Emergency Lighting Testing

The test schedule set out below was developed in discussion with the qualified electrician who installed the system in 2016.[1] The person currently responsible for monthly tests, Karen Hill, is a former school Secretary, and was instructed on the test regime at that time. Haward Soper appointed her having determined that she was competent to undertake this role. A record of each test is kept and retained by Karen until she delivers it to Haward.

 

                                                    i.     Monthly Tests 

Every month, a competent person will isolate the mains power supply to each lighting system, in order to simulate a power cut. The isolation will be carried out using the secure device key, the ‘fish key’. The CP will check that when the mains power to the system is isolated all emergency lights come on.

  • If any of the lights should fail to come on, the CP will change the battery or a qualified technician will be appointed to repair the defect
  • The CP will leave the mains power isolated for at least one hour and check that the emergency lights remain lit for the entire period
  • The CP will keep a record of this testing.
    • On the 25th February 2026 Karen handed over signed records showing testing of lights in no 4, 6 and 8 on 17/06/24, 15/07/24, 05/08/24, 13/09/24, 25/10/24 (access to no 8 not possible so no test), 21/11/24, 16/12/24, 13/01/25, 14/02/25, 17/03/25, 07/04/25, 15/05/25, 16/06/25, 21/07/25, 18/08/25, 29/09/25 & 20/10/25

                                                  ii.     Annual Tests

A qualified technician will isolate the mains power to the lighting system for 3 hours; or train and instruct a competent person to carry out the test, in line with BS 5266-1, in order to ensure that the battery/batteries are in good working order. In De Montfort Court the isolation is created using the ‘fish’ key. In general we will try to align these tests with other work such as changing light bulbs. For the test to be considered a success, the lights not only need to stay on for the full 3 hours, they also need to maintain an adequate lux level (brightness). At the same time as this test is performed, the location of all lights will be checked by the tester who will determine whether these locations comply with the current regulations. 

[1] Dave Wagstaff of Millrose Electrics