Emergency Lighting Installation & Testing in Cornwall

Emergency lighting isn't optional for most commercial properties. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure adequate emergency lighting on escape routes. BS 5266 sets out exactly what that means — the type of fittings, where they go, how bright they need to be, and how often they must be tested.

Mitch installs emergency lighting as a fire safety specialist, not just an electrician running a cable. That matters because emergency lighting design is about escape route analysis, risk assessment, and fire safety compliance — not just putting a green box above a door.

MC Fire and Security handles the full scope: design and installation of new emergency lighting systems, replacement of failed or non-compliant fittings, and ongoing testing schedules to keep your building compliant year after year.

Maintained vs Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting

There are two main types, and the right choice depends on your building:

• Non-maintained fittings — only switch on when the mains power fails. Most common in offices, shops, and commercial premises where normal lighting is always on during occupied hours.
• Maintained fittings — illuminated all the time, whether mains power is on or not. Required in cinemas, theatres, entertainment venues, and any space where lighting might be deliberately dimmed during normal use.

Both types include illuminated exit signs to mark escape routes clearly. MC Fire and Security installs both types and will advise which your building needs based on its use and occupancy.

Emergency Lighting Testing Requirements

Installing emergency lighting is only half the job. BS 5266 requires ongoing testing to prove your system actually works:

• Monthly functional test — a brief test (typically by pressing a test button or using an automatic test system) to confirm each fitting illuminates when switched to battery mode. Takes minutes, must be recorded in your fire safety logbook.
• Annual full-duration test — every fitting runs on battery power for its full rated duration (usually 3 hours). This confirms the batteries still hold enough charge to last through a real power failure. Failed fittings must be replaced.

Many building managers forget or skip testing — which means their emergency lighting might not work when it's actually needed. MC Fire and Security offers maintenance packages that include emergency lighting testing on schedule, with documented records for your fire safety file.

Why Choose MC Fire for Emergency Lighting

A lot of electricians install emergency lighting fittings. But fitting a light and designing a compliant emergency lighting scheme are different things entirely. Mitch approaches emergency lighting from the fire safety side — understanding escape routes, fire compartmentation, and how lighting ties into your fire alarm system and overall fire strategy.

Do I need emergency lighting in my building?

How often must emergency lighting be tested?

What is the 3-hour duration test for emergency lighting?

What is BS 5266 and what does it require?

What changed in BS 5266-1:2025?

How often do emergency lights need testing?

Can emergency lighting be retrofitted to existing buildings?