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Emergency Lighting

Meeting BS5266 Standards, Guiding Paths To Safety

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Emergency Lighting

When normal lighting fails—due to power cuts, fire, or smoke—properly designed and maintained emergency lighting illuminates escape routes, exit signs, and key hazard areas, ensuring occupants can see clearly, avoid obstacles, navigate stairs and corridors safely, and reach exits quickly without panic or injury. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must provide adequate emergency lighting where needed, with systems complying with BS 5266-1 standards for design, installation, and performance—including minimum illuminance levels (e.g., 1 lux on escape routes), duration (typically 3 hours), and regular testing to keep everything operational when it matters most. When integrated with a high-quality fire alarm system, regular fire risk assessments, maintained extinguishers, trained staff, clear evacuation plans, and optional 24/7 monitoring, dependable emergency lighting dramatically reduces the risks during evacuation—preventing injuries, speeding up safe exits, and significantly lowering the chance of a serious incident turning into a tragic or business-crippling disaster.

Safeguard lives, ensure compliance, and protect your business with advanced emergency lighting solutions you can trust.

Based in Chester and Wrexham, FST Systems is your local expert in fire compliance and security across the North West of England and North Wales. We specialise in designing, installing, servicing, and maintaining advanced fire alarm systems that meet—and exceed—UK regulations.
Safeguard lives, property, and your business with reliable emergency lighting systems expertly designed, installed, and maintained by FST Systems. From tailored installations meeting BS 5266 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requirements, to regular testing, certification, and prompt repairs, we deliver illuminated escape routes, exit signage, and 24/7 peace of mind—serving Chester, Wrexham, and the North West & North Wales
Ready to safeguard your premises and your future? Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation or quote. Call 0333 444 0032, email us, or fill out our quick form— we're here to help keep your business safe and compliant.

Reliable Illumination. Safe Evacuation. Emergency Lighting Solutions You Can Trust.

Poor emergency lighting contributes to many UK evacuation injuries—trips, falls, panic and disorientation in darkness or smoke.

Our emergency lighting ensures clear escape routes, exit signs and hazards stay visible when power fails—enabling fast, calm, safe exits and full compliance.

Fully compliant with BS 5266-1 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: automatic activation, 1 lux minimum, 3-hour duration, regular testing, certification and repairs.

Protect lives and your business with expert design, installation and maintenance from FST Systems—serving Chester, Wrexham, North West & North Wales.

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Common Questions

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Emergency lighting ensures safe evacuation or operations during mains failure. Under BS 5266-1:2025, it includes escape route lighting (≥1 lux across full route width), open area (anti-panic) lighting (≥0.5 lux in spaces >60 m²), high-risk task lighting (higher levels for safe shutdown in hazards), safety sign lighting, and standby lighting (for continued activities). Selection follows your site-specific fire risk assessment and BS 5266-1:2025; most commercial sites use 3-hour battery-backed LED systems (non-maintained or maintained). A competent designer ensures compliance with illuminance, glare limits, and activation (<5 seconds).

Yes, emergency lighting is legally required in virtually all non-domestic premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (and equivalents in Scotland/Northern Ireland). The Responsible Person must provide adequate emergency lighting on escape routes/exits whenever normal lighting fails. BS 5266-1:2025 is the key code of practice for design, installation, and maintenance—enforcing authorities (e.g., fire services) use it to assess compliance. Failure risks enforcement notices, fines, or prosecution. A fire risk assessment defines exact needs, but suitable provision is mandatory.

  • Monthly functional testing — Simulate mains failure briefly (e.g., 30 seconds+) to confirm activation, correct illumination, and no faults (Responsible Person or staff can do this).
  • Annual full-duration testing — Run for full rated duration (usually 3 hours) to verify battery/illuminance performance (use a competent technician).
  • Additional checks — Regular visual inspections for damage, cleanliness, and obstructions; log all results and fix faults immediately.

Records must be kept on-site. The Responsible Person is accountable under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005—professional servicing demonstrates due diligence.

Installation follows BS 5266-1:2025 and your fire risk assessment:

  • Along all escape routes, including direction changes, stairs, ramps, intersections, and final exits.
  • At fire-fighting equipment, alarm call points, and panic hardware.
  • In open areas >60 m² (anti-panic coverage).
  • Over high-risk task zones if needed.
  • Ensuring exit/fire signs remain visible.

Luminaires must provide uniform coverage (e.g., ≥1 lux on escape routes across full width), avoid glare, and activate within 5 seconds. Keep them visible, unobstructed, and signed. Professional design/commissioning is essential; reassess after layout/occupancy changes.

Repair or replace immediately if:

  • Units fail monthly/annual tests (no activation, low light, battery <3 hours).
  • Damage, dirt, corrosion, or obstructions impair performance.
  • Components (batteries, LEDs, gear) are faulty (batteries typically last 3–5 years).
  • System no longer meets current risk assessment (e.g., building changes, new hazards).

Review every 5–10 years or after major alterations. BS 5266-1:2025 aligns with updated tech/standards—upgrades may be needed for full compliance. Use competent technicians and document work to prove ongoing duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.