Addressable SATI lighting: why choose this maintenance solution?
Designed to meet the strict requirements of public facilities and commercial buildings, addressable SATI emergency lighting is an increasingly popular function in the world of safety lighting. Combining innovation, technical reliability, and compliance with French standards, it stands out for its automated maintenance features. But what exactly is an addressable SATI emergency lighting unit, and what are its benefits? Let’s break it down.
What is a addressable SATI emergency lighting unit?
To better understand what a addressable SATI unit (or BAES SATI in France) is, we need to look at the acronyms.
BAES stands for “Bloc Autonome d’Éclairage de Sécurité”, or autonomous emergency lighting unit.- SATI stands for “Système Automatique de Test Intégré”, or Automatic Self-Test System.
The main advantage of a SATI emergency lighting unit is its built-in automatic test.. This function enables regular checks to be carried out without human intervention.
Complies with current regulations (NF C 71-820)a SATI emergency lighting unit is designed to operate autonomously in the event of an emergency (power failure, SSI fire alarm). This guarantees an effective emergency lighting system that remains active in all circumstances, guiding building occupants to emergency exits.
But an addressable SATI BAES goes even further. Here, the addressable function allows all SATI blocks to be addressed. managed via an intelligent system.
How does the SATI system work?
The SATI system automatically performs periodic tests to ensure that the emergency lighting is in good condition (lamp, battery, circuits, charger, etc.). These tests are carried out without human intervention and at the frequency required by the standard, i.e. weekly and monthly.
All in all, this guarantees continuous monitoring of the plant, saving considerable time in terms of inspection and maintenance. In the event of a fault, the unit immediately indicates this by means of a visual alert (usually a status LED).
What are the advantages of addressable SATI lighting?
Choosing SATI addressable emergency lighting means opting for an intelligent, high-performance solution. Whether designed as evacuation lighting or ambient lighting, it offers numerous advantages for the premises where it is installed.
Centralized, intelligent monitoring
Whereas traditional SATI tests require the maintainer to go round each block to manually check the lights, addressable lighting enables the entire installation to be supervised from a central computer. This centralization automatically generates detailed reports on the status of each safety luminaire, turning a time-consuming task into a simple click.
Predictive, optimized maintenance
Addressable SATI’s automatic alarm generation revolutionizes the approach to maintenance. The system precisely identifies the number of blocks with faults, their exact location and the specific nature of each malfunction. As a result, the maintainer can anticipate the supply of the right spare parts to intervene quickly and efficiently on all faulty blocks.
Rapid return on investment
Investing in an addressable SATI solution quickly pays off. Thanks to savings on maintenance and technical intervention costs, the return on investment (ROI) is generally between 1 and 3 years. This profitability is a direct result of reduced intervention times, but also of optimized spare parts management.
Simplified regulatory monitoring
According to standard NF C 71-830, BAES must be regularly tested. With SATI models, the results of each test are recorded in a log book, enabling complete traceability of verification operations. In the event of an audit or visit from the safety commission, each regulatory check is simplified.
In what types of establishments should addressable SATI emergency lighting be installed?
Generally speaking, all areas requiring signage for their occupants can install SATI emergency lighting units. Places that particularly benefit are :
- establishments open to the public (ERP) such as shopping centers, schools, hospitals, auditoriums, cinemas, restaurants, hotels, museums and town halls;
- high-rise buildings such as office towers and residential buildings;
- industries or production sites such as factories, logistics warehouses and production plants.
Why? On the one hand, because all these places must guarantee the safety of the public and occupants in the event of evacuation. Since SATI emergency lighting units ensure constant, verified operation thanks to self-tests, they are particularly well-suited to high-traffic areas such as public buildings and high-rise buildings. As for industrial sites, the rapid identification of faults in high-risk areas (machines, hazardous substances, etc.) is essential to everyone’s safety.
Secondly, because SATI control gear complies with standards that meet the safety requirements of these premises. The law imposes strict safety regulations on ERP buildings, which can be met by installing SATI control units on their premises. Similarly, high-rise buildings and industrial sites used as workplaces must comply with the French Labor Code. Articles R.4227-12 to R.4227-14, in particular, require the presence of emergency lighting to enable safe evacuation and prevent risks in the event of a power cut. Thanks to their autonomy and self-testing, SATI emergency lighting units perfectly meet every criterion.
Case study: why choose the SMART SYSTEM addressable system for maintenance?
We were asked by the head office of a major French industrial company in the Paris region to carry out a gradual migration (over 2 years) of its BAES equipment, as the existing system was defective. Through personalized support throughout the project, 2,500 luminaires (BAES) and 4 GTB (building management systems) were installed throughout the premises. To replace their previous DARDO system, our Dicube Smart System was installed. But why adopt it?
Our customer’s objective was to refurbish the installed base, ensure high durability and harmonious integration with the premises. Maintenance regulations for emergency lighting (NF C 71-830) are restrictive for operators. Our addressable Dicube Smart System frees them from this constraint, with monthly reports on the status of their installation. The system also optimizes maintenance by reducing intervention times and travel, and by facilitating the targeted identification of faults, thus promoting an ecologically responsible approach by replacing only defective parts.
Would you like to find out more? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a personalized study of your project.