Teesside University has been fitted with an emergency lighting system by Hochiki.

Teesside University gets emergency lighting upgrade

The university’s 11-storey Middlesbrough Tower has been undergoing refurbishment. It it houses the main reception area and administrative facilities, as well as teaching areas including newly equipped labs to support forensic and analytical sciences, environmental sciences and food technology.

The building’s previous emergency lighting system had been in place since the late 1960s.

The university’s electrical services manager, David Newton, said:  “The central battery system which had been installed in the basement area had become expensive to run and maintain, and it took up quite a lot of space because it was supplied by two large 110 volt battery cubicles.

"Also, the 8W luminaires that the old system used needed the fluorescent lamps to be changed frequently and this took a lot of time as well as being costly. Therefore, in line with the University’s energy reduction targets, I wanted to install a system that would reduce overheads, while utilising the latest technology.”

Installed by TCS Fire Safety Services Ltd, the EN50172 compliant intelligent low voltage system which has been designed to use light emitting diode (LED) technology. It comprises an addressable emergency lighting control panel with battery back-up, and features addressable, self-contained LED luminaires and signage connected via low voltage (40V) cabling. The luminaires have also been equipped with battery back-up.

A total of 120 LED luminaires were installed during phase one and these were linked to an addressable controller using existing cabling.