Previously I worked in a building, built in 1997. The emergency 'flick' test sockets were placed at intervals along the corridor walls etc. I methodically went around and flicked each socket and could see what light did not respond in the expected way, noted it and obtained a new battery, fitted it, tested again, recorded as required.
I now work in a building, built in 2012, all of the 'flick' test sockets are in blocks housed in the cupboards alongside the light & power trip switches/rcd/rcbo boards. In my case 5 areas in total. Given the size and layout of the building; it requires 2 of us to do the tests using walkie talkies.
I am relatively new to my current works and this system; so I did the following identification; 1L1 flick = 1L1 DLB = Ground Floor Corridor Lighting, 1L2 flick = 1L2 DLB = First Floor Corridor Lighting etc and other areas in between.
Hence my problem; this format worked for the most part. However, the 'long corridors made me think twice. Example 1L1 flick = 1L1 DLB = Ground Floor Corridor Lighting = 9 emergency lights not working + 3 that did.
2L1 flick = 2L1 DLB = Ground Floor Corridor Lighting = (you would expect a progression along the corridor); No, the previous Ground Floor Corridor with 9 emergency lights not working; they all came on but 2 did not!!!!!!!!!!! The rest in the Ground Floor testing did not repeat the 'long corridor' experience, but acted in progression. But I was totally unsettled to find this outcome repeat itself on the First Floor too.
So I manually tripped the whole of the Ground Floor Corridor Lighting, all Emergency Lights came on bar one, which flashed red, and stayed red. I did the same for the First Floor later on. all bar 2 came on excluding an exit blade.
Trip said = yes Flick said = No.
I have written this as simply as I could; prior to my taking up this position, 88 batteries had been ordered at the cost of 2k and installed with further costs by a contractor.
I would appreciate it if someone could identify if there is an issue with the emergency lighting 'flick' system, or my use of it that I should look at; for tonight I'm just comforted that given a power cut this place has more lighting than when tested.
Many thanks to those that take the time to reply. Terry