Emergency lighting is a legal requirement in almost every commercial and industrial building across the UK. Its role is simple but important. It provides safe light when normal lighting fails. This helps people evacuate quickly and safely.
However, even with clear rules in UK law and British Standards, emergency lighting failures are still a common problem. Inspectors often find them during fire risk assessments and building inspections.
Based on Eco Lighting’s experience with industrial emergency lighting in the UK, we notice the same mistakes often. This happens in buildings that owners think are already compliant.
This article looks at the five most common mistakes in emergency lighting. It explains how businesses can avoid these mistakes. Better design, installation, inspection, and long-term planning are key.
Inadequate Emergency Lighting Design For Industrial & Commercial Spaces
Emergency lighting design is frequently misunderstood. Many systems are installed without a proper lighting calculation or understanding of how people will move through a building during an emergency.
In industrial environments such as warehouses, manufacturing plants and logistics hubs:
- Long travel distances increase evacuation risk
- Obstructions and racking can block light distribution
- Machinery creates additional hazards during power loss
Poor design often results in dark patches along escape routes, insufficient illumination at exits, and no provision for open areas.
What UK regulations require, under BS 5266-1, emergency lighting must:
- Clearly illuminate all escape routes
- Highlight fire exits and changes in direction
- Provide sufficient lux levels in open areas and high-risk task zones
How to avoid this mistake: A compliant solution starts with a professional survey and lighting design.
- A full site assessment aligned with your fire risk assessment
- Lux-level calculations, not assumptions
- Design tailored specifically to industrial use rather than office standards
This approach ensures emergency lighting performs as intended, not just on paper, but during a real emergency.
Emergency Lighting Installation That No Longer Meets Current Standards
Buildings evolve, but emergency lighting systems often do not. Layout changes, extensions, new machinery and altered occupancy levels can all render an older installation non-compliant.
Common installation failures we see
- Emergency fittings obstructed by new structures or racking
- Exit signage no longer visible from all directions
- Incorrect spacing due to ceiling height changes
In many cases, the original emergency lighting installation UK was compliant at the time but hasn’t been reviewed for years.
To remain compliant in 2026:
- Emergency lighting should be reviewed after any layout or usage change
- Installations must reflect the current fire strategy, not historic plans
- All work should be carried out by qualified professionals familiar with commercial and industrial regulations
Modern LED emergency systems also offer improved reliability and longer service life, making upgrades a smart long-term investment.
Inconsistent Emergency Lighting Inspection & Poor Record Keeping
Emergency lighting inspection is a legal requirement. However, people often ignore it, especially in large industrial buildings. Manual testing can be disruptive in these settings.
UK guidance requires:
- Monthly functional tests to ensure fittings operate during power loss
- Annual full-duration tests (typically 3 hours)
- A clearly maintained emergency lighting logbook
Missing records can result in enforcement action, invalid insurance, or prosecution following an incident.
How businesses can improve compliance: Eco Lighting increasingly recommends:
- Automatic self-testing emergency luminaires
- Central monitoring systems for large sites
- Outsourced maintenance contracts for peace of mind
These solutions reduce human error and ensure inspections are consistent, documented and audit ready.
Selecting Emergency Lighting That Is Not Suitable For Industrial Conditions
Industrial environments place far greater demands on emergency lighting systems than typical commercial spaces.
Typical mismatches include
- Low IP-rated fittings used in dusty or damp areas
- Battery systems unable to cope with low temperatures
- Inadequate light output for high ceilings and wide open spaces
These issues often lead to premature failure and unreliable operation when emergency lighting is needed most.
How to choose the right solution: A suitable industrial emergency lighting system should:
- Match environmental conditions (temperature, moisture, dust)
- Provide the correct emergency duration
- Be robust, accessible for maintenance, and future-proofed
Eco Lighting specifies emergency lighting designed for real-world industrial conditions, not just theoretical compliance.
Failing to Treat Emergency Lighting As A Critical Life Safety System
Perhaps the most overlooked mistake is the belief that emergency lighting is a “set and forget” installation. It requires the same attention as fire alarms or suppression systems.
Risks of neglect
- Battery degradation leading to complete failure
- Non-compliance discovered during inspections
- Increased liability for duty holders and building owners
Emergency lighting is a key component of a building’s overall fire safety strategy.
To avoid future failures:
- Schedule planned inspections and component replacement
- Align emergency lighting reviews with fire risk assessments
- Keep documentation accessible and up to date
A proactive maintenance strategy significantly reduces risk and long-term costs.
Emergency Lighting Compliance in 2026: What Building Owners Need to Know
Enforcement of commercial emergency lighting regulations continues to tighten across the UK. Inspectors increasingly expect:
- Evidence-based design decisions
- Accurate testing records
- Systems that reflect actual building use
For industrial and commercial facilities, compliance is no longer optional, it’s a legal and moral responsibility.
Why Choose Eco Lighting?
With extensive experience in emergency lighting installation UK, inspection and maintenance, Eco Lighting supports businesses across the UK with:
- Fully compliant industrial emergency lighting design
- Professional installation and upgrades
- Ongoing inspection and testing services
If you are not sure if your system meets current standards, a professional assessment can help. This can prevent costly issues later. Contact Eco Lighting UK today.