The Future of Emergency Lighting: Self-Testing and Smart Monitoring
Emergency lighting is one of those systems we rarely think about—until it’s needed. In the event of a power failure, these fittings can be the difference between a safe evacuation and dangerous confusion. For building owners, facilities managers, and specifiers, ensuring that every emergency light is working correctly is not just best practice; it’s a legal obligation under safety regulations with standards like BS EN 50172, which mandates monthly function tests and an annual full-duration test.
Traditionally, emergency lighting testing has been a laborious and a manual process. Someone must physically visit each fitting, simulate a power outage, and confirm the lamp illuminates correctly. These tests are often carried out monthly and annually, consuming valuable time, resources, and costs. Even worse, manual processes are prone to human error, with faulty fittings occasionally missed or not documented properly.
This is where smart technology is changing the landscape.
From Manual Checks to Smart Systems
The shift towards automation and digital monitoring is one of the most important developments in emergency lighting in recent years. Instead of relying on manual inspections, self-testing systems automatically check fittings at regular intervals. They simulate failures, monitor battery performance, and log results—all without human intervention.
The next step forward is networked smart monitoring, which not only tests each fitting but also communicates the results back to a central system. That means facilities teams gain real-time visibility across entire buildings or estates, with a clear picture of which luminaires are functioning and which require maintenance.
SmartScan: Intelligent Emergency Testing
Solite's SmartScan system is a leading example of how smart monitoring is reshaping emergency lighting. It combines self-testing technology with a wireless communication network, creating a fully connected ecosystem of luminaires. Utilising a wireless node in each luminaire, a data connected gateway, SmartScan wirelessly meshes luminaires together :
Key Features of SmartScan in Emergency Lighting
- Automated Testing
- Each luminaire carries out its own functional and duration tests at pre-set intervals.
- Removes the need for staff to walk the building manually, reducing labour and disruption.
- Wireless Connectivity
- Results are communicated wirelessly to a central gateway and uploaded to your personal portal.
- This enables a building-wide overview of compliance without hardwiring additional control systems.
- Centralised Reporting
- Facilities managers access test logs, status updates, and compliance records through an intuitive personal web portal.
- Automatic record-keeping supports audits and ensures alignment with BS EN 50172 and other emergency lighting regulations.
- Proactive Maintenance
- Faults are flagged immediately, allowing quick intervention before a safety risk arises, alerts through email and on the portal.
- Battery performance data can highlight fittings approaching end-of-life, enabling planned replacement instead of costly reactive maintenance.
- As installed CAD drawing UX, makes locating issues a breeze
Why Smart Monitoring Matters
The benefits of SmartScan extend beyond convenience. They represent a fundamental improvement in safety, compliance, and sustainability:
- Enhanced Safety: Automated, precise checks mean no fitting is overlooked, and issues are addressed as soon as they occur.
- Guaranteed Compliance: Automatic logs remove ambiguity, giving facilities managers full confidence during audits.
- Reduced Costs: Fewer manual inspections and more predictive maintenance lower operational expenses.
- Scalability: From single buildings to large estates, the system scales without complex wiring.
- Sustainability: By minimising unnecessary site visits and extending fitting life with proactive care, SmartScan contributes to greener building operations.
The Bigger Picture: Towards Smart Buildings
Emergency lighting is just one piece of the puzzle. As buildings move towards full digital integration, systems like SmartScan highlight how smart infrastructure enhances safety and efficiency. For specifiers and end-users, it’s no longer just about meeting minimum legal standards—it’s about using technology to future-proof facilities, reduce operational risks, and align with smart building strategies. SmartScan is not just an emergency testing system, mains luminaires are also fully commissionable for Presence and Daylight monitoring, as well as a host of online reporting like : health status, energy use, occupancy profiles to name a few.
The images below, show SmartScan's clear and easy to understand infographic approach to the display of information :
Conclusion
The future of emergency lighting lies in automation, connectivity, and intelligence. Self-testing and smart monitoring systems such as SmartScan are not simply incremental improvements; they are a step-change in how we approach life safety compliance. By removing manual inefficiencies, ensuring real-time visibility, and providing actionable insights, SmartScan offers peace of mind, that when lighting matters most, it will never let you down
For more information on SmartScan click HERE or email us enquiry@solite-europe.com and we can discuss a full demo.