Emergency Light Testing Requirements

Emergency light testing is important to fire code compliance and the safety of building occupants. There are a number of components of emergency lights that can be tested. Monthly and yearly emergency light testing is required by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as well as state and federal fire and building code regulations.

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The main emergency lights components tested are the battery backup system and lamp heads. Emergency lights feature a push button that allows for simple testing of the lamps and battery. Simply press in the test button to cut off AC power and test the capability of the emergency light battery. For the monthly test, press and hold the button for 90 seconds. For the yearly test, press and hold the button in for 90 minutes.

Browse Our Most Popular Emergency Light Batteries

90 minutes can seem like a long time to test an emergency light, but in fact it is the length to which emergency lights are tested at the factory and by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) before they are available for purchase in the United States. UL 924 Listed emergency lights come right from the factory with a battery backup system that will operate the two emergency lamp heads for at least 90 minutes after charging for 24 hours.

The Different Types of Emergency Lights Available Today

Thermoplastic emergency lights are an affordable replacement solution for old, non-functioning emergency lights.

If installing a new emergency lighting system or retrofitting an older one, consider installing self-testing emergency lights. Self-testing models eliminate the need for a human to perform monthly and yearly emergency light tests. These models automatically perform the monthly and yearly test and display the results in a series of LED lights. A legend which allows the end user to decipher test results makes diagnosing any potential problem simple. The different color and pattern of the LED lights on the emergency light will indicate if the problem is a low battery charge, malfunctioning circuit board, or other problem.

Browse Our Most Affordable Emergency Lights

Larger emergency lighting systems feature infrared self-testing. Infrared self-testing emergency lights feature automatic testing but results are recorded onto an infrared remote. The emergency light test results can then be downloaded onto a computer for tracking and analysis. Infrared testing is offered on higher end steel emergency lights. Commercial heavy duty models and architectural recessed models feature infrared self testing as an option.

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All emergency lights feature a simple push button for easy testing of the battery backup system. OSHA requries monthly and yearly tests.

If the emergency light is properly tested and the battery fails to illuminate the lamp heads for the required amount of time, a replacement emergency light battery will be needed. Disconnect AC power and then remove the housing of the emergency light. Disconnect the battery from the circuit board and gently remove it from the unit. Make sure to note the type (Sealed Lead Acid or Nickel Cadmium) of the emergency light battery as well as the voltage and amperage. This data will help to make sure the correct replacement battery is purchased.

Importance of Emergency Light Testing

Emergency light testing is important to life safety and is required by state and federal building code regulations. Emergency light testing is easier than you might think. Most people would think that to perform emergency light testing you have to manually press in the test button of each emergency light. This is an option, but since requirements state that you must test emergency lights for 90 minutes annually, you will not want to do this because it would take forever! Instead, turn off the power to the circuit to which the emergency lights are connected, and your emergency lights will automatically come on. Walk around your facility and observe them. If some emerrgency lights do not pass the test and operate for less than 90 minutes, you will want to get new emergency light batteries.

If the emergency lights you are testing do not come on at all, you will want to replace them instead of buying new batteries. This is because you cannot be sure of why the emergency light is not working and the cost for a new plastic emergency light is only about $4 more than a new battery, plus it comes with a five year warranty. Call us today at 800-480-0707 to learn more about emergency lights testing.

Outcomes of Emergency Light Testing

If, when you press the test button, one of the unit's lamp heads does not illuminate correctly a new light bulb will be needed. Emergency lamp bulbs come in 6, 12, and 24 volts. The voltage of the battery within the emergency light will match the voltage of the emergency light bulb. Replacement emergency light bulbs are available and easy to install

If the emergency light testing procedures are completed successfully then your unit is operable and code compliant. If the battery seems to be operable, but emergency lamps do not illuminate there could potentially be a problem with the circuit board or transformer inside the housing of the emergency light. Call us now or email the production team for help with emergency light testing, replacement batteries, or to purchase a new unit. Quotes and invoices are promptly prepared.