If you’re mounting an exit sign combo at 12–25+ ft, or you need a long throw down a corridor or across an open volume, standard combo heads can look fine at the door but leave the floor uneven farther out. This guide is laser-focused on high-lumen (high-output) exit sign & emergency light combos—how to use photometrics and spacing tables to place fewer fixtures with more predictable coverage. Start here, then explore the full lineup: High-Lumen Exit Sign Combos. For the full combo overview (types, code notes, options), see the pillar: Exit Sign & Emergency Light Combo – Ultimate Guide.
A “high-lumen exit sign combo” is still the same core device—an illuminated EXIT legend plus emergency light heads on one battery system. The difference is what you’re buying it for: usable light at the floor from a higher mounting height or over a longer distance. That’s a photometrics-and-spacing problem, not just a “more lumens” problem. Below is the practical spec path: beam pattern, mounting height, spacing table selection, and aiming.
At-a-Glance: Tall Ceilings & Long-Throw Coverage
- Best use-case: tall ceilings, long corridors, wide halls, open areas where you want longer spacing and fewer fixtures.
- Typical output (model-dependent): often ~600–1,200+ lm from integrated heads. Always validate with photometric tables.
- What “high-lumen” really buys you: more throw and better spacing at higher mounts—when paired with the right optics and aiming.
- Don’t design to minute 1: use spacing/photometrics that meet requirements at the 90-minute point.
- Choose the beam: corridor optics for long paths; flood optics for landings/open rooms.
- Shop models: Browse High-Lumen Exit Light Combos
What Are High-Lumen Exit Sign Combos?
High-lumen exit sign combos (also called high-output exit sign & emergency light combos) are engineered to keep more usable light on the egress path from higher mounting heights—typically via higher-output LEDs and optics tuned for throw and coverage. The goal is predictable floor illumination with longer spacing (model-dependent), using published photometrics/spacing tables as the proof.
When to Specify High-Lumen (Mounting Height & “Throw”)
If you’re choosing between standard and high-output combos, start with two things that usually break “standard” coverage: mounting height and distance-to-target (how far you need usable light to reach).
- 8–10 ft: standard combos often work well for small vestibules and short coverage needs.
- 10–14 ft: high-lumen combos become the safer default when you want longer spacing or fewer fixtures.
- 14–25+ ft: high-lumen is typically the starting point, and you often need overlap (more than one unit or supplemental coverage) to avoid dim gaps.
- Long corridors / wide halls: high-output heads can reduce fixture count—only if the spacing chart supports it.
If the heads look bright under the unit but the floor gets uneven farther out, you’re in high-lumen territory—and you should switch from guessing to spacing tables + photometrics.
Photometrics & Spacing Tables for High-Lumen Exit Sign Combos
Lumens are the engine; optics steer the light. Two heads with similar lumen ratings can perform very differently depending on beam shape. That’s why manufacturers publish photometric data and spacing tables—they’re telling you what the light does at the floor for specific mounting heights and patterns.
Spacing charts should answer two practical questions:
- How far can one combo reach? (throw down the corridor or across the path)
- How far apart can you place units? while maintaining compliant illumination at the floor
Tip: If the chart distinguishes “corridor” vs “flood,” pick the one that matches your floor geometry—don’t treat them as interchangeable.
Corridor Optics vs. Flood Optics (Long Throw vs. Wide Coverage)
- Corridor optics: elongated pattern that pushes usable light farther down the path. Best for long hallways and long throws.
- Flood optics: wider pattern that fills landings, vestibules, and open areas. Best for even close-to-mid coverage.
Using a flood pattern to solve a long corridor often creates bright spots near the door and weaker light farther out. Using a corridor pattern to light a wide landing can create uneven side-to-side coverage.
How to Use a Spacing Chart (Quick Workflow)
- Lock your mounting height: measure finished floor to head height (not just ceiling height).
- Choose beam type: corridor vs flood (and any output setting if available).
- Use the chart row for your height: match mounting height and layout type.
- Design for overlap: patterns should overlap along the path; don’t “barely touch.”
- Validate the emergency performance point: confirm you’re using the manufacturer’s intended emergency performance basis.
Aiming High-Lumen Emergency Heads (Commissioning Tips)
- Aim after power-up: set the final aim on-site.
- Light the landing/first steps: eliminate shadows near the door swing and the first turn.
- Push coverage down the path: aim the second head toward the longest “problem stretch.”
- Tighten knuckles: high-output beams drift if not locked down.
- Walk test: check corners, stairs, and obstructions for dim pockets.
Selection Checklist for Tall Ceilings & Long Corridors
- Mounting height: choose spacing guidance for where the heads sit above the floor.
- Optics: corridor for long throw; flood for landings/open areas.
- Spacing: plan overlap; don’t rely on “bare minimum” layouts.
- Aiming plan: one head near-field (landing), one head far-field (throw).
- Legend configuration: color, single/double face, and chevrons that match the real egress direction.
- Environment: wet/dust/cold/impact needs can matter as much as lumens.
FAQs
What’s the #1 reason high-lumen combos work better in tall ceilings?
It’s not just more lumens—it’s usable floor coverage at higher mounting heights. Confirm performance using the manufacturer’s photometrics and spacing tables for your mounting height and beam pattern.
Do I need corridor optics or flood optics?
Corridor optics are best for long hallways and down-the-path throw. Flood optics are best for landings, vestibules, and open areas where you want wider, more even coverage.
How do I avoid “bright by the door, dim farther away”?
Use spacing tables that match your mounting height, choose the correct beam pattern (often corridor optics for long throw), plan overlap, and aim one head near-field (landing) and one head far-field (throw).
Will one high-lumen combo cover an entire warehouse aisle?
Usually not by itself. High-lumen improves throw and spacing, but long aisles and turns still need overlapping coverage along the entire path. Use photometrics to set a baseline and add fixtures or remote heads where geometry changes.