Emergency Lighting for Commercial Properties: Your Guide to Compliance and Safety
When the power fails in a commercial building, it’s not just inconvenient—it can be dangerous. That’s where emergency lighting comes in. Designed to guide occupants to safety during a power outage or fire, emergency lighting is a legal requirement for most commercial spaces in the UK.
This blog covers everything you need to know about emergency lighting requirements for commercial buildings, how to stay compliant, and why it’s a vital part of your commercial lighting compliance strategy.
What Is Emergency Lighting?
Emergency lighting is a backup lighting system that activates automatically when the main power supply fails, it’s basically a battery backup system. Think of it as Emergency escape lighting, which is designed to:
Illuminate escape routes
Highlight fire exits, alarms, and safety equipment
Provide visibility in high-risk areas (like stairwells, corridors, or plant rooms)
Under UK law, it must be present and fully functional in all commercial buildings where people are present for work or public use.
Why Is Emergency Lighting Important?
Legal Compliance
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic buildings must have emergency lighting in place. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines, or even prosecution.Safety of Occupants
In an emergency, visibility is crucial. Emergency lighting reduces panic and allows safe, orderly evacuation.Commercial Lighting Compliance
Meeting commercial lighting compliance standards is essential for legal, insurance, and health & safety purposes.Insurance Validity
Inadequate or untested emergency lighting could void your insurance if a claim arises from a fire or electrical fault.
Emergency Lighting Requirements for Commercial Buildings
To meet emergency lighting requirements for commercial buildings, your system must:
Illuminate all escape routes clearly
Light up exit signs, stairwells, corridors, and high-risk areas
Activate automatically when the main power supply fails
Include self-contained luminaires or central battery systems
Provide at least 1 lux of illumination on the centre line of escape routes (lux requirements differ in per location but 1 lux is a good rule of thumb as a minimum)
Run for a minimum of 3 hours on battery power
How to Ensure Emergency Lighting Is Compliant in the UK
Staying compliant involves regular testing, correct installation, qualified inspection and planned maintenance. Here's how:
1. ✅ Install According to British Standards
Your system should comply with BS 5266-1 and BS EN 1838, the key standards for emergency lighting design, installation, and maintenance in the UK.
2. ✅ Carry Out Regular Testing
Monthly “flick” tests to check lights operate correctly
Annual 3-hour duration tests to confirm full battery function
Keep a logbook of all tests, showing where each light is located and any remedial work that has been carried out
3. ✅ Use a Qualified Electrical Contractor
Only certified electricians with experience in commercial lighting compliance should design, install, and maintain emergency lighting systems.
4. ✅ Include Emergency Lighting in Your Fire Risk Assessment
Your fire risk assessment must evaluate whether emergency lighting covers all critical areas effectively—and whether it functions as intended.
Who’s Responsible?
If you’re the duty holder, employer, building manager, or landlord, you’re legally responsible for ensuring emergency lighting is installed, maintained, and tested. You must also keep all related documentation available for inspection.
Trust the Experts
At Carter’s Electrical Services, we help commercial clients across Oxfordshire and surrounding areas design, install, and maintain fully compliant emergency lighting systems.
We ensure your lighting meets all UK standards, and we provide:
Routine testing, servicing and planned preventative maintenance
Emergency call-outs and fault repairs
Compliance audits and certification
📞 Contact Carter’s Electrical Services today to schedule your next emergency lighting inspection or installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Under UK law, nearly all commercial and non-domestic buildings must have emergency lighting installed, tested, and maintained.
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You should carry out a monthly function test and a full 3-hour duration test annually. The combination of both are best practice and ensure you stay on top of the system. Both should be recorded in your emergency lighting logbook.
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Most commercial systems must provide at least 3 hours of lighting after the power goes out.
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Yes, a logbook is essential. It provides a clear service record of your emergency lighting system, showing which fittings are working, which have failed, and which have been repaired. It also includes the exact location of each light. Without a logbook—and if your lights aren’t clearly labelled—it becomes very difficult to know which fittings are meant to operate as emergency lights during testing. This can lead to compliance issues and safety risks.
If you don’t have one currently, get in touch with Carter’s Electrical Services now and we will create one for you and come up with a maintenance plan to suit your business.
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Only qualified electrical contractors with experience in commercial systems should carry out installation and testing, to ensure safety and legal compliance.