How often does emergency lighting need to be tested in Australia?

Under AS 2293, emergency and exit lighting must be tested every 6 months. This includes a functional test (checking the light activates on simulated power failure) and a battery duration test. Annual testing must also include a full 90-minute battery discharge test.

What happens if emergency lighting fails a test?

Failed emergency lights are tagged as non-compliant and must be taken out of service or repaired immediately. Common failures include dead batteries, failed lamps, and units that don't activate on power failure. We identify all failures and advise on repair or replacement.

Who is responsible for emergency lighting compliance in a commercial building?

The building owner or occupier is responsible for ensuring emergency lighting is maintained and tested to AS 2293. In leased premises, this is typically the building owner or facilities manager — though tenants should confirm their obligations in their lease agreement.

Emergency Exit Light Testing Requirements in Australia

Emergency and exit lighting is one of the most commonly overlooked compliance items in Australian workplaces. Unlike fire extinguishers — which are visible and easy to check — emergency lights often sit unnoticed on walls and ceilings until a fire alarm goes off and they fail to illuminate.

At Rapid Test & Tag, emergency exit light failures are one of the most common issues we find during fire safety inspections across Sydney. Here's what you need to know.

What Standard Covers Emergency Lighting in Australia?

Emergency and exit lighting in Australia is governed by AS 2293 — Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings. This standard covers:

Design and installation requirements for emergency lighting systems
Performance requirements (minimum illumination levels, battery duration)
Routine inspection and testing intervals
Maintenance and record-keeping obligations

Building owners and occupiers in NSW have a legal obligation to maintain emergency lighting to AS 2293 under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the Building Code of Australia.

How Often Does Emergency Lighting Need to Be Tested?

AS 2293 specifies a tiered testing schedule:

Test TypeFrequencyWhat It Checks

Functional testEvery 6 monthsLight activates on simulated power failure

Battery duration testEvery 6 monthsBattery holds charge for required duration

Full discharge testAnnually90-minute full battery discharge to AS 2293

Visual inspectionEvery 6 monthsLamp condition, damage, accessibility

Important: The 6-monthly testing requirement aligns with fire extinguisher inspection schedules under AS 1851. Most Sydney businesses bundle both in a single visit to minimise disruption.

What Does an Emergency Light Test Involve?

During a routine 6-monthly emergency lighting inspection, we check the following for every unit:

Activation test: We simulate a mains power failure to confirm the light activates automatically.
Battery condition: We check the battery holds sufficient charge to power the light for the required duration.
Lamp and LED condition: We inspect all lamps and LED arrays for failures, dimming, or physical damage.
Exit sign visibility: We verify exit signs are clearly visible, correctly oriented, and unobstructed.
Mounting and accessibility: We check units are securely mounted and accessible for maintenance.
Compliance tagging: Every unit is tagged with the test date and next inspection due date.

The Most Common Emergency Lighting Failures We Find

Based on our inspections across Sydney, these are the most frequent issues:

Dead or degraded batteries — the most common failure, especially in units over 3 years old
Failed lamps or LEDs — the unit activates but provides no useful illumination
Units that don't activate on simulated power failure — often due to wiring faults
Exit signs with missing or damaged diffusers — reducing visibility
Units that have been painted over during renovations — blocking light output
Spitfire LED units with expired test tags — often missed in routine maintenance

What Happens If Emergency Lighting Fails Inspection?

Failed units are tagged as non-compliant and must be repaired or replaced before your next fire safety audit. In the event of a fire or emergency, non-compliant emergency lighting could contribute to injuries — and expose the building owner or occupier to significant liability.

We can supply and install replacement units on the spot or at a follow-up visit. We stock Spitfire LED emergency lights — a reliable, widely-used unit that meets AS 2293 requirements.

Bundle Emergency Lighting with Your Fire Safety Inspection

Emergency lighting testing is included in our comprehensive fire safety inspection service. We test emergency lights alongside fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and evacuation diagrams — all in a single visit.

Most Sydney businesses also combine fire safety with electrical test and tag in the same appointment. One provider, one visit, one set of compliance certificates.