Emergency lighting is often overlooked—until the moment it’s needed most.
During a power outage, properly functioning emergency lighting systems guide occupants safely to exits and help maintain visibility throughout critical egress routes. As a result, compliance with emergency lighting requirements remains a fundamental part of building safety.
With the release of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) 2025, building owners, facility managers, engineers, and contractors must ensure that emergency lighting systems not only meet installation requirements but also continue to perform reliably throughout their lifecycle.
Understanding NBCC 2025 Requirements
To meet code requirements, systems must:
- Provide consistent illumination along exit paths
- Eliminate dark zones through strategic fixture placement
- Maintain required illumination levels during power outages
- Continue operating for the required emergency duration
While these requirements may seem straightforward, maintaining compliance extends far beyond the initial installation.
Fortunately, AimLite offers solutions that help facilities achieve and maintain compliance while reducing the administrative burden associated with ongoing testing and documentation.
Compliance After Installation
One of the most important aspects of NBCC compliance is ongoing system verification.
Emergency lighting systems must undergo regular testing to confirm they will perform as intended during an actual emergency. Without proper testing and documentation, building owners may face increased liability, failed inspections, and safety risks.
NBCC compliance typically requires two key testing procedures:
Monthly Functional Testing
Performed every 30 days, a functional test simulates a power interruption to verify that emergency fixtures activate and provide illumination when normal power is lost.
These tests help identify:
- Burned-out lamps
- Wiring issues
- Tripped breakers
- Control failures
- Fixture malfunctions
Annual Discharge Testing
Performed once per year, a discharge test verifies that systems can maintain illumination for the required duration, often 30 minutes or longer.
These tests help identify batteries that may appear functional during normal operation but cannot sustain emergency runtime when needed.
How AimLite Simplifies Compliance
AimLite helps facilities move from reactive maintenance to proactive compliance through its Wave and Nucleus emergency lighting monitoring solutions.
By automating testing and reporting functions, these systems help facility teams maintain compliance while improving visibility into system performance.
Key benefits include:
- Real-time failure alerts
- Digital, audit-ready reporting
- Centralized system monitoring
With Canadian-made emergency lighting solutions and intelligent monitoring technologies, AimLite provides the tools needed to help facilities stay compliant, inspection-ready, and prepared for the unexpected.
If you’re planning a new project or evaluating ways to simplify emergency lighting compliance within an existing facility, contact our team to learn more about AimLite’s emergency lighting and monitoring solutions.