Every emergency and exit light in your building must work when the power goes out. We test, document, and maintain your emergency lighting so you pass every inspection.
When the power goes out in your building, emergency lights and illuminated exit signs are the only thing guiding occupants to safety. A dead battery, a burned-out bulb, or a failed charging circuit means a dark hallway or stairwell during an evacuation. NYC building code takes this seriously — every emergency light and exit sign must be tested monthly and annually, with results documented in writing.
The monthly test is a 30-second functional check: simulate a power failure and confirm the light activates. Simple in concept, tedious in practice when your building has dozens or hundreds of fixtures across multiple floors. The annual test is more rigorous — a full 90-minute battery discharge test to verify each fixture can sustain illumination for the required duration. Fixtures that cannot hold a charge for 90 minutes fail and must be repaired or replaced before the next fire marshal visit.
Empire Fire Services handles both testing regimes for NYC buildings. Our technicians visit monthly to perform 30-second functional tests on every emergency light and exit sign in your building. Each fixture is tested, and the results are documented in a written log — which lights or fixtures are functional, which ones failed. Failed units are flagged for immediate repair. During the annual visit, we perform the full 90-minute battery discharge test, noting battery health and fixture condition for every unit.
When fixtures fail, we handle repairs on-site. Battery replacements, bulb swaps, and charging circuit repairs are completed during the testing visit. We carry common replacement batteries and bulbs for all major emergency light brands — Lithonia, Dual-Lite, Sure-Lites, and others. For fixtures that need complete replacement (wiring modifications), we coordinate with licensed electricians to get the work done quickly.
The testing documentation we provide is formatted for fire marshal review. Each monthly log records the date, technician, building, and status of every fixture. The annual 90-minute test results include battery condition ratings. When the fire marshal asks for your emergency lighting records, you hand over an organized binder or digital file — not a stack of sticky notes and half-remembered dates.
Monthly testing and annual verification, fully documented.
On the first visit, we catalog every emergency light and exit sign in your building by location and type. This inventory becomes the baseline for all future testing.
Each month, our technician tests every fixture by simulating a power failure. Results are documented for each unit. Failed fixtures are repaired on-site with replacement batteries or bulbs.
Once per year, every fixture undergoes a full 90-minute battery discharge test. We verify sustained illumination, document battery condition, and replace any units that cannot maintain the required duration.
Consistent monthly testing on a set schedule. You never have to remember when the next test is due.
Failed bulbs and batteries replaced during the visit. Common parts for all major brands carried on every call.
Every test documented by fixture location with pass/fail status. Organized for fire marshal review.
Combine emergency light testing with fire extinguisher inspection for streamlined compliance and reduced costs.
Emergency and exit light testing starts at $5–$15/fixture per fixture with volume pricing for larger buildings. Get a free estimate.
Regulatory Compliance
NFPA 101
Life Safety Code — requires emergency illumination along all means of egress, mandates monthly 30-second functional tests and annual 90-minute battery discharge tests, and specifies minimum illumination levels for exit paths.
NYC Building Code Chapter 27
Establishes New York City-specific requirements for emergency and exit lighting placement, battery backup duration, testing documentation, and record-keeping obligations for building owners and managers.
Empire Fire Services ensures full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and NYC fire codes.
Complete fire safety compliance management for NYC buildings. Monthly emergency light testing, annual fire extinguisher inspection, 90-minute battery tests, plan reviews, and organized documentation.
$150–$500/month
Learn moreFire safety plan compliance management for NYC buildings. Annual reviews, staff amendment filings, log book maintenance, fire drill coordination, and FDNY inspection prep.
$500–$1,500/year
Learn moreAnnual and monthly fire extinguisher inspections for NYC buildings. FDNY compliant, certified technicians, same-day inspection tags and documentation.
$8–$25/unit
Learn moreGet a free, no-obligation estimate. We'll assess your building and give you a firm price — no surprises.
