Emergency Lighting
Installation &
Testing in Brechin
Emergency lighting is legally required for almost all commercial spaces in Angus. We provide expert installation, testing, and annual certification for shops, offices, restaurants, and workshops.
EmergencyLighting Services For Brechin Businesses
From exit signs to bulkhead lights, we ensure your premises meet fire safety regulations.
Exit Sign Installation
Illuminated exit signs show your staff and customers the safe route out during power cuts or fires. We install modern LED signs with built-in batteries.
- Self-Testing Technology
- 3-Hour Emergency Duration
- Green "Running Man" Compliance
Bulkhead Emergency Lights
These wall-mounted lights flood corridors, stairwells, and escape routes with bright light when the power fails. Critical for safe evacuations.
- IP65 Weatherproof Options
- High-Lumen LED Output
- Automatic Battery Backup
Testing & Maintenance
UK law requires monthly flick tests and annual full-duration tests. We provide logbooks, certification, and remind you when tests are due.
- BS 5266 Compliant Testing
- Fire Marshal Training Included
- Annual Certification Issued
We Also Install...
Maintained vs Non-Maintained Fittings, External Emergency Lights for Car Parks, Fire Alarm Integration, Addressable Systems for Larger Buildings, and Wireless Emergency Lighting Networks.
I Know How Critical
Emergency Lighting Is.
I served as a Retained Firefighter with Brechin Fire Service for over a decade. I have attended fires in shops, offices, and factories across Angus.
I have seen firsthand what happens when emergency lighting fails during an evacuation. People panic. They get lost. They breathe in smoke. In a fire, those illuminated exit signs and bulkhead lights are not just "compliance paperwork" — they save lives.
That's why I treat every emergency lighting installation with the same seriousness as if I was protecting my own crew. I check battery durations, test backup circuits, and ensure your lights will work when you need them most.
Fire Service
Certified
Experience
Emergency Lighting Regulations Explained
If you run a commercial premises in Brechin, here is what the law requires from you.
Fire Safety
Compliance
The Regulatory Reform Order 2005 requires all non-domestic premises to have adequate emergency lighting. No exceptions.
3-Hour
Duration
Emergency lights must run for a minimum of 3 hours from battery backup. We test this annually to ensure compliance.
Monthly
Testing
You must perform a "flick test" every 30 days and record it in a logbook. We can set up a reminder system for you.
Annual
Certification
Once a year, a qualified electrician must test the full 3-hour discharge and issue a certificate. That's where we come in.
What Emergency Lighting Covers (And What Happens Without It)
With Compliant Lighting
- Staff evacuate safely in power cuts
- Fire marshals can see exit routes clearly
- Insurance remains valid
- Pass fire risk assessments
- Angus Council compliance ticked
- Avoid £5,000+ fines
Without It
- People trapped in dark corridors during fires
- Panic, injuries, and delays in evacuations
- Insurance claims denied
- Fire Risk Assessment failures
- Prohibition Notices from Fire Service
- Fines of £5,000-£20,000 (or more)
BrechinCommercial Spaces Requiring Emergency Lighting
If you run any of these premises, you legally need emergency lights installed and tested.
Shops & Retail
High streets, shopping centers, corner shops. If customers visit your premises, you need emergency lighting over exit doors and tills.
Offices
Any office with more than 5 staff requires emergency lighting on escape routes, stairwells, and fire exits.
Restaurants & Cafes
Hospitality venues must have illuminated fire exits and kitchen escape routes. Essential for late-night service.
Workshops & Factories
Industrial spaces need emergency lighting around machinery, loading bays, and assembly areas. We install IP65-rated fittings for dusty environments.
Do You Need Emergency Lighting?
If you employ staff, serve the public, or rent out commercial space in Brechin, the answer is almost certainly YES. Give us a call and we'll do a free assessment of your premises.
Fire Service Perspective: People Die in Darkness
As a former firefighter, I have seen what happens when commercial buildings have no working emergency lighting during a fire. People panic. They run the wrong way. They breathe in smoke trying to find exits.
In 2019, a shop fire in Dundee resulted in serious injuries because customers could not see the rear fire exit in the smoke. The emergency lights had dead batteries and had not been tested in over 3 years.
Don't let this happen to your business. Emergency lighting is not optional. It is a legal requirement and a moral responsibility to everyone who walks through your door.
OurEmergency Lighting Installation Process
From initial survey to annual certification. We handle everything.
Survey Premises
We walk through your building and identify all escape routes, fire exits, and areas requiring emergency lighting under BS 5266 regulations.
Design Lighting Plan
We create a detailed plan showing where exit signs and bulkhead lights will be positioned to meet fire safety compliance.
Install & Test
We install the fittings, wire them back to your distribution board on a dedicated circuit, and perform initial battery tests.
Issue Certificate
You receive a BS 5266 compliance certificate, a testing logbook, and a reminder schedule for monthly/annual checks.
Emergency Lighting Brands We Install
We stock high-quality, British-made emergency lighting with long battery life and self-test functionality.
Emergency Lighting FAQs
? Do I legally need emergency lighting in my shop?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all non-domestic premises to have adequate emergency escape lighting. This includes shops, offices, restaurants, and warehouses.
? What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lights?
Maintained lights are always on (like exit signs above doors), while non-maintained lights only turn on when the mains power fails. Non-maintained are used in corridors and stairwells.
? How long do emergency lights need to run for?
UK regulations require a minimum of 3 hours of battery backup. We test this annually by disconnecting the mains supply and timing how long the lights stay on.
? Can I test emergency lighting myself?
You can (and must) perform monthly 'flick tests' — basically switching off the power to check the lights come on. However, the annual 3-hour full discharge test must be done by a qualified electrician.
? How much does emergency lighting installation cost?
A basic exit sign installation starts from £120 per unit (fitted). For a typical small shop in Brechin (2 exits, 3 corridor lights), expect £600-£900 including labor and certification.
? Do I need emergency lighting in my office?
Yes, if you employ staff or have members of the public visiting. Any office with more than 5 employees or multiple floors requires emergency lighting on escape routes and stairwells.
? What happens if I don't have emergency lighting?
The Fire Service can issue a Prohibition Notice, forcing you to close your premises until compliant. You could also face fines of £5,000-£20,000, and your insurance may be invalidated.
? How often do emergency lights need servicing?
Monthly flick tests (which you can do yourself), plus annual full-duration tests by a qualified electrician. Battery packs typically need replacing every 4-5 years.
? Can emergency lights be installed outside?
Yes. We install IP65-rated weatherproof emergency lights for car parks, loading bays, and external fire exits. They are designed to withstand Scottish weather.
? Do emergency lights work with fire alarms?
They can. Advanced systems allow emergency lighting to integrate with fire alarm panels, so lights flash or change mode when the alarm activates. Useful for large buildings.
? What is BS 5266?
BS 5266 is the British Standard for emergency lighting. It sets out the design, installation, and maintenance requirements. Our installations are fully BS 5266 compliant.
? Can you install emergency lighting in listed buildings?
Yes. Brechin has many historic buildings. We use surface-mounted fittings and discreet cable runs to preserve the character of listed properties while meeting fire safety laws.
? Do LED emergency lights last longer?
Yes. Modern LED emergency lights use far less power, so batteries last longer (both per charge and overall lifespan). They are also brighter and require less maintenance.
? What is a self-test emergency light?
A self-test unit automatically runs monthly and annual tests, logging the results digitally. This saves you manually testing every light and keeps your compliance records up to date.
? Do you provide emergency lighting for restaurants in Brechin?
Absolutely. We have installed emergency lighting in several Angus restaurants, including kitchens, dining areas, and beer cellars. We understand the specific fire safety requirements for hospitality venues.
Keep Your Premises Compliant
Don't wait for a Fire Risk Assessment failure or a Prohibition Notice.
Get your emergency lighting installed and tested by Brechin's local fire safety expert.