Fire Alarm/ Emergency Lighting/ Suppression System
What the law requires
Who needs Emergency Lighting
Who needs Emergency Lighting
Under fire safety legislation, the responsible person must:
- Provide emergency lighting where necessary to ensure people can safely find their way out of a building during a power failure.
- Ensure that escape routes, stairways, corridors, high-risk areas and firefighting equipment are always adequately illuminated in an emergency.
- Install, tes
Under fire safety legislation, the responsible person must:
- Provide emergency lighting where necessary to ensure people can safely find their way out of a building during a power failure.
- Ensure that escape routes, stairways, corridors, high-risk areas and firefighting equipment are always adequately illuminated in an emergency.
- Install, test and maintain the system to recognised standards.
The expected technical standard is BS 5266-1, which covers the design, installation and maintenance of emergency lighting systems.
Who needs Emergency Lighting
Who needs Emergency Lighting
Who needs Emergency Lighting
Most non-domestic premises require emergency lighting, including:
- Offices, shops and commercial units
- Factories and industrial buildings
- Schools, nurseries and public buildings
- Restaurants, sports facilities and entertainment venues
- HMOs and the communal areas of flats/apartments
If a fire risk assessment identifies that people would be at risk
Most non-domestic premises require emergency lighting, including:
- Offices, shops and commercial units
- Factories and industrial buildings
- Schools, nurseries and public buildings
- Restaurants, sports facilities and entertainment venues
- HMOs and the communal areas of flats/apartments
If a fire risk assessment identifies that people would be at risk in a power cut — then emergency lighting is legally required.
Maintenance & Testing
Who needs Emergency Lighting
Maintenance & Testing
Emergency lighting must be:
- Tested monthly (function test)
- Tested annually (full duration test, usually 3 hours)
- Logged and recorded in your fire safety logbook
- Kept in full working order at all times
Failure to maintain it can result in enforcement action from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS).