Are Powered EXIT Signs on the Way Out? An Update on AS2293 and some Crystal Ball Gazing on its Future Richard Ponting LFIES ----- Meeting Notes (31/05/16 15:26) ----- Good Evening Ladies Gentlemen Aplogies for the corny title, but in these days of new "disruptive technologies" it remains a valid question. The answer remains, for the foreseeable future, a resounding YES. We will discuss the alternatives later. But first a bit of history

AS2293 Emergency Lighting Internationally Unique Standard Comprising 3 Parts:- Part 1 Emergency Evacuation Lighting for Buildings AS/2293.1 - 2005 Part 2 Inspection & Maintenance (AS/NZS2293.2 - 1995/8) Part 3 Emergency Escape Luminaires and Exit Signs AS2293.3 - 2005 Note:- Parts 1 & 3 are 2005 editions (following de-jointing). National Building Codes for basic Illumination National Standards for Installation Design Europe and other IEC Countries IEC 60598.2.22 for Part 3 USA/Canada - UL and CSA Standards

Australia Peak Document is BCA which calls up AS2293 Parts 1 & 3 (2005) and AS/NZS2293 Part 2 (1995 + Admt 1998) Apart from specifying basic illumination requirements the BCA has little impact on AS2293

New Zealand Peak Document is the NZ Building Code NZBC Clauses F6 and F8 Call up AS2293 Parts 1, 2 & 3 but with modifications Note:- AS/NZS2293.1 replaced NZS6742 (1971) in 1995/6 but was immediately modified by the NZBC as it is today. As Parts 2 & 3 were also adopted it is likely we were using IEC60598.2.22 or the BS version for Emergency Light Fittings

New Zealand NZBC Clause F6 Ed. 3 Admt 3 Main Variances to AS2293:- 1lux Min on Escape Path 20m Rule Building Classification Duration Times

New Zealand NZBC Clause F8 Ed. 2 Admt 3 Main Variances to AS2293:- Photoluminescent Signs Permitted N-M Signs connected to Smoke Alarm EXIT Text permitted

New Zealand NZBC Clause B2 Ed. 2 Admt 8 Durability (Fitness for Purpose)

Signage Format ISO 16069 (Can be Supplemented with Text or Arrows to Clause F8) Yukio Ota Japan - 1982

Non- Compliant Signage BS5266

NZBC Clause F6 Clause F6.3.1 “The 20m Rule” Performance F6.3.1 does not apply to specified features in the initial 20 metres of an escape route if the risk of injury, or impediment to movement of people, due to the specified features not being visible is low (for example, because people are familiar with the escape route, the escape route is level, and people do not require assistance to escape).

NZBC Clause F6 Clause F6.3.2 (Permissible EL Illumination Delays) Clause F6.3.3 Examples of locations (referred to in performance F6.3.2(a)) where there is a high risk of injury due to delay in operation of the systems for visibility include: (a) areas where dangerous machinery is installed: (b) areas where hazardous processes take place: (c) clinical areas of hospitals: (d) prisons and other buildings in which people are detained: (e) any part of an escape route designed for use at any time by more than 250 people.

NZBC Clause F6

NZBC Clause F6

NZBC Clause F6/AS1 1.3.3 For certain buildings or portions of buildings the illuminance specified in Paragraphs 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 may be insufficient. For locations such as noted in (a) to (d) below, Paragraphs 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 are therefore not applicable and the illuminance levels are to be determined by specific design: (a) areas with dangerous machinery, (b) areas containing hazardous processes, (c) clinical areas of hospitals, and (d) prisons and other places of detention.

Smoke AS2293.1 makes a specific disclaimer regarding its applicability in smoke filled spaces. Foreward (extract) “......there is no practical way of ensuring that the lighting system will continue to be effective under smoke conditions and that dependence must be placed on other measures such as building construction and ventilation to keep escape paths as free of smoke as possible......”

Smoke Dust Smoke is not the only hazard to visibility NZ does not have a recent history of big building fires but we do have a history of building shakes and catastrophic failures. Plaster and Paper Dust will float in a similar way to smoke.

Smoke BRE Data on smoke obscuration indicates a 10% smoke density (very survivable) will reduce a powered 24m EXIT sign to a visibility range of approximately 10m. It is difficult to design a system that will cope with smoke and remain within the existing framework of AS2293.

Safety Way Guidance Systems The main purpose of an SWGS is to provide assistance for escape in poor visual conditions. These conditions could occur as a result of a simple Power Failure, a Fire or Building Damage (e.g. Earthquake) An SWGS could be:- A powered EL system, A passive system of PLM markings and signage A combination of both.

Safety Way Guidance Systems An SWGS needs to be able to respond to an event quickly and cope with danger areas that could be located in various locations in the building:- Car Parking Switch Boards Plant Rooms Catering Areas Computer Rooms

AS2293 - Where to Now? Next edition will be re-Jointed to AS/NZS Increase in Escape Path Illuminance? Part 2 (I & M) presently under review PLMs to be included as allowed in both B/Codes Safety Way Guidance Systems to be added - (Part 4 or Separate Standard?) Public Comment Status later in 2016 (All Parts) Battery Technology Review?

Lighten Up!

Lighten Up!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION EXIT TIME THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION RICHARD PONTING LFIES