Monthly and annual emergency lighting tests explained: what to check, who can do it, how long it takes and what to record.
The short answer
Emergency lighting should have a short function test every month and a full rated-duration test, usually three hours, once a year. Every test should be recorded in a logbook. This is the routine set out in BS 5266-1.
Emergency lighting lets people find their way out safely when the mains power fails, and it is part of keeping fire safety equipment maintained under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. If a fire risk assessor or fire officer visits, the logbook is one of the first things they will ask to see.
Monthly test: the “flick test”
Once a month, simulate a mains failure for long enough to check that every emergency luminaire and illuminated exit sign comes on. The usual way is a key switch (often called a fish key or test key) fitted next to the lighting circuit, rather than turning off the whole board.
A trained member of staff can normally do the monthly test. Keep it short so the batteries are not drained just before they are needed.
Annual test: full rated duration
Once a year, every emergency luminaire should run for its full rated duration, which is normally three hours, and stay lit until the end. Fittings that dim or go out early need new batteries or replacing. This test should be carried out by a competent person.
Because the batteries can take up to 24 hours to recharge afterwards, plan the annual test for a time when the building is empty or lightly used. In sleeping premises such as hotels and care homes, alternate fittings can be tested so half the building is always covered.
Self-test and automatic test systems
Self-test fittings and central addressable systems run the monthly and annual tests automatically and report faults. They save time on larger sites and multi-site estates. Someone still needs to check the results regularly and record them, and a competent person should still inspect the system each year.
What type of emergency lighting do you need?
Maintained fittings stay lit all the time, as used in theatres and cinemas. Non-maintained fittings only light when the power fails. The right design depends on your fire risk assessment and the layout of the building.
Common problems we find
Salts Fire & Security installs, tests and maintains emergency lighting to BS 5266-1, and we often combine the annual test with your fire alarm service. See our emergency lighting service, our guide to fire alarm servicing, or find us in Bradford, Leeds and beyond.
Monthly emergency lighting test checklist
- Choose a time when the building is quiet and nobody depends on the lighting.
- Use the test key switch to cut the mains supply to the emergency lighting circuit.
- Walk the whole building and check every emergency light and exit sign is lit.
- Look for damaged diffusers, missing signs and fittings blocked by shelving or partitions.
- Restore the supply and check every charging indicator (usually a green LED) comes back on.
- Record the date, result and any faults in the logbook, and arrange repairs straight away.
What to record in your logbook
A logbook is the evidence that your emergency lighting is maintained. Fire officers, insurers and fire risk assessors will ask to see it. Each entry should include:
| Date | Test type | Result | Faults found | Action taken | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/11/2026 | Monthly function test | Pass | None | – | J. Smith |
| 03/12/2026 | Monthly function test | Fail | Exit sign by rear door not lit | Engineer booked 05/12 | J. Smith |
| 15/06/2027 | Annual 3-hour test | Pass | 2 fittings below 3 hours | Batteries replaced, certificate issued | Engineer |
Types of emergency light fitting
| Type | What it does | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Non-maintained (NM) | Only lights when the mains supply fails | Most offices, shops and corridors |
| Maintained (M) | Lit all the time, stays on when the mains fails | Theatres, cinemas, places of entertainment |
| Sustained | Contains two lamps: one normal, one emergency | Signs and decorative fittings |
| Self-contained | Battery inside each fitting | Most small and medium buildings |
| Central battery | Fittings powered from one central battery system | Large buildings and campuses |
Fittings are often labelled with their mode and duration, for example NM3 (non-maintained, three hours) or M3 (maintained, three hours).
Minimum lighting levels
The light levels emergency lighting must provide are set out in BS EN 1838, which BS 5266-1 refers to:
| Area | Minimum level |
|---|---|
| Escape routes | 1 lux along the centre line of the route |
| Open areas (anti-panic) | 0.5 lux across the floor area |
| High-risk task areas | 10% of normal lighting, and at least 15 lux |
Your engineer checks these during design and at the annual test. Monthly and annual testing follows the routine in BS EN 50172 (also published as BS 5266-8).
Common questions
How often should emergency lighting be tested?
BS 5266-1 recommends a short function test every month and a full rated-duration test, usually three hours, every year. Record every test in a logbook.
Can I do the monthly emergency light test myself?
Yes. The monthly flick test can usually be carried out by a trained member of staff using a test key. The annual full-duration test should be done by a competent person.
How long should emergency lights last?
Most emergency lighting is rated for three hours. Some premises that are evacuated and not reoccupied straight away may use one-hour fittings if the fire risk assessment allows.
What happens if an emergency light fails the annual test?
It should be repaired straight away, usually with a new battery or a replacement fitting, and the fix recorded in the logbook.
Do self-test emergency lights still need checking?
Yes. Self-test fittings run the tests automatically, but someone must check the results and record them, and a competent person should inspect the system annually.
Can you test emergency lighting at the same time as the fire alarm?
Yes. We often combine the annual emergency lighting test with a fire alarm service visit to save you a separate call-out.
Last reviewed 04/11/2026 by the Salts Fire & Security team, Baildon. This is general guidance; your fire risk assessment and the full standard take priority.
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