Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting is a vital safety feature in any workplace, providing illumination during power failures and helping occupants safely exit a building in an emergency. Whether you manage an office, retail space, warehouse, or industrial site, ensuring your emergency lighting is regularly tested is not just good practice; it’s a legal requirement in the UK.

At CTE Electrical Contractors, we work with businesses across Yorkshire to provide professional emergency lighting installation, testing, and maintenance. In this guide, we’ll explain how to test emergency lighting correctly, what the legal obligations are, and how often testing should take place.

Why Emergency Lighting is Important

When the main power supply fails, normal lighting will go out, leaving staff, customers, or visitors in complete darkness. Emergency lighting ensures that escape routes, exit doors, and safety equipment remain visible. Without it, panic can quickly set in, increasing the risk of injury and making evacuation much more dangerous.

For Yorkshire businesses, investing in reliable emergency lighting is about more than compliance—it’s about protecting lives, safeguarding property, and maintaining operational resilience.

Legal Obligations for Emergency Lighting Testing in the UK

UK law requires businesses and landlords to install, maintain, and test emergency lighting systems in line with several regulations:

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 States that building owners and employers are responsible for ensuring safe evacuation in the event of an emergency.
• BS 5266-1:2016 – The British Standard that provides the code of practice for emergency lighting.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – Requires employers to provide a safe working environment, which includes adequate lighting in emergencies.

Failure to comply can result in heavy fines, invalidated insurance policies, or even prosecution.

Emergency lighting testing isn’t optional; it’s a legal duty.

Recommended Duration of Emergency Lighting Tests

Emergency lighting should be tested at different intervals, with the duration of each test varying:

1. Monthly Functional Test
   1. Carried out briefly (usually just a few minutes).
   2. Ensures that each emergency light comes on when the mains power is switched off.
   3. Checks that the lights are clean, undamaged, and positioned correctly.
2. Annual Full Duration Test
   1. Must be carried out for the full rated duration of the emergency lighting system—typically 3 hours.
   2. Simulates a power failure by cutting the mains supply.
   3. Confirms that all emergency lights stay illuminated for the full period.
   4. Ensures batteries are capable of sustaining illumination for the required duration.

These tests should be documented in a logbook, signed, and dated to prove compliance during inspections.

How to Test Emergency Lighting 

Testing emergency lighting can be carried out manually or via an automatic testing system, depending on the setup of your building. Below, we break down the process: 

1. Preparation Before Testing 
   1. Inform staff about the test (especially if it’s the annual full test, as the building will be in darkness once the batteries run out).
   2. Ensure escape routes and alternative lighting arrangements are in place during testing.
   3. Have your emergency lighting logbook ready to record results. 
2. Monthly Functional Testing 
   1. Turn off the mains power supply to the emergency lights.
   2. Check that all fittings immediately switch to battery mode.
   3. Confirm that the lights are working, are positioned correctly, and are not obstructed.
   4. Restore the mains power supply.
   5. Record the test results in your logbook. 
3. Annual 3-Hour Duration Testing 
   1. Simulate a power cut by switching off the mains supply.
   2. Allow the emergency lights to run on battery power for their full rated duration (usually 3 hours).
   3. Check that all lights remain operational throughout the test.
   4. After the 3 hours, confirm that the fittings recharge properly when power is restored.
   5. Record findings in the logbook and schedule any required repairs or replacements.

Common Issues Found During Emergency Lighting Tests

At CTE Electrical Contractors, we often identify issues during testing that businesses were unaware of. Some common faults include:

• Fittings that fail to switch to emergency mode.
• Batteries that don’t hold charge for the full 3 hours.
• Emergency exit signs that are missing, damaged, or poorly positioned.
• Lights blocked by shelving, signage, or other obstructions.

Spotting these problems early is essential for keeping your business compliant and safe.

Who Can Carry Out Emergency Lighting Testing?

While basic monthly checks can often be done by a trained member of staff, annual full duration tests should always be completed by a qualified electrician.

As NICEIC-approved contractors, CTE Electrical Contractors provide professional emergency lighting testing across Yorkshire, ensuring compliance with BS 5266-1 standards. We also handle remedial works and provide certification so you have the documentation required for insurance and health and safety inspections.

Benefits of Professional Emergency Lighting Testing

• Compliance – Stay legally compliant with fire safety laws.
• Safety – Ensure staff and visitors can safely evacuate in an emergency.
• Peace of Mind – Know your system will work when it’s needed most.
• Insurance Protection – Maintain valid business insurance cover.
• Cost Savings – Identify and fix small faults before they become expensive problems.

Why Choose CTE Electrical Contractors in Yorkshire?

At CTE Electrical Contractors, we provide tailored emergency lighting solutions to businesses throughout Barnsley, Sheffield, Leeds, Doncaster, Wakefield, and across Yorkshire.

We pride ourselves on:

• Experienced, fully qualified electricians.
• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs.
• Flexible scheduling to minimise business disruption.
• Detailed test reports and logbook updates.

Whether you need a one-off emergency lighting inspection or a full testing and maintenance package, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

How often should emergency lighting be tested in the UK?
Emergency lighting must be tested monthly with a short functional test, and annually with a full 3-hour duration test. Both results should be recorded in a logbook to ensure compliance. 

Who is responsible for emergency lighting testing?
The “responsible person” under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005—usually the employer, landlord, or building manager—is legally responsible for ensuring emergency lighting is tested and maintained. 

Can I carry out emergency lighting testing myself?
Basic monthly checks can be done by trained staff. However, annual 3-hour duration tests should be carried out by a qualified electrician, such as CTE Electrical Contractors in Yorkshire, to ensure compliance with BS 5266 standards. - 6 - 

What happens if my emergency lights fail the test?
If a light does not work or does not last for the full 3 hours, it must be repaired or replaced immediately. A professional electrician can identify faults, replace batteries, or install new fittings as required. 

Do I need to keep records of emergency lighting tests?
Yes. All emergency lighting tests must be documented in a logbook. This record may be requested during fire safety inspections or insurance checks to prove compliance.