Register of Emergency Lighting Commissioners

Nothing has been decided as yet, but the idea seems to have circulated that electrical contractors may no longer install Emergency Lights. This is not correct in that the installation of
Emergency Lights is no different from any other form of electrical work covered by the ETCI Regulations and therefore falls within the remit of any Registered Electrical Contractor.

What was originally proposed that a Register of Designers would be created, but this has now been dropped as it is accepted that Electrical Engineers and Consultants are adequately trained and regulated by their own professional Associations and a further Register is superfluous.

What the Fire Officers, who are the main driving force behind the proposed change, are seeking is a Register of persons who have demonstrated their competence to inspect and certify installations as being in compliance with IS3217, thereby enabling the Fire Officers to place reliance on the Emergency Lighting Certificates submitted to them.

Unfortunately there is reason to believe that many of the Certificates currently submitted to Fire Officers, and in particular for the renewal of licences for pubs, clubs and other places of entertainment, cannot be relied on as many are issued in respect of premises which have either not been tested at all, or have had inadequate testing carried out.

The requirements of IS3217:2008 are more stringent than those called for in IS3217:1989 and it is important that anybody signing a Cert should be aware of the new requirements.

In the meantime however the idea that an electrical contractor cannot install Emergency Lights has no basis in fact.

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ECSSA

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Coolmore House Park Road Killarney County Kerry Telephone: 064 37266 Fax: 064 37269

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Source: ECSSA Winter 2009 Newsletter