It is the responsibility of the occupier of the premises to ensure all the necessary work / tests are completed to maintain the system in correct operation.
What standard should my emergency lighting system be fitted to?
Emergency lighting systems should conform to British Standard BS5266-1:2016
Routine inspections and tests
Because of the possibility of a failure of the normal lighting supply occurring shortly after a period of testing, all tests should wherever possible be undertaken at times of least risk.
Daily inspection by the occupier
An inspection should be made every day to ascertain that:
every lamp in a maintained system is lit
the main control of any central battery system indicates normal operation
any fault found is recorded and the action taken noted
Monthly inspection by the occupier
Two tests should be carried out as follows:
Self contained luminaires
- each self contained luminaire and illuminated exit sign should be energised from its battery by simulation of a mains failure of the supply for a period sufficient only to ensure that each lamp is illuminated
- the period of simulation failure should not exceed one quarter of the rated duration of the luminaire or sign
- during this period all luminaires and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
- at the end of the test period the supply to normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored
Central battery systems
- each central battery system should be energised from its battery by simulation of a failure of the supply to the normal lighting for a period sufficient only to ensure that each lamp is illuminated
- the period of simulation failure should not exceed one quarter of the rated duration of the battery
- during this period all luminaires and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
- if it is not possible to examine visually all luminaires and / or signs in this period, further tests should be made after the battery has been fully recharged
- at the end of each test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning
Six monthly inspection by the occupier
Every six months, the monthly inspection should be carried out and the following two additional tests made:
Self contained luminaires
- each three hour self contained luminaire and illuminated exit sign should be energised from its battery for a continuous period of one hour, by simulation of mains failure of the supply to the normal lighting. If the luminaire is rated as having a duration of one hour, then the period of simulation failure should be 15 minutes
- during this period all luminaires and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
- at the end of this test the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored
Central battery systems
- each three hour central battery system should be energised from its battery for a continuous period of one hour by simulation of a failure of the supply to the normal lighting. If the system is rated as having a duration of one hour then the period of simulation failure should be 15 minutes
- during this period all luminaires and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
- at the end of the test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning
Three yearly inspection by the occupier
Every three years, the monthly inspection should be carried out and the following two additional tests made:
Self contained luminaires
- each self contained luminaire and / or illuminated exit sign should be tested for its full duration
- at the end of the test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored
Central battery systems
- each central battery system should be tested for its full duration
- at the end of each test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored
Subsequent annual test by the occupier
For self contained luminaires with sealed batteries, after the first three yearly test, the three yearly test should be carried out annually.
Routine examinations and tests of emergency lighting systems should be recorded. Provision is made in our fire safety log book for this purpose.
Information on fire safety log books
Download extra emergency lighting log sheets (size 47kb)
gov.je