Keeping Your Home Safe: 3 Tips on Maintaining Emergency Lighting
Maintaining emergency lighting is detrimental to the safety of your family. While these lights aren't used on a consistent basis, they need to operate properly should you be faced with an emergency including when the power goes out. On remote pathways and rooms without windows, emergency lighting prevents family members from stumbling around in the dark trying to reach safety. In the long run this can also prevent serious injuries. These tips can help you keep your emergency lighting in top working order.
Inspecting the Equipment
Complete a walk through of all emergency lights once every 30 days, according to the Exit Light Company. Check the condition of the lighting. Make sure there are no exposed wires, cracks in the housing, discoloration or any other blemishes that might call for further investigation. Cloudy glass can sometimes be an indication of water damage, which can be hazardous and cause the light to be non-functioning. The lighting should also be secure against the wall or ceiling.
Testing the Batteries
According to Electrical Construction and Maintenance (EC&M), batteries in emergency lighting should be checked at least once every 30 days at 30 second intervals. Locate the bright red test button on the lighting and depress the button for 30 seconds. Holding the button down interrupts power to the unit and should activate the lights. Some more advanced units feature LED displays that provide a readout of the test results, while others send results to a connected computer. In addition to the monthly test, you should perform a 1.5-hour test at least once a year.
Completing Repairs
Damaged units should be replaced. It's a good idea to purchase protective covers for your lighting to guard against any damage that might occur from flying baseballs or falling tree limbs. This also keeps the units free from dust that can dull the lights. Replace any batteries, and consider updating old emergency lighting with newer energy-efficient lighting. Be sure to keep records of any work done to the lighting, including when you last replaced the batteries in the unit.
Emergency lighting can help keep your family safe in the event of a power outage. It's important to perform routine repairs, replacement and maintenance of these units to ensure these units stay in top working order even when they aren't being used. Just a few minutes a month and yearly inspections will ensure your lights work as they should and when they should. If you have any questions, consider contacting a local specialist, such as A-1 Fire Protection LLC, to discuss your concerns.