Emergency and exit lights sit quietly in the ceiling for years and only matter for a few minutes when the power fails. That’s exactly why they need regular testing. A fitting that looks fine with mains power on can have a flat battery or a failed lamp, and you won’t know until someone needs it to find their way out in the dark.
What AS/NZS 2293 covers
AS/NZS 2293 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for emergency lighting and exit signs in buildings. Part 1 deals with system design and installation. Part 2 covers inspection and maintenance, which is the part building owners and facility managers deal with day to day.
The broad idea is simple. Emergency lighting must come on automatically when normal lighting fails, stay on long enough for people to leave safely, and be checked on a regular schedule so faults are found and fixed. Exit signs must stay illuminated and visible so people can find the way out.
The six-monthly discharge test
Routine testing under AS/NZS 2293.2 is generally carried out every six months. The core of it is a discharge test: the normal supply to the emergency fittings is interrupted and each fitting has to run on its battery for the required duration. At the end of the test, each fitting is checked to confirm it’s still lit.
Fittings that fail are recorded, and the fault is repaired. Common repairs include replacing batteries, lamps or LED drivers, or replacing the whole fitting when it’s old or no longer supported. Once repaired, the fitting should be retested so the record shows it’s back in service.
Alongside the discharge test, the technician checks that fittings are clean, secure, undamaged and correctly positioned, and that exit signs are visible and not blocked by shelving, signage or new partitions.
Why the logbook matters
AS/NZS 2293.2 requires records of testing and maintenance to be kept, usually in a logbook kept on site. The logbook shows which fittings were tested, when, the result, and what repairs were done.
In Queensland, emergency lighting also forms part of a building’s fire safety installations, and owners and occupiers have maintenance obligations under the relevant building fire safety rules. Fire safety auditors, insurers and building certifiers will often ask to see the logbook. A gap in the records is a problem even if the lights were working, because there’s no way to prove it.
We recommend the logbook includes a simple schedule of fittings, ideally with a number on each fitting that matches a floor plan. That way, when the report says fitting 14 failed, anyone can walk straight to it.
What commonly fails
From the testing we do across commercial buildings, strata complexes and retail sites, the usual problems are:
- Batteries that have reached the end of their life, particularly in fittings exposed to heat in ceilings or plant rooms
- Older fluorescent emergency fittings with failed tubes or ballasts
- Fittings damaged by cleaners, forklifts or storage stacked too close
- Exit signs blocked or no longer pointing the right way after a fit-out
- Circuits wired so the emergency fittings don’t actually see a power failure when the local lighting circuit trips
On the Gold Coast, salt air and humidity also take a toll on fittings in car parks, stairwells and external walkways. Corroded terminals and moisture in fittings are common in older coastal buildings.
Upgrading to LED emergency fittings
Many buildings still run older fluorescent emergency lights. Replacing them with LED fittings typically reduces maintenance, since LED sources last much longer and modern batteries are better suited to the job. Some LED fittings also support self-testing or monitored systems, which can automatically run discharge tests and log results.
Self-test and monitored systems don’t remove the need for inspection and record keeping, but they can make the process more reliable across large sites. If a building has a mix of old and new fittings, it can be worth replacing them in stages as they fail. Our emergency and exit lighting service covers testing, repairs and staged upgrades.
After a fit-out or renovation
Every time internal walls change, the emergency lighting layout needs another look. New offices, meeting rooms, storerooms or a changed corridor can leave areas without coverage or put an exit sign out of sight. New fittings installed as part of a commercial fit-out should be tested and recorded before the space is occupied, and added to the building’s logbook.
Who can do the testing
Testing emergency lighting involves isolating circuits and working on electrical fittings, so repairs must be done by a licensed electrician. We carry out the six-monthly tests, repair or replace failed fittings on the spot where we can, and update the logbook so the records are complete.
For facility managers with multiple sites or buildings, it usually works best to fold emergency lighting into a broader maintenance contract, so testing happens on schedule without anyone having to remember to book it. Strata managers can do the same for common property, which we cover in our strata electrical maintenance guide.
Where to check your obligations
This article is general guidance. The exact requirements for your building depend on its classification, age and approvals. Check the current edition of AS/NZS 2293.2 and your building’s fire safety documentation, and talk to your certifier or fire safety adviser if you’re unsure. If you want a starting point, we can inspect the existing fittings and give you a written report on what’s there and what needs attention.
Safety note: electrical work in Queensland and NSW must be done by a licensed electrician. This article is general information, not advice for your specific property. If something looks or smells wrong, switch off at the main switch if it’s safe to do so and call an electrician.