Emergency Lighting Installation Cost: UK Price Guide 2026

• Self-contained — each luminaire has its own rechargeable battery (typically NiCd or NiMH, increasingly Li-ion). The battery is charged from the mains supply and provides emergency illumination when the mains fails. Advantages: simple installation (standard mains wiring), each fitting is independent (failure of one does not affect others), easy to replace individual fittings. Disadvantages: battery replacement required every 4 to 6 years in each fitting, testing requires access to each luminaire.
• Central battery — a single battery unit (typically located in a plant room or electrical intake) supplies all emergency luminaires via dedicated fire-resistant wiring. Advantages: centralised battery maintenance, centralised testing and monitoring, no batteries in individual fittings (simpler luminaires, easier access for lamp replacement). Disadvantages: higher installation cost (fire-resistant wiring to every luminaire), single point of failure, requires a dedicated space for the battery unit.

Self-Contained Luminaires

• Non-maintained LED downlight (3W, 3hr) — £25 to £80 per unit. Compact recessed fitting for corridors and circulation areas. Self-test versions from approximately £50.
• Non-maintained LED bulkhead (3W to 8W, 3hr) — £35 to £120 per unit. Surface-mounted for stairwells, plant rooms, and exposed locations. IP65 versions for external or damp areas. Anti-ligature versions for mental health and custodial facilities from £200+.
• Maintained illuminated exit sign — £40 to £150 per unit. Wall or ceiling mounted, with running man pictogram conforming to BS 5499. LED with 3-hour battery backup.
• Emergency conversion kit — £30 to £80 per unit. Converts a standard luminaire into an emergency luminaire by adding a battery pack and inverter module. Useful for retrofit installations where existing fittings are suitable.

Central Battery Systems

• Central battery unit (small, up to 50 luminaires) — £1,500 to £4,000. Wall-mounted unit with charger, battery, and monitoring panel.
• Central battery unit (large, 50 to 200+ luminaires) — £4,000 to £15,000+. Floor-standing cabinet with modular battery banks, automatic testing, and network monitoring.
• Fire-resistant wiring (FP200 or equivalent) — £1.50 to £3.00 per metre. Required for all central battery system wiring to maintain circuit integrity during fire.

• Self-contained luminaire installation — £30 to £60 per luminaire including mounting, wiring, and initial test. A competent electrician can typically install 8 to 12 self-contained luminaires per day in a straightforward commercial building.
• Central battery system installation — £60 to £100+ per luminaire including fire-resistant cable runs, mounting, connection, and testing. The fire- resistant wiring adds significant labour time. Plus £400 to £800 for the central battery unit installation and commissioning.
• Design and documentation — £200 to £500 for a professional emergency lighting design including luminaire layout, illuminance calculations, and as-built drawings. Often included in larger project quotes.
• Commissioning and certification — £150 to £400 including full- duration discharge test, illuminance measurements, and completion of the BS 5266 commissioning certificate. Allow a full day for the annual discharge test on a larger system.

• Small office/shop (4 to 6 luminaires) — £500 to £1,000 total. Self-contained LED fittings, 1 to 2 exit signs, standard mains wiring. Half-day installation.
• Medium commercial (10 to 20 luminaires) — £1,500 to £4,000 total. Self-contained LED fittings with self-test, exit signs, open area coverage. Professional design and full certification. 1 to 2 days installation.
• Large commercial self-contained (30 to 50 luminaires) — £4,000 to £8,000 total. Self-test luminaires with automated monitoring, comprehensive coverage of all escape routes and open areas. 3 to 5 days installation.
• Central battery system (50 to 100+ luminaires) — £10,000 to £30,000+ total. Central battery unit, fire-resistant wiring to every luminaire, professional design, full commissioning. 1 to 4 weeks installation.

• Duration — emergency lighting must provide illumination for a minimum of 1 hour in premises where the occupants are familiar with the layout and can evacuate quickly. In most commercial premises, and all premises with a sleeping risk (hotels, care homes, hospitals), the minimum duration is 3 hours.
• Illuminance levels — escape routes: minimum 1 lux along the centre line. Open areas: minimum 0.5 lux over the floor area. High-risk task areas: minimum 10% of normal or 15 lux, whichever is greater. The illuminance must be achieved within 5 seconds of mains failure (60 seconds for secondary battery systems in high-risk areas).
• Luminaire positioning — emergency luminaires must be provided near each exit door, at changes of direction, at intersections of corridors, near each staircase, near any change of floor level, at first aid posts, at firefighting equipment, at call points, and adjacent to final exits.
• Exit signs — emergency exit signs must conform to BS 5499 and be illuminated (maintained) during all occupied hours. The signs must be clearly visible from the maximum viewing distance and include the running man pictogram.

• Monthly functional test — simulate a mains failure for long enough to confirm all emergency luminaires illuminate correctly (minimum 30 seconds for self-test units, or until all luminaires have been visually checked). Check for failed lamps, dim output, or fittings that do not illuminate. Record the results in the logbook. Estimated cost if contracted to an electrician: £50 to £150 per visit.
• Annual full-duration test — run the emergency lighting system on battery power for the full rated duration (1 hour or 3 hours). Check that all luminaires are still illuminated at the end of the test period. This confirms that the batteries can sustain the required duration. Allow the batteries to fully recharge before normal occupation resumes (typically 24 hours). Estimated cost: £150 to £400 depending on system size.
• Battery replacement — self-contained luminaire batteries typically need replacement every 4 to 6 years. Central battery systems typically need battery replacement every 5 to 10 years. The annual full-duration test identifies batteries that are approaching end of life (luminaires that fail before the end of the test duration).

• BS 5266 commissioning certificate — issued after installation, confirming the system meets the design specification and BS 5266 requirements. Includes details of the system type, luminaire schedule, duration, and full-duration test results.
• Electrical installation certificate — the electrical wiring for the emergency lighting system requires an EIC or Minor Works Certificate under BS 7671, covering continuity, insulation resistance, and earth fault loop impedance testing.
• As-built drawings — a drawing showing the location of every emergency luminaire, exit sign, and the central battery unit (if applicable). This is essential for future maintenance and testing.
• Test logbook — a logbook must be established at handover for recording all monthly and annual test results. The logbook should be kept on the premises and available for inspection by the fire authority.