Introduction
Emergency lighting should be tested by a competent person, daily,
monthly, six monthly, three years from the date of installation and
subsequently, for self-contained units, annually, in accordance with
British Standard 5266 Part 1: 1999. Any defects should be
recorded and receive immediate attention where possible and as soon as
practically possible in all other circumstances. The person
responsible for testing the system should be given authority to have
any repairs conducted as necessary without delay. Before
carrying out any tests, the competent person should identify the
working duration of the emergency light units. This will usually
be 1 hour or 3 hours.
Daily Inspection
Check the log book for faults and remedial action.
Walk through the premises ensuring all maintained (permanently lit)
lamps are operating correctly.
Check that indicators on control panels for central batter systems
and generators (where used) are indicating normal operation.
Record any faults in the log book and ensure remedial action is
taken and recorded.
Monthly Inspection and Test
Ensure all defects have been rectified.
Clean exterior of lights and signs.
Test for operation as follows:
Self-Contained Units (not connected to a central battery bank or
generator):
 | All lights and signs should be operated by simulated mains
lighting failure for a period only long enough to ensure each lamp
illuminates and this must be no longer than ¼ of the duration
time for the system. During this period each light or sign
should be examined visually for correct operation.
|
| Following this test the mains should be restored and any
indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that mains supply has
been restored. (This is usually indicated by a small red
light coming on within the unit). |
Central Battery Systems:
| Each central battery system should be activated from its battery
by simulated mains lighting failure and the same checks carried
out as for self-contained units.
|
| If all lights and signs cannot be checked within the time
allowed the system should be tested in blocks, allowing the
batteries to fully re-charge after each test. |
Generator Operated Systems:
| Operate by simulation of mains lighting power and run for a
period of at least one hour, checking operation of all lights and
signs for correct operation. Check starting system battery is
charging correctly then check and top up fuel, coolant and oil
levels a necessary.
|
| The engine should then be prevented from starting and the
back-up battery operating system operated by simulation of mains
lighting power failure and operated for a period only sufficient
to check that the change-over system from normal to battery is
operating correctly.
|
| The system should then be returned to normal operation and the
generator allowed to run for a further period of at least one hour
to re-charge the system.
|
| The lights and signs should then be checked for correct
operation again as before.
|
| The system should then be returned to normal operating
conditions and again checked to ensure that the starting system
battery is charging correctly and that fuel, coolant and oil
levels are topped up as necessary once more. |
Six Monthly Inspection and Test
In addition to the monthly test the following should be carried
out.
Self-Contained Units:
| Each light and sign should be operated by simulated mains
lighting failure for a period of: |
3 hour rated: 1 hour
1 hour rated: 15 minutes
| During this period each light or sign should be examined
visually for correct operation.
|
| Following this test the mains should be restored and any
indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that mains supply has
been restored. (This is usually indicated by a small red light
coming on within the unit). |
Central Battery Systems:
| Each battery system should be operated by simulated mains
lighting failure for a period of: |
3 hour rated: 1 hour
1 hour rated: 15 minutes
| During this period each light or sign should be examined
visually for correct operation.
|
| Following this test the mains should be restored and any
indicator lamp or device checked to ensure that mains supply has
been restored. (This is usually indicated by a small red light
coming on within the unit). |
Generator Operated Systems:
| The engine should then be prevented from starting and the
back-up battery operating system operated by simulation of mains
lighting power failure and operated for a period of 1 hour.
|
| The system should then be returned to normal operation and the
generator allowed to run for a further period of at least one hour
to re-charge the system.
|
| The lights and signs should then be checked for correct
operation again as before.
|
| The system should then be returned to normal operating
conditions and again checked to ensure that the starting system
battery is charging correctly and that fuel, coolant and oil
levels are topped up as necessary once more. |
Three Yearly Inspection and Test
In addition to the monthly test the following should be carried
out.
Self-Contained Units:
| Each light and sign should be operated by simulated mains
lighting failure for a period of its full duration eg: |
3 hour rated: 3 hour
1 hour rated: 1 hour
Central Battery Systems:
| Each battery system should be operated by simulated mains
lighting failure for its full duration. |
Generator Operated Systems:
| The back-up battery operating system should be operated by
simulation of mains lighting power failure for its full duration.
|
| The entire system should be tested in accordance with the code
as detailed in Annex C of BS 5266-1:1999, a copy of which is
attached at the end of this document. |
Subsequent Annual Inspections and Tests
For self-contained units, the three yearly test is then repeated
every year.
Log Book
A log book must be kept on the premises and it should be available
for inspection at all times. A
Fire Safety Log Book can be downloaded FREE from the Fire and Rescue
area on this site .
The log book should be used to record the following information:
(a) Date of any completion certificate supplied to the
occupier/owner after installation or major alteration to the emergency
lighting system.
(b) Date of each periodic inspection and test certificate.
(c) Date and brief details of each service, inspection or test
carried out.
(d) Date and brief details of any defects found and remedial
action taken to remedy fault(s).
(e) Date(s) and brief details of any alterations carried
out to the system.
