Emergency Lighting Logbook | BS 5266-1:2025 Compliant | Max 324 Devices

FAQs

What is BS 5266-1:2025 and why is compliance important?

BS 5266-1:2025 is the British Standard code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises. It provides the minimum benchmark for emergency lighting systems in the UK, covering design, installation, testing and maintenance requirements. Compliance is important because under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person has a legal duty to ensure all fire safety equipment, including emergency lighting, is properly maintained. Using a BS 5266-1:2025 compliant logbook helps demonstrate that you are meeting these legal obligations and following recognized best practice.

How many emergency lighting devices can this logbook accommodate?

This logbook is designed to record information for premises with up to 324 emergency lighting devices. This includes luminaires, emergency exit signs, and associated test switches. The logbook provides sufficient pages for daily and monthly test records for this number of devices, making it suitable for medium to large commercial, industrial, or public buildings with substantial emergency lighting installations.

What is the Agreed Variations section included in the 2025 edition?

The Agreed Variations section is a newly required component in BS 5266-1:2025 that allows for documented agreement between relevant parties where the emergency lighting installation deviates from the standard recommendations. This might include situations where physical constraints, operational requirements, or existing building features necessitate alternative solutions. Having this section in the logbook ensures you can properly document and justify any variations from the standard, maintaining compliance while acknowledging practical installation realities.

Who is the “Responsible Person” and what are their duties regarding emergency lighting?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person is typically the employer, building owner, landlord, or managing agent who has control over the premises. Their duties include conducting fire risk assessments and ensuring all fire safety equipment, including emergency lighting systems, is properly installed, maintained, and tested. This logbook supports these duties by providing a comprehensive system for recording all maintenance activities, test results, and service visits, creating a complete audit trail that demonstrates ongoing compliance.

What types of test records are included in this logbook?

The logbook includes both daily and monthly test record sheets. Daily tests typically involve a brief functional check to ensure emergency lights are present and appear operational. Monthly tests involve activating the emergency lighting system to verify each luminaire illuminates correctly when mains power is simulated as failed. The logbook provides structured pages to record the results of both types of testing for up to 324 devices, along with space to note any faults, actions taken, and follow-up required.

Can this logbook be used for all types of buildings?

Yes, this logbook is suitable for any premises that requires emergency lighting and has up to 324 devices. This includes commercial offices, retail premises, industrial facilities, warehouses, educational establishments, healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, hotels, and public buildings. Any building where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies and emergency lighting is installed can use this logbook to maintain comprehensive records and demonstrate compliance with BS 5266-1:2025 standards.

What information about luminaire locations does the logbook record?

The logbook includes dedicated sections for documenting the precise locations of all emergency luminaires and test switches throughout the premises. This typically includes room names or numbers, floor levels, specific positions within spaces, and reference to building plans where available. Having this information clearly recorded makes it easier to conduct systematic testing, identify specific devices when faults occur, plan maintenance schedules, and ensure complete coverage during inspections or audits.

How does this logbook help with fire safety officer visits and inspections?

The logbook includes dedicated fire safety officer visit logs where you can record dates of inspections, the officer’s name and organization, findings from their inspection, any recommendations or requirements they specify, and actions taken in response. This creates a complete audit trail of regulatory inspections and demonstrates your ongoing engagement with fire safety authorities. Having all this information readily available in one place makes inspections more efficient and helps demonstrate your commitment to maintaining compliant emergency lighting systems.