Free Emergency Light Inspection Checklist (PDF + Word)

Short answer: Under widely adopted life-safety practice aligned with NFPA 101 §7.9, emergency lights get a monthly ~30-second functional test and an annual 90-minute full-duration test. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 requires exit routes to stay adequately lit and exit lighting to remain in working order. Download a free US-focused checklist below as PDF and Word (no email) to log unit IDs, Pass/Fail/N/A results, and corrective actions. Documentation aid only; not a substitute for your AHJ, manufacturer instructions, or a competent person.

Top results for this query are checklist forms and monthly/annual test logs. That is the job this page does: a blank form you can print or type into, plus the testing context you need so the form is not filled blindly.

What is an emergency light inspection checklist?

Short answer: A unit-by-unit log for exit signs and egress emergency lights covering visual condition, monthly function tests, annual duration tests, failures, and close-out.

A usable checklist usually captures:

• Facility header, inspector, date, and whether the visit is monthly or annual
• Unit ID, location, fixture type, battery type/install date
• Visual condition (damage, mounting, blocked path, lens)
• Monthly functional test (~30 seconds under simulated power loss / test mode)
• Annual full-duration test (90 minutes) where required by the adopted code edition
• Illumination notes along the egress path when you meter or observe coverage
• Corrective action, owner, target date, inspector sign-off

What is inside this free download?

Short answer: A short US-oriented pack (about three PDF pages) with Pass/Fail/N/A rows for monthly and annual tests, not a multi-building CMMS.

• Documentation-aid disclaimer and US jurisdiction note on the form
• Inspection header (facility, inspector, monthly vs annual, conditions)
• Unit identification block
• Monthly functional test items (visual, 10-second start, 30-second hold)
• Annual full-duration items (simulated outage, 90-minute hold, illumination note)
• Corrective action and findings table with signature lines

Files: PDF and Word. No email wall. Ratings on the form are Pass / Fail / N/A with notes, matching how most field logs are filled.

What do NFPA 101 and OSHA expect?

Short answer: NFPA 101 §7.9 is the usual technical source for emergency lighting performance and testing cadence. OSHA 1910.37 keeps exit routes lit and exit lighting operational. Always confirm the code edition your AHJ enforces.

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code addresses emergency lighting in Chapter 7 (commonly cited as §7.9 in recent editions). Typical program elements facilities implement from that framework include:

• Illumination along the egress path (commonly discussed targets include average about 1 foot-candle / 10.8 lux at floor level, with a low minimum at any point and a max-to-min uniformity limit; verify numbers against your adopted edition)
• Activation within about 10 seconds of normal power loss
• At least 90 minutes of emergency operation
• Periodic testing: monthly functional checks and annual full-duration tests are the industry default language
• Written records retained per the adopted edition and AHJ practice

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 (Exit routes) requires, among other things, that exit routes be adequately lighted, exits be marked, and safeguards such as exit lighting be maintained in proper working order. It does not itself spell out the NFPA monthly/annual test script; many employers still use NFPA 101 testing language because building/fire codes or insurers point there.

This checklist is a US documentation aid. It is not an NFPA form, not UL certification, and not proof of compliance by itself.

How do you run the monthly 30-second test?

Short answer: Identify every unit, inspect it, put it on battery/test mode, confirm light output for about 30 seconds, log Pass/Fail, and open a repair ticket on failures.

1. Walk the whole egress system (corridors, stairs, exits, mechanical spaces that feed egress, exterior discharge as applicable).
2. Note damage, loose mounts, blocked heads, dirty lenses, and missing EXIT legend visibility.
3. Use the unit test feature or an approved method to simulate loss of normal power.
4. Confirm the lamp comes on promptly and holds without obvious flicker/dropout for the functional interval.
5. Mark Pass/Fail/N/A and write the defect if it fails.
6. Assign repair/replace work; do not leave failed egress lighting open-ended.

How do you run the annual 90-minute test?

Short answer: Simulate outage long enough to prove the battery run time, recheck units during the discharge, document early failures, then restore power and charging indication.

1. Coordinate with occupants so a long test is not mistaken for an emergency.
2. Start the discharge with the manufacturer-approved method.
3. Recheck units during the run (for example mid-test and at 90 minutes) and note dimming or dropout.
4. Fail any unit that cannot hold the required duration and schedule battery/fixture service.
5. Restore normal power and confirm charging/AC indicators where provided.
6. Keep the signed annual record with unit locations and results.

Common mistakes

• Doing only the push-button blink and skipping annual duration
• Never looking at actual light on the path (only the indicator LED)
• No unit IDs or locations, so failures cannot be found later
• No written failure log when the fire marshal asks for proof
• Batteries with unknown age left in service after repeated short-test passes

How InspectionReport fits after the checklist

InspectionReport is an AI-assisted inspection reporting tool. Upload photos of fixtures and defects, add site notes, review drafted findings, then export a client-ready PDF or Word report when you need it. AI drafts; you review and sign off.

It is not an offline CMMS, not a multi-user real-time collaboration suite, not a custom checklist builder, and not a substitute for code books or AHJ approval. Use this free PDF/Word checklist for the test log. When you need a photo-backed narrative report of failures and close-outs, build it in InspectionReport: free to draft and preview, €9.95 per exported report (taxes included worldwide), or €29/mo Unlimited for regular export volume.

FAQ

How often should emergency lights be tested?

Most programs following NFPA 101 language run a monthly functional test and an annual 90-minute duration test. Confirm the edition and any stricter AHJ or insurer rules on your site.

Does OSHA by itself require the 30-second / 90-minute script?

OSHA 1910.37 requires adequate exit route lighting and maintained exit lighting. The detailed monthly/annual test script is typically taken from the life-safety/building code path (often NFPA 101 §7.9), not from 1910.37 alone.

Do I need an electrician for every test?

Routine monthly/annual functional testing is often done by trained facility or safety staff. Electrical repairs, wiring, and many battery replacements should go to a qualified person per local rules and manufacturer instructions.

Is this checklist legally compliant everywhere?

No blank form is. Match your adopted code edition, occupancy, and AHJ. This pack is a US documentation aid with Pass/Fail/N/A rows for common monthly and annual checks.