NYC Steel Exit Signs: 8‑Inch Letters, Metal Housings & Plan Review

Overview: what "NYC-approved" really means

New York City enforces details beyond national baselines: larger 8-inch red "EXIT" legends in key occupancies and durable metal housings that hold up in public spaces. Selecting a NYC-approved steel or cast-aluminum sign with the right chevrons, face count, and mounting option reduces plan comments and field changes. Always confirm specifics with your AHJ; this guide reflects what plan reviewers commonly expect across assembly, hospitality (R-1), office, schools, and transit-adjacent occupancies.

Legend: 8" red letters & visibility in NYC

• Letter height: NYC projects frequently require 8-inch letters (especially Group A, R-1). Many teams standardize on 8" city-wide to avoid respecs.
• Color & contrast: Use red letters with high-contrast backgrounds for easy approach reading in bright lobbies and transit corridors.
• Readability details: Maintain code-conforming stroke width/character spacing; avoid stylized fonts or dim legends that fail visibility checks.

Tip: Keep a single "NYC 8-inch red legend" detail in your title block—reuse it on every job to speed up plan review.

Metal or cast-aluminum housings (why reviewers prefer them)

Steel or cast-aluminum enclosures withstand public-area abuse, discourage tampering, and preserve gasket/connector integrity over time—reasons they’re favored on NYC submittals.

• Abuse & tamper resistance: Rigid shells resist prying and flex; security fasteners keep covers on in busy corridors.
• Finish & environment: Powder-coat steel (interior) or listed damp/wet variants for vestibules, parking, or wash-down areas.
• Combo vs sign-only: Use sign-only where face-mounted lamps could be struck; consider combos in protected lobbies with clear aiming.

For exposed vestibules and garages, see the NYC Wet-Location Exit Sign Guide.

Chevrons, single/double face & orientation

• Chevrons (arrows): Order faceplates that match the actual path—left, right, or none. Avoid field tape-overs.
• Face count: Single-face for wall corridors; double-face for ceiling or end-mount in intersections and large lobbies.
• Orientation: End-mount (flag) increases perpendicular visibility in wide halls and helps with sightlines over crowds.

Mounting & sightlines for crowded corridors

• Prioritize decision points: Doors to exits, stair cores, transfer levels, and turns get signs first, then fill long approaches.
• Ceiling height & clutter: Ceiling or flag mounts can clear heads, racks, and signage in high-traffic public areas.
• Lighting coordination: Keep ambient luminaires from washing out the legend—maintain contrast and approach visibility.

Considering recessed or ceiling installs? Review Recessed NYC Exit Signs & Emergency Lights for sightlines and trim options. Need fundamentals? See Exit Signs 101 – Foundations.

LL-26 photoluminescent markings (where they apply)

Local Law 26 (2004) adds photoluminescent (PL) egress path markings—especially in high-rise office buildings—on top of normal, electrically lit exit signs. PL stripes and markers outline stairs, landings, handrails, and obstacles so routes remain readable in smoke or low light. LL-26 PL is supplemental; it does not replace illuminated exit signs.

• Performance & placement: Use PL materials and locations per current NYC standards; add a separate PL plan sheet when the project scope triggers LL-26.
• Coordination: Keep the exit sign package (legend, housing, power) distinct from PL materials in submittals.

Plan Review Submittal Checklist

• Cut sheet: UL 924 listing; red LED legend; 8" letter option; metal (steel or cast-aluminum) housing; damp/wet listing if used outdoors.
• Legend detail: Call out 8" red letters (include stroke/spacing notes) where the occupancy or AHJ expects it.
• Mounting: Wall/ceiling/end-mount hardware; single vs double-face locations; elevation/sightline note.
• Chevrons: Correct arrow configuration per approach (no tape-overs).
• Power & runtime: Unswitched/emergency branch; >= 90-minute statement; test-access note.
• LL-26 (if applicable): Separate photoluminescent schedule with locations and product data.

Common NYC pitfalls (easy to avoid)

• Wrong legend: 6" or green legends where the occupancy/AHJ expects 8" red will stall review.
• Flimsy housings: Thin plastic boxes in public cores are prone to damage and plan comments—use metal lines labeled "NYC-approved."
• Chevron mismatches: Ordering "no-arrow" plates for a turning path forces field hacks; spec the right faces up front.
• Missing PL sheet: On LL-26 projects, omitting the PL schedule triggers comments—include a one-page PL plan and legend.
• Self-testing gaps: Skipping self-testing features or documentation can slow inspections—see NYC Self-Testing Exit Signs for options and reporting tips.

Didn’t pass inspection? See My Emergency Light Did Not Pass New York Building Inspection for quick fixes.

FAQ

Do I always need 8" letters in NYC?

Not for every occupancy, but many reviewers expect 8" in assembly and hospitality (R-1). To reduce resubmittals, some teams standardize on 8" red city-wide—confirm with your AHJ.

Are metal housings mandatory?

NYC-approved families are typically steel or cast-aluminum because they’re more durable in public areas and align with reviewer expectations.

Where do photoluminescent markings apply?

LL-26 adds PL path markings (stairs, landings, handrails, obstacles) in covered buildings—these are supplemental to illuminated exit signs.

Resources