Introduction: why emergency lighting testing matters
Emergency lighting is a life-safety system, not a nice-to-have. When normal lighting fails, emergency luminaires and exit signage help people move safely, avoid hazards, and find escape routes without delay. That is why emergency lighting testing requirements uk matter to building owners and facility managers, even in low-risk, well-managed sites.
Testing is where compliance is proven. A system can look fine day-to-day, but batteries degrade, lamps fail, indicators get missed, and records go incomplete. Regular checks reduce the chance of faults being discovered during a real incident, or during enforcement action. If you are reviewing your arrangements, emergency lighting compliance should be treated as an ongoing duty, not a one-off project.
The legal framework for emergency lighting testing in the UK
Emergency lighting testing sits within UK fire safety law, particularly the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It places duties on the responsible person to ensure fire precautions are in place, maintained, and suitable for the premises. Emergency escape lighting is one of those precautions where the risk assessment indicates it is required.
The key point for duty holders is that the law sets the obligation, while British Standards set out the commonly accepted way to meet it. In practice, this means your testing regime, maintenance checks, and logbook records should align with the relevant standards, because they provide the benchmark for what “reasonable” looks like.
For a clear overview of design, commissioning, and maintenance responsibilities, the BAFE emergency lighting system guidance is a strong reference point. It reinforces the link between risk assessment, competency, documented evidence, and the expectation that systems are kept in working order, not simply installed and forgotten.
BS 5266:2025 – what has changed and why it matters
BS 5266 has been updated to 2025, and that matters because many sites still rely on legacy assumptions about testing frequency, responsibilities, and documentation. The update reinforces that emergency lighting is not only about having fittings in the right places, but about proving performance through routine inspection, testing, and accurate records.
From a facilities perspective, the risk is not usually that testing never happens. It is that it happens inconsistently, records are incomplete, faults are not closed out quickly, or responsibility is unclear when contractors change. That is where BS 5266 emergency lighting testing becomes a practical management issue as much as a technical one.
Competence and independent assurance also come into sharper focus when standards tighten. If you want to evidence due diligence, third-party certification can help demonstrate that design and handover processes are being audited to an established scheme. This is particularly relevant where you are aligning your approach with Connected Light achieves BAFE SP203-4 Certification, which is designed to evidence competency and quality management for emergency lighting services.
Routine emergency lighting testing requirements
Routine testing is the foundation of emergency lighting compliance and is explicitly expected under British Standards. Emergency lighting monthly testing is designed to identify obvious faults early, while emergency lighting annual test requirements confirm that systems can operate for their full rated duration during a real power failure.
Monthly functional testing involves simulating a mains failure to check that emergency luminaires illuminate correctly, indicator lights operate as expected, and fittings are free from visible damage. These tests are short and do not require full battery discharge, but they play a critical role in identifying failures before they escalate. Each test must be recorded in a logbook, including the date, results, and any defects identified.
Annual testing is more demanding and must confirm that emergency lighting remains illuminated for the full rated duration, typically three hours. Any fitting that fails before the end of the test must be repaired or replaced without delay. Guidance from the Fire Protection Association on how often emergency lighting should be tested reinforces the expectation that both monthly and annual tests form part of a compliant maintenance regime.
Fault management is as important as testing itself. Identified defects should be logged, interim safety measures introduced where necessary, and remedial works completed promptly. While some routine checks may be carried out in-house, annual testing and repairs should be undertaken by a competent person with appropriate knowledge and experience of emergency lighting systems.
Testing methods explained: manual, self-test, monitored systems
There are several recognised emergency lighting testing methods, each with different implications for reliability, disruption, and record keeping. The most appropriate solution depends on the size of the building, its risk profile, and how testing is managed in practice.
Manual testing is the most basic approach and is commonly used in smaller premises. It relies on key switches or test devices to simulate a mains failure, with results recorded manually in a logbook. While simple, this method is labour-intensive and carries a higher risk of missed tests or incomplete records, particularly where responsibility changes or testing is carried out infrequently.
Self-testing luminaires automate routine functional and duration tests within individual fittings. Status indicators show whether tests have passed or failed, reducing reliance on manual testing. However, results still need to be checked and logged, and faults can be overlooked if indicators are not regularly reviewed or understood.
Monitored systems provide centralised oversight of emergency lighting performance. Wired or wireless solutions automatically schedule tests, record results, and report faults, significantly reducing administrative burden. When assessing system selection and suitability, emergency lighting compliance should consider not just installation cost, but long-term reliability, disruption to occupants, and the quality of records that can be produced to demonstrate due diligence.
Photometric verification testing: the critical update many miss
Photometric verification testing is an increasingly important requirement that many building owners are still unaware of. Under BS EN 50172:2024, emergency lighting systems must be verified to confirm that required illuminance levels are being achieved, not just that luminaires are switching on.
Verification must be carried out initially and repeated at intervals not exceeding five years. This represents a significant reduction from the previous ten-year expectation and reflects growing recognition that emergency lighting performance degrades over time. Batteries lose capacity, light sources dim, optics deteriorate, and changes to layouts can reduce effective illumination along escape routes.
Without photometric testing, systems may appear compliant while failing to deliver the minimum light levels required for safe evacuation. This creates a hidden compliance risk, particularly in buildings that have undergone refurbishment or changes in use since installation.
Treating verification as a planned, repeatable process helps building owners demonstrate due diligence and maintain confidence in system performance. Managed services such as BAFE-certified emergency lighting verification provide documented evidence that systems continue to meet required standards and support long-term compliance through measured, auditable results rather than assumption.
Emergency lighting testing across different building types
Emergency lighting testing requirements apply across all non-domestic buildings, but the risk profile and testing priorities vary significantly by sector. In office environments, testing focuses on safe evacuation routes, stairwells, and areas with prolonged screen use, where visual clarity during an outage is critical. Education settings introduce additional considerations around occupancy patterns, safeguarding, and the need to minimise disruption during testing.
In healthcare facilities, emergency lighting supports both evacuation and patient safety, often requiring higher resilience, longer durations, and careful management of high-risk task areas. Industrial buildings present different challenges, with machinery, hazardous processes, and high-risk task lighting that must allow safe shutdown before evacuation.
Retail premises and public-facing spaces, such as retail environments, rely on emergency lighting to prevent panic and manage large numbers of occupants. Historic and listed buildings require sensitive solutions that balance compliance with conservation constraints. In defence and security environments, emergency lighting testing must align with heightened security protocols and operational continuity requirements.
Summary: what building owners must do now
Emergency lighting testing is not optional, and compliance expectations are increasing. Building owners must ensure routine testing is carried out, records are maintained, and systems continue to meet required performance levels, not just basic functionality. With updated standards and reduced verification intervals now in force, proactive planning is essential. Acting early reduces risk, avoids disruption, and ensures emergency lighting systems remain reliable, auditable, and compliant when they are needed most.
Why you can trust Connected Light
Connected Light is an independent lighting consultancy specialising in emergency lighting compliance for complex non-domestic buildings. The team works to the latest requirements of BS 5266 and BS EN 50172, supporting clients with surveys, testing, photometric verification, and certification.
As a BAFE SP203-4 certificated provider, Connected Light offers third-party verified assurance that emergency lighting systems are designed, tested, and verified in line with recognised industry standards. This certification provides building owners with independent proof of competence and due diligence.
With more than 40 years of combined experience, Connected Light supports compliance through a structured, evidence-led approach, covering everything from routine testing to long-term verification strategies. Services delivered through emergency lighting compliance are designed to reduce risk, simplify governance, and provide confidence that systems will perform as required in an emergency.
FAQs: emergency lighting testing requirements UK
Is emergency lighting testing a legal requirement in the UK?
Yes. Emergency lighting is part of a building’s life safety provision and is typically required where occupants could be at risk if normal lighting fails. Fire safety legislation places duties on the responsible person to ensure safe escape routes, and emergency lighting must be maintained so it will operate when needed. Testing is how you demonstrate the system is functional and dependable, rather than assumed to be.
How often must emergency lighting be tested?
As a baseline, emergency lighting is expected to be functionally tested monthly and tested for full rated duration annually. Monthly tests confirm fittings operate on battery supply when the normal supply fails. The annual test confirms the system can run for the required duration, commonly three hours, and that faults are identified and addressed. The exact approach can vary depending on system type, building use, and risk profile.
What is photometric verification testing?
Photometric verification testing confirms the system is achieving the required light levels on escape routes and in relevant areas, rather than simply switching on. It is a measured check of illuminance performance and is especially important because light output can degrade over time due to battery condition, lumen depreciation, optics, dirt build-up, and layout changes. It provides objective evidence that emergency lighting still meets its intended performance.
How often is photometric verification required now?
Photometric verification should be completed at initial verification and then repeated at intervals not exceeding five years to confirm continued compliance. This shorter interval reflects the reality that emergency lighting performance can change materially over time, even where monthly and annual functional testing is being completed. It is particularly important after refurbishments, changes to escape routes, or alterations to the lighting layout.
Who is responsible for emergency lighting testing?
The responsible person, duty holder, or building owner is accountable for ensuring testing is completed, recorded, and acted on. Day-to-day checks may be delegated to facilities teams or nominated staff, but accountability remains with the organisation in control of the premises. Annual testing and specialist verification should be carried out by a competent person with the appropriate knowledge and experience.
What records must be kept for compliance?
You should maintain an emergency lighting logbook that records test dates, results, failures, remedial actions, and confirmation that faults have been resolved. Records should also include key system information such as locations, identifiers for luminaires, maintenance history, and any changes to the installation. Clear, accurate records help demonstrate due diligence during audits and support effective fault management.
