Fire Safety · Mandatory · Construction

Emergency Lighting Test Record

A record of monthly functional tests and annual full duration tests for emergency lighting systems on construction sites and in completed buildings, as required by BS 5266-1:2025 and RRO 2005 Article 17. Covers self-contained and central battery systems, with pass/fail recording for each luminaire.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. BS 5266-1:2025 / RRO 2005 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	BS 5266-1:2025 + Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO)
Monthly test	30-second functional test — simulate mains failure to confirm each luminaire illuminates from its battery
Annual test	Full 3-hour duration test — battery is run to full rated duration to verify it can sustain illumination for the required period
System types	Self-contained (battery in each luminaire), central battery (single battery bank serving multiple luminaires), maintained (always illuminated), non-maintained (illuminates only on mains failure)

1. Emergency Lighting — Guiding People to Safety When Power Fails

Emergency lighting is a passive safety system that activates automatically when the normal mains lighting supply fails. Its purpose is to provide sufficient illumination for occupants to identify escape routes, locate fire safety equipment, and evacuate the building safely. On construction sites, emergency lighting is required in welfare facilities, site offices, enclosed stairways, and any areas where work is carried out during darkness or in spaces without natural light.

BS 5266-1:2025 sets out the requirements for the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure that emergency routes and exits are provided with adequate emergency lighting. Testing and maintenance must be carried out at prescribed intervals and the results recorded in the fire logbook. A system that is installed but not tested is a system that cannot be relied upon.

Borrowed light is not acceptable as emergency lighting

BS 5266-1:2025 clarifies that borrowed light — light entering a space from an adjacent illuminated area — is not acceptable as emergency lighting. Dedicated battery-backed emergency luminaires must be installed in every area that requires emergency lighting. Relying on light from an adjacent corridor or room does not meet the standard.

2. Key Content

The following table sets out the key content areas that should be covered in an Emergency Lighting Test Record, with guidance on the information each section should capture.

Record section	What to include
System details	Building or site area, system type (self-contained or central battery, maintained or non-maintained), number of luminaires, battery type and rated duration, installation date, installer, and design standard (BS 5266-1:2025). Include a luminaire schedule or drawing reference showing the location of every emergency luminaire.
Monthly functional test	Date of test, person carrying out the test, method of simulating mains failure (key switch, test button, circuit breaker), confirmation that each luminaire illuminated correctly within 5 seconds of mains failure, any luminaires that failed to operate or showed reduced output, remedial actions taken, and retest date for any failures. The monthly test is a 30-second functional test — it does not discharge the battery fully.
Annual full duration test	Date of test, person carrying out the test, method of simulating mains failure, start time and end time, confirmation that the system sustained illumination for the full rated duration (typically 3 hours), luminaire-by-luminaire results noting any that failed or showed reduced output before the rated duration expired, battery condition assessment, remedial actions required, and confirmation that batteries were allowed to fully recharge after the test (typically 24 hours).
Fire logbook	All emergency lighting test results must be recorded in the building's fire logbook or a dedicated emergency lighting log. The logbook must be available for inspection by the fire authority, building control, and the responsible person. Records must be retained for the life of the system.

3. Common Mistakes

Not conducting the annual full duration test

The monthly 30-second functional test confirms that each luminaire operates when the mains supply fails, but it does not test whether the battery can sustain illumination for the full rated duration. Only the annual full duration test (typically 3 hours) verifies that the batteries are in adequate condition to power the system for the time needed for a complete evacuation. Batteries degrade over time, and a luminaire that passes a 30-second test may fail after 30 minutes during a genuine mains failure. The annual test must be programmed, carried out, and the results recorded. Many buildings have never had a full duration test — this is a significant fire safety failure.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

How long should emergency lighting last?▾

BS 5266-1:2025 specifies a minimum duration of 1 hour for premises where evacuation is immediate and the building can be fully vacated within that time. However, 3 hours is the common standard for most commercial, residential, and public buildings, and is the duration required where sleeping risk exists, where the premises are large or complex, or where re-occupation is expected before mains power is restored. On construction sites, a minimum of 1 hour is typically sufficient for welfare facilities and site offices, but the risk assessment should determine the appropriate duration based on the specific site conditions and evacuation time.

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