Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting keeps people safe when the mains fails, and is a legal requirement in most non-domestic buildings and many residential developments. Lyco's range covers both maintained and non-maintained systems, including emergency light fittings for escape routes, stairwells, and high-risk task areas. Same-day dispatch available on the majority of in-stock lines.

Emergency lighting: what the law requires and how to get it right

Emergency lighting is one of those building services categories where getting it wrong has serious consequences. It's about ensuring that when a fire alarm sounds or a power failure occurs, people can find the exits without hesitation. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons to ensure adequate emergency lighting in all non-domestic premises, and BS 5266-1 is the standard against which any installation will be assessed.

There are two fundamental types of emergency lighting system. Non-maintained fittings only illuminate when the mains supply fails; they sit dormant during normal operation and activate on power loss. Maintained fittings are on continuously (or switchable to be so), meaning the same fitting serves as both standard and emergency lighting. Maintained systems are typically required in cinemas, theatres, and any venue where the public may be present in darkness.

Emergency lighting must cover escape routes, exit signs, stairwells, and any area where sudden darkness would create a risk, including high-risk task areas such as machine rooms. Duration is also specified: BS 5266-1 requires a minimum one-hour rated duration for most applications, with three hours required in sleeping-risk premises, such as hotels and care homes.

Testing obligations sit alongside installation requirements. Self-test and addressable emergency fittings reduce the manual testing burden considerably and are worth specifying on larger or managed sites. Lyco's emergency light fittings range includes options across all these categories. Free delivery applies to all orders over £70, with next-working-day delivery across the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is emergency lighting a legal requirement in the UK?

Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons in non-domestic premises to provide adequate means of escape, which includes appropriate emergency lighting. The standard governing design and installation is BS 5266-1. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action by the fire authority, and insurers may consider non-compliance grounds for voiding cover.

What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting?

Non-maintained emergency lighting only activates when the mains power supply fails; it is off during normal building operation. Maintained emergency lighting is illuminated at all times (or can be switched on as standard lighting) and continues to function from its battery when the mains fails. Maintained systems are required in venues where the public may be present in darkness, such as cinemas and theatres.

How long must emergency lighting last during a power failure?

BS 5266-1 specifies a minimum rated duration of one hour for most commercial premises. For sleeping-risk premises, including hotels, care homes, and residential care facilities, a minimum of three hours is required. The rated duration must be maintained at the end of the fitting's service life, not just when new.

How often does emergency lighting need to be tested?

BS 5266-1 requires a monthly brief functional test (a short-duration activation to confirm operation) and an annual full-rated-duration discharge test. Records of all tests must be kept. Self-test and addressable emergency fittings automate the functional test cycle and log results electronically, significantly reducing the manual maintenance burden on larger sites.

Do you sell emergency lighting near me?

Lyco delivers emergency lighting to all UK mainland addresses with next-working-day delivery as standard. Orders over £70 qualify for free delivery, and same-day dispatch applies to the vast majority of in-stock products across the range.