Emergency lights
This is a place to contain location and maintenance information about the emergency lights and exit signs in the space.
Background
PS1's Board decided it was time to get the space into compliance with Chicago's Fire Code. One of the outstanding items was to install appropriate Emergency Lights and Exit signs.
Research showed that Chicago has specific requirements for Emergency Lighting that limits the potential lights to only those that are Chicago Approved. In the main that meant: metal box, two halogen lights, battery backup.
Beyond that, the amount of light is specified by the amount of light along the exit path must meet minimum requirements after 90 minutes of use.
Present Lighting
The tables below list all of the emergency lights and exit signs currently installed in the space, along with some information about their last test dates and (where available) the circuit from which they are served.
Exit signs are listed here because some of them have emergency lighting capabilities, and have the same testing requirements. The ones that don't are numbered in with the ones that do for the sake of easy monitoring and trouble reporting, and so forth. For exit signs without battery backup, the monthly and annual test dates are shown as "N/A" since they don't have to be tested.
| Light # | Location | Circuit | Last monthly test | Last annual test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL-1 | Lounge, NW wall | PP1-9:25 | Failed test 19 October 2021 | |
| EL-2 | Front stairs | PP1-9:25 | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | |
| EL-3 | Hot metals, west end | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | ||
| EL-4 | Between Hot Metals and Wood Shop, north wall | Failed 19 October 2021 | ||
| EL-5 | Wood shop, north wall, by panelboards | Failed test 19 October 2021 | ||
| EL-6 | East wall between Cold and Small Metals, by panelboards | PP1-2:3 | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | |
| EL-7 | Ceiling, General Area | PP1-2:3 | Failed test 19 October 2021 | |
| EL-8 | Kitchen, west door by bar | PP1-2:25 | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | |
| EL-9 | CNC Area, southwest corner | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | ||
| EL-10 | Electronics/Arts Areas, opposite front stairway | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | ||
| EL-11 | On landing of back stairs (between Electronics and CNC) | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) |
| Sign # | Location | Circuit | Last monthly test | Last annual test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX-1 | Front entry | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | ||
| EX-2 | Lounge, northwest door | N/A | N/A | |
| EX-3 | Hot Metals, northwest door (to Lounge) | N/A | N/A | |
| EX-4 | Wood Shop, northeast end (directional) | Failed test, 3/31/19 | ||
| EX-5 | Wood Shop, over back door to alley | N/A | N/A | |
| EX-6 | General Area/Small Metals, alley door | N/A | N/A | |
| EX-7 | Kitchen, southwest door (toward CNC) | N/A | N/A | |
| EX-8 | CNC Area, southwest side (toward front door) | Morrand (talk) 17:08, 31 January 2020 (CST) | ||
| EX-9 | Electronics/Arts Areas, top of front stairs | Failed test 19 October 2021 | ||
| EX-10 | Arts Area, top of back stairs (directional) | Morrand (talk) 19:22, 19 October 2021 (CDT) | ||
| EX-11 | Arts Area, top of back stairs (over door) | N/A | N/A |
Testing Requirements
Chicago Code requires that the emergency lights and the battery-powered exit signs be periodically tested in accordance with NFPA 101, the NFPA Life Safety Code. The tests themselves are fairly simple, but they need to be done to make sure that the lights will work in an emergency. In addition, a record needs to be kept of when the lights were tested, so that (if necessary) we can show a City inspector that we are keeping up with maintenance.
Of course, the main reason to test the lights is that they could save a life in case of an emergency. But staying in the good graces of the Department of Buildings is important, too.
Monthly Tests
Every thirty days, each emergency light and sign is to be tested for basic functions. This is done by pressing the "TEST" button on the side or bottom of the fixture and holding it for 30 seconds. For emergency lights, both lights should come on and stay on throughout the test. For exit signs, the sign should stay lit throughout the test.
Anyone can do this test, and it does not require any special prearrangement to do it. When you do this test, if the light passes, update the table above to show who tested the light or sign and when it was tested.
Annual Tests
Once each year, each emergency light and sign is to undergo a functional test. This is done by dropping power to the circuit to see that the light comes on automatically and stays on for 90 minutes. While the test is simple, it requires a bit of coordination to do it since the power needs to be shut off for the duration of the test.
To do this test, first coordinate with the affected Area Hosts so they know what is going on. It's also an excellent idea to post a notice to the Google Group and to Slack a few days in advance to let people know what is going on, and when, and why. It mostly means the lights will be out for some areas for a couple of hours, but until the circuits are all traced, we aren't totally sure yet.
On the day of the test, first verify that nobody is doing anything critical in the areas being tested. If they are, let them know that you are testing the emergency lights, and that some of the power will be off for a couple of hours. When ready to go, trip the appropriate circuit breaker for the light(s) you are testing. The light should come on automatically. Then, wait 90 minutes. If the light is still on (and reasonably bright) at the end of that time, the light has passed the test; if not, it has failed. Reset the circuit breaker, and then record the results in the table above.
History
Below is some history on the installation project. It is not complete.
What was Purchased
At the end of 2014 PS1 purchased seven (7) Chicago Approved emergency lighting fixtures, and allocated funds to purchase mounting and electrical supplies to install the lights.
Installation Progress
Q4 2014
Worked with Michael Skilton to understand the current layout of the electrical panels and where the various lights should be placed in order to ease the wiring aspect of the work.
2015-1-16
- Began working on installation of the Emergency Lights
- Created a template for light fixture mounting screws and places requiring a relief for bolt heads sticking out of the back of the fixture
- Created four (4) mounting boards and test fit to back of light fixtures
- Ran out of necessary supplies to mount the boards: Cinder block screws