Emergency Lighting Test Procedure: Monthly & Annual Steps
If your building has emergency lighting installed, you're legally responsible for making sure it actually works when it's needed. The emergency lighting test procedure covers both routine monthly checks and more thorough annual inspections, and getting either wrong can leave you non-compliant with BS 5266-1 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The problem is, many building owners and facility managers aren't sure exactly what each test involves, how long it should take, or what records they need to keep. That uncertainty creates gaps, and gaps in emergency lighting compliance put lives at risk during power failures and evacuations. Whether you're a landlord with a single property or managing an entire commercial portfolio, the testing requirements apply equally.
This guide breaks down the full procedure step by step, covering monthly functional tests, annual full-duration tests, documentation, and what to do when faults are found. At Electrical Testing London, our engineers carry out emergency lighting testing across London and the South East every day, so this guide is built on the same process we follow on site. By the end, you'll understand exactly what's required and whether you're in a position to handle testing internally or need a qualified professional to do it for you.
What you need before you start
Before you run any part of the emergency lighting test procedure, gather everything you need in advance. Turning up to a test without the correct tools or documentation means you either have to abandon it midway or record incomplete results, and both outcomes create compliance problems. Preparation takes around 15 minutes and saves you considerably more time on the day.
The right equipment
You don't need specialist gear for most emergency lighting tests, but you do need a few specific items to carry out each check correctly and safely. A luminaire test key or test switch lets you simulate a mains failure without cutting power to the whole building. You'll also need a stopwatch or timer to record how long each fitting stays illuminated during the annual duration test. In addition, bring:
- A torch for inspecting fittings in unlit areas
- A logbook or digital recording device to note results on the spot
- A site plan or floor plan showing the location of every emergency luminaire and exit sign
If your emergency lighting system uses self-contained battery-powered units, you need to check each fitting individually rather than triggering a central system.
Your paperwork and legal reference points
Having the right documents to hand before testing keeps everything consistent and traceable. You should have a copy of BS 5266-1:2016, the British Standard that governs emergency lighting, available for reference. You'll also need the previous logbook entries from prior tests so you can compare current results against historical data and identify any deteriorating trends early.
At a minimum, your logbook should capture the following for each test:
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Date of test | Full date (day, month, year) |
| Type of test | Monthly functional or annual duration |
| Duration (annual only) | Minutes each luminaire stayed lit |
| Faults found | Location and nature of each fault |
| Actions taken | Repairs completed or still outstanding |
| Engineer signature | Name and qualification if applicable |
Step 1. Identify your emergency lighting setup
Before you test anything, you need to know what type of system you have and how many luminaires are installed on site. The emergency lighting test procedure differs depending on whether your system is self-contained or connected to a central battery unit, so getting this wrong means you may test incorrectly and miss real faults.
Self-contained vs central battery systems
Self-contained units have their own battery built into each fitting. You test them individually using a test key or inhibit switch on the luminaire itself. Central battery systems power all fittings from one location, meaning you can trigger a full site test from a single control point without visiting each fitting in turn.
If you're unsure which system you have, check the distribution board for a dedicated emergency lighting circuit, or look for battery packs built into the luminaire housing.
Map every fitting on your site
Walk the building and cross-reference each luminaire against your floor plan before you begin testing. You need to confirm that every exit sign, escape route fitting, and high-risk area light is accounted for. If a fitting appears on the floor plan but you cannot locate it physically, flag it as missing before you start. Record the total number of fittings in your logbook so you have an accurate count to work from during the test.
Step 2. Run the monthly functional test
The monthly functional test sits at the core of the emergency lighting test procedure. It is a short-duration check designed to confirm that each emergency luminaire switches on automatically when mains power is interrupted. It does not need to run for a full duration, but every fitting must be individually verified within each calendar month. The total time depends on how many luminaires you have on site, so work through them in the order they appear on your floor plan to avoid missing any.
How to simulate a mains failure
Use your luminaire test key or the inhibit switch on each self-contained unit to cut the mains supply to that fitting. For a central battery system, activate the test function at the control panel. Either way, confirm that the fitting illuminates within five seconds of the mains supply being interrupted, which is the threshold set under BS 5266-1.
Do not switch off the main building supply to test emergency lighting, as this can disrupt other safety systems on site.
Restore the mains supply to each fitting once you have confirmed it has activated, then move to the next luminaire. Leaving fittings on test mode for longer than necessary drains the battery unnecessarily before your annual full-duration test.
What to check during the test
Once each fitting activates, work through the following checks before recording your result:
- Light output: The fitting must produce visible, consistent illumination with no flickering
- Exit sign legibility: Signs must be clearly readable and free from physical damage
- Battery indicator: Where visible, the indicator must show a healthy charge state
- Physical condition: Check for cracked covers, missing lenses, or loose fittings
Log a pass or fail against each luminaire in your logbook immediately after checking it.
Step 3. Run the annual full duration test
The annual full-duration test is the most demanding part of the emergency lighting test procedure. Under BS 5266-1, every self-contained luminaire must remain illuminated for a minimum of three hours after mains power is interrupted. This confirms the battery retains sufficient capacity to support a full evacuation in a real emergency. Schedule this test at a time when the building is empty or when normal operations can be safely suspended, because the process takes several hours and leaves your emergency lighting temporarily depleted.
Triggering and timing the discharge
Cut the mains supply to each luminaire using your test key, or activate the central system test function at the control panel. Start your timer immediately and let each fitting run for the full three-hour period without restoring power. Note the exact start and finish times for each fitting in your logbook. If a luminaire fails before the three-hour threshold, record the point of failure and the total minutes it stayed lit.
Restore mains power to all fittings as soon as the test period ends, as batteries need a full recharge cycle of up to 24 hours before the system is operational again.
Checking output throughout the test
Walk your site at regular intervals during the three hours to confirm each fitting maintains consistent light output. Look for any sign of dimming, flickering, or early cut-out. Any fitting that dims significantly or fails early requires immediate replacement or repair before the system can be signed off as compliant.
Step 4. Record results and deal with faults
Recording is not optional in the emergency lighting test procedure; it is the evidence that proves your site is compliant. Your logbook entries must be completed on the day of the test, not reconstructed later from memory, because inconsistent or backdated records can invalidate your compliance position during a fire safety inspection.
Logging results immediately
Complete your logbook entry for each luminaire as soon as you finish testing it, not at the end of the session. Use the template below as a minimum standard for recording both monthly and annual results:
| Field | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Required | Required |
| Luminaire reference | Required | Required |
| Test duration | Not required | Minutes lit |
| Pass/Fail | Required | Required |
| Fault description | If applicable | If applicable |
| Action taken | If applicable | If applicable |
| Tester name | Required | Required |
Prioritising and fixing faults
Any fitting that fails the monthly functional test must be reported and repaired before your next test cycle, not left as an outstanding entry. Faults that prevent a luminaire from activating at all are the highest priority because they directly compromise evacuation safety.
Keep a separate fault register alongside your main logbook so outstanding repairs are never buried inside passing entries.
For annual test failures, contact a qualified electrician to assess whether the battery needs replacing or the fitting requires full replacement. Always retain repair receipts and log the completion date alongside the original fault entry.
Final checks
Completing the emergency lighting test procedure correctly means more than just running the tests. Before you close your logbook, confirm that every luminaire is back on mains power and that all batteries have begun their recharge cycle. A fitting left in test mode overnight is not ready to support an evacuation the next morning, so treat the post-test restore as part of the procedure itself.
Check your logbook one final time to confirm no entries are missing and that every fault has been assigned a clear action with a target resolution date. Leaving gaps in your records undermines the compliance case you've built by carrying out the work. If any fitting failed the monthly or annual test and requires specialist assessment or battery replacement, bring in a qualified engineer rather than leaving the fault outstanding.
Need a professional to handle emergency lighting testing for your property? Request a quote from Electrical Testing London and our engineers will take care of the full procedure for you.
