Emergency Lighting Guide | UK Guide 2026

What Is Emergency Lighting?

Emergency lighting provides illumination when the normal lighting supply fails, helping people identify escape routes, changes of level, fire exits, and safety equipment during an emergency.

In most commercial and communal premises, the need for emergency escape lighting should be considered as part of the fire risk assessment. Government guidance states that where escape routes and exits depend on artificial lighting, adequate emergency lighting should be provided.

Current Emergency Lighting Standards

Emergency lighting systems should be designed, installed, tested, and maintained with reference to the relevant current standards, including:

BS 5266-1:2025

Code of practice for emergency lighting of premises.

BS EN 1838:2024

Specifies lighting requirements for emergency escape lighting, including escape routes and open areas.

BS EN 50172:2024

Covers emergency escape lighting systems, including operation, testing, and maintenance.

These are the current editions being referenced by BSI-certified emergency-lighting schemes in 2026.

Fire Safety Legislation

In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the Responsible Person to ensure suitable fire precautions are provided and maintained.

Emergency lighting may be required where escape routes and exits would not be adequately illuminated if the normal lighting failed.

Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under separate fire-safety legislation, although the relevant British and European emergency-lighting standards remain important technical guidance.

Types of Emergency Lighting

Escape Route Lighting

Provides illumination along designated escape routes so occupants can safely find and use exits during a loss of normal lighting.

Typical locations include:

Corridors • Stairways • Landings • Exit routes • Final exits

Open Area / Anti-Panic Lighting

Provides emergency illumination in larger open spaces to help reduce panic and allow occupants to identify an escape route.

High-Risk Task Area Lighting

Provides emergency illumination where potentially dangerous processes or equipment need to be safely shut down before occupants leave.

Standby Lighting

Allows normal activities to continue following a failure of the normal power supply.

Standby lighting is different from emergency escape lighting and is not necessarily required for fire-safety purposes.

Emergency Exit Signs

Illuminated or internally illuminated signs help identify escape routes, changes of direction, and final exits when normal lighting is unavailable.

Where Is Emergency Lighting Usually Required?

Emergency lighting commonly needs to be considered at:

Fire exits and final exits Escape routes and corridors Stairways and changes of level Intersections and changes of direction Open areas Windowless rooms Toilets where appropriate Plant and switch rooms Near fire alarm call points and firefighting equipment External routes immediately outside final exits

The exact provision should be determined by the premises layout and fire risk assessment rather than simply installing a fixed number of fittings.

Maintained vs Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting

Maintained

The luminaire operates during normal conditions and remains illuminated when the normal power supply fails.

Often used in:

Public buildings • Entertainment premises • Areas where normal lighting may be dimmed

Non-Maintained

The emergency lamp normally remains off and automatically illuminates when the normal lighting supply fails.

Commonly used in:

Offices • Workplaces • Commercial premises

Testing & Maintenance

Emergency lighting should be regularly tested and maintained to ensure it will operate correctly when required. Government fire-safety guidance specifically says emergency lighting should be regularly tested and maintained.

Monthly Functional Test

A short test should simulate failure of the normal lighting supply and confirm that emergency luminaires and exit signs illuminate correctly.

Check for:

✓ Lamps operating ✓ Correct indicator lights ✓ Damaged fittings ✓ Obstructions ✓ Incorrect or missing signage

Annual Full-Duration Test

A full rated-duration test should be carried out to confirm that the emergency lighting continues operating for its required duration.

Any batteries, luminaires, or components that fail to achieve the required performance should be investigated and rectified.

Record Keeping

Testing, faults, repairs, and maintenance should be recorded in the premises' fire-safety logbook.

How Long Should Emergency Lighting Last?

Many emergency-lighting systems used in UK commercial premises are designed for a 3-hour emergency duration, although the correct duration depends on the building, occupancy, and system design.

The appropriate requirement should therefore be established during the emergency-lighting design and fire risk assessment.

Who Is Responsible?

The person responsible for fire safety should ensure that:

Emergency lighting remains suitable for the premises

Regular tests are completed

Faults are repaired

Changes to the building or escape routes are considered

Testing and maintenance records are retained

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Important

This guide provides general information only. Emergency-lighting requirements depend on the individual premises, occupancy, escape routes, and fire risk assessment. System design, installation, and maintenance should follow the applicable current standards and fire-safety legislation.