When the power goes out during a fire, your emergency lighting is the difference between a safe evacuation and chaos. Yet many landlords and building managers aren’t sure what an emergency lighting certificate actually covers, when they need one, or how much it should cost.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about emergency lighting certification in the UK—from the legal standards that apply to your property, through the testing process, to practical advice on costs and finding a competent contractor.
Whether you’re managing an HMO in London, running a small office, or overseeing a multi-storey commercial building, you’ll find the information you need to stay compliant and keep your occupants safe.
An emergency lighting certificate is an official document confirming that a building’s emergency lighting system has been inspected, tested, and found compliant with BS 5266-1 and BS EN 50172. It provides formal evidence that your escape routes will remain illuminated during a power failure, fire, or other emergency.
This certificate applies to commercial premises, HMOs, offices, warehouses, schools, healthcare buildings, and common areas in residential blocks across England, Scotland, and Wales. The legal backdrop includes the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (in England and Wales) and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, which place duties on responsible persons to ensure safe means of escape.
The certificate itself isn’t just paperwork—it’s your proof that a competent person has verified your emergency lighting works as intended. Fire officers, insurers, and local authority licensing teams expect to see current documentation when they inspect your property.
Key certificate details at a glance:
Emergency lighting keeps people safe when normal lighting fails. During a fire, smoke can reduce visibility to almost zero, and mains power may be cut. Without functioning emergency illumination along escape routes, occupants cannot find their way to safety.
The responsible person or duty holder for a building has a legal obligation to ensure safe means of escape. This requirement flows directly from fire safety regulations, but there are several specific reasons why certification matters:
Example scenario: Consider a 5-storey HMO in London during a late-night fire. Mains power fails, smoke fills the stairwell, and 15 residents need to evacuate. Certified emergency lighting keeps the stairs, corridors, and exit doors illuminated for the full evacuation time. Without it, residents could become trapped, injured, or worse.
Lack of a current emergency lighting certificate can lead to enforcement action, substantial fines, and—in serious cases—prosecution of the responsible person.
A genuine emergency lighting test certificate is normally a multi-page document completed by a competent electrician or fire safety contractor. It serves as both a test record and a compliance statement.
Typical fields on the certificate:
The layout typically resembles a structured form with sections for each category, making it easy for inspectors to verify compliance at a glance. You should receive both a summary certificate and detailed test sheets listing every fitting tested.
Emergency lighting systems must be tested on a regular schedule to ensure they’ll work when needed. The testing regime includes monthly functional checks and an annual full-duration test.
Monthly functional test:
Annual full-duration test:
For larger premises, the annual test may be staged zone by zone. This approach avoids leaving the entire building without emergency cover during the 24-hour recharge period that follows a full discharge.
The testing sequence is straightforward:
The goal is ensuring that when a real emergency happens, every escape route has the illumination needed for safe evacuation.
Prices for emergency lighting inspection and testing vary by region, building size, and number of fittings. However, you should expect to see figures in the following ranges for UK properties.
Sample UK pricing examples:
Additional possible charges:
When requesting quotes, always confirm whether the price includes minor remedial work or just the testing itself. Some contractors offer all-inclusive packages; others charge separately for repairs.
Local councils increasingly require valid emergency lighting certificates for HMO licensing applications and renewals. If you’re a landlord, this is one of the key documents you’ll need to have in order.
Typical requirements for HMOs:
Practical landlord tips:
Inspectors look for current certificates, a maintained logbook, and evidence that monthly checks are being recorded. Gaps in documentation raise red flags.
Certificates can be standalone documents, pads, or digital templates, but all serve to formally record that testing has been completed and the system is compliant.
Types you’ll encounter:
Whichever format your contractor uses, ensure you receive a completed copy with all relevant fields filled in, including the system details, test results, and next due date.
Emergency lighting design, installation, and testing in the UK is governed primarily by British Standards. These provide the technical framework that contractors and inspectors work to.
Key standards:
Most professional certificates explicitly state compliance with BS 5266-1 and BS EN 50172. Inspectors use these standards when judging whether a system is suitable for the premises and the escape routes it serves.
If you’re a facilities manager or duty holder, you don’t need to memorise these standards—but you should ensure your contractor is working to them and that your certificate confirms compliance.
A certificate must be issued by a competent person with appropriate qualifications and experience. Not just anyone with a ladder and a test button.
Typical issuers:
Desirable credentials:
Insurance requirements:
Before booking a contractor, ask for a sample certificate, proof of competence, and references from similar properties. A reputable contractor will be happy to provide these.
The process from enquiry to receiving your signed certificate is straightforward if you’re prepared. Here’s what to expect.
Step-by-step process:
Aim to have the certificate completed and any remedial works finished before your HMO licence renewal or scheduled fire risk assessment review.
While the emergency lighting certificate itself does not have a statutory expiry date in the same way as a gas safety certificate, annual full-duration testing is widely expected as good practice and typically required by licensing authorities.
Recommended renewal and record-keeping practices:
A typical schedule might look like this: annual certificate issued every March, with monthly checks recorded on the first Monday of each month.
Many buildings fail their first inspection due to simple but serious faults. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid surprises.
Frequent defects found during testing:
Prevention tips:
Emergency lighting certification is one of several safety documents you’ll need for a compliant building. Understanding how they differ helps you manage your paperwork efficiently.
DocumentWhat It CoversTypical IntervalEmergency Lighting CertificateEscape lighting and exit signsAnnualEICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)Whole electrical systemEvery 5 years (domestic) or as recommendedFire Alarm Test CertificateDetection and alerting systemsAnnualFire Risk AssessmentOverall fire strategy and risk controlReview annually or after changesGas Safety CertificateGas appliances and installationsAnnual
The emergency lighting certificate focuses specifically on whether your illumination will function during an emergency. The EICR covers the entire electrical installation but not the specific performance of emergency fittings. Fire alarm certificates address detection and alerting, not lighting.
All these documents are complementary. Enforcing authorities and insurers expect to see the full set when reviewing your building’s fire safety compliance.
How often do I need an emergency lighting certificate in the UK?
Annual full-duration testing is the industry standard. Monthly functional tests should also be recorded in your logbook throughout the year.
Do I need emergency lighting in a small office or shop?
If your premises has escape routes that require illumination when normal lighting fails—which most do—then yes. The fire risk assessment for your property should confirm whether emergency lighting is required.
Can I test my own emergency lighting and issue a certificate?
You can and should conduct monthly functional checks in-house. However, the annual full-duration test and certificate should be completed by a competent person with appropriate qualifications and registration.
How long should emergency lights stay on during a power cut?
The standard requirement under BS 5266-1 is 3 hours of maintained illumination following mains failure. Some high-risk premises may require longer durations.
What happens if my building fails the emergency lighting test?
The contractor will note the failures and recommend remedial works. You’ll receive a certificate marked with the defects and a follow-up test will be needed once repairs are complete. Serious deficiencies may need to be reported to the enforcing authority.
Getting your emergency lighting certificate isn’t just about ticking a compliance box—it’s about ensuring everyone in your building can evacuate safely when it matters most. If your current certificate is due for renewal, or you’re unsure whether your system meets requirements, schedule an inspection with a qualified contractor.
The time to discover a problem with your emergency lighting is during a routine test—not during a real fire.
