Exit Sign & Emergency Light Combo – Ultimate Guide

If you manage facilities, design tenant improvements, or handle life-safety maintenance, combo units are a practical way to satisfy both exit identification and emergency illumination at doors, stairs, and decision points—without doubling the device count. In many corridors and vestibules you’re required to provide a visible EXIT marker and code-compliant lighting levels along the path. A combo ensures both conditions are met with one installation and one battery system to test. For quick product exploration, see our curated category for exit sign & emergency light combos.

At-a-Glance

• One device, two functions: EXIT legend + emergency lamp heads in a single listed fixture.
• UL 924: automatic transfer to battery with ≥ 90-minute runtime at rated load.
• Speeds inspections: fewer boxes to mount, wire, test, and document.
• Variants: thermoplastic (economy), steel (rugged), die-cast aluminum (architectural), wet-location, high-lumen, remote-capable, and self-testing.
• Where they shine: over exits, at stair doors/landings, and tight corridors where separate fixtures clutter the space.

What Is an Exit Light Combo?

A combo integrates an illuminated EXIT panel (single or double face, field-selectable chevrons) with one or two adjustable lamp heads. Under normal power, the charger maintains the battery and the EXIT legend stays lit. On outage, the transfer circuit switches to battery, the heads energize, and the sign remains readable for at least 90 minutes. Because the sign and lighting share a power feed, charger, and diagnostics, you reduce wiring complexity and future service points.

Combos vs. Separate Units

You can always meet code with separate exit signs and emergency lights. But combos make sense when you want to:

• Clean up the doorway: one centered device above the door instead of two boxes.
• Streamline service: one battery system to inspect, test, and document.
• Control costs: fewer backboxes, conductors, and labor steps during install.

Separate components remain preferable in unusual sightlines (e.g., EXIT must be offset for visibility) or large areas needing many photometric points. In most retrofit corridors and tenant entries, combos are the simpler, safer default.

Code & Compliance Basics

Look for a UL 924 listing—this standard covers emergency lighting and power equipment, verifying fast automatic transfer, battery performance, EXIT legibility, and charge integrity. Life-safety codes (NFPA 101 / IBC / IFC) require illuminated exits and adequate egress illumination whenever the building is occupied. The combo is just a form factor that satisfies both requirements with one listed product.

Typical spec items to confirm on submittals:

• Legend: letter color (red/green), letter height, single/double face, and chevrons.
• Input: universal 120/277 V is common; some projects call for dual-circuit or special voltage options.
• Runtime: ≥ 90 minutes at the installed load (including any remote heads).
• Environment: dry/damp/wet listing as required; cold-weather kits where ambient falls below battery rating.

City/State Notes: NYC, Chicago, Connecticut

Large jurisdictions publish add-ons you must match in design:

• New York City: metal housings and larger red legends (commonly 8" letters). Choose explicitly “NYC Approved” combos.
• Chicago: robust, typically metal construction; red EXIT with directional chevrons. Use “Chicago Approved” models to pass plan review.
• Connecticut: allows red or green legends and includes low-level path marking provisions in many occupancies—pair standard combos with floor-level guidance as required.

For multi-site programs, document these local rules early to avoid last-minute substitutions.

Types of Exit Light Combos

Thermoplastic (Economy)

Lightweight, corrosion-proof, and budget-friendly. Ideal for offices, classrooms, and small retail where abuse is unlikely. Contemporary LED heads provide high efficacy and cool operation with simple snap-together installation.

Steel Housing – Rugged & Code-Approved

Heavy-gauge enclosures for warehouses, stair towers, gyms, and back-of-house. Powder-coat finishes resist rust; wire guards add impact protection. Steel is preferred—and sometimes mandated—by big-city amendments.

Die-Cast Aluminum – Durable & Stylish

Architectural trims with clean lines and slim profiles for lobbies, hotels, museums, and modern corridors. All the UL 924 performance, with a premium look that blends into finished interiors.

Wet Location & Outdoor – Weatherproof Egress

Gasketed housings and sealed heads for exposed entries, garages, and wash-down spaces. Look for NEMA/IP ratings and optional heaters for cold climates; maintain gasket compression and conduit seals during install.

High-Lumen / High-Output

When ceiling heights are tall or the space is open, high-output heads extend spacing distances and reduce fixture counts. Useful in atriums, long corridors with high ceilings, or large lobbies.

Remote-Capable – Extending Coverage

Provides battery capacity and terminals for remote heads on the same circuit. Perfect for lighting an adjacent stair landing, an alcove beyond a door swing, or a longer run without adding a separate battery unit.

Self-Testing / Self-Diagnostic

Built-in controllers automate the monthly quick check and the annual 90-minute test, posting status via a bi-color LED (green OK / red fault). This slashes manual testing time and keeps logs inspection-ready.

Selection Checklist

• Environment: dry, damp, or wet? Choose weather-sealed models and cold-weather kits as needed.
• Housing: thermoplastic (economy), steel (abuse resistance), die-cast (architectural).
• Legend: red/green color, letter height, single/double face, field-selectable chevrons.
• Local rules: NYC/Chicago specifics, Connecticut path-marking, plus owner standards.
• Input: universal 120/277 V; check for dual-circuit or special-voltage (208/220/240 V) options when specified.
• Output: standard vs. high-lumen heads; review spacing tables for corridors and open areas.
• Remote capacity: if driving remote heads, confirm total remote watts for the full 90-minute runtime.
• Temperature: match battery/electronics to ambient highs/lows (freezers, vestibules, sun-facing glass).
• Maintenance: consider self-testing to automate required checks and surface faults proactively.
• Look & placement: public-facing entries may need die-cast; back-of-house favors steel.

Remote-Capable Sizing (If You Need Remote Heads)

Sizing remote-capable combos is a three-step exercise:

1. Add up remote load: sum the nameplate watts of each remote head (e.g., two 2 W remotes = 4 W total).
2. Check the datasheet: confirm the combo’s remote capacity (e.g., supports 8 W remotes for 90 minutes).
3. Leave margin: avoid running at 100% capacity; preserve buffer for temperature extremes and battery aging.

Use the specified remote head voltage, observe voltage drop on long runs, and size conductors accordingly. If the load exceeds one combo’s capacity, distribute remotes or step up to a higher-capacity model. For scenarios and wiring tips, see Remote-Capable Exit Sign Combos – Extending Emergency Coverage.

Mounting & Installation Tips

• Mounting: most combos ship with a universal canopy for wall, ceiling, or end-mounting; verify backbox locations before rough-in.
• Unswitched feed: provide an unswitched branch so charging and transfer work regardless of lighting controls.
• Head aiming: after power-up, aim heads to eliminate shadows at the door landing and first steps beyond the swing.
• Spacing: leverage manufacturer spacing charts; high-lumen heads extend distances and reduce fixture counts.
• Weather seals: for wet/damp units, keep gaskets clean, torque fasteners evenly, and seal conduit entries.
• Arrows & faces: snap chevrons to match the true path; use double-face for two-way corridors.

Testing, Maintenance & Self-Diagnostics

Keep a simple compliance routine:

• Monthly: a ~30-second functional test (push-to-test or automatic) to verify charger, battery, and heads.
• Annually: a full 90-minute discharge at installed load; record pass/fail and corrective actions.
• Recordkeeping: maintain a log by location; inspectors expect to see it.

Self-testing combos automate these checks and surface faults via a small bi-color status LED: solid green (OK) vs. red (issue). This reduces manual effort and catches weak batteries before they become inspection problems. For a deeper dive, see Self-Testing Exit Sign Combos – Hassle-Free Compliance.

When Are Combo Units Required?

Combos are an efficient way to satisfy both parts of the life-safety equation where the EXIT marker and egress illumination overlap, but project specifics vary by occupancy, layout, and local amendments. For a code-driven overview of common scenarios (doors, stairs, intersections, and areas of refuge), see When Exit Emergency Combo Units Are Required.

Related Reading (Spokes)

• Die-Cast Aluminum Exit Light Combos – Durable & Stylish Units
• High-Lumen Exit Sign Combos – High-Output Emergency Lighting
• Remote-Capable Exit Sign Combos – Extending Emergency Coverage
• Self-Testing Exit Sign Combos – Hassle-Free Compliance
• Steel Housing Exit Light Combos – Rugged & Code-Approved
• Wet Location & Outdoor Exit Light Combos – Weatherproof Egress Lighting
• When Exit Emergency Combo Units Are Required

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