What is the primary function of escape route lighting?

Escape route lighting ensures escape routes remain clearly visible and navigable from any location to the final exit.

To provide anti-panic illumination across large open floor areas

To allow dangerous processes to be shut down safely on supply failure

To enable normal work activities to continue during a supply failure

To enable safe and effective identification of escape routes leading to final exits

What minimum illuminance is required on the centre line of an escape route?

BS EN 1838 requires a minimum of 1 lux along the centre line of escape routes (up to 2 m wide) to ensure safe navigation.

What is the maximum permitted ratio between maximum and minimum illuminance on escape routes?

BS EN 1838 specifies a maximum uniformity ratio of 40:1 to prevent dangerous variations between bright and dark areas.

Free mock exam

System Types — Emergency Lighting (BS 5266) Practice

Free topic-focused mock exam: 30 random questions from a pool of 50 on System Types, drawn from the wider Emergency Lighting (BS 5266) bank. 35-minute timer, 70% to pass, worked explanation on every question. Use this when you've taken the full mock once and want to drill the topics you got wrong.

Questions: 30
Time limit: 35 min
Pass mark: 70% · 21/30
Question bank: 50

Free, no sign-up. Retake as many times as you like — different questions each time.

Sample questions

01What is the primary function of escape route lighting?
- ATo allow dangerous processes to be shut down safely on supply failure
- BTo enable normal work activities to continue during a supply failure
- CTo enable safe and effective identification of escape routes leading to final exits
- DTo provide anti-panic illumination across large open floor areas
Why: Escape route lighting ensures escape routes remain clearly visible and navigable from any location to the final exit.
02What minimum illuminance is required on the centre line of an escape route?
- A0.5 lux along the centre line
- B5 lux along the centre line
- C0.2 lux along the centre line
- D1 lux along the centre line
Why: BS EN 1838 requires a minimum of 1 lux along the centre line of escape routes (up to 2 m wide) to ensure safe navigation.
03What is the maximum permitted ratio between maximum and minimum illuminance on escape routes?
- A40:1
- B10:1
- C100:1
- D20:1
Why: BS EN 1838 specifies a maximum uniformity ratio of 40:1 to prevent dangerous variations between bright and dark areas.

Common questions

Is the System Types mock exam free?

Yes — 100% free, no sign-up needed. Questions are pulled at random from a substantial bank, with a worked explanation on every question after you submit.

Can I retake the mock exam?

Yes. Every attempt picks a different random selection and reshuffles the options, so each retake gives you genuinely new questions. No limit on retakes.

Does this count towards the real qualification?

No — this is independent practice material. To gain the actual qualification you need to sit the official assessment through an approved provider.