Tamlite Lighting, based in Redditch and one of the UK’s largest independent lighting manufacturers, is urging the construction industry to prioritise emergency lighting as a vital component of building safety.
Tamlite’s call to action follows the publication of the 1,700-page Grenfell Inquiry report, which exposed a series of systemic failures across government and the construction industry, leading to the tragic Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.
The report outlines 58 recommendations, including the creation of a new construction regulator responsible for overseeing all industry functions as part of a broader industry reform.
Tamlite emphasises that this industry shake-up must place sufficient importance on emergency lighting as a critical factor in ensuring building safety.
John Allden, Managing Director of Tamlite Lighting, explains:
"Emergency lighting is designed to activate automatically in the event of a power failure and plays an essential role in aiding safe evacuations during a fire. Maintaining the highest standards in the design, installation, and upkeep of these systems is paramount. This involves regular checks on fixtures, fittings, and batteries to ensure that emergency lighting functions as intended during crucial moments."
The evolving regulatory landscape in the wake of recent incidents was a key theme at the Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL)’s Emergency Lighting Conference 2024 last month. John Allden comments:
“The UK Government has introduced more stringent building regulations through the secondary legislation of the Building Safety Act in 2022. However, recent high-profile fires in London, including one in a residential block in Dagenham and another at the iconic Somerset House, reminds us that buildings of all types remain at a risk of fire.
“The Grenfell report has made it abundantly clear that everyone involved in construction is responsible for keeping people safe. While emergency lighting is already subject to rigorous standards, there is an ongoing need for the industry to evolve these standards and enhance fire safety across all building types, potentially saving lives.
“This drive for continuous innovation in the lighting sector was strongly supported at the recent ICEL conference, which brought together industry leaders committed to improving building safety standards.”
In August 2024, the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) and ICEL launched an enhanced ICEL Product Certification Scheme as part of their ongoing commitment to excellence in emergency lighting. The updated scheme represents a crucial shift from an endorsed model to a certified one, offering even greater assurance of quality and safety in emergency lighting products.
Backed by a framework that spans six critical domains—Testing and Maintenance, Product Design Management, Specification, Installation, Sales and Distribution, and Scheme Design—the ICEL scheme is designed to recognise the professional skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required to successfully design, install, and maintain emergency lighting systems.
John Allden adds:
“The LIA and ICEL are working tirelessly, in partnership with industry, to drive forward standards in emergency lighting, guided by a shared mission to keep people safe.”
Emergency Lighting Standards in the UK
In the UK, emergency lighting systems must comply with strict standards, including BS 5266, which provides detailed guidance on design, installation, and maintenance.
According to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, the duty to comply with these standards falls on the ‘responsible person’ within an establishment. This ensures that all emergency lighting systems are tested regularly, with intervals specified by the regulations to maintain their effectiveness.
It is a legal requirement under these regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, that all business premises - including offices, factories, pubs and clubs, schools, hospitals and entertainment venues - are equipped with emergency escape lighting. These legal requirements also apply to almost all residential buildings and structures, except for individual private homes, including houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), blocks of flats and maisonettes.