http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Tenement Lighting (OT-ish) en Thu, 21 May 2026 19:19:30 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235625 Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:34:13 +0000 threefromleith 235625@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks. Guess I should phone &amp; check that they're in stock before I head along next Saturday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235615 Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:29:57 +0000 kaputnik 235615@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My neighbour got a 2 prong from Scott Coppola, £9 sounds about right.</p> <p>I've heard you can only get the 3-prongs from Coughtrie and that their website says out of stock (but apparently they actually have them in stock.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235518 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:25:36 +0000 neddie 235518@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Scott Coppola were sold out of Coughtries when I tried a while back. And I refused to pay £7 postage on a £9 item also.</p> <p>In the end I used a pair of bottle-nosed pliers to undo the bolts just fine. Takes a wee bit longer, but still do-able.</p> <p>You can get the tubes from Wickes also (about £30 for 8). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235507 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:53:21 +0000 ih 235507@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I found the receipt! It was actually £13.12 six months ago. Single tubes were £2.82 from S-C. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235506 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:48:53 +0000 threefromleith 235506@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks @ih</p> <p>I'll need to pop round there next time I have a free day. I guess I could order a few spare tubes from eBay or Amazon in the meantime, just so I can do the work as soon as I have the tool! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235505 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:47:05 +0000 ih 235505@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Got my 2-prong from Scott Coppola. It was about £9, can't remember exactly. The way that the bolt heads are recessed into the plastic casing of the lights make any other method of untightening them practically impossible. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-235504 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:40:07 +0000 threefromleith 235504@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did those who decided upon the DIY route get their Coughtrie two (or three) prong screwdrivers for opening the light fittings from Coughtrie themselves (with their ridiculous £7-odd pound postage charge for a £9 item), or from Scott Coppola Electrical in Edinburgh?</p> <p>If you got it in Edinburgh, was it £9?</p> <p>Tempted to see if a pair of slim pliers will turn the bolt instead, thus saving myself some dosh. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687&page=2#post-232767 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:10:31 +0000 neddie 232767@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>a 2-digit PIN</em></p> <p>99 combinations - shouldn't take too long to hack by brute force. Especially if you start with 00, 11, 22, ... then 01, 12, 23, etc.</p> <p>42 - the meaning of life - is always a good one too</p> <p>Oh, and did I mention, check the casing to see if the PIN is written on it </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-232765 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:46:38 +0000 kaputnik 232765@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ours is one of these;</p> <p><img src="http://www.selc.ie/assets/images/products/Time%20Clocks//selc-timeclock.jpg"></p> <p>Note that if you have one of these they require a 2-digit PIN to change the settings. I imagine that the council has no idea what the codes are and probably shredded any records when they stopped supporting stair lighting. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-232755 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:20:46 +0000 neddie 232755@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pretty sure this is the timeclock we had in our stair:</p> <p><a href="https://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/sangamo-rpts-q55013-solar-time-switch-quartz-commercial-solar-dial-switch-3-pin" rel="nofollow">https://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/sangamo-rpts-q55013-solar-time-switch-quartz-commercial-solar-dial-switch-3-pin</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-232753 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:13:40 +0000 neddie 232753@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Update on our stair:</p> <p><em>But I have surveyed a few where the timeclock was broken so the lights were put on manual 6-12 months previously to save the cost of replacing the clock.</em></p> <p>This is what happened to us. The timeclock looked like it been deliberately broken - pins bent, broken off etc. The system is now wired bypassing the timeclock - lights are on 24/7.</p> <p>Also, I went and replaced all the tubes. They have a life of 15000 hours, so around 18 months when on constantly. The stair is much brighter now.</p> <p>The lamp fittings we have allow the tubes &amp; starter to be replaced live. When you unscrew one side of fitting it hinges down and a clever contacts system isolates the bulbs &amp; starter.</p> <p>That said, I would still isolate the system at the breaker in the control box.</p> <p>You can easily change the tubes yourself if you are confident with technical things. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-232750 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:04:35 +0000 kaputnik 232750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We have a local electrician (not the above one) round today to fix the timer clocks (modern type) which have been completely b******d by 2 recent power cuts (suggesting the backup battery for the clock has also failed). He is also going to replace all the duff tubes.</p> <p>We were told by said electrician that if you have no natural light in the stair it should be inspected and tested every year or if you get natural light (e.g. there's window and/or cupola) then it's every 3 years. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-232744 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:55:38 +0000 chdot 232744@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Hi I run a small electrical repair business that specialises in stair lighting repair and I was reading the posts on your site with regards to tenement lighting and would clarify the following for you.</p> <p>1. Council maintenance routine :- Basically non existent the council only did reactive maintenance or in other words when they got a call to a property then they fixed the problem.</p> <p>2. How the lighting works:- There is 2 circuits in each light fitting but there is 3 circuits that can be in use one is a 24 hour circuit for stairwell with no or little daylight. The other 2 circuits are switched from a astro clock that is set to Edinburghs sunset and sunrise times. At midnight the clock switches one circuit off for a energy saving mode then switches the other circuit off the following night so that the tubes get an even wear.</p> <p>3. Broughton Spurtle site. They show a new astro clock that has been fitted these clocks are not common in fact half the clocks are the old 1950s-1960s electro mechanical models see pics</p> <p>4. EDC were meant to maintain the lights till 01-07-16 But I have surveyed a few where the timeclock was broken so the lights were put on manual 6-12 months previously to save the cost of replacing the clock.</p> <p>5. Intercom yes the majority are connected into the stair lighting box.</p> <p>6. DIY not a good idea but yes I would say that but seriously take care and make sure your insured for personal injury.</p> <p>7. Change a tube as and when required Not a good idea as its not cost effective its better to relamp the whole stair every 2-3 years. EDC changed them as and when required hence why most stair lighting are dull due to worn tubes.</p> <p>8. Organising the work It’s a whole lot cheaper for the residents to do rather than get a Factor involved. I have created help sheets that can be downloaded from my site.</p> <p>Andy White<br /> <a href="http://www.aew-electrical.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.aew-electrical.co.uk</a></p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226532 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 20:29:48 +0000 neddie 226532@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@kapt. @livd. Thanks.</p> <p>I don't think our system is on any kind of timer. It is permanently on, day &amp; night, both bulbs. At least that's what I remember. I'll double check it though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226502 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 13:27:08 +0000 LivM 226502@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@edd1e_h I realised after many years that one of the circuits is designed to go off in the wee small hours, so the stair is dimmer through the night but well lit in the evenings. So if one of the "always on" bulbs blows then the light is "on" in the evening (but dim because there's only one working) and "off" through the night when the "night" bulb is meant to be providing light but isn't. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226497 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:07:21 +0000 jdanielp 226497@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@kaputnik I still don't fully understand what is going on because, as you say, there aren't that many tenements in that area (although I believe that there may be a degree of lighting being providing to exterior stairs accessing some flats), but apparently "it is problem of finding out what's wrong - it happened after a power cut, and basically the whole area (think a few hundred flats) are without stair lighting" and the council haven't made any real effort to help. She is contacting her councillers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226491 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:22:37 +0000 kaputnik 226491@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@edd1e_h apparently there are 2 tubes in each lamp and they are on independent circuits. Check the circuit breakers (in the timer cabinet) to see if one side has tripped? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226485 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:11:20 +0000 dougal 226485@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Maybe someone trying to "create" spare bulbs so if one dies it can be replaced without purchasing a new one? :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226482 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:04:31 +0000 neddie 226482@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A weird thing happened in our close, just after the council ended their maintenance.</p> <p>All the lamps have 2 short fluorescent tubes in them. But someone seems to have removed or disabled one of the 2 tubes in every lamp! The stair is now quite dim.</p> <p>I wonder if one of the residents has done it, in a bid to save the planet? Or maybe the council themselves have done it, in an attempt to half their electric bill?</p> <p>Thoughts? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226415 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:49:23 +0000 kaputnik 226415@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jdanielP on reflection I can't think of many tenements in Colinton, it sounds more like a private lighting system for a housing state/scheme rather than a stairwell lighting system? If it's a modern flat, the development is more than likely to be factored. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226413 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:48:06 +0000 kaputnik 226413@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've just taken a look in our meter cupboard. It was "locked" using a screw through the door and case.</p> <p>It's all fairly modern inside, with a digital "latitude aware" clock control; i.e. the timer is set to the given latitude and date and adjusts the on/off times of the lights relative to sunrise and sundown. I even found the instructions for our programmer!</p> <p>The catch seems to be it has a 2-digit security code, i.e. 99 possible combinations. I wonder if the council were thinking of supplying these codes to each stair to allow them to adjust to suit stair requirements. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226412 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:40:00 +0000 threefromleith 226412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@kaputnik Just recalcitrant neighbours. Only one landlord-owned flat amongst the 8 in the stair.</p> <p>Annoyingly, one will go out and support the WoL cleanups each time they happen, but won't get involved in cleaning up our filthy stair! *sigh* </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226409 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:27:22 +0000 jdanielp 226409@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@kaputnik I'll feed the link back on the off-chance that it helps, but what I was getting is that it is more of a mystery as to where the cupboard is located given that it sounds like it is for a whole area so is probably outside somewhere... I may have the wrong end of the stick though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226407 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:18:00 +0000 kaputnik 226407@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would have thought the locks would be one of the standard meter cupboard lock types in the Spurtle link above, a key for which can be purchased from suppliers to the electrical trades. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226405 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:14:05 +0000 jdanielp 226405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Friends of mine in the Colinton area have apparently been informed that if they want their whole area to have stair lighting again, they will need to find an electrician and a locksmith to break open electricity cupboards (and then fit a new lock...) to sort this out, but they are somehow supposed to figure out which cupboard to break open, too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226382 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:05:13 +0000 crowriver 226382@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just a slight majority 5 to 4 of owner occupied on the actual stair. This is complicated by main door and rear facing ground floor flats which are part of the tenement but don't face onto the stair. </p> <p>Folk only rarely take their "turn" to sweep the stair; maintenance issues are a real drag to sort out and the Statutory Repairs scandal means folk are very reticent to comply with any council directives on this matter. Apparently our communal roof repair was overcharged about 7 years ago, council investigated and reduced the bill but some folk are never happy.</p> <p>To top it all I managed to alienate most of the owner occupiers by daring to carry out building work last year, so I'm in no position to take the lead on any communal repairs at this point...</p> <p>That said, living in a tenement is fine really! :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226381 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:01:11 +0000 chdot 226381@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"and switching the lights off on random floors through the night"</p> <p>Yeah we get that sometimes, which I can't understand as I can't think why (or where) a second timer would be! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226379 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:55:10 +0000 kaputnik 226379@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Three / Crow</p> <p>Do you have a high proportion of landlord/tenant flats? Or just reclusive / recalcitrant neighbours?</p> <p>We're fairly blessed that 2/3 of the flats are owner occupied and of those the most recent new owners apart from us have been there 24 years. So they are all well established and have a good history of dealing with things and paying when it's required. I think they're just happy though that there's someone new to help organise things.</p> <p>I don't think the council have done anything in our stair of late other than replace a broken bulb. Apparently the timer is playing up through and switching the lights off on random floors through the night, so we are probably due a proper test and inspect.</p> <p>It's possible to buy a key for the timer lighting box and change the timer settings yourself. Also the relevant bulbs are easily replaced (assuming you have a ladder to reach) if you have access to the box to turn the supply off. For some stairs where it's not possible to organise things and you're unwilling to go down the legal route with the Tenement Management Scheme and Title Deeds behind you to force other owners/occupiers to pay up, the DIY approach might be a minimum to keep you from dangerous dark stairs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226376 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:42:56 +0000 threefromleith 226376@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I feel your pain, Crowriver. I've been trying for 18 years now to get the neighbours in the stair to get stair cleaning organised, and some basic repairs carried out.</p> <p>Total failure. Parts of the stair are about a half-inch deep in stour, and there are dropped bits of rubbish, abandoned bikes and dumped bits of furniture. One wall has paint peeling off due to a damp issue, and the big paint chunks that fall just lie there too.</p> <p>Environmental Health were unable to force a stair cleaning order, as they gave up trying to catch everyone in to physically hand them the enforcement notices. Told me there was no more they could do.</p> <p>The closest I and another neighbour got to gaining agreement was when we got responses back from only the odd numbered flats in the stair.</p> <p>I'm dreading when the stair lighting bulbs start failing or the timer gets out of synch with daylight/darkness. Some folk would rather break their necks falling down the stairs in the dark than agree to organise maintenance of the lighting.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16687#post-226372 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:27:50 +0000 crowriver 226372@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"So I would be interested to learn what periodic maintenance used to be done by the Council. Anybody know?"</p> <p>Precious little as far as I recall. They were pretty prompt to do repairs when a fault was reported, however.</p> <p>Most common faults in my experience:</p> <p>- fluorescent tube failure<br /> - timer/light sensor switch behaving oddly i.e.. lights not coming on when dark outside</p> <p>I'm really not looking forward to the next fault as sorting anything out to do with repairs in our stair is a total nightmare... </p>