1. Are the escape routes properly covered?
Start with the route out of the building.
Emergency lighting may be needed around:
Exit doors
Corridors and escape routes
Stairways
Changes in floor level
Final exits and external escape routes
Fire alarm call points and firefighting equipment
The exact requirements will depend on the building and its fire risk assessment.
Quick check: Could someone unfamiliar with the building still find their way out safely if the normal lighting failed?
2. Are the fittings working?
Check emergency luminaires for obvious damage and make sure they operate correctly when tested.
Look out for:
Failed lamps or LEDs
Damaged fittings or diffusers
Warning indicators showing a fault
Units that don’t switch to emergency operation
Any faults should be dealt with rather than left until the next scheduled check.
3. Can people see the exit signs?
Emergency lighting and escape signage need to work together.
Check that exit signs are visible, correctly positioned and not blocked by stock, displays or changes to the layout.
If the building has changed since the system was installed, it’s worth making sure the escape route still makes sense from every occupied area.
4. Has the system been tested and recorded?
Emergency lighting should be checked regularly, with faults and maintenance recorded.
For workplaces in England, GOV.UK guidance requires regular checks to make sure emergency lighting is working and faults are recorded. The detailed testing and maintenance arrangements should follow the fire risk assessment, manufacturer guidance and applicable standards.
Quick check: Are the latest tests recorded, and have any faults actually been closed out?
5. Has anything changed?
A compliant installation can become less effective when the building changes.
New partitions, racking, machinery or changes to an escape route can all affect where emergency lighting is needed.
If the layout has changed, review the emergency lighting as part of the wider fire risk assessment rather than assuming the existing setup still covers the job.
Keep emergency lighting ready
Emergency lighting isn’t just another fitting to tick off the list. It needs to work when the normal lighting doesn’t.
A few regular checks can help make sure escape routes stay visible, faults are picked up and the system remains suitable for the building.
Darker Days. Sorted.