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Document issues during lighting inspections with customizable exit light and emergency light testing checklists.
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Emergency light testing assesses a building’s emergency lighting system if they work properly and comply with local and national safety standards. This testing happens on a regular basis to ensure the lighting system functions as intended—that is, to provide illumination during power outages and emergencies.
Emergency lighting is often overlooked when considering building occupant safety. In the event of power outages, darkness, disasters, or emergencies such as earthquakes or fires, these lighting and exit signs are crucial because they help occupants navigate safely, remain calm, and evacuate quickly.
Over time, these emergency lighting systems can become less effective due to dirt, dust, wear and tear, and other factors. And when this happens, they may fail to function properly. Thus, to keep emergency lights in optimal condition, they must be tested regularly.
Emergency light testing is key to maintaining the performance of emergency and exit lights. This test helps identify any defect or malfunction in lighting systems so that building operators can address them before they become a problem. Consequently, this can help occupants safely exit the building when needed.
Emergency light testing helps avert safety risks to occupants and ensures establishments comply with local and national regulations.
In the UK, emergency escape lighting is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non-domestic premises including offices, schools, hospitals, and entertainment venues. The key British Standard governing emergency lighting is BS 5266-1, which sets out the minimum requirements for installation, operation, and, critically, testing frequency.
Under BS 5266-1, emergency lighting must be tested and maintained by a competent person at the following intervals:
Monthly (functional/flick test): Simulate a mains power failure using the secure test key (commonly called a fish key) to confirm each luminaire illuminates correctly. The test should be brief — enough to verify the light activates — and all results, including any faults, must be logged.
Annual (full duration test): Isolate the mains supply and leave emergency lights running for a full three hours. All luminaires must remain lit at adequate brightness throughout. Any failures must be remediated promptly and recorded. For systems with a central battery, a daily indicator check is also recommended.
A record log must be maintained for all tests, defects, and remedial actions taken—this is a legal requirement, not just best practice.
In the US, meanwhile, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that emergency light testing be done once every 30 days. To do this, press a small “push to test” button that should light up the signs for 30 seconds while maintaining the same level of brightness. A thorough emergency light inspection should also be performed annually to confirm that the lights would stay on for at least 90 minutes as necessary.
Emergency lighting should be tested and reviewed by qualified technicians who have an extensive understanding of UK emergency lighting regulations. In addition, a typical emergency light testing procedure is conducted as follows:
Notify occupants about emergency light testing. Ensure occupants are made aware of the upcoming darkness simulation to avoid panic and injuries.
Identify the emergency lights in the building. All units generally have a red or green LED glowing on them.
Insert the test key into the key switch adjacent to the unit. Make sure the emergency light fitting illuminates once the key has been inserted.
Switch off the relevant lighting circuit at the distribution board. Ensure emergency lights illuminate automatically once power is cut off.
Log all units that are not working. Use emergency lighting log books and exit light testing checklists to record identified defects.
Part of keeping emergency lighting systems functional involves regular tests and inspections. All detected failures must be remediated as soon as possible, and all results recorded. To speed up the process, technicians and maintenance inspectors use emergency lighting checklists, log books, and test sheets.
These recordkeeping tools must capture the following information:
Equipment identifier and testing times
Visual and physical condition of the equipment, battery, and luminous
Any physical defects found
Assessment of test results (pass or fail)
Reasons for failure
Recommendations
Inspector’s signature and timestamp for validation
Here’s an example of an emergency light testing report for your reference:
Emergency Light Testing Sample PDF Report | Mitti (by SafetyCulture)
Aside from using checklists and test sheets, here are 5 tips to maximize your emergency light testing activities:
Determine the right test for your needs – A functional test checks if your emergency lights turn on when needed, while a duration test (also known as a full-discharge test) measures how long these lights will stay on during a power outage.
Schedule regular tests – Start with simple lighting tests at short intervals every month. Then, run a comprehensive full discharge light testing every year to observe how your emergency lighting system will work under more realistic circumstances.
Use the correct testing equipment – Check if the testing equipment is calibrated on a regular basis to ensure it will provide accurate results.
Perform tests during non-business hours – Not only will it minimize disruptions to building occupants, but it will also make the testing process more realistic.
Test in different areas of the building – Doing so will verify if the entire lighting system is functioning properly and narrow down any place or issue that requires attention.
Sydney Festival manages 60 venues, 150 events, 334 performances, and 900 artists using customized Mitti (by SafetyCulture) templates for inductions, toolbox talks, pre-event checks, incident reporting, and daily reports, enhancing safety and operations across all sites.
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An emergency lighting log and test sheet template document all test results during inspections. Perform the following steps when completing the form:
Identify the device to be evaluated
Record the type of test to be performed
Evaluate the physical condition of the equipment
Take photo evidence of defects and damages found
Identify load test result and refer failed tests to the appropriate persons
Validate records of inspection with a digital signature and timestamp
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This digital emergency lighting log book allows technicians to log as many emergency lighting tests as needed and describe the actions completed during the emergency lighting inspection. Technicians can include photos to better describe actions completed or issues found. Also, the signature field is time and date stamped to track activity.
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Use this template when performing monthly emergency exit light testing to ensure they are always in good working condition.
