Testing & maintenance

It is the occupier’s responsibility to ensure all the necessary work and tests are completed.

What standard should my emergency lighting system be fitted to?

Emergency lighting systems should conform to British Standard BS5266-1:2016.

Routine inspections and tests

All tests should, wherever possible, be undertaken at times of least risk. This is due to the possibility of a failure of the normal lighting supply occurring shortly after a period of testing.

Daily inspections by the occupier

An inspection should be made every day to ascertain that:

• every lamp in a maintained system is lit
• the main control of any central battery system indicates normal operation
• any fault found is recorded and the action taken noted

Monthly inspections by the occupier

Two tests should be carried out as follows:

Self-contained emergency lights

• each self-contained emergency light and illuminated exit sign should be powered from its battery, by simulating a mains supply failure. This should only be for long enough to ensure that each lamp is illuminated
• the period of simulation failure should not exceed one quarter of the rated duration of the emergency light or sign
• during this period all emergency lights and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
• at the end of the test period the supply to normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored

Central battery systems

• each central battery system should be powered from its battery by simulating a mains supply failure to the normal lighting. This should only be for long enough to ensure that each lamp is illuminated
• the period of simulation failure should not exceed one quarter of the rated duration of the battery
• during this period all emergency lights and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
• if it is not possible to examine visually all emergency lights and / or signs in this period, further tests should be made after the battery has been fully recharged
• at the end of each test period, the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked to ensure proper functioning

Six-monthly inspections by the occupier

Every six months, the monthly inspection should be carried out and the following two additional tests made:

Self-contained emergency lights

• each three-hour self-contained emergency light and illuminated exit sign should be powered from its battery for a continuous period of one hour, simulating a mains supply failure to the normal lighting. If the light is rated as having a duration of one hour, then the period of simulation failure should be 15 minutes
• during this period all emergency lights and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
• at the end of this test the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that the normal supply has been restored

Central battery systems

• each three-hour central battery system should be powered from its battery for a continuous period of one hour, simulating a mains supply failure to the normal lighting. If the system is rated as having a duration of one hour, then the period of simulation failure should be 15 minutes
• during this period all emergency lights and / or signs should be examined visually to ensure that they are functioning correctly
• at the end of the test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored. The charging arrangements should be checked for proper functioning

Three-yearly inspections by the occupier

Every three years, the monthly inspection should be carried out and the following two additional tests made:

Self-contained emergency lights

• each self-contained emergency light and / or illuminated exit sign should be tested for its full duration
• at the end of the test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored

Central battery systems

• each central battery system should be tested for its full duration
• at the end of each test period the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp checked to ensure that it is showing that normal supply has been restored

Subsequent annual test by the occupier

For self-contained emergency lights with sealed batteries, after the first three-yearly test, the full three-yearly test should be carried out annually.

Routine examinations and tests of emergency lighting systems should be recorded. 

As with any similar life-saving product, a fire door should be regularly checked to ensure it functions properly and is ready to use.

Most of the time, a fire door is used like any other door and is subject to the day-to-day wear and tear of opening and closing when people pass through. The building and the surrounding environment can also change and affect the door. It is important to check if regular use or changes to the surroundings affect it in any way.

Any slight alteration to the door or its surroundings can affect the performance of the door. This can result in a half-hour fire door lasting a lot less.

Fire door identification

All fire doors should have a controlled self-closing device fitted to them, either in the form of an overhead arm actuated type, a floor spring contained under the floor on the hinged edge of the door, or a ‘perko’ chain device installed on the hinge side of the door between the edge of the door leaf and the door frame.

In premises with multiple fire doors, it may be good practice to physically number every fire door for easy identification when carrying out maintenance checks and repairs.

Monthly inspection by the occupier

Tests should be carried out as follows:

• with a self-closing device, open the door fully and check it closes without binding on the floor. Open the door a few inches, the width of a clenched fist, and again check it closes fully, overcoming the latch or seal (if fitted). Check door closing speed to be approximately 10 seconds from 90 degrees and ensure that the door does not slam. Adjust speeds as necessary. Ensure that the doors are not being wedged open
• make sure that door hold-open devices (if fitted) are not straining the door against its self-closing device. A closer, fitted at the top of the door, should have a hold-open device at the top of the door. A floor spring at the foot of the door should have the hold-open device fitted at the bottom
• if fitted, ensure that any electromagnetic hold-open device is operating correctly and releases the door immediately after power is cut (when the fire alarm activates)
• if fitted, ensure any intumescent strips or combined intumescent / cold smoke seals are not damaged or missing. If in need of repair, they must be replaced with the same type as originally fitted. If smoke seals have to be replaced, they should be fitted in one continuous length if possible. If fixed piecemeal, they could potentially leak at the joints
• if fitted, inspect the glass. If it is cracked or broken it must be replaced immediately. If it is not replaced then, in the event of a fire, the smoke and gases will travel through the glass, which means the fire door will not last its fire rating. This work must only be undertaken by companies with appropriate third-party certification

Routine inspections and tests of self-closing fire doors should be recorded.

As a business owner, you have a responsibility for the provision of appropriate firefighting equipment. It is also your responsibility to check that all firefighting equipment is located correctly and in effective working order. Portable fire extinguishers must be tested at least once a year by a competent person. In addition, regular checks should be carried out to ensure that extinguishers are not obstructed and are readily available for use at all times.

Why are fire drills important?

Fire drills, particularly if they are mandatory and unexpected, can dramatically reduce fear, should the worst come to happen.

Exercises for your staff should be held regularly to ensure the smooth operation of the procedure for dealing with an emergency.

Initial instruction

The training of staff should provide for the following:

• all members of staff should receive a personal copy of prepared written instructions, and initially should receive two periods of at least half an hour verbal instruction given by a competent person. Such instruction should include details of how to call the Fire and Rescue Service
• these two periods should be given within one month and, in the case of newly engaged staff, this should be as soon as possible after appointment

Follow-up instruction

After the initial instruction, all members of staff should receive at least half an hour verbal instruction, given by a competent person, as follows:

Premises which are in use throughout the year:

• at least once in every period of six months for employees engaged only on daytime​ employment
• at least once in every period of three months for employees who are at any time engaged on night duties

Premises having only seasonal use:

• at least once during the period in which the premises are open, preferably at the beginning of such period

Exercises

Large premises

• exercises which may be combined with the instruction, should be carried out once in every period of six months
• the exercise should include a simulated evacuation drill with the assumption that one escape route is not available
• each exercise should be started at a pre-determined signal and the whole premises checked as if evacuation were in progress

Small premises

• exercises, which may be combined with the instruction, should be carried out once in every period of six months and should take the form of a walk-over the escape routes, checking fire doors, the position of the fire alarm points, fire equipment and emergency lighting

Responsible person

One specific person should be made responsible for organising staff training and for co-ordinating the actions of the staff in the event of fire.

Effective arrangements should also be made for a nominated deputy to be available to carry out the above duties.

Does the Fire and Rescue Service have to be notified when a fire alarm test / fire drill takes place?

If your automatic fire alarm system is monitored by an independent monitoring company, who would contact us whenever your fire alarm is activated, then we need to know before you carry out the drill. If it is not, there is no need to contact us, although you may wish to advise your neighbours to prevent them from calling us.

A record of the training and instruction given to staff and exercises held should be recorded. Provision is made in our fire safety logbook for this purpose.