Testing and inspection

Emergency Lighting Installation and Testing to BS 5266-1

Escape route lighting, exit signs and open area lighting, designed, installed and tested to BS 5266-1.

When the mains supply fails, emergency lighting has to light escape routes, exits, changes of direction and firefighting equipment for long enough for everyone to leave. For most buildings that means three hours.

We design layouts from a survey, install maintained or non-maintained fittings, and carry out the monthly functional tests and annual full-duration tests that BS 5266-1 expects. For larger sites, self-test and addressable emergency lighting systems cut testing time and give you an automatic record.

After every test you receive a certificate and an updated log, so your fire risk assessor can see at a glance that the system is working.

What is included

  • Emergency lighting survey and design
  • Installation of escape route, open area and high-risk task lighting
  • Illuminated exit signage
  • Monthly functional tests
  • Annual full rated-duration tests
  • Self-test and central battery systems
  • Certificates and logbook records

Who it is for

  • Offices and retail
  • Blocks of flats
  • HMOs
  • Warehouses
  • Schools
  • Hotels and care homes

The rules in each UK nation

England

In England, fire safety in non-domestic premises and the common parts of blocks of flats is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Higher-risk residential buildings are also covered by the Building Safety Act 2022, which is overseen by the Building Safety Regulator.

Wales

In Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to non-domestic premises and the common parts of residential buildings, as amended for Wales by the Fire Safety Act 2021. The Welsh Government is reforming building safety separately from England, so duties for taller residential buildings in Wales follow Welsh legislation and guidance rather than the English higher-risk building regime.

Scotland

In Scotland, fire safety in non-domestic premises is governed by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and enforced by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Scotland has its own building standards system and its own approach to cladding risk.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, fire safety in non-domestic premises and the common areas of houses in multiple occupation is governed by the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, and enforced by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

How a job runs

  1. Tell us about the building

    Use the form or send us your fire risk assessment action plan. A few details on height, use and current systems are enough to start.

  2. Survey or desktop review

    Where we need to see the building, we visit. For some jobs, such as EWS1 scoping, we start with the documents you already hold.

  3. Fixed quote

    You get a written, fixed price with a clear scope. Nothing chargeable happens without your approval.

  4. Work and certification

    Our engineers carry out the work and leave the right certificates, photographs and logbook entries.

  5. Records and reminders

    Reports are filed by building and we remind you before the next test, inspection or review is due.

Questions we are often asked

How long must emergency lighting last?

Most premises need a rated duration of three hours. Some low-risk premises that will be evacuated immediately and not reoccupied may use one hour, but three hours is the usual recommendation.

How often should emergency lighting be tested?

A short functional test every month and a full rated-duration test once a year. Results should be recorded in the logbook.

Does my block of flats need emergency lighting?

Most purpose-built blocks need emergency lighting in common escape routes. Your fire risk assessment will confirm the extent.

Emergency lighting near you

We provide emergency lighting in every town and city below, and everywhere in between.

England

Request a quote

Tell us about the building and what you need. We reply within one working day with next steps or a fixed quote.

  • Fixed prices, agreed before any work starts
  • Written reports and certificates for every visit
  • Coverage across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland