Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs – Sales, Installation and Annual Inspection Services

We provide annual inspection, replacement, retail supply and fire certificates for all fire service installations. Fire Station supplies a wide range of emergency lighting units and exit signs that comply with Fire Services Department (FSD) requirements, delivering comprehensive fire safety lighting solutions to ensure safe evacuation in emergencies.[web:66][web:71][web:73]

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting is an essential part of any fire safety system. In the event of a fire or mains power failure, the normal lighting system may stop working. Emergency lighting will automatically switch on to illuminate corridors, staircases and escape routes, guiding occupants to evacuate safely. Under Hong Kong FSD requirements, commercial premises, public buildings and multi-storey residential blocks must be fitted with compliant emergency lighting systems.[web:66][web:71][web:73]

Functions and Features of Emergency Lighting

• Automatic activation – Automatically switches to the built-in battery supply when the mains power fails, with no manual operation required.
• Built-in rechargeable battery – Equipped with rechargeable batteries to ensure illumination for not less than the required duration during a power outage.[web:66][web:73]
• Energy-saving LED light source – Uses LED lamps for high brightness with low power consumption, extending battery backup time.
• Flexible mounting options – Available for wall mounting or ceiling installation to suit different spaces.
• Compliant with FSD standards – All products comply with Hong Kong FSD specifications for emergency lighting installations.[web:66][web:71]

Exit Signs (EXIT Lights)

Exit signs (EXIT signs / emergency exit signs) are critical emergency lighting devices that direct occupants to safe exits. In a fire or emergency, smoke may reduce visibility. Bright and clearly visible exit signs help occupants quickly locate the nearest escape exit and are indispensable fire safety installations in commercial premises.[web:67][web:71]

Functions and Features of Exit Signs

• High visibility – Bright EXIT lettering and directional arrows remain clearly visible, even in smoky conditions.[web:67][web:71]
• Maintained operation – Normally illuminated under mains power and automatically powered by internal batteries during a blackout.[web:66][web:73]
• Multiple mounting options – Available in wall-mounted, ceiling-suspended and recessed types to suit different building layouts.
• Directional guidance – Left/right arrow versions are available to direct occupants towards the nearest exit.
• Meets statutory requirements – Mounting positions and luminance comply with FSD and Buildings Department standards for exit signage.[web:66][web:67]

Installation Requirements for Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs

According to Hong Kong FSD requirements, the following premises will generally require emergency lighting and exit signs to be installed:[web:66][web:71][web:73]

• Public corridors and escape staircases in shopping malls and retail centres
• Corridors and escape routes in office and commercial buildings
• Restaurants, Chinese banquet halls and food premises
• Industrial buildings and factory premises
• Schools, hospitals and social service institutions
• Hotels, guesthouses and hostels
• Car parks and basements
• Any premises requiring a fire services licence

Typical installation locations include: along escape routes, entrance and exit points of escape staircases, above emergency exits, at corridor intersections, in lift lobbies and at any change in direction along escape routes.[web:66][web:71] For a professional assessment of your premises’ emergency lighting requirements, please contact us for a free consultation.

Annual Inspection and Maintenance

Emergency lighting and exit signs require regular testing and maintenance to ensure proper operation in an emergency. We provide comprehensive annual testing services for emergency lighting installations:[web:66][web:73]

• Scheduled annual inspections – Functional testing and inspection in accordance with the FSD’s prescribed intervals.
• Battery tests – Testing of internal battery capacity and charge/discharge performance to ensure backup duration meets requirements.
• Light source checks – Verifying that LED modules or lamps remain sufficiently bright and operational.
• On-the-spot repair or replacement – Faulty units or components are repaired or replaced immediately where possible.
• Issuance of fire certificates – Upon passing inspection, a fire services certificate (FS251) is issued by a Class 3 Registered Fire Service Installation Contractor for submission to the FSD.[web:7][web:22][web:26]

Neglecting maintenance of emergency lighting may result in failure during FSD inspections and, more importantly, could lead to lighting failure in a real fire, compromising safe evacuation. We recommend responsible persons arrange regular inspections on schedule to keep all fire service installations in good working order.[web:66][web:71][web:73]

Integrated Solutions: Emergency Lighting and Fire Extinguishers

A complete fire safety system requires not only emergency lighting and exit signs, but also sufficient fire extinguishers. Fire Station offers one-stop fire equipment solutions, handling supply, installation and maintenance of both lighting and firefighting equipment so you do not need to coordinate with multiple suppliers.[web:66][web:71]

• Emergency lighting + dry powder extinguishers – Ideal for offices and commercial buildings.
• Exit signs + CO₂ fire extinguishers – Suitable for computer rooms and server rooms.
• Full emergency lighting package + home extinguisher sets – Suitable for communal areas in residential buildings.

For temporary venues or short-term events, you may also consider our fire extinguisher rental service. Old equipment can be safely disposed of via our fire extinguisher recycling service. You can also refer to our customer case studies to see more examples of our work.

Emergency Lighting – FAQs

What is the difference between emergency lighting and exit signs?

Emergency lighting provides illumination along escape routes and corridors during a power failure so people can see where they are going. Exit signs (EXIT lights) indicate the exact location and direction of the escape exits. Both are complementary and are normally installed together.[web:66][web:67][web:71]

How often do the batteries in emergency lights need to be replaced?

In general, the built-in rechargeable batteries in emergency lighting units have a service life of around 3–5 years, depending on usage and environment.[web:66][web:69] We recommend testing battery performance during each annual inspection and replacing batteries promptly when capacity is insufficient.

Do residential flats need emergency lighting?

Individual domestic units are generally not required to install emergency lighting, but the common corridors, staircases and lobbies of residential buildings must be equipped with such systems in accordance with code requirements.[web:66][web:73] For homes, we recommend prioritising home fire extinguishers and fire blankets to address the most common domestic fire risks.

What happens if my emergency lighting fails the annual inspection?

If fire service installations fail inspection, the FSD may issue a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice or warning, requiring rectification within a specified period, and serious non-compliance can affect your business licence or lead to prosecution.[web:4][web:72][web:73] We recommend that responsible persons proactively arrange timely maintenance to avoid operational disruption due to defective equipment.

Enquiries About Emergency Lighting Services

For enquiries about emergency lighting or exit sign pricing, installation or annual inspections, please contact Fire Station anytime. Our professional team will provide free emergency lighting方案 recommendations and quotations based on your premises type and floor area.