Inspection Emergency Lighting
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Why Inspect Emergency Lighting?
Legislation such as the BBL and the Arbowet obliges building owners and users to ensure that safety installations function correctly. Although periodic inspections are not explicitly mandated by law, the responsibility always remains with the owner or user.
An inspection by Kiwa Fire Safety & Security (Kiwa FSS):
- assesses whether your installation complies with the Programme of Requirements (PoR) / Design Specification (UPD) and applicable standards;
- determines whether the current design still matches the actual use of the building;
- prevents unexpected findings during inspections by the authorities;
- helps you demonstrably fulfil your duty of care;
- reduces risks for occupants and for your organisation.
An emergency lighting inspection provides clarity and supports demonstrable compliance with your legal responsibilities.
What Does Kiwa FSS Inspect?
During an emergency lighting inspection, Kiwa Fire Safety & Security assesses both the theoretical design principles and the practical implementation of your installation.
Documentation Review
We begin by reviewing the available documentation, including:
- Programme of Requirements (PoR) or Design Specification (UPD)
- Design and layout drawings
- Block diagrams and power supply structures
- Maintenance and management logbook
- Reports from previous inspections or maintenance
This allows us to determine the intended safety objectives and the requirements the system must meet.
On-Site Inspection
On site, the emergency lighting installation is functionally tested. We verify whether the system:
- has been installed in accordance with the design;
- is correctly positioned (escape routes, open areas, high-risk workplaces);
- operates correctly during a power failure;
- meets the required illumination levels (e.g. 1 lux on escape routes);
- achieves the required autonomy duration;
- complies with any additional specified requirements;
- is properly managed and maintained.
Where necessary, lux measurements are performed to objectively assess lighting performance.
Emergency Exit Signage Assessment
Emergency exit signage (green pictograms) is an integral part of the inspection. We assess, among other things:
- visibility and positioning;
- correct pictograms in accordance with NEN-EN-ISO 7010;
- internal or external illumination during power failure;
- coherence between exit signage and emergency lighting.
Emergency Lighting Inspection Frequency
Although there is no legally prescribed inspection frequency for emergency lighting, in practice a three-yearly independent inspection is commonly applied.
This frequency aligns well with the duty of care of the building owner or user and provides demonstrable assurance of safety. Moreover, this approach is comparable to inspection intervals used for other fire safety installations, where periodic independent verification is standard practice.
Applicable Standards
Inspections are carried out with reference to, among others:
- NEN-EN 1838 – Lighting requirements for emergency lighting and escape route signage
- NEN-EN 50172 – Installation, testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems
- NEN-EN 50171 – Central power supply systems for emergency lighting
- NEN-EN-IEC 60598-2-22 – Product standard for emergency luminaires
- NEN-EN-ISO 7010 – Safety signs and symbols
- NEN 1010 – Electrical safety
- Dutch Building Decree (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving – BBL) and the Arbowet – Legal framework and duty of care
Where applicable, additional standards such as NEN 2443 (parking garages) are also taken into account.
Why choose Kiwa?
Kiwa Fire Safety & Security (Kiwa FSS) is a leading TIC organization for the testing, inspection, and certification of products, installations, and companies in the field of fire safety and security. Our TIC activities contribute to quality, safety, health, reliability, and sustainability.
By choosing Kiwa, you benefit from:
- One single provider for all TIC services
- Reliable, independent expertise
- A constructive, high-quality partnership
