1.1 These guidelines cover the approval, installation
and maintenance of low-location lighting (LLL) required by regulations II-2/28, paragraph 1.10 and II-2/41.2,
paragraph 4.7 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, on all passenger
ships carrying more than 36 passengers, to readily identify the passengers'
route of escape when the normal emergency lighting is less effective
due to smoke.
2.1 In addition to the emergency lighting required
by Regulations II-1/42 and
III/11.5 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, the means of escape
including stairways and exits shall be marked by LLL at all points
of the escape route including angles and intersections. In addition,
all escape route signs and fire equipment location markings shall
be of photoluminescent material, or marked by lighting, or a combination
of both.
2.2 The supplementary emergency lighting for ro-ro
passenger ships required by Regulation
II-1/42.1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, may be
accepted to form partly or wholly the LLL system provided that such
a system complies with the requirements of these guidelines.
2.3 The LLL system should function at all times
for at least 60 minutes after its activation. Entire systems, including
those that are automatically activated or continuously operating,
are to be capable of being manually activated by a single action from
the continuously manned central control station.
3.1 Low-location lighting (LLL) - Electrically
powered lighting or photoluminescent indicators placed at points of
the escape route to readily identify all routes of escape.
3.2 Photoluminescent (PL) system - An LLL system
which uses PL material. PL material contains a chemical (example:
zinc sulfide) that has the quality of storing energy when illuminated
by visible light. The PL material emits light which becomes visible
when the ambient light source is less effective. Without the light
source to re-energize it, the PL material gives off the stored energy
for a period of time with diminishing luminance.
3.3 Electrically powered (EP) system - An LLL
system which requires electrical power for its operation, such as
systems using incandescent bulbs, light emitting diodes, electroluminescent
strips or lamps, electrofluorescent lamps, etc.
4.1 The Administration should ensure that the
LLL systems meet the requirements of international standards acceptable
to the organization.footnote
4.2 In all passageways, the LLL should be continuous
except as interrupted by corridors and cabin doors in order to provide
a visible delineation along the escape route. Systems tested to an
international standardfootnote to demonstrate
a visible delineation without being continuous should also be acceptable.
The LLL should be installed at least on one side of the corridor,
either on the bulkhead within 300 mm of the deck, or on the deck within
150 mm of the bulkhead. In corridors more than two metres wide, LLL
should be installed on both sides.
4.3 In dead-end corridors, LLL should have arrows
placed at intervals of no more than 1 m, or equivalent direction indicators,
pointing away from the dead-end.
4.4 In all stairways, LLL should be installed
on at least one side at a height less than 300 mm above the steps
which will make the location of each step readily identifiable to
any person standing above and below that step. LLL should be installed
on both sides if the width of the stairway is two metres or more.
The top and bottom of each set of stairs should be identified to show
that there are no further steps.
4.5 IMO symbols should be incorporated into the
LLL which directs the passengers to the muster stations required by Regulation III/24 of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention, as amended.
4.6 In all passenger cabins a placard explaining
the LLL system should be installed on the inside of the cabin door.
It should also have a diagram showing the location of, and the way
to, the two closest exits with respect to the cabin.
4.7 Materials used in the manufacture of LLL products
should not contain radioactive or toxic materials.
5.1 LLL should lead to the exit door handle. To
prevent confusion, no other doors should be similarly marked.
5.2 Sliding fire doors and watertight doors should
be marked with an LLL sign showing how the door opens.
6.1 All escape route signs and fire equipment
locating marking shall be of photoluminescent material or marked by
lighting and fitted in the lower 300 mm of the bulkhead. The dimensions
of such signs and markings are to be commensurate with the rest of
the LLL system.
6.2 LLL exit signs should be provided at all exits.
The signs should be located within the lower 300 mm on the side of
exit doors where the handle is located.
6.3 All signs should contrast in colour to the
background (bulkhead or deck) on which they are installed.
7
Photoluminescent Systems
7.1 Except where noted, PL strips should be no
less than 75 mm wide. PL having a width less than that stated herein
should be used only if there luminance is increased proportionally
to compensate for their width.
7.2 PL materials should provide at least 15 mcd/m2 measured 10 minutes after the removal of all external illuminating
sources. The system shall continue to provide luminance values greater
than 2 mcd/m2 for 60 minutes.
7.3 Any PL system materials should be provided
with not less than the minimum level of ambient light necessary to
charge the PL material to meet the above luminance requirements.
8
Electrically Powered Systems
8.1 EP systems should be connected to the emergency
switchboard required by Regulation
II-1/42 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, so as to
be powered by the main source of electrical power under normal circumstances
and also by the emergency source of electrical power when the latter
is in operation. Alternatively, for existing ships only, EP systems
may be connected to the main lighting system, provided independent
batteries provide a backup of at least 60 minutes and are charged
from the main lighting system. Performance of the system while powered
by batteries should meet all the requirements stated herein.
8.2 Where electrically powered systems are installed
the following standards of luminance are to be applied:
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.1 the active parts of electrically powered system
should have a minimum luminance of 10 cd/m2;
-
.2 the point sources of miniature incandescent
lamps should provide not less than 150 mcd mean spherical intensity
with a spacing of not more than 100 mm between lamps;
-
.3 the point sources of light emitting diode systems
should have a minimum peak intensity of 35 mcd. The angle of half
intensity cone should be appropriate to the likely track directions
of approach and viewing. Spacing between lamps should be no more than
300 mm;
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.4 for electroluminescent systems these should
function for 60 minutes from the instant when the main power supply
to which it was required to be connected by paragraph 8.1 is removed.
8.3 All EP systems should be arranged so that
the failure of any single light, lighting strip, or battery will not
result in the marking being ineffective.
8.4 EP systems should meet the relevant requirements
for emergency luminaires in the current edition of publication 598-22-2
published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) when
tested at a reference ambient temperature of 40 degrees C.
8.5 EP systems should meet the requirements for
vibration and electromagnetic interference in the current edition
of publication 945 published by the IEC.
8.6 EP systems should provide a minimum degree
of ingress protection of at least IP 55 in accordance with publication
529 published by the IEC.
9.1 All LLL systems should be visually examined
and checked at least once a week and a record kept. All missing, damaged
or inoperable LLL should be replaced.
9.2 All LLL systems should have their luminance
tested at least once every five years. Readings should be taken on
site. If the luminance for a particular reading does not meet the
requirement of these guidelines, readings should be taken in at least
ten locations equally spaced apart in the space. If more than 30 percent
of the readings do not meet the requirements of these guidelines,
the LLL should be replaced. If between 20 and 30 percent of the readings
do not meet the requirements of these guidelines, the LLL should be
checked again in one year or may be replaced.