Emergency Lighting Monthly Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]

Emergency lighting and exit sign systems are critical life-safety components required under NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Section 7.9 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37, which mandate that all means of egress be continuously illuminated and marked with visible exit signs during occupied hours. Monthly 30-second functional tests and annual 90-minute full-duration tests are required to confirm that battery-backed units can sustain emergency illumination during a power outage. Failure to maintain these systems ca

  • Industry: Building Maintenance
  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Role: Maintenance Technician
  • Total Items: 35
  • Compliance: NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Section 7.9 - Emergency Lighting, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 - Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes, International Building Code Section 1008 - Means of Egress Illumination, NFPA 70 NEC Article 700 - Emergency Systems, ADA Standards Section 216 - Signs

Exit Sign Visual and Functional Inspection

Verify all exit signs are illuminated, legible, properly mounted, and directing occupants toward egress paths.

  • Are all exit signs continuously illuminated and visible from the required approach distance?
  • Are all exit sign letters a minimum of 6 inches high with appropriate stroke width?
  • Are directional chevrons or arrows on exit signs pointing toward the correct egress path?
  • Are all exit signs free of obstructions, damage, or obscuring decorations?
  • Do photoluminescent or self-luminous exit signs (where used) meet required brightness without power?

Emergency Lighting Unit Condition and Coverage

Inspect all battery-backed emergency lighting units for physical condition, lamp status, and coverage adequacy.

  • Are all emergency lighting unit housings free of cracks, missing parts, or physical damage?
  • Are all emergency lighting lamps or LED arrays operational and aiming at the intended egress area?
  • Are emergency luminaires mounted at a height and angle to provide illumination of the egress path without glare?
  • Are stairwells, corridors, and exit discharge areas all covered by functioning emergency luminaires?
  • Is a photo recorded for any emergency lighting unit found to be damaged, missing, or non-functional?

Monthly 30-Second Functional Test

Perform and document the required monthly 30-second battery activation test on all emergency lighting units.

  • Has the monthly 30-second test been performed by simulating a power failure on each unit?
  • Did all units illuminate immediately upon simulated power failure during the 30-second test?
  • Were any units that failed the 30-second test immediately tagged and reported for repair?
  • How many units failed the monthly functional test?
  • Has the test date and result been logged in the emergency lighting test record log?

Battery and Power Supply Condition

Assess the condition and charge status of internal batteries in all emergency lighting and exit sign units.

  • Are all unit-level indicator lights (typically green) confirming battery on-charge status?
  • Are any units displaying a fault or low-battery indicator light that requires service?
  • Are batteries in units approaching or exceeding their 4–6 year recommended service life?
  • Are batteries free of leakage, swelling, corrosion at terminals, or heat damage?
  • Are central battery systems (if installed) showing a normal system status with no alarms?

Egress Path Illumination and Accessibility

Confirm that the means of egress is adequately illuminated and accessible as required by OSHA and IBC standards.

  • Is the measured illumination at floor level of egress corridors at least 1 foot-candle at the darkest point?
  • Are all egress corridors, stairwells, and exit doors clear of obstructions during this inspection?
  • Are emergency lighting units in stairwells positioned to illuminate each landing and tread clearly?
  • Are accessible egress routes (for persons with disabilities) also fully covered by emergency lighting?
  • Is the exterior exit discharge path from each exit door illuminated to the public way?

Annual 90-Minute Test Readiness

Confirm readiness for the annual full-duration 90-minute test and track due dates for all units.

  • Is the date of the last annual 90-minute full-duration test recorded and within the past 12 months?
  • Is the next scheduled 90-minute annual test date confirmed and communicated to the facilities team?
  • Did all units pass the most recent annual 90-minute test without dimming below acceptable levels?
  • Are units that failed the last annual test documented and confirmed as repaired or replaced?
  • Are annual test records signed by a qualified person and retained on-site for AHJ review?

Corrective Actions and Inspection Summary

Document all deficiencies found during this inspection and confirm corrective actions or work order submissions.

  • Were any deficiencies identified during this monthly inspection?
  • Have work orders been submitted for all non-compliant or failed units identified today?
  • Provide a description of all deficiencies found, including unit location and nature of failure.
  • Has the building owner or property manager been notified of any critical life-safety deficiencies?
  • Is this completed inspection record being filed in the building's permanent life-safety log?

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Why Use This Emergency Lighting Monthly Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This emergency lighting monthly inspection checklist [free pdf] helps building maintenance teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for maintenance technician professionals, this checklist covers 35 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.

Ensures compliance with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Section 7.9 - Emergency Lighting, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 - Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes, International Building Code Section 1008 - Means of Egress Illumination, NFPA 70 NEC Article 700 - Emergency Systems, ADA Standards Section 216 - Signs. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Emergency Lighting Monthly Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 35 inspection items across 7 sections: Exit Sign Visual and Functional Inspection, Emergency Lighting Unit Condition and Coverage, Monthly 30-Second Functional Test, Battery and Power Supply Condition, Egress Path Illumination and Accessibility, Annual 90-Minute Test Readiness, Corrective Actions and Inspection Summary. It is designed for building maintenance operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Emergency Lighting Monthly Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Maintenance Technician professionals in the building maintenance industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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