Emergency Lighting Testing and Maintenance Requirements
Emergency Lighting in Brief
Emergency lighting needs a monthly functional test and an annual three-hour duration test under BS 5266. Records of those tests are what fire authorities and certification bodies will ask to see.
Managing Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting provides illumination when the main power supply fails, allowing building occupants to safely evacuate during an emergency such as a fire. In an emergency the main power to a building may be cut - either manually or by safety systems - and emergency lighting is relied upon to light escape routes and exit signs so people can leave safely.
Most emergency lighting units contain a battery that activates automatically when the mains supply fails. Because these units may go unused for long periods, it is important to test them regularly to confirm the battery and light are functional. A unit that appears to be working normally under mains power may not activate correctly when needed if the battery has deteriorated.
If you have emergency lighting installed, it must be tested and maintained. This is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity - emergency lighting that fails during an evacuation can cause serious harm.
Identifying and Documenting Emergency Lighting
The first step is to identify and document all emergency lighting units on the premises. Each unit should be recorded with its exact location, so that a testing plan can be prepared covering every unit. The record should also note the type of unit and the colour of any indicator lights that should be visible under normal mains power - this indicator light itself should be checked as part of routine monitoring.
Where emergency lighting was recently installed, an installation certificate should have been provided. This should be retained as part of the premises records. Previously installed lighting that does not have a current certificate should be inspected by a qualified person and a certificate obtained.
Testing Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting testing is carried out at two levels:
Monthly functional test - a short test to confirm that each unit activates when the mains supply is interrupted. This can be done by switching off the circuit supplying the emergency lights, or by using a test key on individual units, and confirming that the light comes on. The test should also check that the indicator light under normal power is the correct colour. All units should be included in the monthly test and results recorded.
Annual full duration test - a test to confirm that the battery can sustain the emergency light for the required duration - typically three hours for maintained and non-maintained luminaires complying with BS 5266. The full duration test is more disruptive as it requires the lights to run on battery for the full period, but it is the only way to confirm that the battery is still performing adequately. Battery performance deteriorates over time and a battery that passes the monthly functional test may not sustain the light for the required duration.
All test results should be recorded, including the date, which units were tested, the outcome and any remedial actions required. Any unit that fails a test should be repaired or replaced promptly.
Emergency lighting is one of those things that works quietly in the background and is easy to overlook until something goes wrong. The monthly test takes only a few minutes once the testing plan is set up - you go round each unit, activate the test, confirm it works and record the result. The annual full duration test takes more planning but should be scheduled as a fixed date in the calendar rather than something that gets deferred. A unit with a failing battery will pass the monthly test and fail when it actually needs to work.
We use the emergency lighting checklist to log each monthly test - date, which units tested, pass or fail, any actions needed. It is kept with the premises records so there is a clear history going back over time. We had one unit fail its annual test last year - the battery had deteriorated. We would not have known from the monthly tests alone. That is why the annual full duration test matters.
Practical Compliance Guidance
Managing emergency lighting effectively requires a documented testing plan covering all units, a consistent record of monthly and annual test results, and a process for promptly addressing any failures. Section 3.2 of IMS1 covers equipment management and the arrangements for emergency lighting should be referenced there alongside other premises equipment checks.
The alphaZ document suite includes specific forms for logging emergency lighting tests and battery checks alongside general premises inspection forms.
| alphaZ document | How to use it |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001/14001/45001 Management System Toolkit | The complete toolkit for implementing an ISO-compliant integrated management system. Includes the IMS1 manual, all policies, procedures, registers and audit checklists. |
| GG-1-20 Emergency Lighting Guidance | Guidance document covering emergency lighting requirements, testing frequency and what to look for. A useful reference when setting up or reviewing emergency lighting management arrangements. |
| F-HS41 Emergency Lighting Safety Checklist | Use to record the results of monthly emergency lighting tests - confirming which units were tested, whether they activated correctly and any actions required. |
| F-HS42 Emergency Lighting Battery Test Log | Use to record the annual full duration battery test for each unit - confirming the battery sustained the light for the required period. |
| F-Q26 Premises Monthly Checklist | Monthly premises inspection checklist that includes emergency lighting as part of a broader check of all premises safety equipment and arrangements. |
Note - all the above files can be downloaded with an alphaZ subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
UK Legislation
The following UK legislation and standards are directly relevant to the management of emergency lighting. Organisations outside the UK should identify the equivalent requirements applicable in their jurisdiction.
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
