Emergency lighting is a backup lighting system that automatically activates when mains power fails, ensuring escape routes remain illuminated so people can evacuate safely. It's a legal requirement for most non-domestic premises in the UK.
Do you have emergency lighting installed?
Let's check if your setup is adequate.
What is emergency lighting?
Emergency lighting is a battery-powered or generator-backed lighting system that:
- Activates automatically when normal mains lighting fails
- Illuminates escape routes so people can find their way out safely
- Provides adequate light for at least the minimum duration required (typically 1-3 hours)
- Requires no human intervention to switch on
The purpose is straightforward: if there's a fire or power failure, people must be able to see well enough to evacuate safely, even if normal lighting has failed.
Emergency lighting isn't optional for most premises. It's a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Your fire risk assessment should identify where emergency lighting is needed.
Types of emergency lighting
There are two main classification systems for emergency lighting:
By operation mode
Non-maintained emergency lighting:
- Only illuminates when mains power fails
- Remains off during normal operation
- Most common type in commercial premises
- Lower running costs than maintained lighting
- Suitable for most escape routes and fire exits
Maintained emergency lighting:
- Illuminated continuously (both mains and emergency mode)
- Still works during power failure
- Required in places of assembly (cinemas, theatres)
- Often used in 24-hour premises
- Doubles as normal lighting
Combined emergency lighting:
- Contains two or more lamps, at least one of which is emergency-powered
- Can operate in both maintained and non-maintained modes
- Offers flexibility but costs more initially
Non-maintained is sufficient for most offices, shops, and factories. Maintained lighting is legally required in public entertainment venues and strongly recommended where premises operate 24/7.
By power system
Self-contained emergency lights:
- Each unit has its own battery
- Independent operation (one failure doesn't affect others)
- Easier to install and maintain
- Typical for small to medium premises
- Battery lasts 4-5 years before replacement
Central battery systems:
- One central battery bank powers multiple lights
- Easier to test and maintain (single point)
- Higher initial cost but lower long-term maintenance
- Suitable for large or complex buildings
- Requires specialist design and installation
Self-Contained vs Central Battery
Self-Contained
Recommended- •Lower installation cost
- •Suitable for most premises
- •Easy to add lights later
- •Individual battery maintenance
- •One failure doesn't affect others
- •DIY-friendly for small premises
Central Battery
- •Higher installation cost
- •Best for large buildings
- •Centralized testing and maintenance
- •Longer battery life (up to 25 years)
- •Requires specialist installation
- •Single point of failure (backup systems needed)
Bottom line: For most small to medium premises, self-contained emergency lighting offers the best balance of cost, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Central battery systems make sense for large or complex buildings where centralized management justifies the extra cost.
Where is emergency lighting required?
Your fire risk assessment should identify exactly where you need emergency lighting, but it's generally required in these locations:
Escape routes and exits
- All escape route corridors and stairways
- Every final exit door to a place of safety
- External areas that form part of the escape route
- Any change in direction along an escape route
- Any change in floor level (steps, ramps)
- Exit doors from high-risk areas
High-risk task areas
- Lift cars (backup lighting)
- Escalators and moving walkways
- Toilet facilities larger than 8m² or for disabled persons
- Motor generator or control rooms
- Plant rooms and switch rooms
- First aid rooms
Windowless rooms
- Any room regularly occupied that has no natural light
- Internal rooms relied upon during evacuation
Fire-fighting equipment locations
- Near fire alarm call points
- Where fire extinguishers are located
- Near fire-fighting equipment or controls
Every final exit must have emergency lighting. This isn't optional, regardless of premises size. If people need to use that door to escape, it must be lit during power failure.
BS 5266 standard — the rules to follow
BS 5266-1:2016 is the British Standard for emergency lighting. It specifies:
Illumination levels
Escape routes:
- Minimum 1 lux along the centre line of the escape route
- Uniformity ratio of 40:1 (no dark patches)
- Higher levels needed at changes of direction and level
Open areas (anti-panic lighting):
- Minimum 0.5 lux at floor level
- Maximum spacing of 60m²
- Uniformity ratio of 40:1
High-risk task areas:
- Minimum 10% of normal lighting level
- Or 15 lux, whichever is greater
- Task must be safely terminated or shut down
Duration requirements
Most premises:
- Minimum 1 hour emergency lighting duration
- 3 hours for premises where re-occupation is likely after a fire
Sleeping accommodation:
- Minimum 3 hours duration
- Covers care homes, hotels, HMOs, boarding schools
Places of assembly:
- Minimum 3 hours duration
- Ensures safe evacuation during evening performances
The duration clock starts the moment mains power fails. After the rated duration, the lights will go out. That's why testing is critical — you need to know the batteries actually hold enough charge for the required time.
Testing requirements
Emergency lighting must be tested regularly to ensure it works when needed. BS 5266 specifies:
Monthly function test
What to do:
- Simulate a mains power failure (test switch or circuit breaker)
- Check that all emergency lights illuminate
- Visual inspection that lights are bright enough
- Short duration test (long enough to confirm operation)
- Restore mains power and check charging indicators
How long: 5-10 minutes per area
Record: Date, time, tester name, any defects found
A simple logbook works fine for monthly tests. Just note "All emergency lights tested and functional" or record any specific issues. The key is doing it consistently every month.
Annual duration test
What to do:
- Simulate mains power failure
- Let the emergency lights run for the full rated duration (1 or 3 hours)
- Check that all lights remain illuminated for the entire period
- Check brightness doesn't drop below acceptable levels
- After test, allow full recharge time (usually 24 hours)
How long: Full rated duration plus setup time
Record: Detailed record including any lights that failed duration test
Who can test?
For monthly tests, any competent person (trained staff member) can do them. For annual duration tests, consider using:
- A qualified electrician
- A fire safety maintenance contractor
- A competent person with proper training and equipment
Emergency Lighting Testing Schedule
Charging indicators show green (part of daily premises check)
Simulate power failure, check all units illuminate, restore power
Full-duration test (1 or 3 hours) to confirm battery capacity
Replace batteries in self-contained units (or as needed)
Record keeping
You must keep records of all emergency lighting tests. Good records demonstrate compliance if the fire service inspects your premises.
What to record
For every test:
- Date and time of test
- Name of person conducting the test
- Type of test (monthly function or annual duration)
- Results for each emergency light or zone
- Any defects or failures identified
- Remedial action taken
- Date defects were rectified
System information:
- Location and description of all emergency lights
- Type (maintained/non-maintained)
- Rated duration (1 hour or 3 hours)
- Battery replacement dates
- Installation and commissioning records
How long to keep records
Keep records for at least 5 years. Fire authorities may ask to see test records going back several years to check you've maintained a consistent testing regime.
Digital records are fine. A spreadsheet or maintenance app works well. The important thing is that records are clear, complete, and accessible when needed.
Common deficiencies and problems
Fire officers commonly find these issues during inspections:
No testing or poor testing records
The problem: Emergency lights installed but never tested, or no records kept
Why it matters: Untested emergency lighting may have flat batteries or failed lamps
The fix: Implement monthly and annual testing schedule immediately, keep proper records
Inadequate coverage
The problem: Some escape routes have no emergency lighting, or spacing is too wide
Why it matters: Dark patches on escape routes create trip hazards and confusion
The fix: Walk your escape routes in the dark to identify gaps, add additional units as needed
Wrong type for the application
The problem: Non-maintained lighting in places requiring maintained (e.g., cinemas)
Why it matters: Legal requirement for maintained lighting in certain premises types
The fix: Replace with maintained lighting or combined units
Duration too short
The problem: 1-hour emergency lighting installed in sleeping accommodation
Why it matters: BS 5266 requires 3-hour duration for sleeping accommodation
The fix: Replace units with 3-hour rated batteries
Dead batteries
The problem: Old batteries no longer hold charge, often over 5 years old
Why it matters: Lights illuminate initially but fail before rated duration
The fix: Replace batteries in self-contained units every 4-5 years (or when they fail duration test)
Damaged or missing units
The problem: Emergency lights physically damaged or removed during refurbishment
Why it matters: Gaps in coverage create dangerous dark areas
The fix: Replace damaged units immediately, note location in fire risk assessment
Hotel fined £20,000 for emergency lighting failures
A small hotel was inspected by fire officers following a complaint. The premises had 24 guest rooms over three floors with complex corridors.
- ✗Emergency lighting installed but not tested for over 3 years
- ✗Six units had dead batteries and failed to illuminate
- ✗Rear staircase had no emergency lighting at all
- ✗No test records available
- ✗Battery-powered emergency lights, but batteries were 8 years old
The hotel was issued with a Prohibition Notice preventing use of upper floors until defects were rectified. The owner was prosecuted and fined £20,000 plus costs. All emergency lighting had to be replaced at additional cost of £8,000.
Emergency lighting in sleeping accommodation is a critical safety measure. Testing must be done regularly, and batteries have a limited lifespan. The costs of non-compliance far exceeded what proper maintenance would have cost.
When to upgrade or replace
Consider upgrading or replacing emergency lighting when:
Age and obsolescence
- Self-contained units over 10 years old — Even with battery replacement, electronics degrade
- Old technology — Modern LED units are brighter, more reliable, and have longer battery life
- Parts no longer available — If you can't get replacement batteries or lamps, replace the whole unit
Change of use
- New escape routes — Layout changes may require additional or repositioned lights
- Increased occupancy — More people means brighter lighting may be needed
- Sleeping accommodation added — Requires upgrade to 3-hour duration
- 24-hour operation — May need maintained lighting instead of non-maintained
Compliance issues
- Fails annual duration test — If replacing batteries doesn't solve it, replace the unit
- Inadequate illumination levels — Older units may not meet current BS 5266 standards
- Wrong type for the premises — Non-maintained in place requiring maintained
LED advantages
Modern LED emergency lighting offers significant benefits:
- Longer battery life — LED draws less power, extending run time
- Brighter output — Better coverage from fewer units
- Lower maintenance — LED lamps rarely need replacement
- Self-testing models — Automatic monthly and annual testing with digital records
- Better reliability — Solid-state technology with fewer points of failure
Self-testing emergency lighting is a game-changer for busy premises. Units automatically conduct monthly and annual tests, storing results digitally. You still need to check the results, but the system does the testing for you.
DIY or professional installation?
DIY vs Professional Installation
DIY Installation
- •Suitable for small, simple premises
- •Self-contained units only
- •Basic electrical skills required
- •You understand your escape routes
- •Lower initial cost
- •Responsibility for compliance is yours
Professional Installation
Recommended- •Guaranteed compliance with BS 5266
- •Proper lighting levels calculated
- •Certification provided
- •Complex premises or central battery systems
- •Sleeping accommodation
- •Typically £500-2,000+ depending on premises
Bottom line: For simple premises with straightforward escape routes, DIY installation of self-contained units can work if you're confident in basic electrical work. For anything involving sleeping accommodation, complex layouts, or central battery systems, professional installation is essential.
If doing it yourself
Follow these principles:
- Walk your escape routes in the dark to identify where light is needed
- Every final exit must have emergency lighting — non-negotiable
- Illuminate every turn and change in level — these are where people trip
- Spacing matters — keep illuminated areas overlapping, no dark gaps
- Use the right duration — 1 hour for most premises, 3 hours for sleeping accommodation
- Test before you finish — Check every unit works before signing off the installation
Frequently asked questions
If your office is on the ground floor with simple escape routes directly to outside and good natural light, you might not need emergency lighting. However, if escape routes are internal corridors, go through multiple rooms, or involve stairs, emergency lighting is required. Your fire risk assessment should identify this.
Self-contained emergency light batteries typically last 4-5 years. After this, they may not hold enough charge for the rated duration. You should replace them proactively at 4-5 years, or earlier if they fail annual duration tests.
No. Exit signs must either be illuminated signs powered by emergency lighting, or internally illuminated signs with their own backup power. A non-illuminated sign is useless in the dark.
If a single light fails, it's unlikely to create an immediate danger (assuming you have adequate coverage). However, you should replace it as soon as possible. If multiple lights fail or a critical location has no emergency lighting, this is a serious fire safety issue that needs immediate attention.
No, but they can be. Emergency lights are self-contained (with batteries) or connected to a central battery system, so they work regardless of which circuit fails. The key is they activate automatically when mains power is lost.
Yes, monthly function tests can be done by any competent person (a trained staff member). Annual duration tests should ideally be done by a qualified electrician or fire safety technician, though legally they can be done by a competent person with proper training.
Self-contained LED emergency lights cost £20-80 per unit. For a typical small office needing 6-8 units, expect £300-600 for DIY installation or £800-1,500 professionally installed. Larger premises or central battery systems cost significantly more.
Escape route lighting illuminates defined paths to exits (corridors, stairways) at 1 lux minimum. Anti-panic lighting illuminates open areas larger than 60m² to prevent panic, at 0.5 lux minimum. Most premises need escape route lighting; large open areas may also need anti-panic lighting.
Next steps
Assess whether your emergency lighting is adequate:
Not sure if you're meeting your legal duties?
A fire safety professional can assess your emergency lighting, conduct proper tests, and advise on any improvements needed. This gives you confidence that you're meeting BS 5266 requirements and protecting people properly.
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