High-Lumen Exit Sign Combos – High-Output Emergency Lighting

A standard combo’s integrated heads are perfect above many doors, but larger rooms, higher mounting heights, glossy floors, or wide corridors often need more punch. High-output combos use larger LED engines and optimized optics to project usable light farther across the path of egress—helping you meet code with fewer units, simpler wiring, and faster inspections. Because the EXIT legend and heads share one battery/charger, you also streamline monthly and annual testing.

At-a-Glance

• One device, bigger coverage: EXIT legend + high-output heads increase spacing distances for tall or wide areas.
• UL 924 listed: automatic transfer, maintained EXIT legibility, and ≥ 90-minute emergency runtime at rated load.
• Typical output: ~600–1,200+ lm from built-in heads (model-dependent). Always validate with photometric tables.
• Options: remote-capable battery, self-testing, wet-location/IP/NEMA ratings, die-cast or steel housings, low-temp heaters.
• Best fits: gyms, atriums, long corridors, warehouses, auditoriums, parking garages, and exterior egress doors.
• Explore models: Browse High-Lumen Exit Light Combos  |  Read the pillar guide

What Is a High-Lumen Exit Light Combo?

It’s the same form factor as a standard exit/light combo—an illuminated EXIT panel with field-selectable chevrons and adjustable heads—engineered with higher-output LEDs and optics. The goal: maintain required corridor and floor illuminance from higher mounting points or across longer distances, while still meeting the 90-minute emergency runtime on a shared battery system.

When to Use High-Output vs. Standard Combos

• Ceiling height > 10–12 ft: More mounting height demands more throw to reach the floor uniformly.
• Wide corridors / open areas: Extend spacing to reduce fixture count while preserving average illuminance.
• Glossy or dark floors: Extra candela helps minimize hot spots and perceived dim patches at thresholds.
• Retrofits: Replace multiple small units with a single high-output combo to declutter and simplify testing.

For very large volumes (big-box retail, distribution aisles), pair a high-lumen combo at the exit with additional remote heads or supplemental emergency luminaires to ensure overlapping coverage along the entire path.

Code & Compliance Basics (What Matters Most)

High-lumen combos are still UL 924 emergency devices: they must transfer to battery automatically, keep the EXIT legend legible, power the heads for at least 90 minutes, and recover charge. Life-safety codes enforced by your AHJ require an average illuminance along the path and minimum levels at any point. Practically:

• Design to the 90-minute point: Meet required illuminance not just at minute 1, but at minute 90.
• Use manufacturer photometrics: Trust spacing tables for your mounting height and beam type (corridor vs. flood).
• Document tests: Keep monthly quick checks and annual 90-minute logs; self-testing models simplify this.

Photometrics, Spacing & Throw

Output alone doesn’t guarantee coverage—optics and aim matter. Corridor optics throw an elongated pattern down the path; symmetric floods cover landings and open spaces. As a rule of thumb:

• Standard heads: shorter spacing; best for 8–10 ft ceilings and tight vestibules.
• High-output heads: longer spacing; fit tall ceilings, wide halls, and open volumes.

After power-up, aim heads to eliminate shadows at the landing and first steps beyond the door swing. Lock the knuckles—high-lumen beams can shift if not tightened.

Battery, Runtime & Load Sharing

A combo’s battery supports both the EXIT legend and the lamp heads. High-output heads draw more power, so the battery and charger are sized accordingly. Think in watts and watt-hours: if the EXIT legend draws ~3 W and the heads draw ~8 W total, the unit supplies ~11 W for 90 minutes—about 16.5 Wh, plus margin. Always check the datasheet’s discharge tables and confirm the installed configuration (single/double face, head setting) aligns with the rated runtime.

For energy-regulated markets, look for charger efficiency compliance and low-standby designs; many modern combos meet those requirements while preserving the 90-minute emergency performance.

Remote-Capable Sizing (If You Need Remote Heads)

Remote-capable high-lumen combos include extra battery capacity and terminals to power remote heads downstream. Sizing is straightforward:

1. Add remote load: sum the nameplate watts of each remote head (e.g., two 3.5 W remotes = 7 W).
2. Check capacity: confirm the combo’s remote capacity for 90 minutes (e.g., supports 8 W remotes).
3. Leave margin: avoid running at 100%; preserve buffer for temperature and battery aging.
4. Mind voltage drop: long runs need larger gauge; match the specified remote head voltage.

If the load exceeds one combo’s capacity, distribute remotes among multiple combos or step up to a higher-capacity model. For wiring scenarios and planning tips, see Remote-Capable Exit Sign Combos – Extending Emergency Coverage.

Wet-Location, Temperature & Durability

For semi-exposed entries, garages, or wash-down areas, choose a wet-location high-lumen combo with gasketed seams and sealed heads (look for NEMA/IP ratings). In cold vestibules or freezers, specify low-temperature packages so batteries deliver full 90-minute output. For impact-prone areas, a steel housing with wire guards may be a better fit; for front-of-house, a die-cast aluminum housing blends with architectural finishes.

City Notes: NYC & Chicago

Jurisdictions like New York City and Chicago add requirements beyond UL 924—commonly metal housings and specific letter size/color (e.g., larger red legends in NYC) with chevron conventions. A high-lumen combo still must meet those signage rules. Select units explicitly listed/approved for those cities and confirm submittals for letter height, color, face count, and arrowing.

Mounting & Commissioning Tips

• Mounting style: most combos ship with a universal canopy for wall, ceiling, or end-mount—verify brackets/backbox locations during rough-in.
• Unswitched feed: supply from an unswitched branch so charging and transfer work regardless of lighting controls.
• Head aiming: aim after power-up; eliminate shadows at the landing and first steps beyond the door swing.
• Spacing: leverage manufacturer spacing charts; high-lumen heads extend distances and reduce fixture counts.
• Label & log: label the device location and record baseline test results for your inspection log.

Selection Checklist

• Ceiling height & width: pick corridor vs. flood optics; choose high-output where spacing matters.
• Housing: die-cast (architectural) vs. steel (rugged) vs. thermoplastic (economy).
• Legend: red/green, single/double face, field-selectable chevrons.
• Environment: dry/damp vs. wet-location; add low-temp kits if needed.
• Remote-capable: confirm remote watt budget and run lengths (guide).
• Self-testing: automate monthly/annual checks (guide).
• Jurisdictional: verify NYC/Chicago approvals on submittals before ordering.

FAQs

How much brighter is “high-lumen” vs. standard?

Standard combos often deliver a few hundred lumens total from two heads; high-lumen combos typically exceed ~600–1,200+ lumens depending on optics and drive current—translating to longer spacing at comparable mounting heights.

Can a high-lumen combo power remote heads?

If the model is remote-capable, yes—within its rated remote watt capacity for 90 minutes. Sum all remote head watts, keep a buffer, match the specified voltage, and size wire to control voltage drop.

Will one high-lumen unit cover an entire warehouse aisle?

Usually not by itself; it will cover the exit area and extend spacing, but long aisles still need additional coverage. Use photometric tables and overlap patterns to confirm average illuminance along the whole path.

Do high-lumen combos meet NYC/Chicago requirements?

The lighting output can—provided spacing and aiming are correct—but signage rules (metal housing, letter size/color, chevrons) also apply. Choose units explicitly approved for those jurisdictions.

Related Reading (Exit Lights Hub)

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

Shop High-Lumen Exit Lights Read the Ultimate Guide