What this job involves and what it costs
Emergency lighting testing verifies that emergency and escape-route lights work on mains failure and costs a fixed written price based on number/type of fittings, access and any agreed repairs. We serve Medway and surrounding areas including nearby towns and districts. All work is certified, safety-first and guaranteed with documented test records and compliance evidence.
When you need it
- You notice some emergency lights don’t come on after we’ve installed new lights or changed things in the ceiling.
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This usually means a new fitting or wiring change wasn’t tested or a circuit wasn’t connected correctly.
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An emergency light fails to light after someone moved walls, added partitions or rearranged displays.
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That often means the route is now blocked or a luminaire was obscured or disconnected during the change.
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A lamp in an exit sign goes out after flooding or after something hit the fitting.
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That normally indicates water or physical damage to the luminaire or its connections.
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An emergency light stops working after other electrical work was done nearby.
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This typically means a fuse, circuit or connection was disturbed during the work.
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Some emergency lights trip after the breaker keeps tripping or there are repeated power cuts.
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That usually points to an intermittent mains issue or a fault that’s been stressing the system.
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Lights come on during a test but won’t stay lit for the required time when you try to run them longer.
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That commonly means the battery isn’t holding charge or hasn’t been recharged properly.
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You find batteries flat or notice lights only work when mains power is on.
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This usually shows the backup batteries are discharged, aged, or not charging.
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You can’t see exit signs or routes clearly during events because temporary signs, stalls or decorations cover them.
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That generally means the emergency lighting layout no longer provides clear routes and needs reassessing for the event.
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After changes to opening hours, staffing or what you store (like alcohol), you feel the escape routes seem inadequate.
- That often indicates the risk profile has changed and the lighting coverage may need updating.
What it costs in Medway
Costs for emergency lighting testing in Medway are quoted after a free survey so we can provide a fixed written price before work starts. Below are our standard charges and what they cover.
| Job | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Labour for fault investigation | £80 per hour | Tracing defects (most found within 1–2 hours), labour |
| Out-of-hours emergency work | £120 per hour (first-hour minimum) | Emergency response outside normal hours, labour for first hour minimum |
Quotes exclude scaffold or access equipment, asbestos removal, DNO supply-upgrade charges, and plaster or decoration making good.
What is involved on the day
On the day, we survey your emergency lighting, agree any required isolation and keep disruption to a minimum. We install or rectify equipment as needed, then test each fitting, indicator and changeover function for safe operation. You’ll receive the relevant test records or certificate, with any remedial costs clearly set out before work proceeds.
Survey and isolation
Before testing begins, we’ll survey the premises to identify the emergency lighting supply, fittings, test switches and any central battery system. We’ll check emergency signage, access routes and areas where a loss of normal lighting could create risk. Circuit mapping confirms which protective devices and supplies serve each fitting, avoiding unnecessary disruption to occupied areas.
We’ll agree a suitable test time with you, particularly where isolation could affect staff, customers or security systems. Live isolation is carried out safely at the relevant circuit or test facility, with controls in place to prevent accidental re-energisation. We’ll verify that normal lighting circuits remain safe and that emergency luminaires transfer correctly. Clear identification at this stage supports efficient fault tracing, reduces repeat visits and helps us quote any remedial work accurately before it starts.
Installation
Once the test plan is agreed, we’ll carry out the required functional or full-duration discharge test from the designated test switch or emergency lighting supply. Before starting, we’ll confirm affected areas, advise occupants and arrange work around your opening hours where practical. We’ll identify fittings, check access equipment requirements and protect finishes in period or listed Medway properties.
If remedial installation is needed, we’ll isolate only the relevant circuit, fit compatible luminaires or components, and maintain safe escape routes throughout. We’ll position emergency signage so it remains visible under loss-of-supply conditions, without obstructing doors or routes. We’ll also confirm suitable battery types for the fitting and environment, as incorrect replacements can reduce duration or service life. You’ll receive a fixed written price before installation starts, covering labour, parts and any certification required.
Testing
With any required installation complete, we’ll carry out the agreed emergency lighting test safely and with minimal disruption to your Medway premises. We’ll notify relevant staff, assess safe access and test fittings in a controlled sequence so escape routes remain protected.
We’ll simulate a mains failure, check that emergency luminaires illuminate, confirm adequate duration where applicable, and inspect chargers, indicator lamps, diffusers and cabling for damage or deterioration. We’ll also check that emergency signage is visible, correctly positioned and illuminated where required.
Any failed unit, degraded battery or defective component will be identified clearly. If battery replacement is needed, we’ll explain the option and provide a fixed written price before proceeding. We’ll keep remedial work proportionate, prioritising life-safety faults and avoiding unnecessary replacement of serviceable equipment.
Certificate
At the end of the test, we’ll record the results in your emergency lighting logbook and issue the appropriate test certificate or report for your Medway premises. We’ll note the test date, duration, fittings checked, defects found, remedial recommendations and whether the system performed as required.
Before leaving, we’ll explain any failed lamps, damaged diffusers, weak batteries, charging faults or inadequate illumination. Where practical, we’ll provide a fixed written price for repairs before work starts, so your bill won’t exceed the quote.
Keep the certificate with your fire-safety records for inspection by your responsible person, insurer or enforcing authority. Our certificate verification process helps confirm the document is complete and traceable. We can also support expiry tracking, helping you schedule monthly functional checks and annual full-duration tests before they become overdue.
Options and what we recommend
We’ll recommend the testing arrangement that matches your premises, occupancy and fire-risk assessment rather than applying a one-size-fits-all schedule. We balance safe escape illumination with disruption, access needs and budget, identifying Battery maintenance or Photometric compliance issues early.
| Premises type | Sensible option | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Small office | Planned functional checks | Combine checks with routine maintenance |
| Shop or salon | Out-of-hours testing | Minimise trading disruption |
| HMO communal areas | Managed test visits | Prioritise escape routes |
| Warehouse | Zoned duration testing | Test sections safely |
| Older building | Survey-led programme | Check ageing fittings and cabling |
For Medway’s older or altered properties, we’ll assess fitting condition, charging indicators, emergency changeover and duration performance. Where access equipment or replacement batteries are needed, we’ll price these separately in writing before work begins. This keeps costs predictable and avoids unnecessary replacement.
Rules and certificates
Emergency-lighting testing should be recorded in your fire-safety logbook, with functional and duration-test results, defects and remedial actions clearly documented. Keeping these records helps demonstrate that faults have been managed and can assist with regulatory compliance and planned maintenance.
Testing alone does not normally produce a Building Regulations certificate. Commonly believed otherwise, this is incorrect: a certificate is only required where the work itself falls within Building Regulations (for example certain new circuits or specified electrical alterations). If we install a new emergency-lighting circuit, replace a consumer unit, or carry out electrical work in a bathroom or other specially regulated location, Part P notification may be required. As NICEIC-approved, Part P-registered electricians, we can self-certify qualifying work and notify Building Control where allowed, which may avoid the need for a separate inspection arranged by the customer.
We issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for new circuits and consumer units; additions to an existing circuit normally receive a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a condition report and not an installation certificate.
Older homes around Medway
Older homes around Medway need particular care when emergency lighting is tested or upgraded. We inspect accessible wiring routes, fittings, protective devices and any local test records held by owners in these Medway areas before recommending replacements.
Period features in Medway properties also influence our installation choices.
For work carried out within Medway borough we provide a fixed written price before work starts, covering the agreed testing, parts, labour and certification for that specific property in Medway.
How long it takes and whether you lose power
Most emergency-lighting functional tests in Medway take around 30–60 minutes for a small premises, while a full-duration discharge test can take several hours because fittings must operate on battery for their rated period, commonly three hours. We’ll assess the number of fittings, circuits and access arrangements beforehand, so you can plan around the testing duration and avoid unnecessary staff disruption.
A brief power interruption may be needed where emergency lights are supplied from the normal lighting circuit, as we simulate mains failure to confirm changeover and battery operation. This is usually controlled and scheduled at a suitable time. We’ll keep essential areas safely lit, record failures clearly and advise on replacements only where needed. Planning tests outside busy periods can reduce operational costs and minimise disruption.