Annual Test Certificate & Servicing
NW Electrical PAT Testing carry out annual testing and issue of emergency lighting certificates, crucial for demonstrating that your emergency lighting system has been properly installed, tested, and meets legal standards under UK law, specifically the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and British Standard BS 5266.
Emergency lighting is mandatory for all non-domestic buildings and HMOs (houses in multiple occupation).
Importance of the Certificate
UK fire safety legislation stipulates that emergency lighting must undergo a full test once a year and be ‘flick-tested’ at least once a month. The testing schedule includes:
Monthly Tests: A brief 30-second functionality check to ensure all lights operate correctly.
Annual Tests: A 3-hour full-duration test to verify that backup batteries can sustain emergency illumination for the required time. It’s called a ‘full discharge’ test and it tests that your batteries last as long as they should and meet the minimum legal requirement. Any failed batteries or lighting tubes should be replaced as quickly as possible following the test, and any more serious faults should be immediately investigated.
Without an annual certificate, property owners may face legal penalties or issues with insurance claims. This document remains valid for 12 months, after which regular inspections are essential to keep emergency lighting fully operational.
Role of Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of occupants during power failures or emergencies. In the UK, compliance with strict safety regulations such as BS 5266 is legally required for many commercial and certain residential properties. During an emergency, well-functioning lighting systems provide clear guidance to building occupants, reducing the risk of panic and allowing for an orderly evacuation. Emergency lighting is particularly crucial in large commercial buildings, rental properties, and high-risk areas where visibility during an outage could mean the difference between life and death.
Types of Emergency Lighting
Emergency Escape Lighting
Designed to highlight exits and essential safety signage.
Ensures that people can quickly and safely leave the building in an emergency.
A fundamental requirement under UK fire safety laws.
Escape Route Lighting
Provides illumination for corridors, stairwells, and designated exit routes.
Must offer a minimum lighting level of ≥1 lux to ensure visibility during an emergency.
Open Area (Anti-Panic) Lighting
Helps prevent panic in large spaces, such as auditoriums, warehouses, and shopping centers.
Requires a minimum illumination level of ≥0.5 lux to guide occupants toward the nearest exit.
High-Risk Task Area Lighting
Used in locations where workers must safely shut down hazardous equipment before evacuating.
The lighting level must be equivalent to the normal operational lighting to ensure safe handling of machinery.
Maintained and Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting is usually powered by rechargeable batteries that self-charge from the mains power or other power source. The lights, known as ‘luminaries’, are either on constantly (‘maintained’) or are triggered by an interruption in the main power supply (‘non-maintained’). A test checks that your system and luminaries are in full working order up to the stipulated British Standard by simulating a mains power cut.
The minimum permitted duration of an emergency escape lighting system is 1 hour. The annual test will check that all of your lights turn on and stay on for at least 60 minutes and for as long as 3 hours, depending on the type of batteries you are using.
Costs of Emergency Lighting Certification
The emergency lighting inspection cost depends on several factors, including:
Property Size: Larger buildings require more extensive testing and inspection time.
System Complexity: Buildings with integrated fire alarms, multiple exit routes, or high-risk areas may incur higher fees.
Location: Urban areas often have higher service rates compared to rural locations.
Annual Emergency Lighting Testing
Emergency Lighting Testing starts from £150.00.
This is for up to 10 luminaires and includes:
3 hours Emergency Lighting Test.
Lighting Level Assessment (when Photometric data is not available).
Inspection of Emergency Lighting Luminaire lamps and batteries.
Cleaning of Emergency Lighting Luminaires.
Inspection of Emergency Signage.
Maintaining Emergency Lighting Log Book.
Emergency Lighting Test Certificate.