The Ultimate Emergency Lighting SCDF SS 563 Compliance Checklist for Singapore MCSTs

As a Facility Manager (FM) or council member of a Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST), your primary non-negotiable responsibility is Fire Safety Compliance. The most frequent and critical point of failure during SCDF inspections is the Emergency Lighting and Exit Sign System. This system is governed by the Singapore Standard SS 563: Code of practice for the design, installation and maintenance of emergency lighting and power supply systems in buildings.

Here is the utltimate checklist you need to ensure your building's system is compliant, operational, and audit-ready.

1. SS 563: Key Illuminance (Lux) and Time Requirements

SS 563 establishes the minimum performance standards for emergency lighting to ensure safe evacuation. Compliance is mandatory under the SCDF Fire Code.

A. Critical Performance Metrics

Area of Coverage	Minimum Horizontal Illuminance (Lux)	Max Switchover Delay from Power Failure	Minimum Duration of Power Supply
Escape Routes (Staircases, Corridors, Lobbies)	0.5 Lux (measured at floor level on the centre line of the route)	1 second (Max 15 seconds for general occupied areas)	1 hour
Fire-Fighting Equipment Areas (e.g., Fire alarm panels, hose reels)	Adequate illumination to locate equipment	15 seconds	1 hour

B. The Zero-Darkness Rule

A crucial aspect of SS 563 is that the failure of any single emergency luminaire or exit sign must not leave an area in total darkness. This dictates the design and spacing of all emergency lighting units, especially on critical escape routes.

2. SS 563 Maintenance: Your Mandatory Testing Schedule

Compliance is not a one-time affair. SS 563, Part 2, clearly outlines that regular testing is required to validate the system's operational readiness.

A. The Monthly Functional Test (Short Test)

The goal of this test is to verify that the system can switch to its emergency power source when the main supply fails.

Requirement	Procedure	Log-Keeping
Duration	Momentary check or up to 10 seconds of operation.	Record the date, time, and test result for every fitting.
Action	Simulate a main power failure to activate all emergency lights/exit signs. Restore power after the test.	Note any faults, especially the indicator light (should switch from green to red/off during test).

B. The Annual Full Discharge Test (Endurance Test)

This is the most critical test, as it proves the battery's ability to sustain the minimum required illumination for the full evacuation duration.

Requirement	Procedure	Log-Keeping
Duration	1 hour (The minimum statutory duration required by SCDF).	Record the total discharge duration and the illumination level (if measured).
Action	Interrupt the normal power supply to initiate an emergency discharge for the full 1-hour period.	Document any fittings that fail to last the full 60 minutes or dim below the 0.5 lux minimum. These batteries must be replaced immediately.

Pro-Tip for FMs: Always schedule the 1-hour discharge test during off-peak hours (e.g., after midnight or on a Sunday) to ensure the system has adequate time to recharge the batteries before the building is occupied the next day.

3. SS 563 Compliance Checklist for FMs

Here's a summary of the checks you need to conduct and the requirements outlined in SS563

Checklist Item	Monthly Check	Annual Check	SS 563 Requirement
Indicator Light Status	✅ Verify all emergency lights are Green	✅ Verify Green light status.	Green Light to confirm that the battery is healthy and working
Functionality Test	✅ 10-Second Functional Test.	-	Immediate switchover (Max 1s for exit routes).
Battery Endurance	-	✅ 1-Hour Full Discharge Test.	Must maintain power for 60 minutes.
Illuminance Level	-	✅ Measure and verify 0.5 Lux minimum on escape routes.	Essential safety requirement.
Exit Sign Visibility	✅ Ensure signs are clear, undamaged, and visible.	✅ Verify sign integrity.	Must be clearly visible at all times.
Record Keeping	✅ Log all monthly tests.	✅ Log all annual tests, faults, and replacements.	Mandatory for SCDF audit.

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