Emergency Lighting Systems

Emergency Lighting Systems

It is a legal requirement for all non-domestic/commercial properties to (where appropriate) equip the building with an emergency lighting system. It is also part of these requirements to ensure they are maintained appropriately, so they remain ready in the event of any emergency.

As the person or team appointed responsible for fire safety in your building (Responsible Person/Duty Holder), it is important to demonstrate you have acted with due dilligence to source a quality organistion for these works. BAFE strongly recommends using an appropriately Third-Party Certificated organisation.

BAFE operate a Scheme called BAFE SP203-4 which covers Emergency Lighting Systems. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that organisations are competent to deliver design, installation, commissioning, and/or maintenance services for your emergency lighting system.

The BAFE SP203-4 scheme is modular, meaning an organisation can gain Third-Party Certification in one or more of these emergency lighting system service skills that they deliver. Many BAFE SP203-4 Registered Organisations hold all these modules, but it is important to check this when looking for an emergency lighting system contractor.

Please ensure your chosen organisation holds the appropriate module/s for the work you require:

Emergency Lighting System Design
- A designated expert will perform this task working to the requirements of BS 7671 (for the electrical safety of the installation) plus additional City & Guilds qualifications.
Emergency Lighting System Installation
- Performed by competent technicians working to the approved design.
Emergency Lighting System Commissioning
- Checking the system is safe and ready to use. The installation process may undertake some or all the initial testing. Under these circumstances, the commissioning process shall assess these results prior to undertaking a full check to sign off the system as ready.
Emergency Lighting System Maintenance
- Regular inspections by technicians with a comprehensive understanding of the appropriate British Standards. This is to check the system remains suitable for the building and fully operational, ready in the event of an emergency.

These modules observe best practice, working to British Standards BS 5266-1, BS 7671 and additional City & Guilds qualification requirements where applicable. BS 5266 is the code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises. It is not the public’s responsibility to know these details, but to be confident that their chosen organisation does.

How should I specify this in my requirements for emergency lighting system work?
Specify: Organisation third-party certification/BAFE Registration to the BAFE SP203-4 competency scheme for emergency lighting system work (noting the specific modules you require work for i.e. Design, Installation, Commissioning and/or Maintenance).