Why Emergency Lighting Matters

Emergency lighting is more than a legal requirement—it’s a life-saving system that helps occupants navigate safely to exits during a power outage or fire. These lights also illuminate fire-fighting equipment and essential safety signage, improving visibility and reducing panic in emergencies.

There are two main types of emergency lights, known as luminaries:

• Maintained – continuously illuminated

• Non-maintained – only activated during a power failure

Both types are powered by rechargeable batteries that draw energy from the mains or a dedicated power source.

Emergency Lighting Testing – What’s Involved?

In accordance with UK fire safety legislation, your emergency lighting system must undergo:

• Monthly flick tests – a short test to ensure each luminaire activates as expected during a power cut

• Annual full duration tests – to simulate a real power outage and confirm the lighting remains functional for the legally required duration

British Standards (BS 5266-1) require emergency lighting to last a minimum of 1 hour—though 3-hour systems are common in commercial settings.

During a full test, our qualified engineers will:

• Simulate a power outage to check system activation

• Ensure all emergency luminaires stay illuminated for the required duration (1 or 3 hours)

• Identify and replace faulty batteries, bulbs, or fittings

• Log all test results and issue compliance documentation