emergency-lighting-legal-requirements
--- title: Emergency Lighting: Legal Requirements reading_time: 7 canonical: "https://www.hawkswift.co.uk/blog/emergency-lighting-legal-requirements" description: "Emergency Lighting: Legal Requirements — a plain-English guide from HawkSwift, NEBOSH-qualified fire-risk-assessment specialists. RRO 2005. How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*
<!-- pas79-block -->
What a competent fire risk assessment covers
A suitable and sufficient FRA follows the PAS 79-1 methodology:
- Stage 1 — Preliminary: gather premises info, identify responsible person and previous assessments.
- Stage 2 — Identify hazards: sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen across all areas.
- Stage 3 — People at risk: occupants, visitors, contractors and anyone needing assistance.
- Stage 4 — Evaluate & protect: whether risks are eliminated or reduced, and whether fire precautions are adequate.
- Stage 5 — Record & plan: write it down, set an action plan with owners and dates, and set the review date.
HawkSwift delivers this as a written, court-defensible report — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
<!-- cta-block -->
Book your assessment
HawkSwift delivers NEBOSH-qualified, court-defensible fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT with a 48-hour turnaround. A written report, an action plan you can hand to an inspector, and no jargon. Book your FRA or talk to the team today.
<!-- expanded-by-hawkswift-bot -->
Your duties under the RRO 2005 on emergency lighting
- Escape routes must be lit if the main supply fails (BS 5266-1).
- Monthly flick-tests and annual full-duration tests should be logged.
- Emergency lighting is part of the Art. 17 maintenance duty.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written fire risk assessment? Yes, if you employ 5+ people, are a licensable or higher-risk premises, or the building is not a private home (Art. 9). How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*