Why are emergency and exit lights important?
During a power failure, fire or other emergency, occupants may need to leave a building quickly in reduced visibility. Emergency luminaires illuminate paths of travel, while exit signs help people identify the direction of egress and the final exit.
A fitting may appear normal during day-to-day operations but fail once mains power is interrupted. Batteries deteriorate, lamps and LEDs fail, fittings can be damaged, and changes to partitions, shelving or signage can affect visibility. Scheduled testing checks whether the system will perform when it is actually needed.
How does testing make a site safer?
Effective emergency and exit light testing helps site teams to:
- confirm emergency lights and exit signs operate when normal power is lost;
- check that fittings remain operational for the required test duration;
- identify failed batteries, lamps, chargers and damaged equipment;
- find exit signs that are obscured, poorly positioned or no longer visible;
- verify that fittings have not been removed or overlooked after a refurbishment;
- create a clear record of results, defects and completed rectification; and
- plan repairs before a fault affects an evacuation or delays compliance reporting.
Testing is most valuable when it forms part of an organised maintenance program rather than a one-off exercise. A complete asset register, consistent service intervals and prompt close-out of defects give facility managers a clearer view of risk across one site or an entire portfolio.
How often should emergency and exit lights be tested?
Emergency and exit lighting should generally be inspected and tested at six-monthly intervals in accordance with the requirements applicable to the building, including its fire safety schedule and AS/NZS 2293.2. The precise maintenance obligations can vary by building, system and jurisdiction, so site-specific requirements should always be confirmed.
The six-monthly service commonly includes a discharge test in which the normal supply is interrupted and each fitting is checked for operation over its required duration. Results should be recorded against individual assets, and failures should be rectified and closed out.
What happens during an emergency light test?
A structured testing visit will generally include the following steps:
- Review site information. Confirm access arrangements, the asset register, previous results, outstanding defects and any operational constraints.
- Inspect the installation. Check the condition, visibility and accessibility of emergency luminaires, exit signs, test facilities and indicators.
- Simulate a loss of normal power. Operate the test facility so the emergency lighting system runs from its backup supply.
- Monitor each fitting. Confirm that assets illuminate and continue operating for the required test duration.
- Restore supply safely. Check that fittings return to normal operation and charging indicators respond as expected.
- Record results. Document each pass or failure, the asset location, fault details and recommended rectification.
- Rectify and close out defects. Repair or replace failed components and update the service history.
Testing should be planned around site operations. In busy, sensitive or continuously occupied environments, staged testing and agreed access windows can reduce disruption and help maintain safe coverage while batteries recharge.
Practical checklist for facility managers
Before the service:
- Confirm the due date and applicable site requirements.
- Make current plans, asset registers and previous reports available.
- Advise the contractor of restricted areas, inductions and permit requirements.
- Identify recent fit-outs, ceiling works or layout changes.
- Agree on suitable testing times for occupied or critical areas.
After the service:
- Review the per-asset results and defect list.
- Prioritise failed, damaged or obscured fittings for rectification.
- Confirm completed repairs have been recorded and closed out.
- Update the asset register when fittings are added, moved or replaced.
- Retain reports with the site's compliance and maintenance records.
- Schedule the next service before the due date.
What are the most common emergency lighting faults?
Common findings include batteries that do not sustain the required test duration, failed lamps or LEDs, faulty chargers, physical damage, missing or inaccessible test switches and exit signs obscured by stock, displays or new partitions. Incomplete asset registers and missing service records can also make it difficult to demonstrate that every fitting has been tested.
Repeated failures may indicate that a broader replacement plan is more effective than continuing with isolated reactive repairs. Reviewing fault trends and battery age can support more predictable lifecycle budgeting.
Do self-testing fittings still require attention?
Yes. Self-testing or monitored systems can automate parts of the test process, but they do not remove the need to review results, investigate fault indicators, inspect the physical condition and visibility of fittings, rectify failures and maintain appropriate records. The technology can reduce manual effort, but the site still needs an active maintenance process.
What records should be kept?
Records should clearly identify the assets tested, their locations, the date and outcome of the test, defects found and rectification completed. A reliable service history makes recurring faults easier to identify and provides useful evidence for facility teams, auditors and relevant fire safety practitioners.
Digital asset and job-management records can also help multi-site clients compare results, monitor open defects and plan future maintenance across their portfolio.
Who should carry out emergency and exit light testing?
Testing and maintenance should be completed by appropriately competent personnel, with electrical repair and replacement work undertaken by suitably licensed electricians. A qualified provider should also understand the site's access, safety, reporting and compliance requirements—not simply whether a fitting turns on.
