Emergency lighting maintenance services for commercial properties across the UK, keeping your system fully tested, legally compliant, and accurately documented all year round.
HRB Mech provides professional emergency lighting maintenance services for commercial properties across the UK. Installing an emergency lighting system is only the beginning of your legal obligations; keeping it properly tested, serviced, and documented is just as important, and just as much a requirement under UK fire safety law.
Whether you need a fully managed maintenance contract, an annual servicing visit, or a reactive call-out to address a fault, our experienced engineers are here to help. We take the complexity out of compliance so you can focus on running your business.
Call HRB Mech today or book a maintenance visit online.
Many building owners and facilities managers understand that emergency lighting must be installed, but the legal obligation does not stop at installation. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a clear duty on the Responsible Person to ensure that emergency lighting systems are not only present, but properly maintained and kept in full working order at all times.
BS 5266 Part 1, the British Standard governing emergency lighting in non-domestic buildings, sets out exactly how that maintenance should be carried out, how frequently testing must take place, and how all activity must be recorded. It is a structured, ongoing commitment, not a one-off task.
The reason this matters so fundamentally is straightforward. An emergency lighting system that has not been properly maintained may fail entirely when it is needed most, during a power failure, a fire, or another serious incident. A non-functioning system at that moment is not just a compliance failure; it is a direct risk to the lives of everyone in your building. For the Responsible Person, the consequences of neglecting maintenance can include enforcement notices, substantial fines, and, in serious cases, personal criminal liability.
Maintenance of emergency lighting is not a single event that happens once a year and is then forgotten about. BS 5266 sets out a three-tier programme of checks, each playing a distinct role in keeping your system reliable and your business compliant. Understanding what is required at each level is the first step to managing your obligations effectively.
A brief visual inspection of all emergency light fittings should take place every day. This does not need to involve a specialist engineer; it can be carried out by the Responsible Person or a nominated member of staff as part of a routine building walkthrough.
The purpose of the daily check is simply to confirm that indicator lights are functioning correctly and that there is no obvious physical damage to any fittings. It is a quick, low-burden task, but an important one. Spotting a problem early, such as a cracked fitting, a failed indicator, or a unit that has been accidentally disconnected, means it can be addressed before it becomes a compliance issue. All daily checks should be noted in your emergency lighting logbook.
Once a month, a short-duration function test must be carried out across your entire emergency lighting system. Each fitting is briefly switched to battery operation to confirm it activates and illuminates correctly.
This monthly test should be carried out by a competent person. HRB Mech can include monthly visits as part of a Planned Preventive Maintenance contract, or we can advise the Responsible Person on how to conduct these checks in-house, where that is appropriate. Any fittings that fail to activate during a monthly test are flagged, recorded in the logbook, and reported for remedial action.
The annual full discharge test, also referred to as the drain-down test, is the most thorough element of the emergency lighting testing programme, and the one that requires a qualified engineer to carry out correctly.
During a full discharge test, every fitting in the system is run on battery power for its full rated duration. Depending on the type of fittings installed, this typically takes between one and three hours. The purpose is to confirm that each battery holds sufficient charge to illuminate escape routes for the required period during a real emergency.
Any fittings that fail the annual test are clearly identified and documented. HRB Mech will advise on the appropriate remedial action, whether that is battery replacement, lamp replacement, or full fitting replacement, and can carry out repairs promptly to return the system to full compliance.
One of the most common questions we hear from clients is a simple one: What actually happens when an engineer comes to service my emergency lighting? It is a fair question, and the answer matters, because a thorough, well-documented maintenance visit is very different from a cursory inspection that leaves gaps in your compliance record.
Here is exactly what our engineers do on every visit.
Every emergency light fitting is visually inspected for signs of damage, discolouration, or physical deterioration. Diffusers and covers are cleaned where necessary to ensure that full light output is maintained across the system.
Every fitting's charge and indicator lamp is checked to confirm that the unit is receiving power correctly and that the internal battery is charging as it should between tests. A failed indicator is often the first sign of a deeper issue, and catching it early prevents bigger problems later.
Each fitting is individually switched to battery mode and tested to confirm that it activates and illuminates as required. Results are recorded unit by unit, giving you a clear picture of the system's condition across the whole premises.
Where the visit coincides with your annual test, every fitting is run on battery power for its full rated duration. We record performance results for each individual unit and clearly identify any that fail to meet the required standard.
Battery condition is assessed on every visit, and lamps are checked for signs of degradation or failure. Where batteries are approaching the end of their effective life, we advise on replacement before the next scheduled test, preventing a foreseeable failure during the annual discharge.
Your emergency lighting logbook is updated with the full results of every check carried out during the visit. You receive a clear service report and, where applicable, a certificate of testing for your compliance file. Nothing is left undocumented.
Any faults identified during the visit are reported clearly, without jargon, so you understand exactly what the issue is and what needs to happen next. Where remedial repairs or replacements are required, HRB Mech will carry these out on the same visit wherever possible, or schedule a prompt follow-up to ensure your system is returned to full working order without unnecessary delay.
The emergency lighting logbook is one of the most important compliance documents your business holds, and it is one of the most commonly neglected. Under BS 5266, a logbook must be maintained for every emergency lighting system, recording the results of daily checks, monthly function tests, and annual discharge tests. Without it, the Responsible Person has no means of demonstrating that their legal obligations have been met.
In the event of a fire authority inspection or enforcement action, an incomplete or missing logbook is a significant problem. It shifts the burden of proof firmly onto the building owner or manager to demonstrate compliance by other means, which is rarely straightforward. A complete, accurate logbook, on the other hand, is clear evidence of diligent, ongoing maintenance.
HRB Mech updates your logbook at every visit, recording all test results, observations, faults, and remedial actions in full. For clients on a PPM contract, we maintain a complete, unbroken service history across every visit we make, giving you a reliable compliance record year on year. When the time comes for an inspection or audit, your documentation is ready.
HRB Mech offers flexible maintenance arrangements to suit different premises, risk profiles, and budgets. Whether you need a fully managed ongoing contract or a straightforward annual service, we have an option to suit you, with transparent pricing and no unnecessary tie-ins.
Our PPM contracts are designed for businesses that want complete peace of mind. We schedule all required visits in advance, carry out every level of testing at the correct intervals, update your logbook and documentation at every visit, and provide priority response for any reactive call-outs needed between scheduled appointments.
PPM contracts are particularly popular with facilities managers, multi-site operators, schools, healthcare providers, and any business where compliance consistency is non-negotiable. You have one reliable contractor managing the full programme, and your compliance record is always up to date.
For smaller premises or lower-risk environments, a single comprehensive annual visit may be all that is required. Our annual service covers the full discharge test, a complete visual inspection of all fittings, a logbook update, and a written service report. Pricing is transparent and agreed in advance, with no hidden costs.
If a fault develops between scheduled visits or if a fitting fails during your monthly in-house checks, HRB Mech provides fast reactive call-out support. Our engineers diagnose the fault, carry out repairs or replacements as needed, and update your logbook to reflect the work completed.
Get a quote for emergency lighting maintenance. Call HRB Mech today or request a callback.
If you are currently unhappy with your existing provider, whether due to missed visits, poor communication, incomplete documentation, or simply a lack of confidence that the work is being done properly, switching to HRB Mech is a straightforward process.
We begin with an initial audit of your existing system and your current compliance records, identifying any gaps in your testing history or documentation. From there, we take over your ongoing maintenance programme and bring everything up to date from the very first visit. We handle the transition smoothly and professionally, so there is no disruption to your compliance schedule and no loose ends left unresolved.
If you suspect your current system has not been properly maintained, or if your logbook records are incomplete, it is worth acting sooner rather than later. The longer gaps in your compliance history go unaddressed, the greater the risk to your business.
Ready to switch? Contact HRB Mech, and we will handle the rest.
HRB Mech provides emergency lighting maintenance services to a broad range of commercial and public-sector clients across [region]. Whatever your sector or the size of your premises, our engineers have the experience to keep your system compliant and your documentation in order.
We regularly service emergency lighting systems in offices and business parks, warehouses and industrial units, retail stores and shopping centres, restaurants, pubs and hospitality venues, schools, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities and GP surgeries, hotels and leisure facilities, local authority and public sector buildings, and HMOs and residential apartment blocks.
If your premises are not listed here, get in touch. If you have a legal duty to maintain emergency lighting, HRB Mech can help you meet it.
There is no shortage of contractors offering emergency lighting services. What sets HRB Mech apart is the care, consistency, and professionalism we bring to every visit, and the fact that we treat your compliance as seriously as you do.
Qualified, Competent Engineers: All maintenance visits are carried out by experienced engineers with a thorough working knowledge of BS 5266 and the relevant fire safety regulations. You can be confident that tests are conducted correctly, faults are identified accurately, and the work is completed to a proper standard.
Complete Testing Programme: We cover every level of the BS 5266 testing requirement, monthly function tests, annual full discharge tests, and logbook updates, ensuring that no element of your compliance obligations is overlooked.
Full Documentation on Every Visit: Updated logbooks, service reports, and testing certificates are provided after every visit as standard. Your compliance file is always complete and audit-ready.
Prompt Fault Resolution: We do not simply identify faults and leave you to resolve them. Where remedial works are needed, we act quickly to get your system back to full working order, with all actions documented and recorded.
Flexible, Transparent Service: PPM contracts, annual services, and reactive call-outs available. Pricing is clear and agreed upfront, with no hidden costs or unnecessary contract tie-ins.
Under BS 5266, emergency lighting requires a daily visual check, a monthly function test, and an annual full discharge test. All results must be recorded in an approved logbook. HRB Mech can manage the full testing programme on your behalf through a PPM contract, or carry out the annual service as a standalone visit.
A full discharge test, sometimes called a drain-down test, involves running every emergency light fitting on battery power for its full rated duration, typically between one and three hours, depending on the fitting type. The test confirms that each battery holds sufficient charge to illuminate escape routes for the required period during a real emergency.
The Responsible Person for the premises is legally responsible for ensuring that emergency lighting is properly maintained in line with BS 5266 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In practice, this means engaging a competent contractor to carry out the required testing and servicing, and ensuring that all activity is accurately recorded.
Any fittings that fail during a maintenance visit are clearly identified and documented in your service report. HRB Mech will advise on the appropriate remedial action and carry out repairs or replacements promptly, ensuring your system is returned to full compliance as quickly as possible.
Yes. BS 5266 requires that a logbook be maintained for every emergency lighting system, recording the results of all daily, monthly, and annual testing activity. HRB Mech updates your logbook at every visit, so your records are always complete and accurate.
Daily visual checks can be carried out by the Responsible Person or a nominated member of staff. Monthly function tests can also be done in-house if the person carrying them out is competent to do so and records results correctly. However, the annual full discharge test requires a qualified engineer with the relevant expertise and equipment. HRB Mech recommends using a professional contractor for all formal testing to ensure compliance is fully met and correctly evidenced.
Our PPM contracts cover all scheduled testing at the correct intervals, full visual inspections, logbook updates, service reports, and testing certificates. We also provide priority response for reactive call-outs between visits. Pricing is agreed upfront, with no hidden costs.
Simply get in touch with HRB Mech. We will carry out an initial audit of your existing system and compliance records, identify any gaps, and take over your maintenance programme from there. We make the transition straightforward and will have your documentation fully up to date from the very first visit.
