Emergency Lighting Design, Installation and Servicing
Emergency lighting provides essential illumination when a building’s normal lighting supply fails. It helps occupants identify escape routes, negotiate staircases and changes in floor level, and reach final exits safely during a fire, electrical fault or power cut.
Complete Fire Solutions designs, supplies, installs, tests and maintains emergency lighting systems for commercial buildings, managed properties and public premises. Our experienced engineers provide practical solutions based on the layout, use and fire safety requirements of each building.
We work with businesses, landlords, managing agents, facilities teams and organisations across the North of England. Whether you require a new installation, planned servicing or repairs to an existing system, we can manage the work from the initial survey through to ongoing maintenance.
Why Emergency Lighting Is Important
Normal lighting can fail without warning. If this happens during an emergency, occupants may be left unable to see obstacles, changes in direction or the route towards a safe exit.
Emergency lighting should activate automatically and provide enough illumination to support safe movement through the building. It forms part of the wider fire safety arrangements for the premises and should reflect the findings of the current fire risk assessment.
An effective system can help illuminate:
- Designated escape routes and corridors
- Staircases, ramps and changes in floor level
- Changes in direction and corridor intersections
- Final exits and areas immediately outside them
- Fire alarm call points and firefighting equipment
- Large open areas where occupants may become disorientated
- Windowless rooms and spaces with limited natural light
- Plant rooms and higher-risk working areas
The precise arrangement will depend on the building, the people using it and the routes they would follow during an evacuation.
Maintained and Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting fittings can operate in different ways. The most suitable option will depend on the normal lighting conditions and how the premises are occupied.
Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting
Non-maintained fittings remain off while the normal lighting supply is operating. If the mains supply fails, the emergency light switches automatically to its rechargeable backup battery.
This type of lighting is commonly used in offices, warehouses, factories and other workplaces that are normally well illuminated whenever occupied.
Maintained Emergency Lighting
Maintained emergency lighting remains illuminated during normal use and continues operating from its backup power source if the mains lighting fails.
It may be particularly appropriate in cinemas, theatres, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues where normal lighting levels are sometimes reduced. Some premises use a combination of maintained and non-maintained fittings across different areas.
Emergency Escape Lighting
A complete installation may include several forms of emergency illumination, each serving a particular purpose within the building.
Escape Route Lighting
Escape route lighting helps people follow corridors, use staircases and recognise changes in direction or floor level. It should support a clear route from occupied areas towards an appropriate final exit.
Open Area Lighting
Large rooms and open spaces can become confusing when the normal lighting fails. Open area lighting helps occupants orientate themselves and locate the nearest escape route.
High-Risk Task Area Lighting
Some premises contain machinery, processes or equipment that could become dangerous during a sudden power failure. Emergency lighting may be required to allow an activity to be stopped or made safe before evacuation.
Illuminated Escape Signs
Illuminated and internally lit signs identify exits and changes in escape direction. They should be clearly visible from the routes occupants are expected to follow and must not be obscured by furniture, stock or later alterations.
Emergency Lighting Design and Installation
Emergency lighting design involves more than positioning a fitting above each exit. The complete escape route, changes in level, open areas and important fire safety equipment must all be considered.
Our engineers can survey the premises and develop a practical system based on its current layout and use. The design process may consider:
- The position of final exits and escape doors
- Staircases, ramps and changes in direction
- Fire alarm call points and firefighting equipment
- Corridor intersections and decision points
- Open areas and spaces without natural light
- Plant rooms, toilets and other relevant ancillary areas
- The visibility and viewing distance of escape signs
- Higher-risk activities that may need additional illumination
Further information is available on our emergency lighting design process page.
Reviewing an Existing Installation
An emergency lighting system may become less effective as a building changes. New internal walls, doors, shelving, machinery and storage areas can alter escape routes or prevent existing fittings from illuminating the intended space.
A review may be appropriate following:
- Internal refurbishment or layout changes
- Alterations to staircases, corridors or final exits
- The installation of warehouse racking or tall shelving
- The creation of new offices, workrooms or storage areas
- A significant change in occupancy or building use
- Electrical work that may have affected existing fittings
Our engineers can assess the current installation and advise where additional, relocated or replacement fittings may be needed.
Emergency Lighting Testing and Maintenance
Installing emergency lighting is only the beginning. Batteries, lamps, LEDs and charging components can deteriorate, even when the fittings have not been used during a genuine emergency.
Regular testing helps confirm that the system activates correctly and continues operating for its intended period. Results and reported faults should be recorded so that the responsible person can monitor the condition of the installation.
Routine Visual Checks
Visual inspections can be included within normal building checks. Charging indicators should appear to be operating correctly, and fittings should remain clean, secure and free from visible damage.
Emergency lights and exit signs should not be blocked by furniture, displays, equipment or stored goods.
Monthly Functional Testing
A short functional test confirms that emergency fittings activate when the normal lighting supply is interrupted. Lights that fail to switch on, appear unusually dim or show signs of damage should be recorded for investigation.
Once the mains supply is restored, charging indicators should be checked again where applicable.
Annual Full-Duration Testing
A full-duration test checks whether the emergency lighting can continue operating for its intended period. It may identify batteries that work during a brief functional check but lose charge too quickly during an extended power failure.
Full-duration testing should be planned carefully because batteries require time to recharge afterwards. In busy or continuously occupied premises, the work may need to take place during quieter hours or with suitable temporary precautions in place.
What Our Engineers Check
Professional emergency lighting servicing considers both the condition of individual fittings and the overall effectiveness of the system.
Depending on the installation, our engineers may:
- Test fittings when the normal lighting supply is interrupted
- Check maintained and non-maintained emergency lights
- Inspect illuminated fire exit and directional signs
- Check batteries, charging indicators and internal components
- Identify damaged, failed or unusually dim fittings
- Inspect lenses, diffusers and signs for dirt or obstruction
- Review coverage along corridors, staircases and escape routes
- Record faults and recommend appropriate remedial work
- Retest equipment following repairs or replacement
More information about routine care and testing can be found on our emergency lighting maintenance page.
Emergency Lighting for Commercial and Managed Premises
Complete Fire Solutions supports a wide range of properties, from small offices and shops to large industrial plants and multi-building estates. Each site receives an approach suited to its layout, occupancy and operational requirements.
Premises We Support
Our emergency lighting services are suitable for:
- Offices and professional workplaces
- Retail shops, showrooms and shopping premises
- Factories, workshops and manufacturing sites
- Warehouses and distribution facilities
- Hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Residential blocks and managed developments
- Healthcare and care-sector premises
- Leisure, sports and community buildings
- Public-sector and local authority premises
Visits can be arranged around opening hours, shift patterns, production schedules and access requirements. We can maintain one system or coordinate planned servicing across several buildings.
Common Emergency Lighting Faults
Some defects are visible during routine inspections, while others only become apparent when fittings operate from their batteries.
Common faults include:
- Batteries that no longer retain sufficient charge
- Failed lamps, LEDs or illuminated exit signs
- Damaged housings, lenses or diffusers
- Faulty charging indicators or internal components
- Fittings disconnected during electrical or refurbishment work
- Lights obscured by furniture, shelving or stock
- Exit signs that are no longer visible from the intended approach
- Missing records or an uncertain maintenance history
Where a fault is found, Complete Fire Solutions can carry out repairs or install suitable replacement equipment. This gives clients one point of contact for testing, fault finding and remedial work.
Emergency Lighting and Fire Risk Assessments
The emergency lighting system should reflect the building’s fire risks, occupancy and means of escape. A suitable fire risk assessment can identify areas where emergency illumination is required or where the existing system may need further attention.
The assessment should be reviewed when significant changes are made to the premises or when there is reason to believe the existing arrangements may no longer be suitable.
Why Choose Complete Fire Solutions?
Complete Fire Solutions is an independent fire protection company providing design, installation and ongoing maintenance through one experienced team.
Our multi-skilled engineers can maintain emergency lighting alongside fire alarms and fire extinguishers. This reduces the number of contractors and separate appointments a client needs to organise, while providing one dependable point of contact for continuing support.
We focus on practical recommendations, competitive pricing and systems that are appropriate for the premises. Contracted clients can also benefit from access to our 24-hour call-out service when urgent assistance is required.
Arrange an Emergency Lighting Service
Whether you require a new system, planned testing or repairs to existing fittings, Complete Fire Solutions can help. Our team will discuss your requirements, assess the installation where necessary and recommend a suitable solution.
For professional emergency lighting design, installation and servicing, call 01977 781 791, email info@completefiresolutions.co.uk or visit our contact page.
