Emergency test buttons for Emergency Lighting

[amend15]

I am installing lighting in a building and also installing emergency back up batteries (ballast?) that have a test button with them. Do the test buttons need to be with a certain distance of the corresponding light? In my example, the main entrance has some can lights with an emergency back up. Is it okay for our test buttons (to test if the battery is working) to be in a completely different room for aesthetic purposes? (So basically you don’t see a bunch of glowing red buttons when you enter the building)

 

[jmellc]

Most of the emergency lights I’ve seen have the test button on the light. A few have it on a short cord to install in ceiling within cord length.

IMHO, you wouldn’t want test buttons in another room. Adds to labor & confusion when you test the lights for a fire marshall inspection or any servicing.

 

[gadfly56]

Most of the emergency lights I’ve seen have the test button on the light. A few have it on a short cord to install in ceiling within cord length.

IMHO, you wouldn’t want test buttons in another room. Adds to labor & confusion when you test the lights for a fire marshall inspection or any servicing.

Lights are available that you can test by hitting them with a laser pointer.

 

[James L]

I did an office remodel about 10 years ago, with recessed lighting in the hallways. There was 1 existing test button in the electrical closet, I think about 25% of those cans were night light/emergency

I didn't change anything in those areas, but it all got inspected with the small offices. No issues

 

[garbo]

I am installing lighting in a building and also installing emergency back up batteries (ballast?) that have a test button with them. Do the test buttons need to be with a certain distance of the corresponding light? In my example, the main entrance has some can lights with an emergency back up. Is it okay for our test buttons (to test if the battery is working) to be in a completely different room for aesthetic purposes? (So basically you don’t see a bunch of glowing red buttons when you enter the building)

Bodine makes a self testing unit. The large hospitsl that I retired grom installed some in OR'S but surgeons were not happy when one would self test in middle of an operation. Think emetgency ballast are a big wadte if time and money. We had hundreds of them and never seem to last more then 5 years. Would take all day to replace 6 of them in a high ceiling switchgear room. Was told to replace the regular ballast at same time. I always installed a disconnect on input & output side if bidine ballast. I would rather install quality 12 volt emergency units that last 5 times longer the bodine overpriced pain in the neck to change battery units.

 

[jmellc]

Bodine makes a self testing unit. The large hospitsl that I retired grom installed some in OR'S but surgeons were not happy when one would self test in middle of an operation. Think emetgency ballast are a big wadte if time and money. We had hundreds of them and never seem to last more then 5 years. Would take all day to replace 6 of them in a high ceiling switchgear room. Was told to replace the regular ballast at same time. I always installed a disconnect on input & output side if bidine ballast. I would rather install quality 12 volt emergency units that last 5 times longer the bodine overpriced pain in the neck to change battery units.

Good point there too. My church has lots of troffers with Bodine & some other brand of battery ballasts. They do fine for awhile then several at a time go out. Replacement ballasts don’t always wire up the same and take a while to get right. Cost out the wazoo as well. And yes, replace the standard ballast while you’re into it or it will fail next week.

PLUS, many of our troffers are primary/secondary pairs to further complicate the issue.