Changes to BS 5266-1 Emergency Lighting

June 3, 2026

Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement at Scolmore Group – which includes the Orbik emergency lighting range by Ovia – examines what the 2025 updates to BS 5266‑1 mean for emergency lighting designers and installers.

The updating of the emergency lighting code of practice, BS 5266-1:2016, to the 2025 version has recently been published. This update follows the amendments to the related EN standards, EN 1838 (Lighting applications – Emergency lighting for buildings) and EN 50172 (Emergency escape lighting systems), both of which were published in 2024.

This article will highlight some of the changes made to the standard. However, it should be noted in general that some notes have become clauses, and some clauses have become notes.

Emergency lighting functions

The 2025 edition has added emergency local area lighting (formerly emergency safety lighting), which provides lighting for safe movement in premises when the occupants do not need to evacuate the premises immediately.

Figure 1 of the standard has been updated to detail this change.

Supply of plans

Clause 4.2 has incorporated the recommendations in BS EN 50172 for the supply of plans to include escape route signs and special locations.

Defined escape routes (5.2.5)

There has been a slight change to the minimum recommendations regarding the floor level illuminance in defined escape routes. The minimum level is now to be 1 lx across the whole escape route width. However, the border up to 0.5 m may be excluded. Where the defined escape route is less than 2 m, the borders of ¼ of the escape route width should be excluded.

Open areas (5.2.6)

In the 2016 standard, open areas having a floor area in excess of 60 m² were recommended to have a minimum illuminance of 0.5 lx – this remains the case in the 2025 standard. However, where an escape route passes through an open area which is not clearly defined, the 2025 standard recommends that all of the open area should be treated as an escape route. In such a case, the emergency escape lighting should be a minimum of 1 lx at floor level. BS EN 1838 gives details on illuminance for open areas.

High-risk task areas (5.2.7)

The recommendations regarding high-risk task areas to have a minimum illuminance level of 10% remains. However, the 2025 standard recommends that the illuminance is never less than 15 lx at the location of the point of risk.

Siting of luminaires and special locations (5.2.8.1)

The list detailed in this clause has been amended and added to. Emergency escape lighting must now also be provided in escape routes, open areas, high-risk task areas, and points of emphasis, including:

externally illuminated escape route signs, escape route direction signs and other safety signs needing to be illuminated under emergency lighting conditions.
at each change of direction.
…outside a building to a place of ‘ultimate safety’.
near the call point where an alarm call is received from a passenger lift car and the associated lift winding facilities.
corridors from all passenger lift doors to the nearest escape routes.
near each piece of firefighting equipment and call point so that at least 5 lx vertical illuminance is provided at the fire alarm call points, firefighting equipment, panel, also escape and rescue plans as defined in BS ISO 23601.
near each first aid post so at least 5 lx vertical illuminance is provided at the first aid box.

External areas in the immediate vicinity of exits (5.2.8.2)

Reference is now made to places of ultimate safety, and not merely to exits to a place of safety. Furthermore, the performance recommendations for the illumination of those areas and assembly points should be included in the building’s fire risk assessment and evacuation plan.

Toilet facilities and changing rooms (5.2.8.5)

There has been an expansion of the recommendations concerning toilet facilities and changing rooms having an area exceeding 8 m². These locations should be fitted with anti-panic lighting and have emergency escape lighting to levels required for escape routes (1 lx).

For single occupancy toilets with baby changing facilities, illuminance of 5 lx should be provided at the height of the changing mat. Where toilet alarms exist, these should also have 5 lx vertical illuminance.

In accessible toilets, a minimum level of illumination is 5 lx at floor level. Furthermore, accessible toilets and multi-closet facilities should have emergency illumination from at least one luminaire.

Public indoor swimming pools (5.2.8.8)

This is a new clause recommending minimum illuminance of 5 lx on the water surface as well as circulation areas and pool surrounds. The clause also references BS EN 12193:2018 which covers light and lighting in sports facilities.

Distance factors and viewing distance for sign identification (5.2.9.1.3)

Clause 5.2.9.1.3 has been updated and has had a title change. Reference is still made to BS 5499-4:2013 Table 3 and Table 2.

Other externally illuminated safety signs (5.2.9.2)

Clause 5.2.9.2 now combines the previous recommendations of 5.2.9.2.1 and 5.2.9.2.2 and simplifies the clause.

Power supplies and equipment used as electrical sources for safety services (ESSS) (7)

The commentary to this clause makes it clear that the ESSS is for the exclusive purpose of supplying power to the emergency escape lighting during normal power failure.

Clause 7.1.1 makes it clear that the ESSS should remain operational even should a circuit fault occur in a dedicated safety circuit. Furthermore, the system designer should apply independent ESSS for each safety service to limit any lack of functionality of the safety service.

The system should be designed to deliver the rated output power in both ‘watts’ and ‘volt-amperes (VA)’, taking account of the power factor of the load. Account should also be given to inrush current or starting load. Any change to the load during the life of the system requires the load data to be recalculated and records updated.

Central safety power supply systems should be operated, tested and serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions (7.1.2).

Where use is made of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), similar recommendations regarding manufacturer’s instructions exist (7.1.3). Reference should also be made to the requirements of Regulations 560.11 of BS 7671 and the referenced BS 8519 standard.

The previous clause 7.2.3 has been updated in clause 7.1.4 and now, in addition to the existing recommendations, also recommends the power supplies are only accessible to skilled or instructed persons and are also adequately ventilated.

Clause 7.2.1 makes general recommendations regarding compliance with manufacturer’s instructions for emergency lighting applications. This includes any replacement policy. Care should also be given to any end-of-life requirements under current legislation.

Wiring systems and circuits (8)

Section 8 has been significantly rewritten, although much that existed remains.

Clause 8.2.1 now details a list, a) to g), for a designer to address as part of their responsibilities. This includes measures for continuity of supply as well as conditions where it is not possible to loop in and out of luminaires.

Clause 8.2.2 provides greater clarity on the recommendations regarding types of cables and wiring systems. However, much of this remains consistent with the 2016 standard.

Reference is made to the requirements regarding premature collapse within BS 7671 in addition to those detailed in clause 8.2.3.

Clause 8.2.5 now details recommendations regarding the impact strength (5 J) as well as the use of cables in conduit for aesthetic purposes and for the conduit to conform to BS EN 61386-1.

Greater clarity is provided where the ambient temperature is either high or low within clause 8.2.10.

Clause 8.2.14 recommends that all cables supplying emergency lighting luminaires are identified either by a common colour or at every connection to ensure that they are distinguished from other circuits.

Design procedure (10)

In this section a variety of changes have been made, and designers should take particular care to ensure they have addressed the changes. For example, clause 10.3 has added a new recommendation regarding the checking of disability glare.

Similarly, clause 10.4 now recommends an additional check on the procedures to protect a system in case they are shut down for a prolonged period. Additional notes are also included providing informative help.

Clause 10.7.2 covering the handover documentation is much more detailed than the 2016 standard and provides a checklist to ensure the correct documentation is included in any handover.

Certificates and logbooks (11)

As with clause 10, this section has been amended and enhanced.

The commissioning inspections and tests as detailed in BS EN 50172:2024 are to be part of the handover documentation. Any variations from BS 5266 within the specification or design proposal should also be documented and included in the handover documentation.

An additional recommendation is now included where photometric verification of the system, in accordance with BS EN 50172:2024, is now to include both initial verification and at intervals not exceeding five years. This is to confirm that the emergency lighting system performance remains valid.

Conclusion

Any designers, installers, maintainers and responsible persons should avail themselves of the updated standard.

There have been a number of significant changes and particular note should be given to the regularity of the photometric verification as well as the increase in illuminance in escape routes and open areas used as escape routes.

scolmore.com

This article appeared in Electrotechnical News May/June 2026 edition – read it here