Exit Sign Requirements
Exit sign requirements, for the most part, are similar but can vary for different countries, states, and localities. The best way to figure out what kind of exit sign is required for your facility is to consult you local building inspector and/or fire inspector. It is the job of these types of people to be educated on the local laws regarding safety egress equipment and which products meet code and which do not. We at Greentorch are knowledgeable on the vast majority of requirements so feel free to call us and ask questions but always confirm with your inspector that the information you receive is correct. That way, all your bases will be covered and you can purchase with confidence.
In the United States, exit signs are required to be installed above exit doors and in locations that point towards exit doors, when the door is not in a direct line of sight. In commercial properties exit signs are required on each side of fire doors, which shut automatically when a fire alarm has been triggered. At all times you should be able to see two exit doors with exit signs above, and if not, then two exit signs pointing towards those doors should be visible.
New York City and Chicago have specific exit sign requirements. New York City mandates that the height of the letters spelling “EXIT” must be eight inches tall, have a one-inch stroke, and be the color red. Also mandated is that the exit sign housing be constructed from aluminum or steel and that it must be wired electrically. Exit signs used in New York City must be approved by the New York Building Department. All New York City exit signs carry UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Approvals. For high-rise building in New York City, low-level photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) exit signs are required by Local Law 26, which was enacted after 9/11.
Click here for our full line of New York City Approved exit signs.
Click here for our Local Law 26 compliant line of photoluminescent exit signs.
Chicago has somewhat similar requirements. The City of Chicago requires exit signs must be constructed from a steel housing, have eight-inch letters, and a glass faceplate with red letters. Chicago has only approved a few exit sign models and Greentorch has them.
Click here for our full line of Chicago approved exit signs.
The California building code requires the installation of low-level exit signs similar to New York City for all new commercial construction and major commercial renovations. Exit sign studies have shown that installing low-level signs improves the chances of finding the exit in a smoke filled facility. California encourages the use of for low-level applications.
Click here for our full line of California low-level compliant non-electrical exit signs.