Emergency lighting is one of the most critical safety systems in any commercial or public building. In the event of a mains power failure, emergency lighting must provide sufficient illumination for occupants to safely evacuate the building. UK law requires emergency lighting to be installed in most non-domestic premises, and it must be regularly tested and maintained to ensure it will work when needed. The standard governing this is BS 5266-1:2016.
Who Needs Emergency Lighting?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) requires the responsible person for most non-domestic premises to provide emergency lighting as part of their fire precautions. This covers offices, shops, factories, warehouses, care homes, schools, hotels, pubs, restaurants, and places of entertainment. The specific requirement is determined by a fire risk assessment, but in practice almost all premises used by the public, by employees after dark, or where power failure could create a dangerous situation require some form of emergency lighting.
BS 5266-1: The Testing Requirements
BS 5266-1 specifies three types of test that must be carried out on emergency lighting systems. A monthly function test (known as the 'flick test') involves briefly interrupting the mains supply to confirm each emergency luminaire illuminates and reverts to mains when supply is restored. An annual full-rated-duration test requires the mains supply to be disconnected for the full rated duration of the battery — typically one or three hours — to confirm the batteries can sustain the system for the required period. Additionally, a monthly visual inspection should check for obvious defects such as damaged or missing luminaires.
The Monthly Test: What It Involves
The monthly function test should be carried out by a competent person — typically the premises manager or a designated member of staff who has been trained in the procedure. The test involves switching off the mains supply to the emergency lighting circuit (usually via a key switch or test switch) for a sufficient time to confirm all luminaires illuminate, then restoring the supply. The test should take place at a time of day when people are present so that any non-functioning luminaires can be spotted. Results should be recorded in the emergency lighting log book.
The Annual Full-Duration Test: What It Involves
The annual full-duration test is more involved and should be carried out by a competent electrician or specialist emergency lighting engineer. The mains supply to all emergency lighting circuits is isolated, and the system is left on battery power for the full rated duration — one hour for M category luminaires, three hours for escape route luminaires. At the end of the test period, an inspection is carried out to confirm all luminaires are still illuminated. The system is then restored to mains supply and sufficient time allowed for the batteries to recharge — typically 24 hours — before the building is occupied overnight. MES PAT Testing Ltd carries out full annual emergency lighting tests for Kent businesses as part of a combined electrical safety service.
Documentation: The Emergency Lighting Log Book
BS 5266-1 requires a log book to be maintained recording all tests, inspections, and maintenance. The log book must record the date of each test, who carried it out, which luminaires were tested, the results of each test, and details of any failures and remedial action taken. In the event of a fire, if it is found that emergency lighting failed and the log book shows testing had not been carried out correctly, the responsible person faces significant legal exposure. The fire service and insurers will examine the log book as part of any post-incident investigation.
