Emergency Lighting Testing: A Guide for UK Businesses

Emergency lighting helps people find their way out of a building if the normal lighting fails. During a fire, power cut or other emergency, clearly illuminated escape routes can help people leave the premises safely.

Regular emergency lighting testing helps businesses find failed lamps, batteries and other faults before an emergency occurs. This guide explains what emergency lighting does, why testing matters and what businesses should check.

What is emergency lighting?

Emergency lighting is designed to operate when the normal lighting supply fails.

Depending on the building, it may be used to illuminate:

• Escape routes
• Stairways
• Changes in floor level
• Fire exits
• Corridors
• Fire alarm call points
• Fire fighting equipment
• Areas where people may need help finding their way out

The emergency lighting arrangements required for a building should be considered as part of its fire risk assessment.

Why is emergency lighting important?

Normal electrical lighting cannot be relied upon during every emergency.

A fire can damage electrical systems, while a power failure can leave parts of a building in darkness even when there is no fire.

Without suitable emergency lighting, people may struggle to see stairs, obstacles, changes in direction or exit doors.

This becomes particularly important in premises without much natural light, buildings occupied after dark and unfamiliar environments used by members of the public.

Does my business need emergency lighting?

The requirements depend on the premises and should be considered during the fire risk assessment.

Factors include:

• The size of the building
• The number and layout of escape routes
• Whether the premises are occupied at night
• How much natural light is available
• Changes in level and staircases
• How familiar occupants are with the building
• The needs of people who may require assistance

Emergency lighting should support safe evacuation if the normal lighting supply is lost.

Why does emergency lighting need testing?

An emergency light can look perfectly normal while the mains electricity is working. The problem may only become apparent when the normal supply fails and the fitting needs to operate from its backup power source.

Regular testing helps identify:

• Failed lamps
• Battery problems
• Damaged fittings
• Poor illumination
• Units that fail to switch to emergency operation
• Changes to the premises that affect coverage

Faults should be recorded and repaired as soon as practicable.

Monthly emergency lighting checks

Government guidance recommends monthly testing of emergency lighting systems.

The purpose is to check that the emergency lights operate when the normal lighting supply is interrupted.

The test should be carried out at a suitable time so that the emergency lighting has an opportunity to recharge afterwards and is available when the building is occupied.

Results should be recorded in the business’s fire safety records.

Annual emergency lighting testing

Emergency lighting should also receive more detailed periodic testing and maintenance by a competent person.

This allows the system to be checked beyond the short functional test carried out during routine monthly checks.

Any problems identified should be dealt with promptly rather than being left until the next test.

Common emergency lighting problems

Several problems can reduce the effectiveness of an emergency lighting system.

These include:

• Old or failing batteries
• Damaged fittings
• Failed lamps
• Lights being covered or obstructed
• Building alterations changing escape routes
• New partitions blocking light
• Incorrect positioning of replacement fittings

Regular checks make these problems easier to identify before the system is needed during an emergency.

Do you need to keep emergency lighting test records?

Keeping a record of testing and maintenance provides a clear history of the system.

Records can include:

• Date of each test
• Type of test completed
• Areas or fittings checked
• Faults identified
• Repairs completed
• Professional service visits

These records can also be reviewed alongside the fire risk assessment and other fire safety documentation.

Emergency lighting and your fire risk assessment

Emergency lighting should not be considered separately from the rest of the building’s fire precautions.

A fire risk assessment should consider whether people can find and use escape routes safely. That includes considering the lighting available if normal power is lost.

If the building layout changes, the emergency lighting arrangements should be checked again. Moving a wall, changing a corridor or creating a new room could affect how well existing fittings illuminate the route.

Who can test emergency lighting?

Some routine checks may be completed by a suitably instructed person within the business.

More detailed testing, maintenance and repairs should be completed by someone with the appropriate knowledge and ability to work on the system.

If you are unsure whether your emergency lighting is suitable or when it was last professionally tested, arranging an inspection can identify any areas that require attention.

Keep emergency escape routes visible

Emergency lighting is easy to overlook because it spends most of its time in standby mode. Its real purpose becomes apparent when the normal lighting fails.

Regular emergency lighting testing gives businesses confidence that escape routes, stairs, exits and other important areas will remain visible if the normal power supply is lost.