Did you know that routine testing of your emergency lighting is not just a code requirement but also a critical safety practice? Power failures are unpredictable, and ensuring your emergency lighting functions properly during an outage could make the difference between life-or-death in some instances. Thankfully, advancements in technology are making this critical system more reliable than ever before.
Emergency lighting systems are essential for guiding occupants safely out of a building during a power outage. For buildings without centralized inverters or a backup generator, these systems often consist of individual battery-powered exit signs, emergency lighting units (ELUs, or better known as “bug eyes”) and emergency LED drivers.
NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code directly influences safety measures in both new and existing buildings by defining the emergency equipment and methods to be followed. It also mandates that emergency lighting must be tested monthly for 30-seconds and annually for 90-minutes to verify functionality. Any failures witnessed during testing must be documented, and corrective actions taken.
Other codes also address emergency lighting requirements such as NFPA 99 which focuses on Health Care Facilities. It requires battery-powered ELUs to be in spaces where deep sedation and general anesthesia are administered. These units will be subject to similar testing for 30-seconds every 30 days but will only require 30-minutes of testing annually.
Traditionally, proof of testing compliance for battery-operated emergency lighting has involved manual testing. This requires considerable time and effort from maintenance personnel to physically push each test button on fixtures, climb up ladders/operate lifts and maintain written records—tasks that are not only labor-intensive but prone to error.
Enter self-diagnostic testing technology. Battery-powered emergency lighting products utilizing self-diagnostics continuously monitor critical factors of their functionality such AC power connection and battery health to ensure sufficient capacity is maintained. Monthly and annual tests are conducted automatically, with results communicated via integral indicator lights that flash specific error codes when an issue arises. This technology dramatically reduces manual labor while ensuring compliance with code. However, maintenance personnel will still need to walk the facility at 30-day intervals to visually inspect/document equipment indicator light status and target those needing repair.
Building on the success of self-diagnostic testing technology, battery-powered emergency lighting manufacturers have taken this concept to the next level by offering wireless centralized monitoring and automated reporting solutions. These systems which are offered as factory-installed add-ons to battery-powered exit signs, ELUs, and emergency LED drivers (some manufacturers offer field-installed options too) provide wireless logging and transmitting of test results to a central gateway or mobile app. Owners can then access their comprehensive monthly and annual test reports via email, web portals, or APIs, saving even more time and effort. For facilities with specialized requirements—such as operating rooms or movie theaters—many of these systems also allow manual scheduling of the self-diagnostic tests to target more convenient times, ensuring safety compliance without interrupting critical activities.
Notable automated wireless self-diagnostic solutions include Acuity STAR, EMC Emergency Light Tester (ELT), and Exitronix Guardian G3. With these technologies, the era of climbing ladders and keeping handwritten records is coming to an end. Centralized monitoring allows building owners to stay compliant while minimizing disruption to daily operations.
Automated wireless self-diagnostic testing represents a leap forward in battery-powered emergency lighting management. By simplifying compliance, reducing maintenance time, and enhancing safety, these technologies are transforming how we approach emergency lighting. Whether you are managing a small tenant fit-out or an expansive facility, these advancements offer peace of mind and the assurance that your emergency lighting is ready to perform when it is needed most.
Stay safe, stay compliant—and say goodbye to manual testing!
If you would like to learn more, please contact Barton’s Director of Lighting Design, Jennifer Harrington, PE, LC, LEED AP at 814-237-2180 or jlh@ba-inc.com.