Exit signs with battery backup belong in a monthly emergency light inspection log: they need a 30-second monthly functional test and an annual 90-minute discharge test. Record each unit’s location or ID, test date and result, observed issues, corrective action, and repair completion date. A clear record helps turn a quick test into a trackable safety routine.

It’s easy to check whether emergency lights switch on and overlook the signs that guide people to exits. Include both in your inspection, and record any sign that fails to illuminate or has a dim or incomplete display.

This checklist explains what to inspect during a monthly test, which exit signs to include, and what details to record. It also covers battery condition, follow-up maintenance, and documenting repairs so unresolved faults remain visible between inspection rounds.

Battery maintenance and replacement

Emergency-light batteries typically last three to five years, though actual service life varies. Record each battery’s installation date and monthly test result to help identify aging units before backup performance declines. Use the equipment label or maintenance record to identify the battery type and date.

Replace batteries older than 4 years, as recommended by the inspection guidance. Don’t rely on age alone to judge condition. A recent monthly test can reveal a weak battery sooner. Record the replacement date, then update the unit’s maintenance history.

• Check the battery case for damage. Look for swelling, cracks, leakage, or corrosion around the terminals. These visible problems can indicate a battery needs attention. Record the observed condition and unit ID.
• Inspect the power supply and connections. Confirm the unit is connected to its normal power source. Look for loose wires, damaged plugs, or a fault indicator. Note any issue for follow-up rather than marking the unit as passed.
• Test the fixture’s backup operation. Use the unit’s test switch to check whether its emergency lamps turn on. Record dim lamps, delayed illumination, or lights that fail to reach full brilliance. Each result helps distinguish a battery fault from a fixture problem.
• Check battery-backed exit signs. Confirm the sign remains legible and illuminated during its monthly functional test. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(6), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permits self-luminous or electroluminescent exit signs with a minimum surface luminance of .06 foot-lamberts.
• Track each corrective step. Record whether the battery was replaced, connections were repaired, or the fixture needs further service. Add the repair completion date after work is finished. This keeps unresolved problems visible in the next inspection cycle.

During an annual 90-minute full-duration test, note whether battery-powered units maintain operation throughout the test. Compare results with prior entries to spot repeat failures. A consistent record supports timely maintenance and shows which units need closer attention.

Inspection records and corrective actions

Common failures include dark units, dim lamps, and lights that do not reach full brilliance. After a failed monthly test, arrange service, repair, or replacement, then record the corrective action and completion date.

Write each result against a specific fixture, not just a building or floor. Record its location and ID, the test date, pass or fail status, tester, observed issue, corrective action, and repair completion date. For example, “North stairwell, unit E-04, dim lamp, replacement completed” makes follow-up clear.

• Log failures promptly. Enter the fault during the inspection, while its location and symptoms are clear. Note whether the unit stayed dark, illuminated weakly, or failed to reach full brilliance.
• Assign a next step. Record whether the unit needs servicing, repair, or replacement. Keep the fault open in the log until the corrective work is complete.
• Close the record accurately. Add the repair completion date and outcome after work finishes. If the problem remains, carry it forward as unresolved rather than marking it passed.
• Retain written records. The owner must keep written inspection and test records for review by the authority having jurisdiction. Retain records covering the previous 12 months as a practical tracking measure.

Set a recurring monthly inspection date and assign a trained staff member to conduct the functional test and complete the log. Facility management should review entries quarterly to spot missed inspections, recurring failures, and repairs that remain open across inspection cycles.

During the review, compare unit IDs and fault histories, not just pass counts. If a fixture repeatedly fails, flag it for closer assessment instead of treating each failure as unrelated. Keep the original test result visible alongside each later repair note.

Clear records also help organize follow-up for recurring fixture faults. A documented emergency lighting repair can address equipment problems that routine checks identify.

What Should a Monthly Emergency Light Log Include?

You can create a free inspection log in a spreadsheet or printed form. A monthly emergency light inspection log can capture each unit’s test date, result, and illumination reading. Use one row per fixture, with location, ID, and tester initials.

Keep the monthly procedure consistent so results are comparable. Required emergency lighting systems need a functional test lasting at least 30 seconds monthly. Schedule tests with at least 3 weeks and no more than 5 weeks between them.

1. Identify the unit. Match its location and fixture ID to your site list, so a failed test leads to the correct device.
2. Start the functional test. Use the unit’s test control, or interrupt its normal power supply, then observe emergency operation.
3. Check illumination. Confirm lamps turn on and remain visibly lit during the 30-second test; record dim or dark areas.
4. Measure the exit path. Use a light meter along the walking surface, including stairs and changes in direction, to locate poorly lit points.
5. Record readings and status. Note the measured illumination and whether the unit passed or failed, so later checks can be compared.

The checklist’s minimum illumination is 1 foot-candle along an exit path and 0.1 foot-candle elsewhere outside that path. Record the measurement location with each reading; otherwise, the next tester may measure a different spot and produce an unhelpful comparison. Include monthly illumination checks for exit routes and battery-backed exit signs.

Use the monthly emergency light inspection log to keep each fixture’s test details together. Include fields for location, ID, test date, result, and tester initials. A notes field can capture readings and where they were taken. Keep corrective-action details with the unit’s entry, and carry unresolved faults into the next inspection. This creates a clear record without relying on memory.

Create a free template in a spreadsheet or as a printed form.

Emergency light inspection log fields

A useful log links each test to a specific fixture and tester. Give every unit a stable ID, then use the same field names for monthly and annual entries. This makes results easier to compare and helps staff find a unit’s history without searching scattered notes.

• Test date and type: Record the date and whether the check was monthly or annual. This separates routine results from full-duration test records.
• Unit number and location: Pair the fixture ID with a clear location, such as “East stairwell, landing.” The ID identifies the unit, while the location helps staff find it.
• Start and stop times: Enter both times for each test. These details show the recorded test period and help explain an incomplete or interrupted check.
• Pass or fail result: Mark one outcome for each fixture. Avoid broad entries such as “floor passed,” which can hide a failed unit.
• Failure reason: Describe the observed fault, such as “lamp remained dim” or “unit did not illuminate.” A specific symptom gives follow-up staff a useful starting point.
• Tester’s initials: Identify who performed the check. Initials connect questions about an entry to the person who observed the result.

Keep these fields together in one row or form entry per unit, with space for context such as a test interrupted by a power issue. For a failed test, link the entry to the corrective action and repair completion date. Preserve the original result rather than replacing a failure with a later pass. This sequence shows what was found and how it was addressed.

Before each inspection, match the unit list to the building’s current layout. Update location details after fixture moves, then keep the ID consistent across records. For help addressing identified emergency-lighting issues, schedule emergency lighting service.

Empire Electric: LED Retrofits

Empire Electric provides LED Retrofits and Emergency Lighting for properties planning lighting upgrades or addressing emergency-lighting needs. Inspection records can reveal patterns, such as recurring fixture faults or areas needing broader attention. Use those findings to clarify the work required and connect maintenance decisions to the building’s actual conditions.

LED Retrofits address lighting systems, while emergency-lighting work relates directly to the fixtures in your log. Tenant Build-outs may also suit commercial spaces undergoing layout changes. Each service addresses a different project need, so base the next step on the issue your records identify.

For help with an emergency-lighting issue or lighting upgrade in Jacksonville, contact Empire Electric.

Make Your Inspection Routine Part of Facility Planning

Treat the monthly emergency light inspection log as a working maintenance record, not a form to file and forget. Its entries can help you identify recurring concerns, plan follow-up, and base lighting decisions on observed conditions. A consistent process also helps carry unresolved work forward when responsibilities change.

When inspection findings point to broader lighting needs, match the next step to the site. Empire Electric offers LED Retrofits, Parking Lot Lighting, and Sign Repair for distinct lighting projects beyond routine recordkeeping in Jacksonville and the surrounding service area.

Keep the log current, assign clear follow-up, and use documented findings to guide maintenance planning. For help with a lighting project, contact Empire Electric. A steady inspection routine is a practical step toward a better-managed facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do exit signs need testing too?

Yes, include illuminated exit signs with battery backup in testing. Check that each sign illuminates during the monthly functional test, then record its result under its own unit ID. The monthly emergency light inspection log should track exit-sign results separately from nearby fixtures. Also note whether each sign remains visible and legible along the exit route, rather than recording only that its lamps turned on.

How often is the full 90 minute test required?

The full-duration test is required annually. Schedule it separately from routine monthly functional checks, and clearly record the test type and result. For battery-powered units, the procedure interrupts normal power so the backup source operates. Note any interruption or failure: an incomplete test cannot show whether the unit sustained operation for the full duration.

What happens if a unit fails the test?

A unit that stays dark, has dim lamps, or fails to reach full brilliance should be serviced, repaired, or replaced. Mark it as failed, describe the symptom, and keep the corrective action open until the work is complete. For example, “dim lamp” is more useful than “lighting issue” because it states what the tester observed.

Who can perform the monthly test?

A trained staff member can perform the monthly functional test and complete the inspection record. Assign responsibility to a specific person or role, and ensure they know how to identify each unit and operate its test control. If staff responsibilities change, update the assignment and unit list so the next inspection is not missed or recorded against the wrong fixture.

What are OSHA requirements for monthly emergency lighting inspections?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 addresses exit routes and exit signs. Monthly exit-route illumination checks should be included in the inspection routine. OSHA also requires exit signs to be illuminated by a reliable light source to at least five foot-candles, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Use the monthly emergency light inspection log to connect observed route-lighting issues with their locations.

What does NFPA 101 require for monthly emergency light testing?

Regular visual inspections and functional tests help confirm that required emergency exit lighting operates. Check that each unit operates during the test, and record its outcome against the correct fixture. Keep this routine distinct from the annual full-duration test, since the monthly check confirms operation but does not establish the unit’s sustained backup performance.