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🟡 Who Is Responsible for Emergency Lighting Maintenance in Commercial and Industrial Buildings?

  • Writer: Ryan O'Toole
    Ryan O'Toole
  • Apr 29
  • 2 min read



When it comes to emergency lighting, too many business owners, facilities managers and duty holders are still unaware of exactly who holds the responsibility for ensuring systems are compliant, safe, and functioning as intended.

Let’s clear things up.


🚨 Summary of Our Emergency Lighting Series


Over our recent blogs, we’ve covered:

  • Why emergency lighting matters: From safe evacuation to meeting legal compliance, emergency lighting isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a life safety system.

  • The importance of lux level testing: It’s not just about whether the light comes on—it’s about whether it’s bright enough and correctly positioned to guide people to safety.

  • The need for periodic testing and certification: We outlined monthly function tests and annual duration testing (3-hour test), along with record-keeping requirements.

  • Design and installation requirements: BS 5266-1 and BS EN 1838 set out specific design criteria based on building layout and occupancy.

BS 5266 compliant industrial emergency twin spot light for commercial safety lighting applications
Industrial emergency spot

Now, let’s answer the big question…


🧾 So, Who Is Responsible?


Under UK legislation—including The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005—the responsibility falls on the ‘responsible person’. This is typically:


✔️ The employer in a workplace

✔️ The building owner or landlord

✔️ The facilities manager or managing agent

✔️ Any appointed ‘duty holder’ under health & safety law


In a nutshell: if you control the premises, you are likely accountable for ensuring the emergency lighting is tested, maintained, and compliant.

Ignoring these duties can result in:

❌ Legal prosecution

❌ Invalidated insurance

❌ Risk to life and business operations


🧰 What Do You Need to Do?

If you’re a building owner, operator or tenant in a commercial or industrial property, here’s your checklist:

🔲 Appoint a competent person to carry out testing

🔲 Keep up with monthly and annual tests

🔲 Maintain an up-to-date emergency lighting logbook

🔲 Review your building layout as changes may affect lighting coverage

🔲 Ensure testing includes lux level readings and signage illumination

🔲 Choose a qualified contractor for professional inspection and reports


🧑‍🔧 Mech-Elec Can Help You Stay Compliant


At Mech-Elec Building Services, we take the pressure off you by managing the full testing regime, certification, and remedial works if required.

✅ Emergency lighting audits

✅ Lux level and signage compliance testing

✅ Inspection reports and certification

✅ Logbook management

✅ Nationwide support, based in the East Midlands


Whether you're in Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, or across the UK, we deliver clear, affordable, and compliant solutions for your emergency lighting systems.


📞 Need to Get Compliant? Let’s Talk.

Speak to our team today about your building’s emergency lighting compliance.

📞 Call us: 0115 667 0244


💬 Final Thought

Emergency lighting isn’t just a legal box to tick—it’s a critical life-saving system. Knowing who is responsible and ensuring testing is done properly could one day save lives.

Don't wait until it's too late. Trust Mech-Elec to keep your building safe, legal, and lit.


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