Emergency light testing will make sure your system is working, reassuring you that it’s on hand for emergencies where it’s needed. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how emergency lighting is tested and how often it’s required.
First and foremost, emergency lighting tests need to be performed by a professional. As with other electrical systems, it’s both dangerous and damaging to attempt any inspection or work yourself. Instead, you’ll need a fully qualified, accredited and experienced electrician.
Emergency lighting tests comprise a full inspection of the system and all its components to check they’re in line with the relevant BS5266 standard, including:
Once the test is complete, you’ll get a certificate to confirm that it has been approved to BS5266 standards. That will include any recommendations for repair.
It’s also essential to understand the different components that make up an emergency lighting system that are examined during testing.
The battery pack which powers the lights during an emergency must be in optimal condition. As with any battery, these can degrade over time, reducing their ability to provide sufficient lighting during a power failure.
During an inspection, the electrician will check the battery’s charge and discharge capabilities to check that they can support the lighting system for the required duration.
The luminaires, which house the emergency lights, are another critical component. These are generally placed in escape routes, open areas and high-risk task areas, and need to be tested to make sure they provide adequate lighting. Over time, luminaires can suffer from wear and tear, such as dirt accumulation, corrosion or colour discolouration, which can affect their lighting capabilities.
Part of the emergency light testing involves cleaning, inspecting and replacing damaged or underperforming luminaires to ensure they work in the event of an emergency.
Another aspect that sometimes gets overlooked is the control equipment, which is responsible for automatically switching the emergency lights on in case of power failure. This equipment is tested to confirm it will activate the lights promptly in an emergency. The electrician will also check that the system’s wiring remains intact and free from damage. Faulty wiring is a major cause of systems working incorrectly.
Testing your emergency lighting is clearly best practice in terms of safety and peace of mind. But it’s also a legal requirement for any business premises. In short, all businesses are required to have their emergency lighting tested by a professional at least once a year.
The full annual test includes a three-hour duration test which checks whether your emergency lights can function and produce the necessary lighting for an emergency.
It’s worth noting that these requirements are not just a box-ticking exercise – they’re crucial for keeping everyone safe on your premises. The three-hour test, in particular, is designed to simulate a real-life emergency where the power might be out for a long period of time. By checking that the lighting can last the full duration, you can ensure that there is enough time for everyone to evacuate safely in the event of a real emergency.
Beyond the legal requirements, some businesses may wish to undertake more regular testing, especially in high-risk industries or environments. For example, in sectors such as healthcare, where the safety of vulnerable individuals is paramount, more frequent tests are strongly recommended.
In such cases, the emergency lighting system might also include features like self-testing emergency lights, which perform routine checks without human intervention and alert maintenance staff to any issues that need addressing.
As well as a comprehensive annual check, many businesses choose to have shorter monthly tests to make sure everything is working properly. This involves turning off your power to activate lighting and checking for any damage.
These monthly checks, while shorter, are crucial for identifying issues early before they become more significant problems. During these tests, it’s also advisable to conduct a visual inspection of all emergency lighting components, looking out for signs of wear or damage that could affect performance.
While these checks might seem repetitive, they play a vital role in maintaining the system’s reliability. Regular maintenance can prevent small issues from escalating into costly repairs or system failures during an emergency.
Additionally, some businesses opt for a six-monthly test, which is more thorough than the monthly checks but less extensive than the annual test. This mid-year test can be particularly beneficial for larger sites with complex emergency lighting systems, providing an extra layer of assurance that the system is reliable in the worst-case scenario.
There are various benefits to having your emergency lighting system tested on a regular basis. None more so than legal compliance. By not having regular tests, you risk your site becoming non-compliant, which could result in temporary closure or fines.
Compliance with emergency lighting regulations also enhances your business’s reputation. Customers, clients and employees are more likely to trust a business that takes a proactive approach to safety and high legal standards. In contrast, non-compliance can be disastrous, leading to a loss of business and difficulties in retaining staff. Regular testing demonstrates a commitment to safety, which is particularly important in industries where reputation and trust are key to success.
On top of that, emergency light tests provide much more peace of mind. By taking a proactive approach, you’ll always know about issues before they become a serious problem. This allows you to get them repaired in advance, so you can always rest assured that your system is working when it’s needed.
That proactive approach is also typically more cost-effective. Rather than waiting for a major breakdown which requires costly emergency work, you can stay on top of things with small affordable repairs which are much easier to manage.
If you want to make sure you’re meeting the emergency lighting testing requirements, Volta Compliance is on hand to help. Our experienced, accredited and qualified electricians in Leeds can provide yearly or monthly emergency lighting tests that keep your site compliant for full peace of mind.
To find out more or book your test, give us a call on 0113 436 0402 or email [email protected].
