RDF Lighting Power and Control deliver slave emergency lighting solution for the University of Manchester

18-02-2022

University of Manchester – Students relaxing outside the Samuel Alexander Building

The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK, with the biggest student community hailing from 160 countries.  Established in 1824, the campus comprises of many old buildings with artificial lighting technology that has changed through the decades.

Emergency lighting and exit signs are required to help people leave a building and to a place of safety when other lighting fails due to either mains failure or fire.  Historically larger buildings incorporated DC central battery systems where emergency fittings operated on AC when mains supply is available and then continuing to operate on DC from a central battery system on mains supply failure.  Due to obsolescence, these legacy AC and DC requirements create difficulties in finding suitable replacement fittings that are compatible with the central battery or even to adopt more energy efficient fittings such as LED which only normally operate from a 230V AC supply.

To help companies with legacy central battery system requirements, RDF offer a core range of slave emergency lights and exit signs using LED technology that will operate on both AC and DC supplies.  Voltage options are available to be compatible with all central battery systems from 24V and 50V, up to 110V and 230V.  All slave fittings are compliant to all UK and European Standards for emergency lighting and central battery systems.

As part of the University’s plan of introducing LED lighting whilst retaining operational systems, 50 universal ONTEC S slave lights and exit sign were selected since they are fully compatible with their existing 50V AC/DC central battery emergency lighting system in one of their historic buildings.

The University had asked local electrical wholesaler, Lancashire Electrical Distributors for a solution who had already worked with RDF Lighting Control and Power on other emergency lighting projects and so could offer from their wide range of emergency fittings and systems.

RDF were able to provide the full quantity and to the very short lead time requirement since all their TM Technologie fittings are manufactured in Europe and who have worked to ensured their supply chain has avoided recent global shortages of certain semiconductors.

ONTEC S products are our most popular fittings, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, and include multiple options including high output, corridor optics, COLD versions for use in environments below 0°C, choice of colours and British Kite marking options.  There is also a comprehensive array of accessories including recess kits, vandal proofing, IP67/IK10 upgrade kits and brackets providing flexible direction.  

The ONTEC S Slave combination bulkhead emergency light and exit sign also benefit from a 5-year warranty.

RDF look forward to working with Lancashire Electrical Distributors on other University of Manchester emergency lighting projects as part of their transition to LED lighting.

Recently expanded ONTEC S range from TM Technologie

RDF Lighting Power and Control offer the full range from Emergency lighting specialist TM Technologie as well as products manufactured especially for us such as the range of Slave fittings.  As well as legancy system compatibility, we have addressable central systems that fully automate the testing and reporting required by law to log the monthly and annual emergency lighting testing.  Check out our website here to see our range of products stocked in the UK or download our catalogues to see the full product range available on short lead times.  Call us on 0333 772 9019 or email at sales@rdflightingpowerandcontrol.co.uk to discuss your own requirements and to see if you would benefit from an emergency lighting survey.