When the power goes out, emergency lights and illuminated exit signs are what get people safely out of a building. In Southeast Louisiana — where storms and outages are part of life — they get tested by real events more often than many owners would like.
The most widely used reference for testing emergency lighting is NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. This guide explains what it describes for battery-powered emergency lighting and exit signs.
The two tests
For battery-operated emergency lighting, NFPA 101 describes:
- Monthly: a functional test of at least 30 seconds
- Annually: a functional test of at least 1½ hours (90 minutes)
The annual test confirms the batteries can carry the light for the full duration needed for evacuation. Many units pass a quick push-button test but fail long before 90 minutes.
NFPA 101 also calls for written records of these tests to be kept for review by the fire authority. Some self-testing or computer-based systems are treated differently; check the documentation for your equipment and confirm with your fire authority.
How the monthly test works
Most battery units have a test button that simulates a power failure. Press and hold it (or use a remote test tool) and confirm:
- The lamps or LEDs illuminate fully
- Exit signs remain lit and legible
- The unit’s charging indicator returns to normal after the test
Note any units that are dim, flicker or fail to light.
Common failures
- Dead or aging batteries — the most common failure; batteries degrade over a few years
- Burned-out lamps — on older incandescent units
- Damaged fixtures — impact damage in warehouses and back-of-house areas
- Units on switched circuits — fixtures that lose charging power when a light switch is turned off
- Missing or obstructed exit signs — after renovations, tenant changes or storage changes
Record-keeping
Keep a log of every fixture — location, test date, result and any repair. A fixture-by-fixture inventory makes monthly tests faster and gives the fire inspector exactly what they need.
Before hurricane season
Because outages are likely during storm season, it’s sensible to complete a full-duration test and replace weak batteries before June. See our hurricane season fire protection checklist.
Key takeaways
- NFPA 101 describes a 30-second monthly test and a 90-minute annual test for battery-powered emergency lighting.
- Batteries are the most common failure point.
- Keep written records for every fixture.
- Test before storm season.
Need help with testing or battery replacement? Learn about our emergency lighting and exit sign services.
Sources & references
YearRound Editorial Team · Fire & Life Safety Education
Articles from the YearRound Fire & Life Safety team are written to help commercial property owners, facility managers and business operators understand their fire protection systems. Technical articles are reviewed for accuracy against current published standards before publication. Requirements vary by jurisdiction — always confirm with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction.