Emergency Lighting Systems

Evacuate safely with emergency safety lighting

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When a fire or power outage occurs, the visibility inside your building can disappear in seconds. That’s why a well-planned emergency lighting system isn’t just a compliance requirement; it’s a critical part of your building’s fire protection and evacuation strategy.

Under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the designated responsible person must ensure that emergency and exit lights are installed where appropriate, especially in buildings where occupants may need to evacuate in low visibility conditions. Whether you’re operating a commercial office, retail unit, healthcare facility, or industrial site, emergency lights and exit signs are essential to guide people to safety.

Emergency and exit lights: What do you need?

Emergency lighting refers to battery-powered lighting systems that activate automatically when the main power fails. They illuminate key areas such as corridors, stairwells, fire exit doors, and open spaces, helping to minimise panic and direct safe evacuation.

Emergency light signs combine illumination with directional signage to highlight safe escape routes. These are especially important in larger buildings or premises with complex layouts where evacuation could otherwise be delayed.

In many buildings, you’ll need a combination of emergency LED lights to provide comprehensive coverage. We also support businesses that require emergency lighting for external escape routes, assembly points, or high-risk operational areas.

Our emergency lighting installation services

At Asco, we offer a complete emergency light installation service for businesses across Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Midlothian, Duns, Forfar, and beyond, and throughout the UK via our national network backed by the LS Fire Group.

Whether you’re installing new systems or upgrading legacy infrastructure, our emergency lighting installers are fully trained, NICEIC-approved, and LPS 1014 certified. We work to the requirements of BS 5266-1, ensuring your system is designed and installed to the highest safety and compliance standards. We install:

Emergency LED lights for high-efficiency, low-maintenance operation
Exit sign and emergency lighting combinations for dual compliance
Self-contained emergency lighting units
Central battery systems for larger or more complex buildings
Maintained and non-maintained emergency lights based on your premises’ usage

Ongoing maintenance for emergency lighting systems

Installing emergency and exit lights is only the first step. To remain compliant and ensure reliability, your system must be maintained regularly.

We provide tailored emergency lighting maintenance packages to suit your needs and legal responsibilities. From routine inspections and testing to emergency light repair, our engineers ensure your lighting is always operational and ready to perform in the event of an emergency. Regular maintenance helps you:

Stay compliant with Scottish fire safety law and BS 5266
Avoid fines and enforcement action from fire safety authorities
Minimise system failures and potential evacuation risks
Extend the life of your emergency lighting system

If your current system is outdated or has failed recent testing, we also offer emergency lighting repair and upgrade services to bring you back into full compliance.

Supporting all building types

With decades of experience, we deliver emergency light installations for buildings of all sizes, from small retail units to large-scale commercial premises, hospitals, warehouses, schools, and care homes.

We understand the unique challenges each sector faces and provide systems tailored to your building layout, usage, and evacuation plan. As part of the LS Fire Group, we bring scalable expertise while still delivering a local, personal service. Whether you need a single emergency exit light replacement or a full building system design and installation, we’re here to help.

Why choose Asco?

Fully compliant with BS 5266-1 and all UK fire safety legislation
NICEIC-approved and LPS 1014-certified contractors
Decades of experience across Scotland and the wider UK
Part of the trusted LS Fire Group
Responsive support and clear guidance from project start to finish
Maintenance and testing packages tailored to your building’s needs

Speak to us about emergency lighting today

Emergency lighting might not be something you think about every day, but in an emergency, it could save lives. Whether you’re installing a new system, upgrading outdated fittings, or arranging scheduled testing, we’re your trusted partner for emergency lighting signs and full fire safety support.

Get in touch today to discuss your requirements or to arrange a site visit. Our expert team is always on hand to help you protect your people, your property, and your peace of mind.

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Emergency lighting FAQs

Do I legally need emergency and exit lights in my building?: Under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the responsible person must ensure that adequate fire safety measures are in place, and this includes emergency lighting systems where necessary. If your building has enclosed areas, corridors, stairwells, or operates during hours of darkness, you’re likely required to install both emergency lights and exit signage to support safe evacuation in a power failure.
What’s the difference between emergency lights and emergency exit signs?: Emergency lights provide general illumination during power loss, helping people see and move safely through the building. Emergency exit signs, on the other hand, are clearly marked signs that remain lit (or illuminate when power fails) to guide occupants towards escape routes and fire exits. Most buildings need a combination of both, often referred to as emergency and exit lights, to fully meet safety standards.
How often do emergency lights need to be tested and maintained?: Emergency lighting systems should be tested monthly and fully serviced annually to comply with BS 5266-1. Routine checks include function tests to ensure lights operate correctly in simulated power failures, while annual inspections review duration, battery health, and signage condition. At Asco, we offer maintenance contracts to take care of all testing, record-keeping, and repairs, ensuring your system is always compliant and ready.
Can Asco install emergency lighting in commercial premises across Scotland?: We provide emergency light installations throughout Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Midlothian, and more. Backed by the LS Fire Group and our network of partner brands, we also offer nationwide support across the UK. Whether you need new emergency LED lights, replacements, or an entirely new system, our certified installers can help.
How long should emergency lights stay on when the power goes out?: By law, emergency lighting must remain illuminated for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. However, most systems are designed for 3 hours of operation, offering enough time for safe evacuation and for emergency services to respond. We install systems that meet or exceed this standard to ensure maximum reliability and compliance.
Do you offer emergency lighting installation for new buildings or refurbishments?: We provide emergency light installation for new builds, refurbishments, and system upgrades. Our engineers will work with your plans and fire risk assessment to design a system that meets all legal and practical requirements, whether for a single unit or a large multi-storey facility. We can also integrate your emergency lights and exit signs into your wider fire alarm or safety system.
What types of emergency lighting systems do you install?: We install a wide range of systems, including maintained, non-maintained, and combined emergency lighting signs, along with central battery or self-contained units, depending on your needs. Our emergency lighting installers will advise on the most suitable setup for your building and usage patterns, always ensuring full compliance with Scottish regulations.
How can I tell if my emergency lighting is compliant?: Compliance involves more than just having emergency lights and exit signs in place. You’ll need to ensure correct placement, adequate illumination levels, working batteries, visible signage, and up-to-date test records. If you’re unsure about the condition of your system or haven’t had it checked recently, we can carry out a full inspection and advise on any actions required to bring it up to standard.