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The firefighters’ switch
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The firefighter’s switch
A firefighter’s switch is an essential safety device that is provided to ensure that parts of an electrical installation designed to operate at a voltage higher than low voltage, such as a supply to a petrol station, can be readily isolated in an emergency.
may be limited by the extent of the work agreed with the client. This may be the case where the fi refi ghter’s switch is maintained by a third party, for example, the emergency switch may be maintained by the contractor who maintains the high voltage part of the installation, such as the high voltage neon signs.
However, where this is the case the inspector should ensure that such information is recorded on the EICR, especially as neglecting to do so may leave the installer open to future claims of liability.
This article highlights the need to check the condition and confi rm the operation of each fi refi ghter’s switch during periodic inspection and testing of an electrical installation.
In accordance with Regulation 537.6.1 of BS 7671, a fi refi ghter’s switch should be installed in the low voltage side of a circuit that supplies: • exterior1 electrical installations operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage, and • interior discharge lighting installations operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage.
Consequently, where a periodic inspection and test is carried out on an installation that contains a fi refi ghter’s switch, NICEIC will assume that the condition and operation of the switch has been assessed against the requirements of BS 7671 unless a valid reason for omitting it from the periodic inspection and test has been agreed with the client and recorded clearly on the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
As a minimum, the condition of each fi refi ghter’s switch should be checked, and a functional test performed to confi rm satisfactory operation of the device.
In some cases, the inspection and testing Fig 2 Firefighter’s
switch
1 Regulation 537.6.1 does not deem a temporary electrical installation forming part of an exhibition in a fixed building to be an exterior electrical installation.
Fig 1 Firefighter’s switch installed to provide a means of
switching off the high voltage sign in an emergency
Requirements of BS 7671
Requirements for the provision of a fi refi ghter’s switch are contained under Regulation group 537.6 and summarised as follows: • Provision of fi refi ghter’s switches The fi refi ghter’s switch should be connected in the low voltage circuit supplying exterior electrical installations, including the installation of a covered market or shopping mall, or internal discharge lighting installations (including luminous tube signage) operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage.
A fi refi ghter’s switch is not required for discharge lighting where the high voltage is only present during the starting period of the discharge lamp. In addition, a portable discharge lighting luminaire or a sign having a rating not exceeding 100 W, which is supplied from a socket-outlet are excluded from the requirements of Regulation 537.6.1
Preference should be given to providing a single fi refi ghter’s switch to control every low voltage exterior electrical installation operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage within a single premises, and a single fi refi ghter’s switch to control every internal discharge lighting installation operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage within a single premises (Regulation 537.6.2. refers).
Furthermore, where both interior and exterior discharge lighting installations exist within a single premises they should be controlled separately. • The location and position of a fi refi ghter’s switch Regulation 537.6.3 gives specifi c requirements for the siting of fi refi ghter’s switches and associated advisory notices, which may be summarised as follows: • for an exterior installation, the switch should be mounted outside the building and its function, either on account of its position or by the posting of appropriate notices at both the installation and switch, should be clear • for an interior installation, the switch should be in the main entrance to the building, unless an
Fig 3 Height of
firefighter’s switch
The switch should be placed in a conspicuous position, reasonably accessible to fi refi ghters, and mounted at a height not more than 2.75 m above the ground or other surface immediately below the switch, unless an alternative position is agreed with the local fi re authority. Where more than one switch is installed on any one building, each switch should be clearly marked to aid identifi cation of the installation, or the part of the installation, it controls.
Regulation 537.6.4 contains specifi c requirements for the fi refi ghter’s switch as follows: • the switch should be coloured red and have fi xed on or near it a permanent durable notice saying ‘FIREFIGHTER’S SWITCH’ in not less than 36 point lettering on a plate of minimum size 150 mm by 100 mm, and • the ON and OFF positions should be indicated by lettering that is legible to a person standing on the ground at the intended site of the switch. The OFF position shall be at the top, and • it should be provided with a device to prevent the switch being inadvertently returned to the ON position, and • it should be arranged to facilitate operation by a fi refi ghter (typically using a pole).
Summary
A fi refi ghter’s switch forms part of the low voltage electrical installation, so the requirements of Regulation group 537.6 should be confi rmed during periodic inspection and testing and any departures recorded on the Electrical Installation Condition Report.
The NICEIC and ELECSA publishing team
Sue Heybourne, technical illustrator Sue joined NICEIC in 2000 and previously worked for The Electrical Safety Council before moving to Certsure in 2013. She is responsible for producing and archiving all the illustrations for publications, articles and presentations, pocket guides and books. She also helps design all certifi cates.
Derek Cooney, technical author Derek is a time-served electrician who spent many years electrical contracting on domestic, commercial and industrial installations, before becoming a college lecturer. He joined NICEIC as a technical operations engineer in 2009.
Chris Long, technical engineer Chris is a gas professional responsible for providing a technical overview of all gas-related articles and publications. He lives in Hampshire with his family and outside of work is a motorbike nut.
John Clark, senior engineer John started out by serving a fi ve-year apprenticeship before spending some time installing plant in power stations. He then took a degree in electrical and electronic engineering before becoming a lecturer. He now works as senior engineer helping to develop the learning guides.
Tim Benstead, principal technical author Tim started his career as an apprentice electrician and worked in both contracting and maintenance prior to spending some 16 years as a lecturer. He began working for the Electrical Safety Council in 2006 as a senior engineer and has been part of the team responsible for the production of various NICEIC publications and certifi cates.
Mike Burling, senior engineer A former JIB technician, Mike had his own NICEIC-registered electrical contracting business, before taking on a role as a college tutor and NVQ assessor. He now works as a senior engineer responsible for overseeing the technical content of all technical publications and articles.
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