✅ Emergency Lighting Checklist for Commercial & Industrial Building Owners
- Ryan O'Toole
- May 1
- 3 min read
Stay Compliant. Stay Safe. Stay Insured.
If you own or manage a commercial or industrial property in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester or the East Midlands, ensuring your emergency lighting is compliant is more than a legal duty—it’s a matter of safety and insurance protection.
Failing to maintain your system doesn’t just break the law. It could void your insurance and put lives at risk.
This practical guide walks you through your responsibilities and gives you a clear emergency lighting checklist to stay compliant with BS 5266 and fire safety laws.
🧠 Quick Wins:
Test emergency lighting monthly — don’t skip!
Keep a tidy, up-to-date logbook
Label and repair faulty fittings promptly
Book an annual 3-hour discharge test
🔎 1. Understand Your Legal Responsibilities
Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person (usually the building owner, facilities manager, or a delegated duty holder) must ensure all emergency lighting:
Meets BS 5266-1:2016 code of practice
Is tested and maintained regularly
Is documented and auditable
Emergency lighting systems are legally required in almost all commercial and industrial environments — including offices, warehouses, factories, retail units, and mixed-use buildings.
🛠️ 2. Confirm the Right Emergency Lighting Is Installed
You must ensure the following emergency lighting types are installed:
Escape Route Lighting – To direct people safely to exits
Open Area (Anti-Panic) Lighting – For large rooms and open spaces
High-Risk Task Area Lighting – Where dangerous processes are carried out
Not sure what applies to your space? A professional emergency lighting audit will identify gaps in coverage and safety.
📅 3. Set Up a Testing & Maintenance Schedule
According to BS EN 50172 and BS 5266-8, here’s your legal testing schedule:
Test | Frequency | Notes |
Daily (visual check) | Central battery systems only | Optional for smaller buildings |
Monthly (flick test) | ALL buildings | Simulate mains failure |
Annually (3-hour test) | ALL buildings | Full discharge test |
All tests must be recorded in a fire safety logbook, including:
Date of test
Tester’s name
Results and any corrective actions
Having no test log is one of the most common reasons for failed fire safety audits and rejected insurance claims.
🧰 4. Address Faults Without Delay
Any defective fitting or non-compliant emergency light:
Must be clearly labelled and isolated
Must be repaired or replaced ASAP
Should be logged, with evidence of remedial action
Partnering with a qualified contractor like Mech-Elec Building Services ensures all work meets British Standards.
🔒 5. Check Your Commercial Property Insurance Policy
Most insurers require documented proof of:
Routine emergency lighting maintenance
Logbook records of testing
Certification from competent professionals
No proof = no payout in the event of fire or evacuation issues. Fire safety compliance is not just legal—it’s financial protection.
📁 6. Conduct an Emergency Lighting Audit
You should carry out a full audit every 12 months or sooner if:
Your building layout changes
You’ve had recent fire risk assessment updates
Your usage has changed (e.g. machinery introduced)
Our team at Mech-Elec offers emergency lighting testing across Nottingham and the East Midlands to help identify risks before they become liabilities.
🔄 7. Align with Your Fire Risk Assessment
Emergency lighting must be integrated into your wider fire strategy. That includes:
Syncing with your fire alarm system
Ensuring all escape routes are illuminated
Reviewing lighting when headcounts or layouts change
It’s not just about having lights — it’s about having the right lights in the right places.
✅ Final Quick-Check Summary
Task | Frequency | Responsibility |
Functional flick test | Monthly | Building Owner / FM / Contractor |
Full 3-hour discharge test | Annually | Competent Person / Contractor |
Logbook update | After each test | Responsible Person |
System audit | Annually | Fire Risk Assessor / Specialist |
Fault repairs | ASAP | Approved Contractor |
Need Help? Call the Mech-Elec Team Today.
We support industrial estates, warehouses, commercial offices, and retail properties across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and the wider East Midlands.
Our emergency lighting services include:
Emergency lighting testing across the Midlands
Lux level verification
Full compliance audits
LED emergency lighting upgrades
Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) contracts
📍 Based in Nottingham and covering Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Newark, Lincoln, and the wider East Midlands (including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire) as well as the West Midlands – we help commercial and industrial clients stay safe and compliant, without the guesswork. We also operate nationwide for clients who need a trusted partner across the UK.
📞 Call the team today on 0115 667 0244
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