Seaward Safety aim to keep our clients informed on regulations and standards within our scope of supply.
Based on this, we would like to draw your attention to the below.
Many MODUs have a Low-Location Lighting system in place, for the protection & safety of crew should a fire break out and corridors become smoke filled, we strongly recommend that, as a minimum, 5 yearly testing should take place to read the levels of luminosity being emitted.
Although most photoluminescent materials have a good life expectancy, they will degrade over time and not emit the required levels of luminosity. This level is also based on the light source feeding it.
As per 2009 MODU CODE, all MODUs built later than June 2012 should have a means of escape in accommodation areas by using lighting or photoluminescent strips not more than 300mm above the deck at all points of the escape route.
The marking should enable personnel to identify the routes of escape and readily identify the escape exits. If electric illumination is used, it should be supplied by the emergency source of power and it should be so arranged that the failure of any single light or cut in a lighting strip will not result in the marking being ineffective. Additionally, escape route signs and fire equipment location markings should be of photoluminescent material or marked by lighting. The Administration should ensure that such lighting or photoluminescent equipment has been evaluated, tested, and applied in accordance with the FSS Code & IMO Resolution A.752 (18) chapter 9.
At least once per year LLL systems should be inspected and tested, where possible, on one deck in each main vertical zone. The system should be checked for operation and the light emitted. Results shall be recorded and kept for inspection by the competent authority. The competent authority shall ensure that the complete system has been tested over a five-year period. For PL systems, if the luminance for a particular reading does not meet the requirements of this International Standard, readings shall be taken in at least ten locations approximately 10 m apart in the specific area. If measured values are below the minimum specifications, the component shall be replaced, or the illumination increased to meet the requirements of this International Standard.
