Emergency and exit light testing in Wollongong and the Illawarra
We test and inspect your emergency lights and exit signs fitting by fitting, and record what passes and what fails, so people can find the way out when the power goes off.
test and inspect every emergency light and exit sign.
a fitting-by-fitting report with failed fittings listed and test dates recorded.
AS/NZS 2293.2 covers inspection and maintenance of emergency lighting. 2
Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Southern Sydney, Campbelltown and Macarthur, Wollondilly, the Southern Highlands, Nowra and the South Coast.
What we check
Swipe sideways to see the whole diagram.
- Every emergency light and exit sign is located, listed and numbered against the building.
- Each fitting is switched to battery power in a discharge test to see that it lights and keeps lighting.
- Exit signs are visible, undamaged and not blocked by fittings, stock or signage.
- Charge indicators, lamps and diffusers are in working order.
- Failed fittings are listed by location with the likely cause.
What we look for
These are the problems that turn up when equipment is checked properly:
- Fittings that do not light on battery
- Fittings that go out before the test period ends
- Batteries that are low, swollen or past their life
- Exit signs that are blocked, damaged or hard to see
- Charge indicators that are off
- Diffusers that are missing, yellowed or cracked
What you receive after each visit
- A fitting-by-fitting report with the date, the result and the fault for each failure.
- A defect list with a quote for each repair or replacement. Nothing is replaced until you approve it.
- A dated record you can keep with your fire safety statement and service records.
Which standard applies?
Emergency and exit lighting is maintained to AS/NZS 2293.2, which covers its inspection and maintenance.2 The Building Commission gives emergency exit lighting as an example of a measure that AS 1851-2012 does not cover. Owners must still maintain it to the standard on the fire safety schedule.1 The standard sets the test routine and intervals, so we work from the schedule for your building and put each due date in your record.
Repairs and replacements
Replacing a fitting or a battery can be electrical work that needs a licence, so our report says which jobs those are and what each one involves. Ask for a quote and tell us how many lights and signs you have and where.
How a visit works
Map the fittings
We list every emergency light and exit sign against the building.
Run the discharge test
Each fitting is switched to battery and watched through the test period, as shown above.
Record fitting by fitting
Every result goes into your record, with failed fittings listed by location.
Report and quote
You get the report and a quote for any repair or replacement.
What to have ready
- Floor plans showing where lights and exit signs should be
- Access to the switchboard or any test switches
- Notice to occupants that lights will run on battery during testing
- Your last test report, if you have one
- A contact who can approve repairs and replacements
Where we work
We service Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Southern Sydney, Campbelltown and Macarthur, Wollondilly, the Southern Highlands, Nowra and the South Coast.
We will confirm we cover your suburb. See also where we work on the homepage.
Frequently asked questions
How often should emergency lights be tested?
AS/NZS 2293.2 sets the test routine. Service providers commonly describe a six-monthly discharge test, with monthly visual checks and a longer annual inspection, but the details depend on the edition and your building. We work from the schedule that applies to you.
Does AS 1851 cover emergency and exit lighting?
The Building Commission gives emergency exit lighting as an example of a measure AS 1851-2012 does not cover. Owners still maintain it to the standard on the fire safety schedule.
What happens if a light fails the test?
We record the fitting and the fault, list it in the report and quote the repair. Electrical replacement work may need a licensed electrician.
Do exit signs need testing as well as emergency lights?
Yes. Exit signs are inspected and tested along with emergency lights.
How much does emergency light testing cost?
It depends on how many fittings there are and how they are spread across the building. Send us the address or a floor count for a quote.
What is the difference between an emergency light and an exit sign?
An emergency light lights the escape path when the power fails. An exit sign marks the way out. Both are inspected and tested.
Do LED fittings still need testing?
Yes. Emergency lighting fittings, including LED ones, are tested to the same standard because the battery and the changeover to battery power still have to work.
Sources and further reading
- Building Commission NSW: Responsibilities of building owners under AS 1851-2012 Last updated 12 February 2026. Accessed 12 November 2026.
- Standards Australia: AS/NZS 2293.2:2019 emergency escape lighting and exit signs, inspection and maintenance Product listing for the standard. Accessed 12 November 2026.
Last reviewed . Checked against the sources above. Standards, rules and intervals change, so confirm details with the source before you act. This page is general information, not advice. Southern Fire Protection is not affiliated with any of the bodies listed.
Tell us the building and what is due
We will come back with a price, or a time to visit.