In a fire, survival can come down to seconds. Smoke and flames cut visibility and make familiar buildings hard to read. Emergency lighting keeps escape routes, exit signs and key areas lit when the normal lights go out, and it is a legal requirement in most commercial premises.
Why emergency lighting is so important
- It lets people see in smoke and darkness. Routes, exit signs and key areas stay visible when the main lights fail.
- It reduces panic. Lit routes and clear exit signs give direction and reassurance, so people can think clearly and focus on getting out.
- It helps everyone leave. People with mobility or sight difficulties, or who do not know the building, can find accessible exits.
- It works when the power does not. Fires often cut the power, and power cuts happen more often than people expect. Battery-backed units keep working without mains.
- It prevents bottlenecks. Without light, people crowd round exits. Lighting helps to spread them across alternative routes.
- It helps firefighters and paramedics move through the building, find people who need help and avoid hazards.
- It keeps the business running. After a power cut, staff can carry on in an orderly way once supply returns.
What does the law require?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that escape routes can be used safely at all times, and that includes lighting. Since 2006, the responsible person for non-domestic premises has had to make sure that emergency lighting is installed where needed, and keep it in good working order. The accepted standard is BS 5266-1:2025, which covers emergency escape lighting as well as local area and standby lighting. It is typically required in offices, shops, schools, hospitals, restaurants, cinemas, factories and multi-storey buildings.
Your fire risk assessment should say where emergency lighting is needed. Most homes do not need it.
Types of emergency light
| Type | How it works | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Maintained | Lit all the time like normal lighting, and switches to battery when the mains supply fails | Places that are occupied while lit, such as cinemas, theatres and bars |
| Non-maintained | Off in normal use and comes on only when the mains supply fails. Mains power only charges the battery | Corridors, stairways and general escape routes |
| Combined | Two lamps in one unit: one on the normal supply and one on the backup. Can be maintained or non-maintained | Where a unit has to serve as both normal and emergency lighting |
The right choice depends on how and where the light is used. Most emergency lights run from their own built-in battery, which must power the unit for at least three hours in most commercial buildings, plus a working charger. Exit signs carry a pictogram to point the way to a fire exit, and it is usual to add fire exit and assembly point signs.
Designing a system
A system should be designed after a full site survey by a competent person, because the right solution depends on the layout, occupancy and risks of your premises. Modern LED units are brighter, smaller and more energy efficient than older types, and use compact batteries that fit inside the fitting. Buildings in damp, flood-prone or outdoor settings need equipment rated for those conditions. Choose a provider that is qualified, insured and experienced with BS 5266, and ask for references.
Testing and servicing
Emergency lighting that is not tested may not work when you need it. Typical good practice, following BS 5266 and BS EN 50172, is:
- Monthly: a short functional test of every light, to check it switches over to battery.
- Annually: a full-duration test, normally three hours, to confirm the batteries last as long as they should.
- Every test recorded in a logbook, with any faults and repairs noted.
You can carry out the monthly test in-house if you are competent to, but many businesses prefer a professional service for the annual test. A professional has the equipment to repair or replace faulty parts on the spot. The battery is the most common cause of failure, and the correct replacement must be fitted for the unit to work. If the battery is not the cause, a competent person should find the fault.
Testing requirements and standards change, and a professional service keeps you up to date with them.
Get it checked
Not sure your building has the correct emergency lighting, or when it was last tested? We design, install, test and maintain emergency lighting across Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. Find out about emergency lighting, book a fire risk assessment or call 01908 564301.
