Responsibility for testing emergency lighting generally lies with the building operator – in workplaces, the employer – while the tests themselves may be carried out by different people depending on their type. The annual duration test and electrical inspections belong in the hands of a qualified electrician, simple visual and function checks can, depending on the system and national rules, be done by instructed staff, and in certain high-risk buildings approved experts inspect in addition.
Who is responsible for testing?
The operator is the person or organisation in actual control of the building and its installations – for example the owner, a tenant occupying a whole building, or the employer. The operator must ensure that the emergency lighting remains functional, is tested on time and that the tests are recorded. EN 50172 sets the European baseline for testing and records; national occupational safety and building law define who carries the duty in each country. In Germany, for example, this follows from the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Workplace Ordinance, the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health and state building law, together with DIN VDE V 0108-100-1.
The key distinction is between responsibility and execution. Execution can be delegated to in-house staff or a service provider. Responsibility for making sure testing happens stays with the operator, who must select suitable people, instruct them clearly and check their work on a sample basis. In leased buildings, the lease should state who takes on which testing duty. More in operator duties and liability.
Who can carry out the tests?
Qualified electrician
A qualified electrician (in German practice: Elektrofachkraft under DIN VDE 1000-10 and DGUV Regulation 3) is a person who, through technical training, knowledge, experience and familiarity with the relevant standards, can assess the work assigned and recognise possible hazards. This person carries out the annual duration test, periodic electrical inspections, repairs and battery replacement, and evaluates defects.
Electrically instructed person
An electrically instructed person has been briefed by a qualified electrician on the tasks assigned and on the hazards of improper behaviour. Whether such a person may carry out simple function checks – such as pressing the test button on a self-contained luminaire and reading the status LED – depends on the system, the manufacturer's instructions and the risk assessment. In practice this is done under the direction and supervision of a qualified electrician, who also evaluates the results.
Instructed staff of the operator
For tasks that do not involve working on the electrical installation, a briefing is usually enough: reading the indicators on a central battery system each day, checking that exit signs are visible and undamaged, and reporting anything unusual. These people do not open luminaires or fix electrical faults.
Approved inspection experts
Many countries require independent inspections for certain building types. In Germany, Prüfsachverständige for electrical installations are experts recognised under state law who inspect safety installations in high-risk buildings (Sonderbauten) on behalf of the operator. State inspection ordinances generally require their inspection before first use, after major changes and periodically, often every three years. They do not replace the operator's monthly and annual tests; among other things, they check that those tests have been done. Details in authority inspections.
Competence table: who may do what?
| Test | Instructed staff | Electrically instructed person | Qualified electrician | Approved expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily visual check of indicators (central systems) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not their task |
| Condition check (damage, visibility) | Yes | Yes | Yes | As part of their inspection |
| Monthly function test | Depending on system, observing only | Depending on system, under supervision of a qualified electrician | Yes | Not their task |
| Annual duration test | No | May assist | Yes, including evaluation | Not their task |
| Repair, battery or luminaire replacement | No | No | Yes | No |
| Periodic inspection of the electrical installation | No | No | Yes, as a competent tester | No |
| Building-law inspection of high-risk buildings | No | No | No | Yes |
The table reflects common practice, using Germany as the reference. In each case the risk assessment, manufacturer's instructions and national law decide. The matching intervals are set out in emergency lighting testing intervals.
Practical tip: Record in writing who in the building is responsible for emergency lighting, who deputises and which external contractor is engaged. Gaps in documentation very often start with a change of staff.
In-house staff or service provider?
Whether to organise testing internally or outsource it depends mainly on the size of the installation and the electrical expertise available.
- In-house staff make sense if a qualified electrician is on site and the installation is manageable. Advantage: short response times and local knowledge.
- A specialist contractor suits buildings without a qualified electrician, with many distributed luminaires or with luminaires that require access platforms. Advantage: routine, spare parts and documentation from one source.
- A mixed model: instructed staff handle visual checks and review self-testing luminaires; the contractor carries out the annual test and repairs.
Self-testing luminaires to EN 62034 shift the workload: the luminaire runs the tests, people evaluate the results and fix defects. More in self-testing emergency lights.
Checklist: choosing a testing provider
- Qualifications: evidence that tests are carried out by qualified electricians with experience of emergency lighting to EN 50172 and the relevant national standards.
- System knowledge: experience with your system type (self-contained, group or central battery) and luminaire brands.
- Scope: clearly stated whether the contract covers testing only or repairs as well, including battery replacement and spare parts.
- Documentation: format of the test report, transfer into the logbook, digital and exportable on request.
- Response time: binding deadlines for fixing defects found.
- Liability insurance: proof of public and professional liability cover.
- Site survey: reputable providers inspect the installation on site before quoting rather than pricing per luminaire on paper.
NOTLUX supplies and installs emergency lighting, also handles maintenance and records every test digitally in an app; every quote is preceded by an on-site survey. Typical maintenance cost drivers are covered in emergency lighting costs.
This article does not replace legal advice. The requirements for your building follow from the risk assessment, building permit, fire safety strategy and national law.
Frequently asked questions
May the caretaker test the emergency lighting?
An instructed caretaker can take on simple tasks such as visual checks and reading indicators. Whether they may also carry out function tests depends on the system, national rules and the risk assessment; typically this is done as an electrically instructed person under the supervision of a qualified electrician. The annual duration test and repairs belong with a qualified electrician.
Does an expert have to inspect emergency lighting every year?
Not in general. Inspections by approved experts are required for certain building types under national law – in Germany, for high-risk buildings, often every three years. Monthly and annual tests are carried out by the operator or their qualified electrician.
Can I hand the testing duty over to a contractor?
You can delegate execution, but not your responsibility entirely. The operator must choose a suitable contractor, instruct them clearly and check that tests actually take place and are recorded.
What is the difference between a qualified electrician and an instructed person?
A qualified electrician can assess work on electrical installations independently, based on training, experience and knowledge of the standards. An electrically instructed person has been briefed by a qualified electrician for specific, clearly defined tasks and works under their direction.
Who tests self-testing emergency lights?
The luminaire carries out function and duration tests automatically. A competent person still has to review the results regularly, arrange for faults to be fixed and maintain the records. Visual checks remain necessary too.
Emergency lighting without worries.
Luminaires, installation and maintenance from a single source – every inspection documented digitally in our app. We start with a free on-site survey and standard-compliant design.