CH Fire supports emergency lighting testing and maintenance for facilities teams, property managers and contractors across Essex, London and the South East. Share the system records and site details so the inspection, testing and reporting scope can be agreed before the visit.
An existing-system maintenance visit is different from a new installation or a design review. For new systems or alterations, see our emergency lighting installation service. Our maintenance-visit checklist can help you gather records and arrange access.
Planning Your Emergency Lighting Visit
Provide the site address and building use, an asset list or number of lights if known, previous results and reported faults. Include system instructions or automatic-test records where available, and identify any missing information before comparing quotations.
Safe Timing and Access
Explain occupancy and access restrictions, including areas that cannot be disturbed. Agree test timing and arrangements during battery recharge with the site team rather than assuming every test is suitable during normal use.
Test Scope and Logbook Records
Ask the quotation to distinguish routine function checks, duration testing and any wider inspection. Agree the assets covered, records to be updated, defect reporting and who will arrange follow-up work.
Confirm whether repairs, replacement parts, additional visits and re-testing are included or separately priced. A test report records the work assessed and its limitations; do not assume it verifies the original design or every aspect of the premises.
Testing Guidance and Records
GOV.UK guidance for offices and shops distinguishes routine function checks from full-discharge testing and highlights the need to plan for battery recharge afterwards. Confirm the programme with a competent person for your premises and system; this page is not a test procedure or a whole-building compliance assessment.
- A defined testing scope and asset list, with access, occupancy and safe test timing agreed before the visit.
- Dated results and defects recorded with limitations, logbook requirements and follow-up responsibilities.
Compliance-Led Delivery
Planned tests, usable records and clear action on outstanding defects.
BS 5266-1
Agree the applicable emergency-lighting standards, test scope and records for your system.
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Emergency Lighting Testing & Maintenance FAQs
Send the site address, building use, number of emergency lights if known, asset list and latest logbook or test report. Include reported faults, system details and any automatic-test records available. Explain occupancy, access restrictions and the visit or reporting scope required. Flag missing records so assumptions and any survey requirement can be clarified before pricing.
GOV.UK guidance for offices and shops describes a typical monthly function test and annual full-discharge test, alongside visual checks of central controls. Agree the appropriate programme with a competent person using the premises, system instructions and applicable standards. A short function check does not replace the duration test. Plan testing and battery recharge so emergency lighting remains available or suitable alternative arrangements are made.
BSI identifies BS 5266-1:2025 as the current emergency-lighting code of practice. Its overview of BS EN 50172:2024 covers emergency escape-lighting systems, including operation, maintenance documentation and testing. Ask a competent specialist to confirm the editions and requirements applicable to your system; a standards reference is not evidence of third-party accreditation or a certificate for the whole premises.
Agree the report and logbook update before the visit. Ask for the date, assets or areas assessed, test type, results, limitations and defects, with actions and responsibilities for follow-up. Confirm whether repairs, replacement parts and re-testing are included or separately priced. Keep the records with the existing system information so the next visit can address unresolved items rather than starting from an incomplete history.
No. Checking an existing system is a different scope from designing new coverage or installing or relocating equipment. For new systems or alterations, see our emergency lighting installation service. Ask the quotation to state whether it covers routine testing, remedial works or a wider design assessment; a maintenance visit should not be assumed to include every activity.
CH Fire is based in Basildon, Essex, and primarily supports sites across Essex, London and the South East. Larger or specialist projects elsewhere can be discussed individually. Send the site address, available records and required scope so the team can confirm coverage and visit arrangements.