Current UK emergency lighting regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate ‘emergency lighting system‘. If the emergency lighting system is not adequately serviced and maintained, then it may not work as designed in the event of a fire, putting lives and property at risk.

BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8 (Emergency escape lighting systems) highlights the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting required for different premises. BS 5266-1: (Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises) provides further information on emergency lighting servicing.
Discharge testing must be completed outside regular working hours. Phasing the test to ensure that only alternate luminaires are tested is a requirement in any permanently closed buildings.
Regular servicing is a legal requirement. A competent person must be appointed by the owner/occupier of the premises to supervise the servicing of the system, ensuring the necessary works are carried out to maintain the system to the correct operational mode.
All full duration tests, where possible, must be complete before a time of low risk so the battery can recharge. The reason is that there is a possibility the standard lighting supply will fail soon after the testing of the emergency lighting or during the subsequent period of recharge. If this is not possible, an appropriate temporary arrangement must be in place until the batteries have recharged.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Illuminating of all fire escapes. It is a portion of the fire safety provision of a building and a requirement of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
