When your building loses power in an emergency — a fire, a storm, a major electrical fault — your exit signs and emergency lights may be the only thing guiding your staff and customers to safety. In that moment, a light that hasn’t been tested, a battery that has silently degraded, or a fitting that has failed unnoticed could have life-or-death consequences.
This is why Australian law mandates regular inspection and testing of all exit and emergency lighting systems in commercial buildings. Here is everything you need to know.
What Are Exit and Emergency Lights?
Exit and emergency lighting systems serve two critical functions in buildings:
Exit lights are the illuminated signs (the green “running man” signs in Australia) that mark designated evacuation routes and exits throughout a building. They must be continuously illuminated during normal operation.
Emergency lights are general illumination fittings that activate automatically when the main power supply fails. They provide enough light for safe evacuation of the building, operating from a battery backup system independent of mains power.
Both types are required in virtually all non-residential buildings in Australia under the Building Code of Australia, and both must be regularly tested to confirm they will function correctly when they are needed.
Is Exit and Emergency Light Testing Mandatory?
Yes. The legal obligation comes from two sources:
1. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) Under the BCA, all buildings required to have emergency lighting must comply with AS 2293.1 (the installation standard for emergency and exit lighting). This standard governs how systems must be designed and installed.
2. AS 2293.2 — Inspection and Maintenance Standard Once installed, emergency lighting systems must be regularly inspected and tested in accordance with AS 2293.2. This is the maintenance standard, and it specifies exactly what testing must be done and how often.
In most states, compliance with AS 2293.2 is also a requirement under Essential Safety Measures (ESM) legislation — the state and territory laws that govern the ongoing maintenance of essential building safety systems.
Failure to comply can result in fines from building regulators, insurance complications, and serious legal liability in the event of an incident where non-compliant emergency lighting contributed to harm.
Who Is Responsible for Exit Light Testing?
Responsibility falls to different parties depending on the building type and occupancy arrangement:
Building owners are responsible for emergency lighting in common areas — corridors, stairwells, foyers, car parks — and for the overall building system.
Tenants and business occupiers are responsible under their WHS duty of care for emergency lighting within their own leased areas. Under the WHS Act, all employers must ensure a safe workplace — and that includes functioning emergency lighting.
Facilities managers typically coordinate compliance testing on behalf of building owners or employers across large or complex buildings.
In multi-tenancy buildings, responsibilities should be clearly defined in the lease agreement. If yours isn’t, clarify it now — not after an incident.
How Often Must Exit and Emergency Lights Be Tested?
Under AS 2293.2, exit and emergency lighting systems must be tested according to the following schedule:
Every 6 months — Discharge Test (mandatory) The main test required under AS 2293.2 is a full discharge test, conducted every 6 months. During this test, the mains power supply to the system is interrupted (simulating a power failure) and the lights are confirmed to activate and operate under battery power for their full rated duration — typically 90 minutes for most systems.
This is not a quick visual check. It is a live test that puts real stress on the battery and the system, confirming it will perform in an actual emergency.
Monthly — Visual Inspection (recommended) Monthly visual inspections are recommended to check that indicator lights and charge status indicators are functioning normally. These do not replace the 6-monthly discharge test.
After any repair or modification Any time a light fitting is repaired, replaced or the system is modified, a test must be conducted before the system is returned to service.
What Does an ATS Exit Light Test Actually Include?
When an ATS technician visits your premises for exit and emergency light testing, the service includes:
- Full discharge test — mains power to the system is interrupted and every fitting is confirmed to activate and run for its rated duration
- Lamp and tube replacement — any failed lamps, tubes or starters identified during testing are replaced on the spot
- Diffuser cleaning — light covers and diffusers are cleaned to maintain light output levels
- Fault identification — every fault found is documented clearly with a recommended rectification action
- On-site repairs — where repairs can be completed during the visit, ATS technicians will do so
- Compliance documentation — at the conclusion of every test, ATS provides an online compliance certificate and an electronic logbook entry, satisfying all Essential Safety Measures documentation requirements
All documentation is stored digitally and accessible through ATS’s AIM Portal, making compliance management simple for both single-site and multi-site businesses.
What Buildings Need Exit and Emergency Light Testing?
Exit and emergency lighting testing is required in virtually all non-residential buildings in Australia, including:
- Commercial offices of all sizes
- Retail stores and shopping centres
- Warehouses and industrial facilities
- Aged care facilities and hospitals
- Schools, universities and childcare centres
- Hotels, restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues
- Government buildings and council facilities
- Multi-unit residential buildings (common areas)
- Any building with an emergency lighting system installed
As a rule of thumb: if your building has emergency lights installed, they must be tested.
What Happens If an Emergency Light Fails Its Test?
If an exit or emergency light fails during testing, ATS will document the fault clearly in your compliance report and advise on the required repair or replacement. Many faults — failed lamps, depleted batteries, minor wiring issues — can be rectified on the same visit. More significant repairs will be documented with a recommended timeframe for rectification.
It is important that failed fittings are repaired promptly — leaving non-compliant emergency lighting in place after a documented fault increases your legal exposure significantly.
ATS — National Emergency Light Testing
Appliance Tagging Services provides exit and emergency light testing nationally across Australia — NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT and NT. Our automated reminder service ensures your 6-monthly testing is never missed. All compliance documentation is managed digitally.Call 1300 287 669 or get a free quote online.