Emergency Light Testing
BS 5266 Certified | From £70
BAFE registered engineers. Monthly flash tests to annual full-duration discharge. Compliance certificate included.
What is emergency light testing?
What does emergency light testing involve?
Emergency light testing checks that your emergency lighting activates when the mains power fails and keeps escape routes lit long enough for everyone to get out. That is its only job — and if it does not work, people are left in the dark during a fire.
All emergency lighting in UK non-domestic premises must meet BS 5266-1:2016, the British Standard for emergency lighting. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes it a legal duty for the responsible person to keep these systems maintained and tested. Testing is not optional. It runs on a fixed schedule of monthly, quarterly, and annual checks throughout the year.
Why emergency light testing matters
The last line of defence
When a fire knocks out the power, emergency lighting is the only thing standing between your occupants and total darkness. Corridors, stairwells, final exits — none of these are any use if people cannot see them. A single failed luminaire above a fire exit door can turn an orderly evacuation into a dangerous one.
Legal duty and penalties
- Enforcement notices requiring immediate action
- Prohibition notices that can shut your building down on the spot
- Unlimited fines for failing to comply with fire safety duties
- Up to 2 years imprisonment for serious breaches
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places the obligation squarely on the responsible person. If your emergency lighting has not been tested and maintained to BS 5266, you face enforcement notices, prohibition notices that can close your building immediately, unlimited fines, and up to 2 years in prison. Fire and rescue authorities check emergency lighting records during every audit.
Insurance exposure
Most commercial property policies require documented evidence of regular emergency lighting maintenance. If you cannot produce test records after a fire, your insurer can reject the claim. A lapsed maintenance log is one of the simplest grounds an insurer has to deny cover.
Why choose FireRisk.io?
BAFE registered engineers with 25 years of fire safety experience
BS 5266 compliance guaranteed
Every emergency lighting test we carry out meets BS 5266-1:2016 in full. Our BAFE registered engineers test every luminaire, check every battery, and verify every exit sign. You receive a compliance certificate on completion, accepted by insurers and fire authorities across the UK. No missed units, no gaps in your records.
Annual testing contracts
Cover your emergency lighting compliance for the full year with a single contract. Monthly functional tests and the annual full-duration discharge test are both included, along with priority booking and fixed pricing. Contracts save 15-20% and keep your BS 5266 obligations on track without you chasing deadlines.
Full-duration testing included
Every annual service includes the full 3-hour discharge test as standard — not an add-on. We run every luminaire for its complete rated duration, verify battery performance, and confirm recharge. Most providers charge extra for full-duration testing. We include it because it is the only way to know your system will actually work during a real emergency.
Emergency lighting test schedule
BS 5266-1:2016 sets out a clear testing programme. Each type of test serves a different purpose, and missing any of them puts you out of compliance.
Monthly functional test
Once a month, every emergency luminaire must be tested by briefly interrupting its power supply. The light should switch on within 5 seconds and stay lit for long enough to confirm it works — typically around 30 seconds. This test checks that the battery, lamp, and changeover circuitry are all functioning. A trained member of staff can carry out monthly tests in-house.
Quarterly inspection
Every three months, carry out a visual inspection of all emergency luminaires and exit signs. Check for physical damage, obstructions, dirt build-up on lenses, and any units showing a fault indicator. Confirm that illuminated exit signs are clearly visible and correctly positioned.
Annual full-duration test
Once a year, every emergency luminaire must be run for its full rated duration — 3 hours for most systems, 1 hour for high-risk task areas with rapid re-occupation. This is the big one. It confirms that batteries can hold charge for the full escape period. After the test, units must be left to fully recharge and checked again to verify they return to normal operation. This test must be done by a competent person.
| Frequency | Test type | Duration | Who should do it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Functional flash test | 30 seconds | Trained on-site staff |
| Quarterly | Visual inspection | N/A | Trained on-site staff |
| Annually | Full-duration discharge | 3 hours (or 1hr) | Qualified engineer |
Monthly testing tip
A trained member of staff can carry out monthly functional tests in-house. The test involves briefly interrupting the power supply to each luminaire and confirming it activates within 5 seconds. Keep a written record of every test — fire authorities will ask for it.
Types of emergency lighting systems
The type fitted in your building affects how it is tested and what to look for during inspections
Maintained
These lights run continuously — during normal operation and during a power failure. Common above final exits and in areas like theatres and cinemas where lights are deliberately dimmed during normal use. They switch to battery power when the mains fails.
Non-maintained
These only come on when the mains supply drops out. In normal conditions they are off completely. This is the most common type fitted in offices, retail units, and commercial buildings. Because they are not lit day-to-day, monthly testing is the only way to know they still work.
Sustained
Dual-function fittings that contain two lamps. One works as a standard room light on the mains circuit. The other is an emergency lamp on a battery backup that only activates during power failure. Both functions sit inside one housing.
Self-contained vs central battery
Self-contained units have their own individual battery built into each luminaire. Central battery systems run all emergency lights from a single battery bank, usually located in a plant room. Self-contained is cheaper to install. Central battery is easier to maintain in large buildings but more expensive up front and more complex to test.
What is included in our emergency light testing service
Every emergency lighting test we carry out follows BS 5266-1:2016. Here is what the service covers:
Our service includes
- Functional test of every luminaire and illuminated exit sign
- Battery condition check on all self-contained units
- Full-duration discharge test (annual visits — 3 hours or 1 hour as applicable)
- Lamp and LED condition inspection, including light output and lens clarity
- Charging system verification to confirm units recharge correctly after testing
- Central battery system checks where fitted, including charger output and cell condition
- Log book completion on-site with full test records
- Compliance certificate issued on completion, accepted by fire authorities and insurers
Faults found during testing are documented in a written report with clear recommendations. We carry common replacement batteries and lamps on every van, so most repairs are done in the same visit.
Emergency light testing costs
What you pay depends on the number of luminaires and the complexity of the building. Here are typical costs for a professional emergency lighting test:
| Premises size | Luminaires | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small premises | Up to 10 luminaires | £70 – £140 |
| Medium premises | 10 to 30 luminaires | £140 – £280 |
| Large premises | 30+ luminaires | £280 – £500+ |
Annual maintenance contracts that bundle monthly spot-checks and the annual full-duration test save 15-20% compared to one-off bookings. For a quote based on your building, call us directly or use our cost calculator.
Our emergency light testing process
From booking to certificate in 5 steps
Book your test
Call us or fill in the form. We schedule around your operations to minimise disruption.
Engineer arrives
A BAFE registered engineer arrives at your premises with all necessary testing equipment and spare parts.
System tested
Every luminaire, exit sign, and battery is tested to BS 5266-1:2016 standards.
Report delivered
Detailed report with any faults found, battery condition, and recommendations within 24 hours.
Certificate issued
BS 5266 compliance certificate issued. Log book completed on-site.
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What our clients say
Trusted by 500+ UK businesses for fire safety compliance
“FireRisk.io completed our fire alarm testing within 24 hours when we were facing a compliance deadline. Professional, thorough, and the certificate was ready the same day.”
“Used this company for fire alarm testing and servicing across multiple properties. Always arrived on time and had the certificates back within 24 hours. Highly recommend.”
“Very professional and knowledgeable engineers. Great quality work on our fire alarm system and competitive pricing. Would definitely recommend.”
“Professional company, professional staff. Fire alarm testing and fire risk assessment both completed efficiently. Clear communication throughout.”
“FireRisk.io completed our fire alarm testing within 24 hours when we were facing a compliance deadline. Professional, thorough, and the certificate was ready the same day.”
“Used this company for fire alarm testing and servicing across multiple properties. Always arrived on time and had the certificates back within 24 hours. Highly recommend.”
“Very professional and knowledgeable engineers. Great quality work on our fire alarm system and competitive pricing. Would definitely recommend.”
“Professional company, professional staff. Fire alarm testing and fire risk assessment both completed efficiently. Clear communication throughout.”
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about emergency light testing
Ready to book your emergency light test?
BS 5266 compliant. Full-duration testing included. From £70.
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Emergency light testing across the UK
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Serving 150+ areas across England
Get a quote for emergency light testing
BS 5266 compliant testing from £70. Full-duration discharge included.