Emergency Lighting Testing

Why emergency lighting has to be tested

Emergency lighting is there for the moment mains power fails during a fire or evacuation — it has one job, and it only proves itself works when it's actually needed. BS 5266-1 sets out a routine of monthly and annual testing so a fault is caught in a drill, not during a real evacuation. Responsibility for keeping records sits with the building's "responsible person" under fire safety legislation, and a missing or incomplete log is one of the first things a fire risk assessor or fire officer checks.

Emergency lighting pricing

Small premisesSingle unit / few luminairesFrom £99

Larger premisesMultiple floors or zonesFrom £150

Covers the function or full duration test and logbook update. Final price confirmed against luminaire count before booking.

What the testing involves

Monthly function test

A short simulated mains failure confirms every emergency luminaire and exit sign illuminates correctly. We check for damaged diffusers, dead lamps and units that fail to switch over, and log the result against each fitting.

Annual full duration test

Once a year, the system is discharged for its full rated duration — commonly 3 hours — to confirm batteries hold enough charge to cover a full evacuation, not just switch on briefly. We record floor-level illuminance on escape routes as part of this test.

Where it applies

Escape routes, stairwells and final exits
Open areas over a certain floor size ("anti-panic" lighting)
High-risk task areas — plant rooms, kitchens, workshops
Fire alarm call points, extinguishers and exit signage

What you receive

A completion certificate covering the tested system, plus a logbook entry for every luminaire tested — the standard evidence a fire risk assessor or insurer will ask to see.

Frequently asked questions

How often does emergency lighting need testing?

BS 5266-1 calls for a brief function test monthly and a full duration discharge test annually, alongside daily visual checks of any central indicator panel where fitted.

Who is responsible for emergency lighting testing?

The 'responsible person' for the building under fire safety legislation — often the landlord, employer, or managing agent — is responsible for ensuring testing happens and records are kept, even where the work itself is contracted out.

What happens if a unit fails?

We note the fault against that fitting in the log and quote for the repair or replacement — usually a battery or lamp — so the system is back to full duration before the next annual test is due.