Exit & Emergency Light Testing Templates

Emergency escape lighting is a legal requirement for all buildings in the UK and part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Here are two featured digital emergency light checklist templates you can download for free, customize and use to perform mobile inspections using the SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) Mobile App.

In this article

• How to Conduct Emergency Light Testing
• Recordkeeping With Emergency Lighting Log Books and Test Sheets
• Emergency Lighting Testing FAQs
• Emergency Light Inspection App
• Digital Emergency Light Testing Templates

How to Conduct Emergency Light Testing

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it is ideal that emergency light testing is done once every 30 days. To do this, press a small “push to test” button that should light up the signs for 30 seconds while maintaining the same level of brightness. A thorough emergency lights inspection should also be performed annually to confirm that the lights would stay on for at least 90 minutes as necessary.

Emergency lighting should be tested and reviewed by qualified technicians who have a thorough understanding of UK emergency lighting regulations. In addition, a typical emergency light testing procedure is conducted as follows:

1. Notify occupants about emergency light testing: the first step of the test is to ensure occupants are made aware of upcoming darkness simulation to avoid panic and injuries.
2. Identify the emergency lights in the building: all units generally have a red or green LED glowing on them
3. Insert the test key into the key switch adjacent to the unit: make sure the emergency light fitting illuminates once the key has been inserted
4. Switch off the relevant lighting circuit at the distribution board: ensure emergency lights illuminate automatically once power is cut off
5. Log all units that are not working: use emergency lighting log books and test sheets to record identified defects.

Recordkeeping With Emergency Lighting Log Books and Test Sheets

Emergency lighting systems must be tested on a regular basis. All detected failures must be remediated as soon as possible and all results must be recorded. It is common for technicians and maintenance inspectors to use Emergency Lighting Log Books and Test Sheets for recordkeeping. Key results captured include:

1. Visual and physical condition of the equipment, battery, and luminous
2. Any physical defects found;
3. Assessment of test results (pass or fail);
4. Identify the reasons for failure; and
5. Inspector’s signature and timestamp to validate the inspection.