight seems to have allowed corners to be cut when it comes to the safety of residents in similar high-rise buildings.
Of course the jury is out pending such enquiries but it is already clear that the quality of cladding materials used was only one part of the story – there were clearly many other areas where the safety of the residents was compromised. In particular, the lack of any kind of effective escape route marking system which could aid escape in such dangerous circumstances; e.g. stairways in thick smoke conditions. The report in the Sunday Times (25 June) stated "The Grenfell stairwell should have provided a safe passage away from danger; instead, as toxic draughts swirled through the building, it turned into a vertical tunnel of smoke. Heavily laden fireman trying to reach higher floors and residents desperate to flee downstairs were left groping around in a poisonous darkness and harrowing scenes of desperation and panic....the smoke grew thicker with each floor we went up….around the ninth floor we lost all visibility and the heat was rising....”It was horrendous,” one firefighter said. "You could not see your hand in front of your face.”Of course we should not forget that there were other factors which probably also contributed to the death toll; especially the ‘stay put’ policy which is now under general review. Nevertheless, the safe movement of people in smoke conditions down a stairway and away from danger is surely an area that should be reviewed in the light of this tragedy. It is an unfortunate fact of life that only when there are such disasters do Governments and Authorities seriously consider and implement laws and regulations to improve public safety.
I did not see the emergency evacuation system in the Grenfell Tower but from looking at the BBC commentary on a similar tower block in the vicinity there did not seem to be any markings at all in the stairwells. However if we assume as a minimum that there were high level mounted electrical EXIT signs above main escape doors combined with escape plans on each floor this was clearly not enough to help people in these extreme conditions.
The Photoluminescent Safety Products Association is a Trade Association representing the voice of companies worldwide who promote the use of Photoluminescent materials (incorporated into paint, plastic and printed products). These absorb UV energy, then store and re-emit it in the form of visible light for many safety applications. The great benefit of Photoluminescent (PL) systems is that in the event of a total power failure they provide sufficient light to give directional indications on an escape route.
The Photoluminescent Safety Products Association is a Trade Association representing the voice of companies worldwide who promote the use of Photoluminescent materials (incorporated into paint, plastic and printed products). These absorb UV energy, then store and re-emit it in the form of visible light for many safety applications. The great benefit of Photoluminescent (PL) systems is that in the event of a total power failure they provide sufficient light to give directional indications on an escape route.There was an interesting study made by Ilmenau University in Germany in 2003 where PL systems were compared with electrical evacuation sy
stems in smoky conditions (typical of an emergency situation). The study concluded that continuous lines of low ambient light fitted at a low level (c1m off the floor) were found to be much more effective as an escape route marking system than high mounted high brightness electrical sources which in smoke could be obscured and cause disorientation due to light scattering effects.
These clearly demonstrated that a relatively simple and cost-effective system can significantly aid the fast evacuation from buildings.
The events of September 11 2001 in New York and the subsequent blackout in 2003 led to the implementation on May 31 2005 of ‘Local Law 26’. This specified the installation of low level PL systems in all stairwells of High-Rise buildings in New York City. The effectiveness of these systems had already been proven in 2001 to have enabled people to evacuate the Twin Towers in a total power failure situation in smoke when they might otherwise have perished.
In ISO 16069 there is a very clear standard for PL use in public buildings which is entirely appropriate for application in High-Rise buildings such as Grenfell Tower at reasonable cost and with a minimum of disruption to the inhabitants.
There are numerous other applications today of PL evacuation systems in regular use. Good examples are in areas of public transport: passenger aircraft, cruise ships, railways and road tunnels. PL evacuation systems are well proven and provided they are supplied and fitted by companies whose product meets the minimum performance standards required for the application they should be seriously considered as a standard back-up system to the commonly prescribed electrical Emergency lighting. Certainly it would provide an effective escape route even in smoke conditions to safety for residents of High-Rise buildings.
There were two subsequent studies made in 2007 and 2008 by the National Research Council in Canada (NRC) where different layouts of PL evacuation systems were tested in four stairwells to establish which was most effective at evacuating people in an emergency.
AGI© July.2017
References: www.pspa.org.uk; www-lit.maschinenbau.tu-ilmenau.de; NRC IRC-IR-T14; NRCC-51157; Local Law 26 New York Code; ISO 16069
2017-07-07
Meet the new Everlux catalogue!
It’s not news to any of us that the fire industry is constantly evolving. Here at Everlux we have always strived to present our customers with new and innovative solutions that offer practical signage solutions to meet all potential requirements whilst ensuring that they comply with all relevant legislation and Standards.
That’s why, for the past few months we have been listening to you, our customers, telling us what new signage solutions and products you require and the market needs! The net result of which, we are proud to say, has resulted in a new edition of the Everlux catalogue!
The new Everlux catalogue and product range has
been greatly enhanced with many new products including:
And since there’s nothing better than to see these things with your own eyes check we invite you to access our the new Everlux catalogue here.
As always, the Everlux customer support team will be happy to answer any queries you may have and we would encourage you to contact us should you have any questions or you would like to ensure early delivery of your personal copy of the new catalogue!