Emergency lighting ensures that when mains power fails — whether due to a fire, power cut or fault — escape routes, exits and safety equipment remain illuminated, allowing occupants to evacuate safely. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic premises must have adequate emergency escape lighting in place. All our installations are designed and installed to BS 5266 standards. For local installation across Kent see our emergency lighting Kent page, or for Sheerness our emergency lighting Sheerness page.
Maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting
Maintained emergency lighting remains illuminated at all times and switches to battery power when mains fails — required in cinemas, theatres and public assembly spaces where occupants must always see the exits.
Non-maintained emergency lighting only illuminates when mains power fails — the most common type for offices, schools, retail premises and commercial buildings. Cost-effective and practical for most commercial applications.
We also install sustained and combined emergency luminaires, emergency exit signs and escape route marking. Our engineers will advise on the correct type and coverage for your building during a free survey.
Emergency lighting for commercial premises
All non-domestic premises require adequate emergency escape lighting under current legislation. Our engineers carry out a full lux-level assessment and design a system ensuring safe illumination on all escape routes, at exits, in stairwells, and at fire-fighting equipment locations. Alongside emergency lighting, we provide fire alarm installation and fire door installation for complete fire safety compliance.
Emergency lighting testing and certification
BS 5266 requires a brief monthly functional test and a full annual discharge test. We provide emergency lighting maintenance contracts covering both requirements — with regular testing, fault rectification and full annual BS 5266 compliance certification keeping your building legally compliant.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 5266, all non-domestic premises must have adequate emergency escape lighting.
Maintained lights stay on at all times; non-maintained only activate on mains failure. The correct type depends on your building usage — we advise during survey.
BS 5266 requires a monthly brief functional test and a full annual discharge test. Our maintenance contracts cover both.
Yes — we issue full BS 5266 compliance certificates for all systems we install and maintain.