The required schedule
| Interval | Test |
|---|---|
| Monthly | Function test: operate the unit on battery, confirm lamps illuminate and the pilot lamp and charger indicate correctly |
| Monthly | Confirm exit signs are illuminated and unobstructed |
| Annually | Timed discharge test for the full rated duration — typically 30 minutes, or longer where the Building Code required it |
| Annually | Terminal and battery condition, electrolyte level where applicable, and confirmation the unit recharges within the specified period |
Why the annual load test is the one that matters
A button press proves the lamp and the relay work. It proves nothing about capacity. Sealed lead-acid batteries typically lose meaningful capacity after three to five years, and a unit that drops out at eight minutes will still pass a button test perfectly.
The timed discharge test is the only check that finds this. Units must be reilluminated and observed at the end of the rated period, not just at the start.
Coverage requirements people forget
- Exit routes, corridors, stairwells, and the exterior of exit doors — including the path away from the building.
- Principal routes through open floor areas serving an exit.
- Service rooms, electrical rooms, and generator rooms.
- Underground and interior parking areas.
- Illumination levels must be maintained across the path, not just directly under the fixture; aiming matters as much as quantity.
Recordkeeping
Records of monthly and annual tests must be kept on site and available to the fire department. Each record should identify the unit by location, the test performed, the result, and the name of the person performing it. Failed units should show the corrective action and the retest date.
Budget note for owners
Emergency lighting is a consumable system. In a building of any size, expect a steady annual replacement rate for batteries and heads. Planning for it as a maintenance line item is far cheaper than replacing a whole floor's worth of units after a failed inspection.