How often does emergency lighting need testing?
There are two tests. A short function test every month, switching each fitting to its battery to check every light and exit sign comes on, and a full rated-duration test once a year, usually three hours, carried out by a competent person. Both are recorded in the logbook, as BS EN 50172 and BS 5266-1 set out.
How much does an emergency lighting test cost in London?
An annual emergency lighting test is from £150 + VAT, with a certificate. Larger buildings are priced after a free survey, and any repairs are quoted at a fixed price before the work is done.
Who is responsible for emergency lighting?
The responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In a workplace that is the employer or whoever controls the premises; in a block of flats or an HMO it is usually the freeholder, managing agent or landlord for the common parts. They need to make sure the lighting is tested and the records are kept.
How long must emergency lights stay on?
Three hours in almost every building. One hour is only accepted where the premises are evacuated straight away when the lighting fails and are not reoccupied until the batteries have recharged, which is rare.
What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting?
Non-maintained fittings only light when the mains fails. They are the usual choice in offices, shops and blocks of flats. Maintained fittings are lit all the time and stay lit on battery, and are needed where the public gather in the dark, such as bars, cinemas and clubs.
Do HMOs need emergency lighting?
Many licensed HMOs need it on the common escape route. Whether yours does depends on the layout, the number of storeys, whether the route has borrowed light, the fire risk assessment and the council's licence conditions. We can check it on a free survey.
We have self-test fittings. Do they still need a visit?
Self-test fittings run their own monthly and annual tests and show the result on an indicator light, which saves a lot of time. Someone still needs to read and record the results, deal with the failures and check the installation as a whole, so they stay on the annual schedule.
