This guide explains how a UL 924 listing serves as the national baseline for exit signs and emergency lights—and where New York City and Chicago impose stricter local requirements—so your installs pass plan review and field inspection. Written in plain English for facility managers, contractors, AHJs, and building owners.
Last updated: October 2025
Introduction
Across most of the U.S., a UL 924 listing covers the performance needed for compliant egress lighting. However, NYC and Chicago add city-level requirements—especially for exit sign design, materials, legibility, placement, and documentation. This guide highlights what changes and how to specify accordingly. For the lighting side in NYC, see NYC Guide: Emergency lighting requirements.
UL 924: National Baseline
- Scope: Exit signs, emergency lights, combos, and related equipment.
- Runtime: Verifies ≥ 90 minutes of emergency operation.
- Legibility/illumination: Ensures readable legends and adequate emergency lighting along egress routes.
- Documentation: Keep listings/cut sheets for submittals and inspections.
New York City: Exit Sign Requirements
- Letters: 8″ red characters, 1″ stroke; consistent red on a high-contrast background. (Common reviewer expectation: standardize on 8″ city-wide.)
- Construction: Metal housings (steel/aluminum); plastic housings are not accepted.
- Power: Electrically powered legends with integral battery (or central power as designed). No photoluminescent or self-luminous exit legends as the primary sign.
- Visibility: Internally lit, high-visibility legends; keep test/indicator access visible from standing height.
NYC building code exit signs — what reviewers check
Plan reviewers verify 8-inch red letters, correct chevrons that mirror the actual travel path, metal/architectural housings appropriate to the space, UL 924 listing, and 90-minute runtime.
NYC fire code exit signs — common inspection notes
Inspectors confirm visibility at decision points, arrowing integrity, test-switch access, and status indicators. For recessed/clean-ceiling installations and hose-down/exterior locations, see these NYC series deep dives: Recessed NYC exit signs & emergency lights and NYC wet-location exit sign guide.
Chicago: Exit Sign Requirements
- Durability: Metal faceplate commonly required for added robustness in high-abuse areas.
- Runtime: Maintain ≥ 90 minutes of battery illumination (UL 924 baseline).
- Local code prevails: Fixtures must satisfy city specs beyond UL 924; letter color/format and arrowing must be explicit in submittals.
- Finish: White powder-coat is common; confirm finish/material expectations with the AHJ.
Field tip: In service corridors, garages, gyms, and docks, choose steel housings and consider wire guards; in front-of-house areas, architectural or recessed models are acceptable if they meet listing and visibility requirements.
Comparison Summary (UL vs NYC vs Chicago)
| Feature | UL 924 (National) | NYC | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listing/Scope | Product safety & 90-min performance | UL 924 required + city design rules | UL 924 required + city durability/visibility |
| Letters/Color | National legibility standards | 8″ red, 1″ stroke | City specs; verify in submittals |
| Housing/Materials | Meets safety/flame ratings | Metal only (no plastic) | Metal faceplate typically required |
| Power/Type | Electrical or listed non-electrical per code | Electrical only (no tritium/PL exit legends) | Electrical; other types per AHJ |
| Runtime | ≥ 90 minutes | ≥ 90 minutes (plus local expectations) | ≥ 90 minutes |
Plan Review & Inspections
- Include UL 924 listings and cut sheets in submittals; annotate letter height/color, housing material, chevrons, and runtime.
- On drawings, call out NYC 8″ red, 1″ stroke and metal housing where applicable; in Chicago, note metal faceplate and any finish requirements.
- Show placement, double-face units, and arrow orientation at decision points; avoid generic “BY OTHERS” notes.
- Maintain testing logs (monthly function, annual 90-minute). For reducing truck rolls in NYC, see NYC Guide: Self-testing exit signs.
- City overviews for context: NYC compliance guide and Chicago compliance guide.
Spec Notes
- For NYC projects, specify 8″ red letters, 1″ stroke, metal housings, and internally lit legends.
- For Chicago, plan on a metal faceplate and confirm finish/material expectations during submittals.
- Elsewhere, standard UL 924 equipment is typical—verify local amendments with your AHJ.
FAQ
Is UL 924 enough by itself?
In many jurisdictions, yes. In NYC and Chicago, you must also meet city-specific requirements.
Are non-electrical exit signs allowed?
NYC requires electrically powered exit legends. Chicago requirements vary by application—verify with the AHJ.
What runtime do I need?
≥ 90 minutes of emergency illumination for signs and egress lighting.
What phrases do reviewers look for on NYC submittals?
Phrases like NYC building code exit signs and NYC fire code exit signs map to what plan reviewers and inspectors check: 8″ red letters, correct chevrons, UL 924 listing, and 90-minute runtime.