Fire Services · Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting & exit sign service

Annual 30-minute duration testing with photometric verification — not just function-checks. Fixed-fee annual contracts.

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Commercial emergency lighting and exit signs in Ontario need a monthly 30-second functional test plus an annual 30-minute duration test under the Ontario Fire Code and the Life Safety Code. CAINtech performs the full cycle in commercial buildings across the GTA: battery testing, photometric verification, exit sign confirmation, replacement of failed units, and documented reporting. Fixed-fee annual contracts available.

10 lux

Minimum illumination

30 min

Duration test

Monthly

Staff functional test

Annual

Tech 30-min test

Annual Cycle

—OFC Article 2.7.3.4 annual 30-minute duration test
—Battery condition verification on every unit
—Photometric verification at 10 lux minimum along exit routes
—Battery + lamp replacement on same visit (parts in stock)
—Mounting, corrosion, and accessibility visual check

Upgrades & Installation

—LED emergency lighting unit upgrades from legacy fluorescent
—Photometric redesign for exit route compliance
—Self-testing self-diagnostic unit installation
—Centralized inverter system service
—Battery-backed exit sign verification
—Combination emerg-light + exit-sign unit installation

What is included in emergency lighting and exit sign service?

The Ontario Fire Code requires emergency lighting and exit signs to operate automatically when normal power fails, providing at least 10 lux along exit routes for the duration required by occupancy classification. Annual service covers:

01
Annual 30-minute duration teston every emergency lighting unit and battery-backed exit sign.
02
Battery condition teston each unit to verify capacity meets the required duration.
03
Photometric verificationat sample locations along exit routes to confirm 10 lux minimum illumination.
04
Visual inspectionof each unit for physical damage, corrosion, and proper mounting.
05
Lamp and battery replacementfor failed bulbs, LED modules, and units that fail the duration test.
06
Exit sign verificationfor legibility, mounting, and visibility under normal and emergency conditions.
07
Documentationof every test result and any deficiencies.

How often must emergency lighting be tested in Ontario?

The Ontario Fire Code requires a monthly 30-second functional test performed by building staff, which simulates a power failure and confirms the unit illuminates, and an annual 30-minute duration test performed by a qualified technician, which simulates a sustained power failure and confirms the unit provides illumination for the full required duration. Units that fail the duration test get battery or full-unit replacement.

Which standards apply?

Self-contained emergency lighting units shall be inspected at intervals not greater than 12 months to ensure that they operate when the regular power supply fails and provide the required illumination for the specified duration.

Ontario Fire Code, Article 2.7.3.4

The Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07) defines the testing requirements. The Ontario Building Code defines installation and design requirements. The Life Safety Code is referenced for performance standards, including the 10 lux minimum and the 30-minute minimum duration for most occupancies. CSA C22.2 standards apply to specific emergency lighting equipment.

Key compliance requirements: 10 lux minimum illumination along exit routes (Life Safety Code), 30-minute minimum duration for most occupancies (Ontario Building Code), OFC Article 2.7.3.4 annual duration testing.

Emergency exit sign close-up

Where is emergency lighting required?

Under the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code, emergency lighting is required in all exits and corridors leading to exits, stairways used as exits, open floor areas where employees congregate, underground walkways and tunnels, principal routes leading to exits, service rooms, storage rooms in industrial occupancies, public assembly occupancies, and multi-occupancy corridors in residential buildings. Exit signs are required at every exit, every change of direction along an exit route, and any point where an occupant could become confused about the path to safety.

How does CAINtech handle deficiencies?

Critical deficiencies include a unit that does not activate at all on power loss, a unit that fails well before 30 minutes elapse, or an exit sign that does not illuminate. These typically result in battery or unit replacement on the same visit or shortly after. Non-critical deficiencies such as cosmetic issues or units due for preventive replacement are logged and scheduled. Multi-unit failures sometimes point to a deeper issue such as corroded wiring or an undersized circuit, which we flag for further investigation.

Why CAINtech

We verify the lux, not just the light

Photometric verification, not just function testing. We measure the 10 lux minimum — many vendors skip this.
Battery and lamp replacement on the same visit where parts are in stock — fewer return-trip charges.
One accountable team across every fire system in your building.

Frequently asked questions

How often must commercial emergency lighting be tested in Ontario?+
A monthly 30-second functional test by building staff, plus an annual 30-minute duration test by a qualified technician. Both are required under the Ontario Fire Code (Article 2.7.3.4).
Who can perform the monthly emergency lighting test?+
Building staff or a designated representative. The monthly test is a functional check: press the test button and confirm the unit illuminates. The annual 30-minute test requires a qualified technician.
What is the minimum illumination level required?+
10 lux along exit routes under the Life Safety Code as referenced by the Ontario Fire Code. This is verified at sample points along exit routes during the annual inspection.
What is the minimum duration required?+
30 minutes for most occupancies. Some high-hazard or high-occupant-load occupancies require longer durations of 1 hour, 2 hours, or more per the Ontario Building Code.
My emergency lighting unit failed the 30-minute test. What now?+
Most failures are battery-related. The annual inspection identifies whether replacing the battery restores function or whether the full unit needs replacement. We typically swap batteries on the same visit where parts are in stock.
Do exit signs need to be tested?+
Battery-backed exit signs follow the same monthly and annual test cycle as emergency lighting. Hardwired-only exit signs require visual inspection for proper function and legibility but no duration testing.
Are LED emergency lighting units lower-maintenance than older units?+
Yes. LED units have longer lamp life, lower power draw, and longer battery life. The inspection cycle is the same, but replacement frequency is lower. Many older buildings benefit from upgrading to LED during emergency lighting refreshes.
Does emergency lighting service need to happen during business hours?+
Yes, typically. Testing requires simulating a power failure, which is easier to coordinate during business hours when building staff can confirm units in occupied spaces. After-hours scheduling is available where business-hours testing creates significant disruption.

Get your emergency lighting quote

Send us your approximate unit count and building size. Fixed-fee annual quote back the same business day. Mon to Fri, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

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