Emergency Lighting Testing

Introduction

Emergency lighting should be tested by a competent person, daily, monthly, six monthly, three years from the date of installation and subsequently, for self-contained units, annually, in accordance with British Standard 5266 Part 1: 1999.  Any defects should be recorded and receive immediate attention where possible and as soon as practically possible in all other circumstances.  The person responsible for testing the system should be given authority to have any repairs conducted as necessary without delay.  Before carrying out any tests, the competent person should identify the working duration of the emergency light units.  This will usually be 1 hour or 3 hours.

Daily Inspection

Check the log book for faults and remedial action.

Walk through the premises ensuring all maintained (permanently lit) lamps are operating correctly.

Check that indicators on control panels for central batter systems and generators (where used) are indicating normal operation.

Record any faults in the log book and ensure remedial action is taken and recorded.

Monthly Inspection and Test

Ensure all defects have been rectified.

Clean exterior of lights and signs.

Test for operation as follows:

Self-Contained Units (not connected to a central battery bank or generator):

• All lights and signs should be operated by simulated mains lighting failure for a period only long enough to ensure each lamp illuminates and this must be no longer than ¼ of the duration time for the system.  During this period each light or sign should be examined visually for correct operation.
  
• Following this test the mains should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that mains supply has been restored.  (This is usually indicated by a small red light coming on within the unit).

Central Battery Systems:

• Each central battery system should be activated from its battery by simulated mains lighting failure and the same checks carried out as for self-contained units.
  
• If all lights and signs cannot be checked within the time allowed the system should be tested in blocks, allowing the batteries to fully re-charge after each test.

Generator Operated Systems:

• Operate by simulation of mains lighting power and run for a period of at least one hour, checking operation of all lights and signs for correct operation. Check starting system battery is charging correctly then check and top up fuel, coolant and oil levels a necessary.
  
• The engine should then be prevented from starting and the back-up battery operating system operated by simulation of mains lighting power failure and operated for a period only sufficient to check that the change-over system from normal to battery is operating correctly.
  
• The system should then be returned to normal operation and the generator allowed to run for a further period of at least one hour to re-charge the system.
  
• The lights and signs should then be checked for correct operation again as before.
  
• The system should then be returned to normal operating conditions and again checked to ensure that the starting system battery is charging correctly and that fuel, coolant and oil levels are topped up as necessary once more.

Six Monthly Inspection and Test

In addition to the monthly test the following should be carried out.

Self-Contained Units:

• Each light and sign should be operated by simulated mains lighting failure for a period of:

 3 hour rated:  1 hour
 1 hour rated:  15 minutes

• During this period each light or sign should be examined visually for correct operation.
  
• Following this test the mains should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that mains supply has been restored. (This is usually indicated by a small red light coming on within the unit).

Central Battery Systems:

• Each battery system should be operated by simulated mains lighting failure for a period of:

 3 hour rated:  1 hour
 1 hour rated:  15 minutes

• During this period each light or sign should be examined visually for correct operation. 
  
• Following this test the mains should be restored and any indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that mains supply has been restored. (This is usually indicated by a small red light coming on within the unit).

Generator Operated Systems:

• The engine should then be prevented from starting and the back-up battery operating system operated by simulation of mains lighting power failure and operated for a period of 1 hour.
  
• The system should then be returned to normal operation and the generator allowed to run for a further period of at least one hour to re-charge the system.
  
• The lights and signs should then be checked for correct operation again as before.
  
• The system should then be returned to normal operating conditions and again checked to ensure that the starting system battery is charging correctly and that fuel, coolant and oil levels are topped up as necessary once more.

Three Yearly Inspection and Test

In addition to the monthly test the following should be carried out.

Self-Contained Units:

• Each light and sign should be operated by simulated mains lighting failure for a period of its full duration eg:

 3 hour rated:  3 hour
 1 hour rated:  1 hour

Central Battery Systems:

• Each battery system should be operated by simulated mains lighting failure for its full duration.

Generator Operated Systems:

• The back-up battery operating system should be operated by simulation of mains lighting power failure for its full duration.
  
• The entire system should be tested in accordance with the code as detailed in Annex C of BS 5266-1:1999, a copy of which is attached at the end of this document.

Subsequent Annual Inspections and Tests

For self-contained units, the three yearly test is then repeated every year.

Log Book

A log book must be kept on the premises and it should be available for inspection at all times.  A Fire Safety Log Book can be downloaded FREE from the Fire and Rescue area on this site .  

The log book should be used to record the following information:
 
(a) Date of any completion certificate supplied to the occupier/owner after installation or major alteration to the emergency lighting system.

(b) Date of each periodic inspection and test certificate.

(c) Date and brief details of each service, inspection or test carried out.

(d) Date and brief details of any defects found and remedial action taken to remedy fault(s).

(e) Date(s) and brief details of any alterations carried out to the system.