Guide ยท updated September 2026
BS 5266-1:2025: emergency lighting certificate changes
BSI published a full revision of BS 5266-1 in 2025. It took effect on 31 October 2025 and the 2016 edition is withdrawn.
Summary in our own words from public announcements by BSI and trade press. Check the standard itself before relying on it.
What changed
- Wider scope. The code now covers local area lighting and standby lighting as well as emergency escape lighting.
- Borrowed light is out. Light from other sources can't be relied on as part of the emergency lighting.
- Single-fault resilience. Circuits should be arranged so one fault doesn't leave a large part of the premises unlit. That can mean splitting circuits.
- Aligned with EN 1838 and EN 50172. The routine of monthly functional tests and an annual full rated-duration test follows BS EN 50172 (and BS 5266-8).
On the certificate
FireCerts' periodic inspection and test certificate records the test type, whether every luminaire lasted its rated duration, charging indicators, signs, changes of layout, the single-fault check, the logbook, deviations and a luminaire register. The completion certificate covers design, installation and verification.