Emergency lighting is a legal requirement in virtually every non-domestic building in the UK. Getting the specification wrong creates a safety risk and a compliance liability. This guide covers the key regulations and specification decisions that every lighting professional needs to understand.
The Legal Framework
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places the duty on the "responsible person" (building owner or occupier) to ensure adequate emergency lighting. BS 5266-1 provides the code of practice for the design, installation, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems. EN 1838 defines the minimum performance requirements.
Types of Emergency Lighting
Emergency escape lighting illuminates escape routes when the normal supply fails. It includes escape route lighting (the path itself), open area lighting (anti-panic areas larger than 60 square metres), and high-risk task area lighting (where dangerous processes need to be shut down safely).
Standby lighting provides a specified level of illumination to allow normal activities to continue during a supply failure. It is not a substitute for escape lighting.
Performance Requirements Under EN 1838
Escape routes require minimum 1 lux at floor level along the centre line. The ratio of maximum to minimum illuminance must not exceed 40:1. Open areas require minimum 0.5 lux at floor level, excluding a 0.5m border band. High-risk areas require minimum 10% of normal illuminance or 15 lux, whichever is greater.
Emergency lighting must reach 50% of required illuminance within 5 seconds and full required illuminance within 60 seconds.
Duration: 1 Hour or 3 Hours
BS 5266-1 specifies a minimum 3-hour duration for most applications. The 1-hour option only applies where the premises will be evacuated immediately and not reoccupied until the charging system is fully restored. In practice, 3-hour is the default specification for nearly every project.
Maintained vs Non-Maintained
Maintained emergency fittings operate continuously, serving as normal lighting during the day and switching to battery power during a supply failure. They are required in spaces like cinemas, theatres, and areas that may be used in darkness.
Non-maintained fittings only illuminate during a supply failure. They suit corridors, stairwells, and office spaces where normal lighting is always on during occupancy.
Self-Test vs Manual Test
BS 5266-1 requires regular testing. Function tests (lamp and changeover) monthly. Duration tests (full rated duration) annually. Manual testing requires a dedicated maintenance team to test every fitting individually. In a building with 200 emergency fittings, annual testing takes days.
Self-test fittings automate this process. They run function tests automatically and report results via an LED indicator or central monitoring system. Wireless self-test systems like those with DALI Part 202 provide remote reporting, automated scheduling, and log storage for compliance records.
Self-test reduces maintenance costs dramatically and eliminates the risk of missed tests that leave a building non-compliant.
Exit Signs
Exit signs must comply with BS EN ISO 7010 for graphical symbols. Green running man on white background. The sign must be illuminated to at least 2 candelas per square metre (maintained mode) and visible from the required viewing distance.
Viewing distance determines sign size. As a rule of thumb, the sign height in metres multiplied by 100 gives the maximum viewing distance in metres for internally illuminated signs (200 for externally illuminated).
Central Battery vs Self-Contained
Self-contained fittings have individual batteries in each fitting. They are simpler to install and maintain. Each fitting operates independently, so a single failure does not affect other fittings.
Central battery systems use a single battery pack to power multiple fittings. They reduce ongoing battery replacement costs and simplify monitoring. But they introduce a single point of failure and require fire-rated cabling from the central unit to every fitting.
For most projects, self-contained fittings with self-test capability provide the best balance of reliability, cost, and compliance simplicity.
Specification Checklist
Confirm the required duration (3 hours standard). Choose maintained or non-maintained based on the application. Specify self-test capability for reduced maintenance. Select appropriate lumen output for the escape route width and spacing. Verify the fitting carries the relevant product standard certification (BS EN 60598-2-22).
EMPRICS Lighting offers self-test and DALI emergency options across our product range. Every emergency variant includes full compliance documentation and test certificates.