Emergency lighting is the system nobody thinks about, until the power fails during a fire and the escape route goes dark. It is one of the most frequently under-maintained items we record.

The principle is simple: anywhere people need to escape, the route must remain usable if the mains supply fails. That means escape routes, changes of direction, stairs, final exits and (often) the location of firefighting equipment and call points.

What we check

  • Coverage along the whole escape route, not just near the exit
  • A monthly “flick test” log and an annual full-duration (usually 3-hour) test record
  • Luminaires that actually illuminate when tested, failed units are common
  • Provision on the accessible route for anyone with a PEEP

It is inexpensive to put right once it is on a costed action plan, but only if the assessment looked for it properly in the first place.