It is this responsible person that should perform the test, but they do not need technical knowledge of electrical wiring systems. When doing so, the primary lighting circuit must be switched off and emergency lights left on for three hours in line with BS 5266-1.

This includes corridors, stairwells, and any other areas where people might need to navigate in the event of an emergency. Emergency lighting key switches, also known as secret key switches, are designed to allow the testing of emergency lighting easily whilst ensuring non-authorised personnel cannot tamper with the light switch. High risk task area lighting is provided predominantly to ensure that processes can be safely terminated, and occupants make their evacuation from the area without undue risk from the process.Building owners and operators should ensure that their emergency lighting systems meet all applicable codes and regulations, and that they are properly maintained to ensure occupant safety. These tests may be performed by technicians during a fire alarm service, as this can be done while waiting for the lamps to complete the duration of test. Standby lighting which is designed to support ongoing activities in the event of a power failure is not a legal requirement). When using self testing hardware (with each light running on a separate circuit) do I still need to be able manually switch off the power to each unit independently or can I rely solely on the self test feature to comply with BS 5266?

L SW is always to be wired so that any switching of L PERM will disconnect L SW too, but any switching of L SW will not affect L PERM. At The Safety Centre, we have an exceptional range of the best systems and equipment for a variety of different requirements. So the test can be carried out during working hours (some safety critical areas might require a different routine! Emergency lighting test keys are used for testing and resetting emergency lighting systems, and their use is regulated to ensure safety and compliance with building codes. This performs the same function as a key-switch, isolating the fitting from its permanent live supply and thereby simulating a power failure.e. maintained emergency lighting or non-maintained), but as a general guide, you should aim to get your emergency lighting system tested monthly, in addition to an annual ‘full duration’ test as described in BS 5266-1. Also if the building has sub circuits then each sub circuit has to be tested separately because if a sub circuit fails then that area needs to be illuminated by the emergency lighting.