Compliance / AS 2293.2
Emergency and Exit Lighting TestingBrisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast
Direct answer
Emergency and exit lighting testing is a recurring compliance obligation under AS 2293.2, requiring a six monthly inspection of every emergency luminaire and exit sign, and an annual discharge test proving each fitting runs for its full rated duration, normally 90 minutes.
Indigi Power and Cooling tests, repairs and records emergency and exit lighting across Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, maintaining the logbook and replacing failed fittings and batteries in the same visit. Often scheduled alongside test and tag and commercial electrical maintenance. Call 1800 046 344.
What the standard requires
Six monthly inspection,annual discharge test
AS 2293.2 sets two recurring obligations and they are not the same thing.
The six monthly inspection checks that each fitting is present, undamaged, clean, correctly positioned and operating, that exit signs are legible and illuminated, and that the charge indicator is showing correctly. It is a condition check.
The annual discharge test is the one that actually proves the system works. Mains supply is removed and every emergency luminaire and exit sign must operate for its full rated duration, normally 90 minutes. Anything that fails before the end of the test fails the test, regardless of how bright it looked at the start. This is where most failures are found, because emergency lighting batteries degrade on a predictable curve and a fitting that ran 90 minutes two years ago may manage 20 today.
Both results, and every repair, go in the logbook. The logbook is the evidence, and a building without one is treated as untested.
What usually fails
Batteries, almostevery time
Emergency lighting is a battery product with a lamp attached, and the battery is the consumable. Most fittings use batteries with a service life of around four to five years in Queensland conditions, often less where the fitting sits in a hot roof space or a western facing corridor. Heat is what kills them.
The common failure pattern is a fitting that charges, illuminates when tested briefly, and then dies at 30 or 40 minutes into a discharge test. It looks completely healthy on the six monthly inspection. This is exactly why the annual discharge test exists and why a quick button press is not a substitute for it.
The other frequent findings are far more mundane: fittings painted over during a refurbishment, exit signs obscured by new partitioning or signage, luminaires removed during a fitout and never reinstalled, and fittings that have simply been disconnected by someone who did not know what they were. All of those are logged and quoted.
How we run it
Testing withoutclosing the building
A discharge test puts the building on emergency lighting for 90 minutes, which is disruptive if it is done badly and almost unnoticed if it is planned.
We test by area rather than whole building where the installation allows, so only part of the site is affected at a time. For offices, retail and health facilities we usually work out of hours or in low occupancy windows. For industrial sites we work around shift patterns. The approach gets agreed before the first visit rather than discovered on the day.
Failed fittings and batteries are replaced during the same visit wherever stock allows, so you are not paying for a second attendance to finish a job that was identified on the first. Everything goes into the logbook, which we maintain for you, along with certification you can hand to a building owner, insurer or certifier without having to assemble it yourself.
Coverage
Where we workSouth East Queensland
Emergency and exit lighting testing is delivered across South East Queensland, usually bundled with other compliance testing on the same visit.
Brisbane and inner suburbs
Brisbane CBD, Fortitude Valley, Newstead, Woolloongabba, Milton, Tingalpa, Murarrie, Eagle Farm, Northgate, Port of Brisbane
Our Tingalpa workshop sits inside the Australia TradeCoast corridor, so most of the eastern and southern industrial belt is a short run.
Ipswich and the Western Corridor
Ipswich CBD, Booval, Bundamba, Redbank, Goodna, Springfield, Swanbank, Amberley, Rosewood, Willowbank
Manufacturing, logistics and defence support. Growing fast and thinly served by specialist maintenance contractors.
Gold Coast and Yatala
Southport, Bundall, Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh, Nerang, Molendinar, Yatala, Ormeau, Coomera
Salt air and humidity shorten service intervals on coastal plant, particularly condenser coils and outdoor switchgear.
Logan, Redlands and Bayside
Logan Central, Meadowbrook, Crestmead, Slacks Creek, Berrinba, Capalaba, Cleveland, Wynnum, Manly
Warehousing, cold storage and aged care. Sits between our Brisbane and Gold Coast runs, which keeps scheduled visits efficient.
Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast
North Lakes, Brendale, Strathpine, Caboolture, Narangba, Caloundra, Maroochydore, Kawana, Noosa
Run on a scheduled route rather than ad hoc, which keeps travel out of the price. Best suited to quarterly or six monthly cycles.
Toowoomba and the Darling Downs
Toowoomba CBD, Wilsonton, Torrington, Charlton, Oakey, Dalby, Warwick, Gatton
Agricultural processing, transport depots and regional health. Combining trades on one visit is what makes the travel work.
Questions
Emergency and exit lighting testingfrequently asked
How often does emergency and exit lighting need to be tested?
AS 2293.2 requires a six monthly inspection of every emergency luminaire and exit sign, plus an annual discharge test where the fitting must operate for its full rated duration, normally 90 minutes. The six monthly check confirms condition and operation. The annual discharge test is the one that proves the batteries will actually last, and it is where almost all failures are found.
What is a 90 minute discharge test?
Mains supply to the emergency lighting is removed and every fitting must run on its internal battery for 90 minutes, the standard rated duration. A fitting that goes dark before the end of the test has failed, no matter how bright it was at the start. It is the only test that genuinely proves the system will work during an evacuation, which is why a brief button press is not a substitute.
Why do emergency lights fail so often?
Because they are battery products and the battery is a consumable. Service life is typically around four to five years in Queensland conditions and shorter where fittings sit in hot roof spaces or sun exposed corridors, since heat is what degrades them. The usual pattern is a fitting that charges and illuminates normally but dies partway through a discharge test, which is invisible on a six monthly inspection.
Who is responsible for emergency lighting testing in a commercial building?
Responsibility normally sits with the building owner or the occupier, depending on the lease, and it is commonly delegated to a facilities manager or managing agent. Whoever holds it needs to be able to produce a current logbook on request. We maintain the logbook as part of the service so the evidence exists and is current rather than being reconstructed after the fact.
Does the building have to close during the test?
No. Where the installation allows we test by area so only part of the site is on emergency lighting at a time. Offices, retail and health facilities are usually tested out of hours or during low occupancy, and industrial sites around shift patterns. The approach is agreed before the first visit.
Do you replace failed fittings and batteries on the spot?
Yes, wherever stock allows, so a failure found during the test is rectified in the same visit rather than requiring a second attendance. Anything needing a non standard fitting is quoted and scheduled. All repairs are recorded in the logbook along with the test results.
Keep reading
Relatedservices
Next step
Book emergency lightingtesting
Tell us roughly how many fittings you have and whether a current logbook exists. If there is no logbook we will start one, which is usually the first thing a certifier or insurer asks for.
Indigi Power and Cooling is an Indigenous and Veteran owned business, Supply Nation and ICN Gateway registered for government, defence and enterprise procurement. Head office 10/240 New Cleveland Road, Tingalpa QLD 4173. Call 1800 046 344.
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