Opening later this autumn in Stockport? Include emergency lighting in the review of your premises. An escape route that feels straightforward on a bright afternoon may look different when staff, cleaners or visitors leave after dark.
Begin with the hours people actually use the building. Include early arrivals, late appointments and cleaning, rather than only the opening times on your website. Tell the person reviewing fire safety which entrances, stairs and exits those people use.
Government guidance for offices and shops highlights internal routes without windows and premises used during darkness as situations where emergency escape lighting is likely to be needed. Daylight during a daytime visit is therefore not enough on its own to settle the question.
Walk the normal escape route with the person responsible for the premises and note changes since the last review. New screens, stored items or changes in room use may affect the route. Record the location of concerns for your competent fire-safety adviser and lighting engineer; do not improvise a blackout test by switching off supplies.
Ask the engineer to consider the whole journey, including stairs, changes of direction and the route beyond the final exit where relevant. An illuminated exit sign helps identify a direction, but its presence does not by itself show that the escape route has adequate lighting. Avoid treating a photograph of a glowing sign as proof that the system is satisfactory.
Agree any testing and maintenance around the people using the building. Ask how faults will be reported, what arrangements are needed while work takes place and how the responsible person will know that follow-up is complete. Keep the findings with your fire-safety records and revisit them when hours or building use change.
Spicy Protect helps businesses with emergency lighting in Stockport, Greater Manchester and across the North West. To discuss your premises and arrange support, call 0161 339 7072 or email hello@spicyprotect.com.