BS 5266-1

Emergency lighting in London

Keep exits and escape routes visible when the mains fails. Installed, tested and certified to BS 5266-1 by a BAFE-approved team.

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Escape routes that stay lit

When the mains fails, people have to see the way out. BS 5266-1 sets how that is designed, tested and recorded.

Designed to BS 5266-1

Coverage of escape routes, stairs, changes of level, call points and firefighting equipment, worked out properly.

Monthly and annual testing

The short functional test and the full three-hour duration test, recorded in your log book.

Repairs and replacements

Failed batteries, dead fittings and missing signage sorted on the same visit wherever we can.

One team with the alarm

Lighting and alarm certified by the same accredited company, so nothing falls between two suppliers.

Why does your building need emergency lighting?

When a fire cuts the power, people still need to find their way out. Emergency lighting illuminates escape routes, exits and key safety equipment automatically on mains failure. The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires escape routes to remain usable, and your fire risk assessment will normally call for emergency lighting wherever darkness would put people at risk. It is designed and maintained to BS 5266-1.

Direct answer: emergency lighting switches on automatically when the mains power fails, keeping escape routes and exits visible so people can leave safely. In most commercial premises it is required by the fire risk assessment and installed to BS 5266-1.

What we provide

Design and installation to BS 5266-1, with the right mix of maintained and non-maintained fittings for each area.
Annual full-duration testing, confirming every fitting holds its rated duration, usually three hours.
Fault repair, from failed batteries and lamps to fittings that will not hold charge.
Certification and log book, so you have the records an inspector or insurer will ask for.

How often must it be tested?

BS 5266-1 expects a brief monthly function test, which your staff can carry out, and a full-duration test once a year, which we complete and certificate. We record the results in your log book and flag any fitting that needs replacing. All our services support compliance with insurance policies.

Emergency lighting that would actually work

Both jobs get called the same thing on the invoice. This is what actually differs.

Design Fittings placed where the wiring was easy Escape routes, stairs, level changes and equipment covered to the standard BS 5266-1
Testing A quick flick of the test key once a year Monthly function test and the full three-hour duration test, recorded Three hours
Batteries Failed batteries found at the next inspection Failures reported and replaced, not just noted Replaced
Records No log, so the duty is impossible to evidence Certificate and log book, ready for an inspector Evidenced

How it works

Four steps, the price agreed in writing before anyone starts, and one accredited team from survey to certificate.

Free survey

We check what is installed, what is failing and what the escape routes actually need.
Written quote

Fittings, positions and price in writing, with no obligation.
Install and test

Installed and commissioned, then duration-tested to prove the three hours.
Certificate and schedule

Certificate issued, log book set up, and annual testing scheduled.

What clients say after the first visit

A cross-section of the offices, HMOs and blocks we look after across London.

The old panel kept throwing faults and our previous company never turned up. Flame Shield took it over, cleared the faults in one visit, and we get a certificate every service now.

James H.Office manager, Islington

Fire alarm and emergency lighting across a three-storey office, on a tight deadline. Clean job, tidy cabling, and the BS 5839 side explained in plain English.

Priya S.Facilities lead, Wood Green

As a landlord with two HMOs I just want it compliant and documented. Their engineer talked me through what the regs need and emailed the certificates the same week.

Daniel O.Landlord, Enfield

Emergency lighting: your questions answered

Is emergency lighting a legal requirement?

In most commercial buildings, yes. The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires escape routes and exits to be usable at all times, and your fire risk assessment will usually identify emergency lighting as necessary wherever a mains failure would leave escape routes dark. Emergency lighting is installed and maintained to BS 5266-1.

How often should emergency lighting be tested?

BS 5266-1 sets out a short monthly function test and a full-duration test once a year, where the lighting must stay lit for its rated duration, usually three hours. Results are recorded in a log book. We carry out the annual test and certification, and show your staff how to do the monthly checks.

What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting?

Maintained fittings are lit all the time and stay on when the power fails, common in places like cinemas and function rooms. Non-maintained fittings are off in normal use and only illuminate on mains failure, common in offices and corridors. Your assessment and the building use decide which is appropriate where.

Can you fix a failed emergency light?

Yes. We install new systems, service existing ones, and repair faults such as failed batteries, failed lamps or fittings that will not hold their duration. After a repair or service we test the system and issue a certificate for your records.