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Emergency Lighting Installation, Servicing, and Maintenance
Emergency lighting is one of the most important components of a building’s fire safety strategy. In the event of a fire, power failure, or emergency evacuation, a well-designed emergency lighting system ensures that occupants can clearly see escape routes and exit the building safely.
At Advanced Fire Protection (AFP) Wales, we specialise in the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems for commercial buildings across the UK. While our headquarters are based in Wales and we have extensive experience serving Cardiff, Pontypridd, Newport, and surrounding areas, our nationwide reach through the LS Fire Group allows us to provide professional emergency lighting installation services throughout the country.
Whether you need a full emergency light install, upgrades to an existing system, or routine emergency lighting servicing, our engineers deliver reliable and compliant solutions tailored to your building and its fire safety requirements.
British Standard emergency lighting and compliance
Emergency lighting systems in the UK must comply with strict safety regulations to ensure they perform reliably during an emergency. The primary British Standard emergency lighting guidance is provided by BS 5266, which outlines the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems.
BS 5266 forms the basis of many British Standards for emergency lighting, covering areas such as:
- The correct positioning of emergency lights along escape routes
- Minimum illumination levels required during evacuation
- The appropriate types of emergency lights for different building areas
- Testing and maintenance procedures to maintain compliance
Working with AFP Wales ensures that your emergency lighting installation is designed and installed in line with the latest emergency lighting standards, helping you meet your legal obligations under fire safety regulations.
Where emergency lighting is required in commercial buildings
Emergency lighting must be installed in specific areas of a building to ensure safe evacuation during an emergency. Our engineers assess each property carefully to ensure lighting is positioned correctly and provides full coverage.
Common locations requiring emergency lighting include:
- Escape routes and corridors
- Stairwells and staircases
- Emergency exits and exit signage
- Open areas such as reception spaces or large offices
- High-risk task areas where hazardous equipment is used
- Plant rooms and service areas
Ensuring the correct installation of emergency lighting in these locations is essential for maintaining compliance and protecting occupants during evacuation.
Types of emergency lighting systems
There are several types of emergency lights used in commercial buildings, and the correct system will depend on your building layout, occupancy, and fire risk assessment.
Common emergency lighting systems include:
- Escape route lighting: Installed along corridors and exit routes to guide occupants safely out of the building.
- Open area lighting (anti-panic lighting): Used in larger open spaces to reduce confusion and help people locate escape routes.
- High-risk task lighting: Installed in areas where hazardous machinery or processes are present, allowing equipment to be safely shut down during an emergency.
- Maintained emergency lighting: Lights that remain on continuously and continue operating if the main power supply fails.
- Non-maintained emergency lighting: Lights that only activate when the normal lighting supply fails.
- Illuminated exit signage: Clearly marks escape routes and exits to guide occupants during evacuation.
At AFP Wales, we can advise on the most suitable emergency lighting system for your premises and provide high-quality emergency lighting products designed for reliability and performance.
Our complete emergency lighting service
1. Emergency lighting installation
Every commercial building must ensure that occupants can evacuate safely during an emergency. This is why the installation of emergency lighting is a key requirement under UK fire safety legislation and building regulations.
We provide professional emergency lights installation designed around the layout, occupancy, and fire risks of your premises. Our engineers carry out a detailed survey of the building to identify escape routes, open areas, stairwells, and high-risk zones that require illumination during a power failure.
Our emergency lighting installation services ensure:
- Escape routes remain clearly visible during emergencies
- Exit points are illuminated and easy to locate
- Occupants can evacuate safely during power outages
- Your building complies with the relevant British Standards for emergency lighting
Every emergency lighting system we install is carefully planned to ensure complete coverage across the areas where emergency lighting is required.
2. Emergency lighting servicing and maintenance
Installing emergency lighting is only the first step. To remain compliant and ensure reliable performance, systems must be regularly inspected and maintained.
At AFP Wales, we provide comprehensive emergency lighting servicing and maintenance programmes designed to keep your systems operational and compliant.
Our emergency lighting maintenance services include:
- Routine testing of emergency lights
- Inspection of fittings and components
- Battery performance checks
- Fault identification and repairs
- Replacement of damaged units
Regular emergency light servicing ensures your lighting activates correctly during a power failure and continues to meet current emergency lighting standards.
We also offer planned maintenance contracts for businesses that require ongoing support, ensuring systems are regularly inspected and maintained without disruption.
3. Emergency lighting testing and compliance
Testing is a key requirement for maintaining compliant emergency lighting systems. Regular testing ensures the system activates correctly and provides sufficient illumination in an emergency. Best practice typically involves:
- Monthly functional testing: A short test to confirm emergency lights activate when the main power supply is interrupted.
- Annual full-duration testing: A longer test to confirm emergency lighting units operate for the required duration.
Our engineers carry out testing as part of our emergency lighting service, ensuring faults are identified early and systems remain compliant with BS 5266 emergency lighting standards.
4. Certification and reporting
Following installation or major upgrades, emergency lighting systems must be properly commissioned and documented.
We provide full commissioning services, confirming that the system operates correctly and meets required safety standards. Once complete, we issue documentation confirming the emergency lights installation has been carried out in accordance with the relevant British Standards for emergency lighting.
Our servicing visits also include reporting and compliance logs, helping facilities managers and responsible persons maintain clear records for inspections, audits, and fire risk assessments.
Why choose AFP Wales for emergency lighting installation?
Choosing the right provider is essential when installing life-safety systems. As one of the trusted emergency lighting suppliers and installers in the UK, we combine technical expertise with dependable service.
Our clients benefit from:
- Professional emergency lighting installation by experienced engineers
- Systems designed in line with BS 5266 emergency lighting standards
- High-quality emergency lighting products and components
- Comprehensive emergency lighting servicing and maintenance
Local expertise across Wales with nationwide coverage - Support from the wider LS Fire Group network
Speak to us today
If you need professional emergency lighting installation, upgrades to an existing system, or ongoing emergency lighting servicing, we’re ready to help.
With extensive experience delivering emergency lights installation for commercial buildings across Wales and the wider UK, our engineers provide reliable solutions designed around safety, compliance, and long-term performance.
Contact us today to arrange a consultation or to discuss your emergency lighting requirements in more detail.
Fire safety is a responsibility that never rests and we’re here to implement complete fire protection for your business. Get in touch with our industry-leading experts to learn how we prevent fire, protect lives, and ensure compliance for you.
Emergency Lighting FAQs
- What is emergency lighting, and why is it important?
- Emergency lighting is a backup lighting system that automatically activates when the main power supply fails. Its purpose is to illuminate escape routes and exits so that occupants can safely leave a building during emergencies such as fires or power outages. Without a properly functioning emergency lighting system, evacuation can become difficult or dangerous, particularly in large commercial buildings or unfamiliar environments.
- How often should emergency lighting systems be tested?
- Emergency lighting systems must be tested regularly to ensure they operate correctly during an emergency. Best practice includes monthly functional tests and a full annual duration test to confirm the system provides illumination for the required time. Regular emergency lighting servicing ensures faults are identified quickly and helps maintain compliance with British Standards for emergency lighting.
- What are the most common types of emergency lighting systems?
- Common types of emergency lights include escape route lighting, open area lighting, high-risk task lighting and illuminated exit signage. These may be installed as self-contained units or as part of a central battery system, depending on the building layout and fire safety requirements.
- Do all commercial buildings require emergency lighting?
- Most commercial buildings require emergency lighting as part of their fire safety measures. The exact requirements depend on the building’s layout, occupancy levels, and fire risk assessment findings. Installing a compliant emergency lighting system ensures occupants can evacuate safely during a power failure.
- Can AFP Wales maintain existing emergency lighting systems?
- In addition to installation, we provide emergency lighting maintenance and emergency light servicing for existing systems. Our engineers can inspect, test, repair, and maintain your lighting system to ensure it remains fully operational and compliant with current standards.
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