Fire protection services
Emergency Lighting Installation & Servicing
Help people find escape routes, exits and essential fire safety equipment when normal lighting fails.
Fire Guard Services surveys, installs, commissions, tests, services and maintains emergency lighting for commercial, residential and public buildings.

Support to BS 5266-1:2025
Practical surveys, testing and maintenance
Why emergency lighting matters
Clear routes and safer decisions
when normal lighting goes out.
Emergency lighting operates from an independent power source when the normal supply fails, helping occupants move safely and locate exits, changes of direction, stairs, fire alarm call points and fire-fighting equipment.
Illuminates escape routes
Lighting helps people identify safe routes, stairs, level changes and final exits when mains lighting is unavailable.
Makes exits identifiable
Appropriate illuminated signs and luminaires support clear wayfinding during evacuation.
Highlights safety equipment
Emergency illumination helps people locate alarm call points, extinguishers and other essential safety equipment.
Supports compliance
A suitable, maintained system supports the responsible person’s duties for emergency routes and exits.
Complete emergency lighting support
From the first survey to ongoing testing and repairs.
We support emergency lighting throughout its working life, with recommendations based on the building, occupancy, escape strategy and fire risk assessment.
Site survey
We review the premises, escape routes, existing lighting, risk assessment and the areas that need emergency illumination.
System design
Luminaires, exit signs, operating modes and test facilities are planned around the building and its emergency arrangements.
Supply and installation
We supply and install suitable emergency luminaires and signs with careful attention to coverage and disruption.
Commissioning
The completed system is checked, function tested and documented so you understand its operation and testing arrangements.
Testing and servicing
We inspect each unit, confirm correct operation and illumination, test controls and complete the required duration test.
Repairs and records
Faults are recorded clearly, and our engineers can replace failed components or install additional units where required.
Inspection and testing
Routine checks and professional servicing work together.
Short functional checks help reveal obvious failures between service visits. The annual full-duration test confirms whether the batteries and luminaires can provide emergency illumination for their rated period.
Monthly function test
- Operate the test facility or simulate mains failure
- Check that every emergency lamp illuminates
- Check indicators and signs for obvious damage
- Record the test and report defects promptly
Annual full-duration test
- Inspect luminaires, signs, batteries and controls
- Test the system for its full rated duration
- Confirm operation and suitable illumination
- Document results and identify remedial work
Compliance context
Emergency lighting must be suitable, maintained and ready to operate.
Where emergency routes and exits require artificial illumination, the Fire Safety Order requires adequate emergency lighting. Fire safety measures must also be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair.
The fire risk assessment should establish what is needed for the premises, taking account of its layout, occupants, escape strategy and the consequences of normal lighting failure.
Current code of practice
BS 5266-1:2025
BS 5266-1:2025 provides recommendations and guidance for the design, installation and wiring of emergency lighting systems. It replaced BS 5266-1:2016 in October 2025.
It covers emergency escape lighting, local area lighting and standby lighting. The appropriate solution must still be determined for the individual premises.
Our process
From survey to a documented, dependable system
We make emergency lighting work straightforward, with a clear scope, careful delivery and practical records.
01
Step 01
Understand the premises
We confirm the building layout, occupancy, escape arrangements, existing system and the work you need.
02
Step 02
Survey and plan
We inspect the relevant areas and confirm the practical testing, installation or remedial plan.
03
Step 03
Complete the work
Our engineers carry out the agreed testing, servicing, installation or repairs with care and minimal disruption.
04
Step 04
Report and next steps
You receive the appropriate documentation and clear advice about faults, remedial work and future tests.
Need an emergency lighting survey or annual test?
Tell us about your premises and existing system for practical advice from our team.
What our clients say
Trusted fire safety support for businesses across the region
Who we support
Emergency lighting for workplaces, residential buildings and public premises.
We support responsible persons, landlords, managing agents and facilities teams responsible for individual sites and multi-building portfolios.
Practical compliance support
Clear testing and maintenance records
We provide straightforward findings and documentation to support your fire safety management and help you act on defects promptly.
Automotive
Support fire safety across showrooms, workshops, storage areas and customer-facing dealership spaces.
Car Dealerships
Help protect high-value vehicles, workshops, staff areas and showroom environments.
Care Homes
Support vulnerable residents, staff training, evacuation planning and safe day-to-day care environments.
Distribution & Logistics
Assess warehouses, depots, loading areas, storage risks and operational fire safety arrangements.
Education
Fire risk assessment support for schools, nurseries, colleges, universities and multi-building sites.
Facilities Management
Practical support for facilities teams managing fire safety across complex buildings and sites.
Healthcare
Help protect patients, staff and visitors in clinical, care and healthcare environments.
HMOs/Landlords
Fire safety support for HMOs, shared houses and rented homes. Coordinate assessments, alarms, fire doors, maintenance and remedial work.
Hospitality
Review fire safety risks across guest areas, kitchens, staff spaces and high-occupancy premises.
Hotels
Review guest rooms, escape routes, kitchens, communal areas and staff procedures.
Housing Associations
Help manage fire safety responsibilities across residential buildings, communal areas and tenant spaces.
Lettings Agencies
Support landlords and property managers with rental properties, HMOs and managed blocks.
Places Of Worship
Support safe, accessible spaces for worship, community use, events and shared facilities.
Property Management
Support fire safety compliance across managed buildings, communal areas and multi-property portfolios.
Public Sector
Practical fire risk assessment support for public buildings, community facilities and local authority premises.
Residential/Domestic
Practical fire safety support for homeowners and residents, including smoke detection, fire alarms, electrical checks and fire doors.
Retail
Help protect customers, staff, stock and trading areas with clear fire safety recommendations.
Visitor Attractions
Assess public-facing environments, visitor routes, staff areas, cafés, exhibitions and event spaces.
Do not see your sector?
We protect businesses across every industry – from corner shops to hospitals.
FAQs
Emergency Lighting FAQs
Straightforward answers to common questions about emergency lighting installation, monthly checks, annual testing and maintenance.
Do you provide emergency lighting certificates?
We provide appropriate documentation for the inspection, testing, commissioning or servicing completed. Any defects and recommended remedial work are recorded clearly so the responsible person can plan the next steps.
How long does an annual emergency lighting test take?
The system is tested for its full rated duration, which is commonly up to three hours. The exact duration depends on the system and premises, and the test should be planned for a suitable time because batteries need time to recharge afterwards.
How often should emergency lighting be tested?
A short functional test is normally carried out every month to confirm that each emergency lamp operates. A full-duration test and professional inspection should be completed annually, with the results and any remedial action recorded.
Is emergency lighting a legal requirement?
The Fire Safety Order requires adequate emergency lighting where emergency routes and exits need artificial illumination. What is suitable for a particular building should be established through its fire risk assessment and relevant design guidance.
What happens if an emergency light fails its test?
The defect should be recorded and addressed promptly. Depending on the cause, remedial work may involve replacing a lamp, battery, control gear, sign or complete luminaire, repairing the supply or installing additional equipment.
What is emergency lighting?
Emergency lighting uses an independent power source to provide illumination when the normal lighting supply fails. Emergency escape lighting helps people move safely, identify escape routes and exits, and locate important fire safety equipment.
What is maintained emergency lighting?
A maintained emergency luminaire is illuminated during normal operation and remains illuminated from its emergency supply if the normal supply fails. A non-maintained luminaire normally operates only when the normal lighting supply fails.
Check your area
Do We Provide Emergency Lighting In Your Area?
Enter your UK postcode to check local availability for this service. We also support larger organisations with multiple locations across the UK, so contact us about wider requirements.