Self-test VS manual test

The difference in technologies and when each may be required

There are a number of specific terms within the emergency exit product range, which are important to understand. This is principally to ensure that the correct product is specified, quoted and installed into the application – getting the best product for the job.

The third article in this series will focus on testing types. What is the difference between self-test and manual test? The Collingwood range has both options available; one isn’t necessarily better than the other, it does depend on the situation and installation environment.

Self-test

Self-test products have built in technology that facilitates an automation of testing regimes. Settings can be configured to make sure that tests happen in line with requirements. This automation provides a strong peace of mind that the system is compliant and any issues are clearly highlighted.

Each self-test product has an LED indicator that demonstrates the status of the specific product. The indicator will change depending on whether a product is functioning well, or has failed. This means that visual checks can be made quickly and efficiently on site and any issues rectified.

More fundamentally, self-test products save time, effort and money. They remove the need for a person to perform tests, which are sometimes lengthy, on a possibly high quantity of units. 

Finally, from a practical perspective, self-test products can be tested at convenient times of the day, when there is a minimal number of people in the building and some products, like Twin Spots, are just inconvenient to have as manual test options.

Any product mounted high up on the wall, or suspended from the ceiling can be impractical in any other option.

Manual test

Manual test units do, however, have an important place in the range. The main noticeable difference is that the battery of tests need to be conducted by an individual, or team, on each relevant product.

Manual test is more cost effective than a self-test product, which is easily explained through the reduction in components needed. Self-test units naturally need more inside them to perform the tests automatically.

In installations where there are either a handful of units, or where there are a strong number of resources available to perform the testing manually, then it makes sense to choose this option because the amount of convenience and cost saving is tempered.