Exit and emergency light testing to ensure safe evacuation in power failures.
Emergency Lighting Testing
Overview
Emergency & Exit Light Compliance Testing
Emergency lighting testing verifies that exit signs and emergency lights function correctly during power failures, providing safe evacuation pathways for building occupants. Under AS/NZS 2293, all eme...
- Emergency lighting is critical for safe building evacuation during power failures, fires, and other emergencies — non-functional lights can lead to injuries, panic, and failed evacuations.
- AS/NZS 2293 requires regular testing of all emergency lighting systems. Building owners, managers, and PCBUs have a legal obligation to maintain emergency lighting in working order.
- Batteries degrade over time and may fail to provide the required 90-minute backup duration — regular testing identifies units that need battery replacement before they fail in an emergency.
- WorkSafe NZ and fire inspectors can request documented evidence of emergency lighting testing at any time.
Emergency Light Test
Battery backup: OK
Function Test
PASSDuration Test
PASSExit Signs
PASSBattery Check
PASSWhy It Matters
Why Emergency Lighting Testing matters
Emergency lighting is critical for safe building evacuation during power failures, fires, and other emergencies — non-functional lights can lead to injuries, panic, and failed evacuations.
AS/NZS 2293 requires regular testing of all emergency lighting systems. Building owners, managers, and PCBUs have a legal obligation to maintain emergency lighting in working order.
Batteries degrade over time and may fail to provide the required 90-minute backup duration — regular testing identifies units that need battery replacement before they fail in an emergency.
WorkSafe NZ and fire inspectors can request documented evidence of emergency lighting testing at any time.
Common Issues
Common Emergency Lighting Testing faults
Dead or degraded battery
Emergency light fails to activate during power failure, leaving escape routes in darkness.
Battery replaced and unit retested to confirm 90-minute duration compliance.
Dim or inadequate illumination
Insufficient light output for safe evacuation — occupants may not be able to see escape routes clearly.
Unit cleaned, lamp replaced, or entire unit replaced if beyond economic repair.
Faulty sensor or control circuit
Unit does not activate when mains power is lost, despite having a charged battery.
Sensor or control circuit board repaired or replaced by a qualified technician.
Damaged or obscured exit sign
Exit sign not visible to building occupants during an emergency evacuation.
Sign repositioned, cleaned, or replaced to ensure clear visibility from all approach angles.
Testing Frequency
How often should you test?
Inspection & Testing Intervals
Recommended inspection and testing frequencies based on AS/NZS 3760 for different workplace environments and equipment types.
Caution
This information should be read together with the AS/NZS 3760 standard as a whole, particularly Clause 2.1. Inspection intervals vary depending on equipment type and operating environment.
| Type of environment and/or equipment (a) | Equipment including Class I equipment, Class II equipment, cord sets, cord extension sets and EPOD’s (b) | Interval between inspection and tests | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residual Current Devices (RCD’s) | |||||
| Push Button test by user | Operating time and push-button test | ||||
| Portable (c) | Fixed (d) | Portable (e) | Fixed (f) | ||
1. Factories, workshops, places of work or repair manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication | 6 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
2. Environment where the equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing in normal use OR is open to abuse OR is in a hostile environment | 12 months | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
3. Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use and is NOT open to abuse and is NOT in a hostile environment | 5 years | 3 months | 6 months | 2 years | 2 years |
4. Residential type areas of hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels, accommodation houses, and the like | 2 years | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years | 2 years |
5. Equipment used for commercial cleaning | 6 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer | NA | 6 months | NA |
6. Hire Equipment Inspection | Prior to hire | Including push-button test by hirer prior to hire | NA | NA | NA |
Test and Tag | 3 months | NA | NA | 3 months | 12 months |
7. Repaired, serviced and second-hand equipment | After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on reintroduction to service, refer to AS/NZS 5762 | ||||
1Factories, workshops, places of work or repair manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication
2Environment where the equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing in normal use OR is open to abuse OR is in a hostile environment
3Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use and is NOT open to abuse and is NOT in a hostile environment
4Residential type areas of hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels, accommodation houses, and the like
5Equipment used for commercial cleaning
6Hire Equipment
Inspection
Test and Tag
7Repaired, serviced and second-hand equipment
After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on reintroduction to service, refer to AS/NZS 5762
Important Note
Inspection frequencies depend on equipment type, condition, and working environment. Hostile environments require more frequent inspection and testing. Always refer to AS/NZS 3760 or contact our team if you are unsure which interval applies to your workplace.
Our Process
How Emergency Lighting Testing works
Our streamlined process ensures every emergency lighting testing engagement is efficient, thorough, and fully documented.
Building Survey
All emergency lights and exit signs are identified, mapped, and recorded with their locations throughout the building — including corridors, stairwells, exits, and open areas.
Function Test
Mains power is interrupted to each emergency lighting circuit to verify that every unit activates immediately and provides adequate illumination along escape routes.
Duration Test
For annual tests, emergency lights are left running on battery backup to confirm they maintain the required minimum 90-minute illumination duration.
Exit Sign Check
All exit signs are tested for visibility, correct placement, illumination quality, and operational status. Signs that are damaged, obscured, or poorly positioned are flagged.
Results & Reporting
Complete test report with locations, pass/fail status, battery condition assessments, and recommendations for remedial work delivered within 24 hours.
What's Tested
Emergency Lighting Testing checklist
Function Test
Monthly test to verify emergency lights activate immediately when mains power is interrupted and provide adequate illumination along escape routes.
Duration Test
Annual test confirming all emergency lights maintain illumination for the required minimum 90 minutes on battery backup.
Exit Sign Inspection
Visual inspection and testing of all exit signs for visibility, correct placement, illumination, and operational status.
Battery Assessment
Assessment of battery charge capacity, condition, and replacement schedule for all emergency lighting units.
Reporting
Complete documentation of all test results with locations, pass/fail status, battery condition, and recommendations for remedial work.
What You Receive
What you receive
Emergency Lighting Test Report
Detailed report documenting every emergency light and exit sign with test results, locations, battery condition, and pass/fail status.
Compliance Certificate
Formal certificate confirming emergency lighting meets AS/NZS 2293 requirements, suitable for regulatory submissions and building warrant of fitness.
Maintenance Schedule
Recommended schedule for monthly function tests and annual duration tests, with automated reminders for upcoming tests.
Benefits
Why choose our emergency lighting testing service
Life Safety
Functional emergency lighting is critical for safe building evacuation during power failures.
AS/NZS 2293 Compliant
Full compliance with the New Zealand standard for emergency escape lighting.
Complete Building Coverage
Every exit sign and emergency light tested, documented, and tracked in your compliance system.
Scheduled Reminders
Automated reminders for monthly function tests and annual duration tests.
Industries We Serve
Trusted across New Zealand's key industries
FAQ
Emergency Lighting Testing FAQ
Related Services
Explore our other electrical testing services
Ready to Get Started?
Get a fast, obligation-free quote from New Zealand's trusted Test & Tag specialists.