What Is It?
An Emergency Lighting Certificate is a document confirming that an emergency lighting system complies with BS 5266 — the British Standard for emergency lighting. The system provides illumination when the normal mains lighting fails, ensuring that escape routes, exits, fire safety equipment, and high-risk areas remain visible so occupants can evacuate safely. The certificate records the system design, luminaire positions, battery backup duration, and the results of commissioning and testing.
Who Needs It?
Employers and building owners of commercial premises are required to provide emergency lighting under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Landlords of HMOs need emergency lighting in communal hallways, stairs, and landings. Managers of communal areas in blocks of flats must ensure shared escape routes are adequately lit. Any building that is open to the public — shops, restaurants, cinemas, hotels, leisure centres, places of worship — needs emergency lighting. New builds and conversions must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document B.
When Is It Required?
An emergency lighting certificate is required upon installation of a new emergency lighting system, after significant modifications or additions to an existing system, when a property is being licensed as an HMO, as part of a fire risk assessment that identifies the need for emergency lighting, and when Building Control requires evidence of compliance during new builds or change-of-use conversions. Ongoing compliance requires monthly functional tests (brief test of battery operation), six-monthly inspections, and an annual full-duration test (3-hour battery discharge test).
What Does It Cover?
- System design confirming the correct category of emergency lighting for the building (escape route lighting, open area lighting, high-risk task area lighting, or standby lighting)
- Luminaire positions and spacing, verifying adequate illumination levels along escape routes (minimum 1 lux) and in open areas (minimum 0.5 lux)
- Battery backup duration — minimum 3 hours for most premises, or 1 hour where the building can be evacuated immediately and not reoccupied
- Exit sign positioning and illumination, ensuring all final exits and changes of direction are clearly indicated
- Wiring and cable specification, confirming fire-resistant cables where required and correct circuit segregation from normal lighting
- Commissioning test results including illumination measurements, battery duration tests, and charge rate verification
- Integration with the fire alarm system where emergency lighting is triggered by the alarm
- Documentation including as-built drawings, maintenance schedule, and a log book for recording ongoing test results
How Long Is It Valid?
The installation certificate is a permanent record. However, emergency lighting systems require ongoing testing to remain compliant. Monthly functional tests (switching off mains supply for a brief period to check battery operation) should be recorded in the log book. A full-duration test (typically 3 hours) must be carried out annually to verify that the batteries can sustain the required illumination for the full rated duration. Professional servicing every six months is recommended, with the annual service including the full-duration test.
How Much Does It Cost?
£100–£400
Certification costs depend on the size of the system: a small HMO with 5-10 luminaires costs £100-£200, a medium commercial premises with 15-30 luminaires £200-£350, and a large premises with 30+ luminaires £350-£400+. Installation costs are separate and vary widely based on the number of luminaires and wiring requirements.
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, failure to provide adequate emergency lighting can result in enforcement notices, prohibition notices (potentially closing the premises), unlimited fines, and imprisonment for up to 2 years. For HMO landlords, inadequate emergency lighting can lead to refusal or revocation of the HMO licence and fines of up to £30,000. Insurance claims may be rejected if emergency lighting is absent or not maintained where it is required.
How to Get One
Carry out a fire risk assessment (or have one done) to determine the emergency lighting requirements for your premises, including which areas need coverage and the required battery duration.
Hire a qualified emergency lighting installer — ideally a member of a recognised scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or an ECA (Electrical Contractors' Association) member with experience in BS 5266.
The installer designs the system, selecting the appropriate luminaire types and positions to achieve the required illumination levels along escape routes, at exits, and in open areas.
The system is installed and wired, with batteries charged and luminaires positioned according to the design. Fire-resistant cabling is used where required.
The installer commissions the system, carrying out illumination measurements, testing each luminaire in emergency mode, and verifying battery performance.
You receive the emergency lighting certificate with design documentation, commissioning results, as-built drawings, and a log book for recording monthly and annual tests.
