How Often Should Emergency Lighting Be Tested?
Emergency lighting must be function tested monthly, inspected and tested every six months, and given a full duration test annually. Here is what each test involves, who must carry it out and what the legal requirements are for businesses and landlords across Surrey.
The legal framework
Emergency lighting testing requirements in the UK are governed by two documents working together. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the responsible person for any non-domestic premises to maintain fire safety measures in proper working order. BS 5266-1 is the British Standard that translates that duty into specific testing requirements, setting out what must be tested, how often and how it must be recorded.
Together these mean that emergency lighting testing is not optional or advisory for commercial premises, HMOs, communal areas of residential blocks or any premises to which the public has access. It is a legal requirement and failure to comply can result in prosecution, fines and - in serious cases - imprisonment.
Monthly testing - the short functional test
Every month, a short functional test must be carried out on every emergency luminaire and exit sign in the building. The test simulates a mains power failure by switching off the supply to the emergency lighting circuit, confirming that every fitting activates correctly and that all exit signs illuminate as intended.
The monthly test does not need to run for the full duration of the battery - it is a check that the system activates, not a full discharge. All results must be recorded in a fire safety logbook, including any fittings that failed to activate or showed signs of fault.
Six-monthly inspection
Every six months, a more thorough inspection of the emergency lighting installation should be carried out. This covers the physical condition of all fittings and wiring, checks for any modifications to the building layout that might have affected emergency lighting coverage - such as new walls, doors or partitions - and a review of the logbook to identify any recurring faults.
Changes to a building's layout are one of the most common reasons emergency lighting installations fall out of compliance. Coverage requirements are based on the actual escape routes and exit positions in the building. If the layout changes, the lighting must be reassessed against the new configuration.
Annual testing - the full duration test
Once a year, a full duration test is required. This involves simulating a mains power failure and leaving the emergency lighting system running for its full rated duration - typically three hours for most commercial and residential premises. The test confirms that the batteries can sustain the emergency lighting for the required period when it is actually needed.
The full duration test should be carried out by a competent person, which in practice means a qualified electrician familiar with BS 5266-1. Following the test, any fittings whose batteries could not sustain the full duration must be repaired or replaced before the building reopens.
Because the full duration test discharges the batteries completely, the system needs time to recharge after the test before it is fully operational again. This is worth factoring into the scheduling of the annual test - ideally carried out at the end of a working day or period of closure rather than mid-morning.
Who must carry out emergency lighting testing?
Monthly functional tests can be carried out by a competent person in-house provided they understand what they are looking for and maintain accurate records. The six-monthly inspection and annual full duration test should be carried out by a qualified electrician to ensure the results are reliable and the records are defensible in the event of a fire safety inspection or insurance claim.
For FM companies and commercial landlords managing multiple properties, a planned preventative maintenance contract that includes scheduled emergency lighting testing across the portfolio is the most practical and cost-effective approach. It removes the risk of a test being missed, ensures records are maintained consistently and provides a single point of accountability for compliance documentation.
Record keeping
All emergency lighting tests - monthly, six-monthly and annual - must be recorded in a fire safety logbook. The record should include the date of each test, the name of the person who carried it out, the result for each fitting and any corrective action taken. This logbook must be available for inspection by the fire authority and is essential evidence of due diligence in the event of an incident or insurance claim.
Emergency lighting testing for landlords in Surrey
Landlords with properties that have communal areas - blocks of flats, HMOs, shared houses with communal corridors - have the same obligations as commercial premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Emergency lighting in communal stairwells and corridors must be tested monthly, inspected six-monthly and given a full duration annual test.
The October 2026 changes to social housing electrical compliance are also creating new demand for scheduled emergency lighting testing across social rented stock. Housing providers in Surrey who have not yet established a regular testing programme for communal areas should act before the deadline.
MS Electrical Solutions - emergency lighting testing across Surrey
MS Electrical Solutions carries out emergency lighting installation, testing and certification for commercial premises, FM-managed buildings, HMOs and landlords across Horley, Crawley, Reigate, Redhill and the wider Surrey and West Sussex area. We provide monthly testing programmes, annual full duration tests and full compliance documentation on every visit.
If your emergency lighting is overdue for testing or you are setting up a PPM schedule for a commercial building or rental portfolio, call Mark on 07508 224603 or visit our commercial electrician page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should emergency lighting be tested?
Emergency lighting must be function tested every month, inspected every six months and given a full duration test once a year. Monthly tests confirm that every fitting activates correctly. The annual test confirms the batteries can sustain emergency lighting for the full rated duration, typically three hours.
What is a full duration emergency lighting test?
A full duration test simulates a mains power failure and leaves the emergency lighting running for its complete rated duration, usually three hours. It confirms the batteries can sustain the system for the required period when needed. The test must be recorded in the fire safety logbook and any fittings that fail the duration test must be repaired before the building reopens.
Is emergency lighting testing a legal requirement?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person for any non-domestic premises to maintain fire safety measures including emergency lighting in proper working order. BS 5266-1 sets out the specific testing frequencies and recording requirements. Failure to comply can result in prosecution, fines and in serious cases imprisonment.
Do landlords need to test emergency lighting?
Yes, if the property has communal areas such as stairwells, corridors or shared entrances. Landlords of blocks of flats, HMOs and shared houses with communal areas have the same emergency lighting obligations as commercial premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Emergency lighting must be tested monthly, inspected every six months and given a full annual duration test.
Who should carry out emergency lighting testing in Surrey?
Monthly functional tests can be carried out in-house by a competent person with accurate records kept. Six-monthly inspections and the annual full duration test should be carried out by a qualified electrician. MS Electrical Solutions provides emergency lighting testing and certification for commercial premises, HMOs and landlords across Surrey and West Sussex. Call us on 07508 224603.
How much does emergency lighting testing cost?
The cost of emergency lighting testing depends on the size of the installation and the number of fittings. For a single commercial premises or HMO with a straightforward installation, an annual full duration test typically takes one to two hours. Contact MS Electrical Solutions on 07508 224603 for a fixed quote based on your specific installation.
