Emergency lighting is a life-safety system, not a nice-to-have. In Australia, the Building Code points to the AS/NZS 2293 series, which sets out how exit and emergency lighting must be designed, installed, maintained, and classified. The series has three parts: Part 1 covers system design and installation, Part 2 sets inspection and maintenance, and Part 3 defines product requirements and classifications.
What AS/NZS 2293.2 asks you to do in 2025
The maintenance backbone is routine testing at defined intervals. In practice, every site should carry out a six-monthly test that includes simulating a mains failure and confirming each fitting and sign stays on for at least 90 minutes, then documenting the results in a logbook. Annual testing repeats the duration check and includes cleaning and remedial tasks. These intervals and the 90-minute discharge are standard practice under AS/NZS 2293.2.
A quick reference helps:
| Interval | Typical tasks under AS/NZS 2293.2 |
| Six-monthly | Simulate power failure, verify 90-minute operation, check indicators, note faults, update records |
| Annual | Repeat duration test, clean lenses and legends, replace failed components, verify charging |
This style of testing is widely described by Australian service providers and guidance notes aligned to AS/NZS 2293.2. Keep a hard-copy or digital logbook and retain it for audits.
How a compliant test run works
Start with a controlled isolation or a test switch. Trigger the fittings, then walk the egress paths. Confirm legends are lit, arrows point the right way, and light levels look uniform. Record start time and end time to ensure the 90-minute duration is met. Restore power, watch that chargers return to normal, and tag any failures for rectification. These steps reflect the discharge method and record-keeping noted in industry guidance that mirrors AS/NZS 2293.2.
Common failures we still see
Degraded batteries. Nickel-cadmium packs age, and poor ambient conditions speed that up. Many fittings will appear fine at the start of a test, then fade before 90 minutes. Battery ageing is a leading cause of failure.
Incorrect or obscured signage. Arrow direction, pictogram size, or legends hidden by new fit-out elements are frequent non-compliances.
Wrong classification or spacing. Designers select a luminaire classification, then installers or tenants change layouts without checking coverage. AS/NZS 2293 requires minimum illuminance along the path of travel and higher levels on stairs. If spacing no longer matches the classification, you risk dark patches.
Mix-ups between maintained and non-maintained fittings. A maintained luminaire is meant to run in normal mode and during an outage, while a non-maintained unit only comes on during a failure. Using the wrong type in a car park or stairwell leads to poor everyday lighting or gaps during a power cut.
Poor records. Missing or incomplete logbooks trigger compliance issues. AS/NZS 2293.2 expects detailed records and prompt rectification of faults.
Legacy tech drift. Older fluorescent exit signs often show flicker or dim legends. Their ballasts and tubes are fragile under heat and vibration, and maintenance costs stack up. Many facilities now transition to LED or approved photoluminescent signs to reduce ongoing failures. Some photoluminescent systems require only a visual six-monthly check under the standard, which can simplify service routines if the product is certified for your use case.
Why LED makes sense in 2025
LED exit and emergency fittings offer reliable light output with lower load on batteries, which helps achieve the 90-minute duration with a smaller, lighter pack. LED sources also keep legends crisp and evenly lit, improving readability through smoke or distance. The standard’s performance targets still apply, including minimum light levels along egress routes and on stairs, and LED products meet these targets efficiently when correctly selected by classification.
Battery chemistry has moved forward. LiFePO₄ is now common in compliant emergency luminaires because it delivers long cycle life, stable performance at higher temperatures, and a safer profile than many legacy chemistries. It also brings lower self-discharge and quicker recovery after tests, which reduces nuisance failures at the next inspection. These points are well documented across local guidance and technical notes.
From a lifecycle view, LED plus LiFePO₄ usually lowers maintenance visits, spare parts, and energy. That saves real money while lifting reliability. It also reduces waste from tube and ballast replacements that plagued older signs and battens.
Practical purchasing and upkeep tips
Choose luminaires with clear classification data and photometric files, so your designer can space them confidently. Look for self-testing or monitored systems that flag failures back to a dashboard. That makes six-monthly walks faster and helps you catch problems early. Match maintained or non-maintained types to the actual use. Keep spare batteries and legends on hand for common models to shorten rectification times. These practices line up with the inspection and maintenance principles of AS/NZS 2293.2.
If you are refreshing stock, LED exit signs and emergency battens from reputable suppliers will serve you better than patching ageing fluorescent units. Facilities teams responsible for procurement sometimes need bulk pricing for large sites. That is where exit light wholesale and emergency light wholesale channels help keep budgets in check without cutting corners on compliance. For related fire safety inventory, many managers also review detector supply options such as PSA smoke alarm wholesale or even searches like PSA smoke alarm wholesale near me when planning combined orders. Keep procurement disciplined. Verify certifications, check classification sheets, and insist on local support.
Final word
The goal is simple. When the power fails, every person in the building should find the exit quickly and safely. In 2025, that means staying on top of the AS/NZS 2293 testing rhythm, fixing the common weak points listed above, and standardising on LED systems with modern batteries. If your records are current and your fittings pass a true 90-minute test, you are on the right track. If not, schedule a remediation program and treat it like any other safety-critical asset. Your next audit, and more importantly your occupants, will thank you.