Reviewed by Lee Gundenswager (Lead Electrician, Connex Lic #92217) and Darren Standring (Owner). Last updated 2026-08-17.
If you own or manage a commercial building in Queensland, emergency and exit lighting is not optional — it is a legal requirement, and the responsibility for keeping it compliant sits with you. This guide sets out exactly what the law and the Australian Standards require in Queensland, so you know what your building needs and can prove it if an inspector, insurer or auditor asks. Connex Electrical installs, tests and certifies emergency lighting for businesses across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
What the law requires in Queensland
Emergency lighting requirements in Queensland come from three layers that work together:
- The National Construction Code (NCC / BCA), Part E4 — determines where emergency lighting and illuminated exit signs must be installed, based on the building’s Class and size.
- AS/NZS 2293.1 — the standard for the design and installation of the system.
- AS/NZS 2293.2 — the standard for ongoing inspection and maintenance (the 6-monthly testing regime).
On top of the Standards, Queensland law sets who is responsible and what must be maintained. The Electrical Safety Act 2002 governs electrical work and licensing, and the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 makes the building owner or occupier responsible for maintaining prescribed fire safety installations — which includes emergency lighting and exit signs — and keeping the records available.
Which buildings need emergency and exit lighting?
Most commercial and public buildings do. The exact requirement is set by the building’s NCC Class, but in practice it covers:
- Offices, retail shops and shopping centres
- Warehouses, factories and industrial units
- Medical, dental and aged-care facilities
- Schools, childcare and education buildings
- Hospitality — restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs
- Multi-storey residential and apartment common areas (car parks, corridors, stairwells)
If you are not sure what your building needs, Connex will assess it free and tell you exactly what is required to be compliant.
What “compliant” actually means
Meeting the requirement is not just having lights on the wall. A compliant Queensland building needs all four of these:
- Correct design and coverage — emergency luminaires and exit signs positioned to AS/NZS 2293.1 so escape paths stay lit and every exit is clearly marked.
- Licensed installation — all work carried out by a licensed electrical contractor (Connex Lic #92217).
- 6-monthly testing — a full-duration discharge test every six months under AS/NZS 2293.2, confirming each fitting runs for its rated duration (commonly 90 minutes).
- Documented records — a current log book recording every test and any maintenance, kept on site and available for inspection.
Who is responsible — and what happens if you are not compliant
Under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, the responsibility rests with the building owner or occupier, not the tenant’s electrician-of-the-day. Non-compliance can mean failed fire safety inspections, problems at lease or sale, insurance complications after an incident, and — most importantly — evacuation lighting that does not work when people need to get out. The good news is that compliance is straightforward to achieve and keep once the right system and testing program are in place.
How Connex keeps your building compliant
- Free compliance assessment — we inspect your building and tell you exactly what is required, with a fixed-price quote up front.
- Design and installation to AS/NZS 2293.1 — correct coverage, modern LED emergency fittings and exit signs.
- Scheduled 6-monthly testing to AS/NZS 2293.2 — we track your due dates and handle it, with full log book records.
- Licensed and insured — QLD Electrical Contractor Licence #92217, $20M public liability, lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Call 0474 207 609 or book online for a free emergency lighting compliance assessment across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
Emergency Lighting Requirements QLD — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for emergency lighting in Queensland?
Emergency and exit lighting must be designed and installed to AS/NZS 2293.1 and the National Construction Code (Part E4), then inspected and tested every six months under AS/NZS 2293.2 with results kept in a log book. Under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, the building owner or occupier is responsible for keeping the system maintained and the records available. All work must be done by a licensed electrical contractor.
Which buildings need emergency lighting in Queensland?
Most commercial and public buildings: offices, retail, warehouses, factories, medical and aged-care, schools, hospitality, and multi-storey residential common areas. The exact requirement is set by the building’s NCC Class and size. Connex can assess your building free and confirm what is required.
Who is responsible for emergency lighting compliance in Queensland?
The building owner or occupier, under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008. They must keep the emergency lighting maintained and the test records available for inspection. The testing and installation itself must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor.
What Australian Standards apply to emergency lighting?
AS/NZS 2293.1 covers the design and installation of the system, and AS/NZS 2293.2 covers inspection and maintenance, including the 6-monthly discharge test. The National Construction Code (Part E4) determines where emergency lighting and exit signs are required.
How often does emergency lighting need to be checked to stay compliant?
Every six months. AS/NZS 2293.2 requires a routine service twice a year, including a full-duration discharge test, with every result recorded in the log book. Connex schedules and handles this so your building stays compliant on time.
What happens if my building’s emergency lighting is not compliant?
You can fail a fire safety inspection, face complications at lease or sale, and risk insurance issues after an incident — and, most importantly, the evacuation lighting may not work in a real emergency. Connex brings non-compliant systems up to current standard and documents it so your building passes its next inspection.