Emergency Lighting: BS 5266 Compliance, Testing Requirements, and What It Costs in 2026
Emergency lighting is a legal fire safety requirement for most commercial premises and HMOs. This guide covers who needs it, what the standard requires, the monthly and annual testing obligations, and Somerset installation costs.
Dan Stevens
NAPIT Registered Electrician
Who Needs Emergency Lighting?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the “responsible person” for any non-domestic premises to carry out a fire risk assessment. Emergency lighting is almost always identified as a requirement where occupants could be at risk from loss of general lighting. Premises that must have emergency lighting include:
- Offices, shops, and retail units
- Pubs, restaurants, and licensed premises
- Care homes and healthcare facilities
- Schools, colleges, and community halls
- HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) — required under most HMO licences
- Hotels, B&Bs, and serviced accommodation
- Warehouses, workshops, and industrial premises
- Any building where members of the public have access
Single private dwellings (owner-occupied homes) are not required to have emergency lighting. Domestic premises converted to HMOs or used as commercial accommodation fall under the commercial requirements.
What BS 5266-1 Requires
BS 5266-1:2016 is the British Standard for emergency lighting. Key requirements:
Duration
3 hours minimum
Battery backup must sustain full illumination for 3 hours after mains failure.
Illuminance
1 lux minimum (escape routes)
Anti-panic areas require 0.5 lux minimum. High-risk task areas require 10% of normal illumination.
Response time
5 seconds to 50% output
Full rated output within 60 seconds of mains failure.
Coverage
All escape routes
All changes in direction, stairwells, exits, toilet areas over 8m², and first aid points.
Maintained vs Non-Maintained Fittings
The choice between maintained and non-maintained emergency luminaires depends on the use of the premises:
| Type | How it works | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Non-maintained | Off during normal operation; illuminates only when mains fails | Offices, shops, warehouses — most common type |
| Maintained | Always illuminated from mains; switches to battery on mains failure | Cinemas, theatres, venues where lighting must never go off |
| Sustained | Two lamp circuits: one mains (always on), one battery (activates on failure) | Mixed-use spaces, stairwells requiring continuous lighting |
Modern LED emergency luminaires are available in all three types. Self-contained fittings (with integral battery) are easier to install but each battery must be individually tested. Central battery systems serve multiple fittings from one battery unit — simpler to test but higher upfront cost and more complex installation.
Testing Obligations and Record-Keeping
BS 5266-1 specifies three test frequencies. All tests must be logged in a dedicated test record:
| Frequency | Test | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Brief functional test | Disconnect mains; confirm all fittings illuminate; restore mains. Duration: just long enough to confirm illumination (not a full discharge). |
| Annually | 1-hour discharge test | Full 1-hour run on battery; confirm all fittings remain illuminated for the duration. Batteries must fully recharge (typically 24h) before premises are occupied again. |
| Every 3 years | Full 3-hour duration test | Full 3-hour run on battery. Confirms battery capacity meets the 3-hour BS 5266 requirement. Schedule outside occupied hours. |
Failure to maintain test records is a criminal offence under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Records must be available for inspection by the fire authority. DS Electrical provides a completed log book on installation and issues a test certificate after each annual inspection.
Where Emergency Luminaires Must Be Positioned
BS 5266-1 specifies mandatory positions. Every escape route must be covered at:
- Every exit door and final exit
- Every change of direction along an escape route
- Every intersection of corridors
- At the top and bottom of every staircase, and at each intermediate landing
- Outside and near every final exit (to illuminate the escape path to the assembly point)
- Near each fire-fighting equipment location (extinguishers, call points)
- In toilet accommodation exceeding 8m²
- At every first aid point
- At any change in floor level (steps, ramps)
Emergency Lighting Costs in Somerset 2026
Per Fitting (existing circuit)
from £80
Per Fitting (new wiring)
from £180
Small Office / Retail (4–6 fittings)
from £400
Annual Test & Certificate
from £75
Indicative prices ex VAT. Actual cost depends on number of fittings, cable routes, and premises type. VAT at 20% applicable.
Emergency Lighting Installation & Testing in Somerset
DS Electrical installs and certifies emergency lighting systems to BS 5266-1 for offices, HMOs, care homes, pubs, restaurants, and schools across Wells, Bath, Shepton Mallet, Frome, and surrounding Somerset. We provide the log book, completion certificate, and ongoing annual test service.