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Emergency Lighting Flick Testing Guide

Posted on November 3, 2025 in General Info

flick testing

What is a flick testing—and why is it important?

  • A “flick test” (also sometimes called a “flash test”) is a short functional test of an emergency lighting system that simulates a mains power failure, to check that emergency lighting fittings (luminaires) come on correctly.

  • It is typically carried out monthly under the standards that cover emergency lighting in the UK.

  • The purpose: to confirm that each luminaire is present, clean, correctly switched over to its emergency (battery) supply, and providing illumination sufficient to allow safe evacuation of the communal area.

  • A flick test does not fully test the battery’s endurance for the full required duration (that is done in a “duration test” or “discharge test” annually) – the flick test is more about correct switching and basic functionality.

  • For residential blocks with communal escape routes (stairs, corridors, landings, exits) the flick test is a key part of the maintenance and compliance regime.

What standards and legal obligations apply to communal emergency lighting?

flick testing

Legal & regulatory background

  • Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) the “Responsible Person” for a building must ensure that emergency routes and exits requiring illumination are provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the event of normal lighting failing.

  • While the RRO does not explicitly specify the exact frequency of flick tests, compliance with the recognised standard (BS 5266‑1:2016: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises) is widely accepted as meeting the duty of care.

Standards & testing intervals

  • BS 5266-1 (and linked standards such as BS EN 50172) detail that:

    • A short functional test (flick test) must be carried out at least once each month.

    • A full duration test (where the batteries run for their full required time, often 3 hours) must be carried out at least once a year.

    • Records must be kept (log-book) of all tests, inspections, repairs and maintenance.

  • As one guidance puts it: “the monthly test will be a quick ‘flick’ test just to ensure that the emergency lighting switches on correctly” in blocks, with the annual test assessing full operation.

Communal (residential) context

  • For blocks of flats, especially purpose-built blocks of more than two storeys, communal escape routes must have emergency lighting installed.

  • The property management company or block manager is responsible for maintenance, testing and keeping records of the emergency lighting system in the common parts.

What does our flick testing service involve at Protech Property Solutions

flick testing
As a specialist maintenance and facilities provider servicing property management companies, we deliver a full flick-testing service tailored to blocks of flats and communal areas. Here’s a breakdown of how we deliver value:

  1. Competent, trained personnel

    • Our teams are trained and assessed as competent for working in communal property common parts, with test procedures, safe isolation and reporting.

    • Our service ensures you meet the requirement for “a competent person” under BS 5266-1 and related guidance.

  2. Monthly flick test schedule

    • We simulate the failure of the normal lighting supply to each fitting (or each circuit) in a controlled way, switching to the emergency battery supply for sufficient time to verify correct operation (typically 10-15 minutes depending on manufacturer guidance).

    • We check each luminaire: illumination on mains failure, correct battery recharge indicator, no visible damage/obstruction, correct location for escape routes.

    • We perform this with minimal disruption and coordinate timing with your on-site team/ residents.

  3. Detailed reporting & certification

    • After each flick test we issue a certificate, confirming the test date, the fittings inspected, any failures found, and actions taken (or recommended).

    • We record all results in your fire-safety log book and maintain digital records for audit, compliance and hand-over to the property manager.

    • If any fitting fails the flick test, we can schedule immediate remedial work, issue an interim report and follow-up certificate when completed.

  4. Combined service offering

    • Although our focus here is on flick testing, we also offer annual full-duration testing and full maintenance contracts. This means you can rely on us for the full lifecycle of your emergency lighting compliance.

    • Value for money: we bundle flick testing into your communal area maintenance plan (cleaning, lighting checks, general maintenance) so you have one trusted partner rather than multiple contractors.

Why flick testing matters – benefits for property managers and clients

flick test

  • Compliance & risk mitigation: Regular flick testing evidences that the emergency lighting system is being maintained and tested as required by BS 5266-1 and the RRO. This supports the “Responsible Person” in discharging their duties.

  • Life-safety assurance: In an emergency power failure, occupants in communal areas such as stairwells and corridors must be able to safely evacuate. Flick tests help ensure the system will function when required.

  • Avoiding enforcement, insurance issues: Failures in testing, missing records or non-maintenance of systems can lead to enforcement notices, fines or insurance complications. Having documented flick testing helps reduce that exposure.

  • Operational transparency for leaseholders/tenants: Property management companies can demonstrate commitment to safety and compliance to leaseholders, enhancing trust.

  • Preventive maintenance & cost-control: By identifying minor faults early (e.g., age-weak batteries, defective indicators) through monthly flick tests, you avoid expensive major failures or replacements when the annual full test is due.

  • Value-for-money service: As part of our facilities offering, we ensure communal lighting (emergency and non-emergency) is treated holistically — reducing fragmentation of contractors and improving efficiency.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Question Answer
Do we need to test every emergency light each month? Yes — every luminaire that forms part of the emergency lighting system should be subject to a flick test (or at least checked) monthly. Some practical service models allow staggered testing, but each unit must be checked within the period.
How long should the flick test last? The monthly flick test should be sufficiently long to ensure the battery engages and the luminaire remains illuminated for the planned period. Guidance suggests ~10-15 minutes for most self-contained units.
What happens if a light fails the flick test? If during the flick test a luminaire fails to switch on, or the battery indicator shows fault, or illumination is inadequate, then remedial action must be scheduled immediately. The test result and remedial action must be recorded.
Do we still need an annual test if we do monthly flick tests? Yes. The annual full-duration (discharge) test checks the battery capacity over the full rated duration (commonly 3 hours) and is a separate requirement. Flick tests do not replace the annual test.
Can the flick test be done by site staff rather than external contractors? In theory yes — the standard refers to a “competent person”. However, using an experienced external contractor (such as us) ensures the testing is properly logged, certificates issued and any faults handled promptly. It also reduces the burden on in-house staff.
What records do we need to keep? You should keep a log-book (paper or digital) for emergency lighting including: test date, person performing the test, location of units checked, results (pass/fail), remedial work required, remedial work completed, battery replacement dates, etc.

Why choose Protech Property Solutions for your flick testing

  • Over 35 years’ experience servicing property management companies across London and the Home Counties.

  • Fully trained, competent personnel with deep understanding of communal residential blocks and their compliance needs.

  • End-to-end service: flick testing, certification, log-book maintenance, remedial action scheduling and full annual tests if required.

  • Flexible and client-focussed: we work around residents’ access, carry out testing with minimal disruption, coordinate scheduling conveniently.

  • Transparent documentation: certificates after each test, detailed reports, and full audit-ready records.

  • Value for money: we integrate our flick-testing service into our broader cleaning and maintenance offering, giving you a single trusted partner rather than multiple contractors.

Next steps / call-to-action

If you are responsible for communal areas in a block of flats and want to ensure your emergency lighting flick testing is compliant, properly recorded and professionally managed, we would be delighted to assist.

Contact us:
Tel: 01707 644 601
Email: info@protechpropertysolutions.co.uk
Website: www.protechpropertysolutions.co.uk

We can provide a site-survey, schedule monthly flick-testing (with certificates), maintain your log-book and schedule the annual full-duration test. Let us help you reduce risk, demonstrate compliance and keep your communal lighting system working when it matters most.

We hope this guide is useful to you in understanding the flick-testing process for emergency lighting in communal residential blocks. Please let us know if you’d like a downloadable checklist, sample certificate or further detail on the full-duration testing, maintenance schedules or installation of emergency lighting systems.

Protech Property Solutions — your partner for quality service, client focus and value for money in property care.

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