NYC emergency lighting requirements in plain English—what the city expects beyond national code, where inspectors focus (coverage, runtime, placement, documentation), and how to prepare a passable submittal and walk-through without overbuilding.
Last updated: October 2025
Overview: How NYC layers on top of UL 924 / NFPA 101
NYC enforces national life-safety codes (UL 924, NFPA 101) and adds city-specific expectations for durability, visibility, and documentation. Start with the basics for signs and placement in NYC exit signs info, then apply the lighting rules here to ensure the egress path stays illuminated during outages.
Coverage & visibility (doors, stairs, open areas)
Provide emergency illumination at exits, turns, stair enclosures, and areas where sightlines break. Aim for continuous guidance from any occupied area to the exit discharge, with fixtures placed to avoid dark pockets at landings, corners, or large open rooms.
- Doors & decision points: Keep thresholds, hardware, and landings visible; avoid glare into occupants’ eyes.
- Stairs: Light every flight and intermediate landing; support safe foot placement.
- Large spaces: Space fixtures so paths remain readable even with one unit offline.
Runtime, power & testing (monthly / annual)
UL 924 sets the 90-minute emergency runtime. NYC inspectors also check that indicators and test access are visible and that your records are current. Self-diagnostic units can automate tests and surface faults—see NYC self-testing exit signs for how they help on high-count sites.
Wet/harsh environments
Exterior doors, open garages, rooftops, and hose-down areas need gasketed, sealed equipment with protected indicators, appropriate materials, and (where necessary) heaters. Selection pointers are in the NYC wet-location exit sign guide.
Design choices: recessed, aesthetics & access
NYC projects often favor clean ceilings and corridors. Recessed form factors can reduce visual clutter while meeting listing and visibility rules—coordinate can depth, trim alignment, and access to test/indicator windows. See recessed NYC exit signs & emergency lights for integration tips.
Documentation & inspection prep
- Submittals: Include UL 924 listing, battery specs, indicator/test interface details, and intended locations.
- Logs: Keep monthly quick checks and annual 90-minute results simple and accessible.
- Coordination: Where requirements diverge across regions, align expectations early—compare policies in Chicago vs NYC code compliance.
Common mistakes & quick fixes
- Under-lit stairs/landings: Add a head or increase output; aim to eliminate dark pockets.
- Blocked indicators or test access: Relocate or use trims that maintain visibility/service.
- Wrong environment rating: Swap to sealed/gasketed units for exterior or wash-down areas.
- Missing logs: Start a simple pass/fail record; self-diagnostics make this easier.
FAQs
Do NYC projects require different runtime than UL 924?
No—the 90-minute emergency runtime applies. NYC’s focus is visibility, durability, and documentation.
Can recessed fixtures meet NYC emergency lighting rules?
Yes—coordinate can depth, trims, and access so indicators stay visible and serviceable.
Do self-diagnostic units replace manual testing?
They automate the tests and surface faults, but you still keep a simple log and correct issues promptly.
Next steps
Planning for NYC review? Start here: