Emergency Lighting Testing UK — BS 5266-1 MaintenanceMonthly function tests • Annual 3-hour duration test • From £219 + VAT • Certificates issued
FireJet provides professional emergency lighting testing and maintenance across the UK to BS 5266-1. Our engineers carry out the monthly function test and the annual 3-hour duration test, issue the test certificate your insurer and the fire brigade expect, and rectify failures on-site where possible.
We test all system types — self-contained luminaires, central battery systems and addressable auto-test panels — and offer a fully managed monthly and annual testing package so your compliance is continuous and your responsible person is never left to remember the next test date.
- BS 5266-1 monthly function & annual 3-hour duration tests
- Test certificate & log book updated every visit
- Failed fittings rectified on-site where possible
- All system types tested — self-contained & central battery
- Managed monthly testing package available
- Fixed-price from £219 + VAT — no hidden charges
Why Emergency Lighting Testing Matters
In a real evacuation, failed emergency lighting can cost lives — and untested systems are a common prosecution.
A Fitting That Looks Lit Is Not a Fitting That Works
Emergency lighting batteries degrade, lamps fail, and charging circuits fault silently. A fitting that shows a green charge indicator may still fail the moment the mains drops. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must maintain emergency lighting in efficient working order — and BS 5266-1 sets out the monthly and annual testing regime that proves it. A documented test certificate is your proof during an audit, an enforcement visit, or an insurance claim after an incident.
Legal Compliance
BS 5266-1 and the RR(FS)O 2005 require monthly and annual testing. A documented test certificate is your proof during an audit or enforcement visit.
Battery Failure Detection
Batteries degrade silently. The monthly function test and annual 3-hour duration test catch failed batteries before a real evacuation exposes them.
Insurance & Audit Ready
Insurers and fire officers ask for your emergency lighting test certificate and log book. We provide both at every visit, listing every fitting and its result.
Failed Fitting Rectification
Failed lamps and fittings identified during testing are rectified on-site where possible — we never leave a premises with failed emergency lighting.
Automatic Scheduling
We schedule monthly and annual tests automatically and send reminders — so your compliance never lapses, even if your responsible person changes.
Managed Monthly Testing
For premises that prefer a fully managed service, we carry out the monthly test as well as the annual — removing the burden from your on-site team.
What a FireJet Emergency Lighting Test Includes
Every test visit follows the BS 5266-1 routine. The monthly function test confirms each fitting illuminates on loss of mains; the annual 3-hour duration test proves every fitting stays lit for the full rated duration. You receive a test certificate and an updated log book at every visit.
Visual Inspection
Every luminaire, exit sign and central battery system is visually inspected for damage, correct positioning, unobstructed visibility and clean, legible signage.
Monthly Function Test
Each fitting is tested in 'flick' mode to confirm it illuminates on loss of mains supply. This short monthly test catches failed lamps and batteries early.
Annual 3-Hour Duration Test
Once a year, the mains is isolated to the emergency lighting circuit for a full 3-hour discharge test — proving every fitting stays lit for the required duration under BS 5266-1.
Central System Testing
For addressable and central-battery systems, we test via the panel, review the event log and confirm all auto-test results are recorded correctly.
Test Certificate & Log Book
You receive a BS 5266-1 test certificate listing every fitting tested, its result and next due date — plus your emergency lighting log book updated at every visit.
Failure Rectification
Failed lamps, batteries and fittings identified during testing are rectified on-site where possible, with a fixed-price quote for any replacements needed.
How Emergency Lighting Testing Works
Four steps from survey to ongoing compliance.
System Survey
We survey your emergency lighting — luminaires, exit signs, central battery or self-contained — and provide a fixed-price testing quote with no hidden charges.
Monthly Function Test
Each month we carry out the short function test (or set up your auto-test system) and record the results, flagging any failed fittings immediately.
Annual 3-Hour Test
Once a year we conduct the full 3-hour duration test on mains failure, recording every fitting's performance against the BS 5266-1 requirement.
Ongoing Compliance
We schedule monthly and annual tests automatically and maintain your log book — so your emergency lighting compliance is continuous and audit-ready.
Premises We Test
Emergency lighting testing for every type of premises — nationwide.
We also test care homes, HMOs, student accommodation, surgeries, churches, village halls, construction sites, multi-tenanted buildings and premises with complex escape routes. If you're unsure whether we cover your premises, get in touch for free advice.
Emergency Lighting Testing Near You
Local emergency lighting testing engineers across the UK. Select your town for local service details.
Don't see your town? We cover the whole of the UK — view all service areas or contact us.
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Free site survey, fixed-price from £219 + VAT, monthly and annual tests scheduled automatically. Nationwide testing with on-site rectification.
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Emergency Lighting Testing FAQs
Common questions about BS 5266-1 testing, the 3-hour duration test, costs and frequency.
How often should emergency lighting be tested?+
Under BS 5266-1, emergency lighting requires two types of test: a short monthly function test (a 'flick' test confirming each fitting illuminates on loss of mains) and a full annual 3-hour duration test (the mains is isolated to the emergency circuit and every fitting must stay lit for the full rated duration). The monthly test can be carried out by a trained responsible person on site; the annual 3-hour test should be carried out by a competent person who can also rectify failures. FireJet provides both as a managed service.
What is the 3-hour duration test?+
The annual 3-hour duration test is a full discharge test of your emergency lighting system. The mains supply is isolated to the emergency lighting circuit, and every luminaire and exit sign must remain illuminated at the required brightness for the full 3-hour rated duration. This proves the batteries and fittings will actually perform in a real evacuation. The test is required under BS 5266-1 and is the one most commonly missed or poorly documented — FireJet schedules and carries it out for you, issuing a test certificate on completion.
How much does emergency lighting testing cost?+
FireJet's emergency lighting testing starts from £219 + VAT for the annual 3-hour duration test on a standard premises. The final price depends on the number of fittings, whether the system is self-contained or central battery, and whether monthly testing is included in a managed package. We provide a fixed-price quote after a free site survey. Contact us for a written quote tailored to your premises.
Is emergency lighting testing a legal requirement?+
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure that emergency lighting is subject to a suitable system of maintenance. BS 5266-1 sets out the recommended testing regime — monthly function tests and an annual full-duration test. An untested or undocumented emergency lighting system is a common finding in fire safety enforcement actions, particularly in premises where occupants may not be familiar with the escape routes. A documented annual test by a competent provider is the accepted proof of compliance.
Can you test an emergency lighting system another company installed?+
Yes. FireJet tests all major emergency lighting types — self-contained luminaires, central battery systems, addressable auto-test systems and maintained/non-maintained fittings. We routinely take over testing of systems installed by other contractors. Our engineer will inspect your system, confirm the test regime, and provide a takeover testing quote. We also carry out LED upgrades and retrofit where fittings are end of life.
What happens if fittings fail the test?+
Failed lamps, batteries and fittings identified during testing are rectified on-site where possible — for example, a simple lamp or battery swap. Where a fitting needs replacement, we provide a fixed-price quote for the replacement unit and labour. For customers on a managed testing agreement, minor rectifications are often included. We never leave a premises with failed emergency lighting — any critical failure is rectified the same visit.
Do you offer monthly testing as well as the annual test?+
Yes. Many premises prefer a fully managed package where FireJet carries out both the monthly function test and the annual 3-hour duration test, maintaining the log book and scheduling every test automatically. This removes the burden from the responsible person on site and ensures the monthly test is never missed. For premises with auto-test (addressable) systems, we can also review the panel's auto-test results monthly. Contact us for a managed testing quote.
Do you test emergency lighting nationwide?+
Yes. FireJet provides emergency lighting testing across the UK from our Chorley, Lancashire headquarters. We have dedicated local service pages for towns and cities across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Yorkshire, Hampshire, London and more. Wherever your premises are located, we can assign a local engineer and maintain a consistent monthly and annual testing schedule.