Emergency lighting is battery-powered lighting which will switch on and illuminate when the power is cut from the mains. This is usually for the people inside the building to find their way out of the building in a safe manner. Emergency lighting regulations now exist in the UK which mean all-new larger buildings must have the correct emergency lighting fitted whilst older buildings must retro-fit emergency lighting to ensure the building is as safe as possible. Specifically, it forms a core part of the UK’s life safety provision, working in tandem with fire alarm systems to facilitate safe and timely evacuations. The importance of this safety measure is continually reinforced by UK governmental bodies, especially as new legislation like the Building Safety Act 2022 comes into full effect, increasing the onus on the Responsible Person to ensure all fire safety equipment is properly maintained and recorded.
The primary purpose of an emergency lighting system is to ensure that escape routes remain clearly illuminated, preventing panic and enabling a safe and efficient evacuation. This critical life safety system is mandated by UK fire safety legislation, specifically The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), which places a legal obligation on the ‘Responsible Person’ in virtually all non-domestic premises to conduct a fire risk assessment and implement necessary safety measures. Furthermore, the British Standard governing the design, installation, and maintenance of these systems, BS 5266-1:2025, has recently been revised to expand its scope, reflecting modern building usage and the critical role of lighting in emergencies.
The latest data from the Home Office for the last year shows that Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England attended 254,041 false fire alarms, with the majority attributed to apparatus faults. While this highlights the strain on FRS resources, it also underscores the critical importance of a reliable and properly maintained emergency lighting system. Even when the alarm is false, the power may still be intentionally cut, or the equipment could fail. In such a scenario, well-placed emergency lighting ensures that the brief panic or confusion is mitigated, guiding occupants safely to the final exit.
A compliant system must also account for high-risk task areas and large open spaces (often referred to as Anti-Panic Lighting) to allow staff to safely shut down dangerous machinery or equipment before evacuation. This comprehensive approach to lighting in an emergency is vital for maintaining life safety. Installing compliant emergency lighting is one of the most fundamental steps in protecting both your employees and your premises. To ensure your system meets the latest requirements, you should only work with BAFE-certified providers who are experts in the current British Standards.
The legal responsibilities surrounding fire and life safety have intensified significantly following the implementation of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022. As a Responsible Person, your duties now mandate a fully recorded fire risk assessment and a written record of your fire safety arrangements, irrespective of the size or age of the building, according to the London Fire Brigade. For multi-occupied or complex buildings, there are enhanced requirements for cooperation and coordination between all Responsible Persons, ensuring a seamless approach to safety across the entire site. Furthermore, the overall rate of satisfactory fire safety audits in England was only 58% in the year ending March 2024, the lowest proportion since 2011, according to official Home Office statistics. This low figure highlights the increased enforcement and the urgent need for businesses to review their compliance, especially concerning critical systems like emergency lighting. Understanding the full implications of this legislation is paramount, and seeking a professional audit is the best way to mitigate legal exposure and ensure the safety of your occupants. For businesses in the logistics sector, which often involves large, complex buildings, the correct placement and maintenance of emergency lighting is particularly challenging.
There are a variety of different types of emergency lights which are available to suit whatever lighting needs you may have. The most traditional type of emergency lighting is the internal and external bulkhead emergency fittings. These usually have a polycarbonate body and tray which houses all the components and most of these will operate for three hours without any mains power and will recharge when the mains power has been restored.
Modern emergency lighting solutions extend well beyond the traditional bulkhead. For instance, recessed emergency downlights are often used in commercial and retail environments to blend seamlessly with the existing architectural design, maintaining a professional aesthetic while providing the necessary 1 Lux minimum illumination along escape routes. For facilities like warehouses or large factory floors, high-powered emergency floodlights may be integrated into a central battery system, offering powerful open-area illumination across spaces greater than 60m². Whatever your business premises, having the right system is crucial. You can find more information on important fire alarm monitoring and integrating your emergency lighting with your fire alarm on our dedicated page.
Another very popular type of emergency lighting is the illuminated fire exit signs which light up to show you where the exits are. There are a number of different types of fire signage that can be illuminated using emergency lighting.
Illuminated exit signs are arguably the most vital component, as they provide the directional information needed during an emergency. Under the current standards, signs must meet specific criteria for viewing distance and luminance. Internally illuminated signs (e.g., maintained LED signs) offer a greater viewing distance (up to 200 times the height of the pictogram) compared to externally illuminated signs. Correct placement is vital, especially at final exits and any change of direction along the escape path, which must be clearly and immediately identifiable. Regular testing and maintenance of these signs is paramount to ensure the battery back-up is always functional. We offer specific guides on fire safety for different premises, including offices and the leisure sector.
LED emergency lighting is now starting to become very popular thanks to its energy-saving benefits. LED downlights are also a newer addition to the market over the last few years and there is an emergency option available with comes complete with battery pack should the mains power cut. 1-watt and 3-watt version are available producing over 75 lumens of light.
It is also vitally important to replace batteries as soon as they are no longer working correctly.
Beyond the downlights, the use of Self-Testing Emergency Luminaires is a significant recent technological advancement. These sophisticated units contain internal microprocessors that automatically perform the daily and monthly functional tests required by BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8, recording the results in a digital log. This drastically reduces the labour costs and human error associated with manual testing, ensuring compliance is maintained automatically. While the annual full-duration test (1-hour or 3-hour) must still be witnessed and certified by a competent professional, self-testing systems offer a massive advantage in day-to-day compliance management. Modern LEDs are not only energy-efficient but also have a much longer lifespan than traditional fluorescent tubes, reducing the overall cost of fire safety compliance over the system’s lifetime. The future of fire detection is moving towards similar smart systems. Learn more about modern safety system integration on our CCTV service page.
The move toward LED and self-testing emergency lighting is part of a broader shift toward smart fire systems. This integration allows for a unified approach to building safety and management. For instance, in an industrial facility or a large office block, a smart fire panel can communicate with the emergency lighting system. If a fire is detected in a specific zone, the system can illuminate the required escape route with enhanced clarity and even potentially use audio-visual messaging to guide occupants away from the hazard zone, a level of sophistication traditional systems cannot match. This level of system cohesion is particularly valuable in complex environments such as healthcare facilities, where swift and controlled evacuation is paramount. Furthermore, combining fire safety data with analytics, as discussed in our guide on predictive maintenance, allows businesses to identify potential component failures in the emergency lighting power supply before a genuine emergency occurs. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of non-compliance and enhances overall occupant safety.
When looking for the emergency lighting fitting you require, you are likely to come across the terms ‘maintained’ and ‘non-maintained’. These phrases are terminology usually associated with types of emergency lighting products, but what is the difference?
Maintained fittings are ones which can be operated with a lighting controller (such as a switch) and can be left permanently on or can just operate when there is a power cut. Maintained lights are often used where groups of people meet, for example, a cinema. These lights prevent complete darkness and the emergency lights are designed to still work despite a power cut.
Non-maintained fittings will not illuminate unless there is a power cut. These types of emergency lights are often powered via a battery which can charge itself through its own power supply. Non-maintained lights are typically installed in areas where normal illumination is sufficient, but emergency light is crucial in a power failure, such as corridors or stairwells in an office setting.
Both of these types of emergency lights require consistent rigorous testing by a lighting professional to ensure they meet the safety requirements for the buildings they occupy. The Responsible Person for the premises must ensure a robust testing schedule is maintained. This legally requires a short functional test every month (30 seconds of operation) and a full-duration test annually (1 or 3 hours, depending on the building’s use). All tests must be recorded in the fire safety logbook, as mandated by the RRO 2005. Failing to properly log these tests can constitute a serious breach of your duty of care, which we discuss further in our article on legal responsibility in fire incidents.
The transition from standard (fluorescent/incandescent) bulkheads to LED emergency lighting is a key trend in modern fire safety, driven by both efficiency and compliance.
[Image of LED vs Fluorescent Lighting Comparison]
For businesses looking to upgrade an existing system, transitioning to a modern, self-testing LED solution offers not only immediate energy savings but also a future-proofed, compliant system that simplifies the ‘Responsible Person’s’ duty of care. For comprehensive guidance on upgrades, check out our fire safety resources for various sectors, such as restaurants and pubs. If you have an older system, our expert team can provide a full assessment and certified fire risk assessment.
The ongoing commitment to life safety extends beyond mere compliance; it’s a fundamental part of business continuity and property management. A fire incident can have devastating consequences, not just from the fire itself but from the resultant downtime and reputational damage. By investing in high-quality, regularly serviced emergency lighting, you are protecting your assets and, most importantly, the lives of your employees and customers. We serve all sectors across the UK, providing tailored fire and security solutions that meet the specific needs of your operations. Our accredited engineers ensure that every installation, from a simple bulkhead to a complex central battery system, adheres to the latest British Standards, giving you complete peace of mind.
BusinessWatch are experts in the installation and maintenance of all types of emergency lights for any size of business.
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