Remote Capable Exit Sign Buying Guide

Overview

A remote capable exit sign is an exit sign that contains a built-in battery powerful enough to illuminate the sign itself and also supply additional remote emergency light heads for at least 90 minutes during a power outage. In essence, it combines the functions of an exit sign and an emergency light by acting as a central battery source for multiple lighting points. Standard exit signs typically only power the word “EXIT” (usually with efficient LEDs), but remote capable models include higher-capacity backup batteries that can support one or more separate lamp heads mounted elsewhere in the building.

These remote-capable units come in two main varieties: standalone exit signs (which have no attached lamps but can power remote lamp heads elsewhere) and combination exit sign/emergency light units that have integrated lamps plus extra capacity for additional remote heads. In both cases, the goal is to extend emergency egress lighting coverage without installing numerous independent emergency light fixtures. By using one larger battery system to drive multiple lights, maintenance can be consolidated (one battery to service instead of many) and installation can be streamlined.

Remote capable exit signs look similar to standard LED exit signs during normal operation – a slim housing with illuminated “EXIT” panels (often red or green letters) and mounting hardware for wall, ceiling, or end mounting. The difference lies inside: a higher-capacity battery and wiring terminals for connecting remote lamp heads. When AC power fails, the internal transfer switch automatically connects the battery to not only light the “EXIT” sign, but also send power to any attached remote heads. Those remote lamps will then turn on, brightening corridors, stairways, or other egress areas just like regular emergency lights. As long as the total wattage of all attached remote heads is within the unit’s capacity, everything will stay lit for at least 90 minutes of evacuation time.

Battery Capacity, Illumination, and Lifespan

Remote capable exit signs use energy-efficient LEDs for illumination, both for the exit sign letters and for any attached remote lamp heads. Because LEDs draw minimal power, more of the battery’s capacity can be dedicated to remote lighting. **Illumination Coverage:** A typical remote head uses a bright white LED (often around 1 to 5 watts) to provide code-compliant egress lighting. In fact, a standard dual-head emergency light (the classic “bug-eye” design) can illuminate roughly a 3-foot wide pathway over a span of about 14–18 feet when mounted 7.5 feet high. This gives a sense of how much area a remote head can cover – one or two well-placed remote heads can easily light an entire small room or a long stretch of hallway at the required 1-foot-candle minimum. High-output remote heads (using 5W LEDs or larger MR16 lamps) can throw light even farther, allowing wider spacing or higher mounting as needed.

Battery Capacity: The battery is the heart of a remote capable exit sign. It must sustain both the sign and remote lamps for at least 90 minutes by code. Common battery types include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) or lithium-ion packs for smaller remote capacities, and sometimes sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries for higher capacities. For instance, a compact thermoplastic exit/unit might have a 3.6-volt Ni-Cd battery that provides around 1.0 to 3.0 watts of remote capacity – enough for one or two small LED heads. In comparison, some larger steel or heavy-duty units use 6-volt SLA batteries with much greater watt-hour storage, offering 10+ watts of remote lighting capacity. One example model features a 6V SLA battery that powers the exit sign and provides an additional 11 watts for remote lamps while still maintaining the 90-minute runtime. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications for “remote capacity” – this tells you the total wattage of remote heads that can be supported. Exceeding that limit could drain the battery in under 90 minutes, which would violate safety codes.

Balancing Load and Runtime: It’s important to match the remote heads to the exit sign’s battery output. Most remote heads are labeled with their wattage (or voltage and current draw). To determine how many a single unit can support, divide the available remote wattage by the wattage of each head. For example, if an exit sign combo has 3 watts of remote capacity and each remote head is 1.5 W, you can power two heads. If you opt for high-lumen heads that consume more power (say 5 W each), the same unit might only support a single head. Manufacturers often provide guidance here. In one high-output remote head’s documentation, it notes that the standard version draws 3.6 W and a high-lumen (HL) version draws 5 W, and advises users to ensure the total draw of all heads stays within the host unit’s output limit.

Charging & Lifespan: Like all emergency lighting, remote capable exit signs have an internal charger that keeps the battery topped off during normal operation. When AC power is present, the unit charges its battery (full recharge is typically within 24 hours per UL 924 requirements). Modern units include overcharge protection and low-battery cutoff to prolong battery life. The LED light sources themselves are very long-lived – often 50,000 hours or more, meaning they should never need replacement under normal use. The battery will be the main maintenance item. Ni-Cd batteries commonly last 3–5 years, while lead-acid batteries might last 5–7 years. It’s wise to conduct regular discharge tests and replace batteries proactively at the interval recommended by the manufacturer to ensure you always get the full 90-minute emergency duration.

Note: One benefit of using a larger battery in a remote-capable unit is that if you do not connect any remote heads initially, that extra capacity isn’t wasted – it often translates into extended runtime. Some units with remote capability can run far longer than 90 minutes if no external heads are attached (for example, one product runs up to 180 minutes with no remotes connected). However, once you utilize the remote capacity by adding heads, the runtime returns to the standard 90 minutes supporting all connected lights. Always plan your system so that runtime is at least 90 minutes under worst-case (full load) conditions.

Safety and Code Compliance

Remote capable exit signs are subject to the same life safety codes and standards as any emergency lighting equipment. In the United States, this means they must be tested and listed to UL 924 – the UL Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment – to ensure they will perform in a power loss. A UL 924 listed exit sign with remote capability has been evaluated to light the “EXIT” legend and its remote heads for the full 90 minutes, recharge correctly, and provide necessary visual indicators. Per the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, all exit signs (and emergency lights) with battery backup must illuminate to an average of at least 1 foot-candle at the floor along egress paths, with a minimum of 0.1 foot-candle at any point, for 90 minutes minimum. Remote heads attached to exit signs contribute to this requirement just like dedicated emergency lights, so they must be aimed to cover critical path areas (stairs, corridors, exit doors) with the required brightness.

Local and State Regulations: Be aware of any local code variations. Some jurisdictions have specific rules about exit sign construction or brightness that could influence your choice of model. For instance, New York City requires exit signs (and emergency lights) to have *metal or steel* housings for enhanced durability and fire resistance in high-rise buildings. Chicago has historically mandated higher illumination (up to 2 foot-candles along the path) and often requires metal faceplates or housings for exit signs. If you’re in an area with such requirements, you’ll want to choose a remote capable exit sign that is built to comply – for example, a steel-cased remote-capable unit for NYC, or an extra-bright model for Chicago. Many manufacturers explicitly label products as NYC Approved or Chicago Approved when this is the case.

Additionally, if remote heads will be placed outdoors or in wet locations (such as an exterior exit discharge or an unconditioned warehouse), ensure that both the exit sign unit and the heads are rated for those conditions. A number of remote capable combos carry NEMA or Wet Location ratings and use weatherproof remote heads for these scenarios. Using a damp-location or wet-location rated model will ensure compliance with electrical codes and prevent damage in harsher environments.

Ideal Use Cases

Installing remote capable exit signs can be a smart solution in many scenarios where you need both exit signage and distributed emergency lighting. Here are some ideal use cases and scenarios where these units shine:

• Long Hallways and Large Rooms: In a long corridor, you might have an exit at one end that of course needs an exit sign above it. That same corridor likely requires illumination along its length for safe egress. By using a remote capable exit sign above the door, you can run a pair of remote heads spaced further down the hall, all powered by the exit sign’s battery. This covers the entire corridor without having to install separate emergency light units on the walls in addition to the exit sign.
• Small Retail Stores and Offices: Many small businesses have one or two exits and relatively compact floor plans. A remote capable exit sign can often handle both the exit marking and emergency lighting for these spaces. For example, imagine a boutique shop with an illuminated “EXIT” sign at the back door and two small remote heads mounted across the ceiling lighting the sales floor and stock room. If that one exit sign unit has sufficient remote capacity, it provides a one-and-done safety solution that is easier to maintain than multiple battery devices.
• Aesthetic or Architectural Considerations: In lobbies, restaurants, or historic buildings, owners often want to minimize the number of visible devices on walls and ceilings. Using remote heads (which are usually compact and low-profile) powered by an exit sign hidden above a doorway can preserve a cleaner look. You might tuck an exit sign (with battery) in a less conspicuous spot, then position tiny remote light heads under an awning, on beams, or in corners where they blend in until needed. This approach provides required lighting without large “bug-eye” units everywhere.
• High-Ceiling Areas: Warehouses and industrial facilities often have high ceilings and need emergency lighting at lower levels. A remote capable exit sign can be mounted at a convenient height (say above an exit door or on a support column), and its remote heads can be placed strategically (perhaps halfway down the wall, or over equipment aisles) to put light where it’s needed. This can be simpler than trying to mount independent emergency lights high up on trusses or running separate power circuits for remote lighting.
• Exit Sign/Emergency Light Combos with Expansion: In some cases, you may already plan to use an exit sign combo unit (with built-in lights). Choosing a *remote-capable* combo gives you extra flexibility. The combo’s built-in heads will cover the area near the sign, and you can wire additional remote heads to the same unit to extend coverage around a corner or into an adjacent room. This is ideal for something like a small suite of rooms or a hallway with an exit at one end and a dark storage nook in the middle – one combo unit can illuminate both the exit doorway and that dark nook via a remote lamp.

In summary, remote capable exit signs are best used wherever consolidation of equipment makes sense. If you have an opportunity to replace multiple devices (one exit sign + several emergency lights) with a single integrated system, that’s where these units provide the most value. They simplify your emergency lighting layout and reduce upkeep, all while keeping occupants safe.

Installation, Wiring, and Maintenance

Physical Installation: Mounting a remote capable exit sign is very similar to mounting any standard exit sign or combo unit. Most models come with a universal mounting canopy or bracket that allows for wall mount (flat against a wall above a door) or ceiling/end mount (projecting from the ceiling or door frame). Because remote-capable units often contain slightly larger batteries, they can be a bit heavier than basic exit signs – so ensure you anchor the unit securely to wall studs or use appropriate drywall anchors if mounting to gypsum. If the unit is a combo with lamp heads, mount it at a height where the heads can be aimed properly (typically around 7–8 feet high for wall mounting, so that the light coverage reaches the floor effectively).

Wiring for AC and Remote Heads: Like all exit signs, these units need to be wired to building power (usually supporting 120V or 277V AC inputs). Once you connect the AC supply, the sign will charge its battery and be in standby mode. The unique step for remote capable models is connecting the remote head wiring. Remote lamps are low-voltage devices (often 3.6V, 6V, or 12V DC depending on the unit), so they connect to dedicated terminals in the exit sign labeled for remote output. You’ll run a two-wire cable from the exit sign’s remote output terminals to each remote head location. No separate circuit or external power source is needed – the remote heads draw from the central battery via these cables. Use the correct gauge wire as specified (typically 18-14 AWG, depending on distance and current) and try to keep runs as short as practical to minimize voltage drop. If you have multiple remote heads, you can daisy-chain some models or run individual home-run cables back to the unit’s terminals (check the manufacturer instructions for allowable wiring methods).

After installing the wiring, make sure to connect the battery inside the exit sign (usually a plug-in connector) and test the system. Hitting the “test” button on the unit should immediately light up both the exit sign letters and all remote heads on the circuit. This is a quick way to verify your connections are correct. Also ensure the remote heads are oriented to illuminate the desired areas – they typically have adjustable swivels for aiming.

Maintenance and Testing: Maintaining a remote capable exit sign is essentially the same as maintaining any battery-backed emergency light, with just a couple extra considerations:

• **Monthly/Annual Tests:** Conduct the code-required 30-second monthly and 90-minute annual tests. During these tests, observe not only the exit sign face illumination but also check that all remote heads come on and stay on. Because remote heads might be located in different rooms or around corners, it can be helpful to have a second person walk the area or use walkie-talkies to confirm all lamps are operating during tests.
• **Battery Replacement:** All batteries degrade over time. In a remote-capable unit, a failing battery will compromise multiple lights at once, so it’s critical to replace the battery at the recommended interval (usually every 3-5 years for Ni-Cd, or per manufacturer guidelines). Fortunately, having one central battery can make this easier than changing many individual ones. Always use the specified replacement battery type and size to maintain the unit’s output capacity.
• **Remote Head Inspection:** Include the remote lamp heads in your regular inspections. Make sure their lenses are clean and not obstructed, and that wiring to them remains secure (wires should be in conduit or above ceilings for protection). If a remote head is damaged (say, knocked off the wall in a warehouse), repair it promptly – until it’s fixed, that area might be left without emergency lighting.
• **Self-Diagnostics (if equipped):** Many modern exit signs offer self-testing/self-diagnostic circuitry. If you opted for this feature, the unit will automatically perform monthly short tests and annual full discharge tests. It will typically flash an indicator LED or sound an alarm if it detects a problem (e.g. battery won’t hold charge or a lamp head failure). Pay attention to these indicators – a flashing red light on your exit sign could be telling you a remote head is disconnected or the battery is weak. Self-diagnostic models greatly reduce the labor of manual testing, but you still need to address any issues they report.

In terms of overall upkeep, remember that a remote capable exit sign is a mission-critical safety device. It should be on a preventive maintenance schedule. Keep a logbook of your inspections and battery changes (this is often required by fire code). By consolidating multiple emergency lights into one unit, you’ve reduced points of failure, but it also means “all eggs in one basket” for that zone – so give that one basket the care it needs. The payoff is reliable, hassle-free performance when an emergency strikes.

Alternatives and Comparisons

Is a remote capable exit sign the best solution for your facility, or would a different configuration make more sense? It often depends on the layout, budget, and specific needs of your project. Let’s compare a few alternatives:

Standard Exit Sign + Separate Emergency Lights

This is the traditional approach: install regular exit signs (with battery backup for the sign only) at exits, and install independent emergency light units elsewhere for illumination. The advantage is flexibility – you can place emergency lights wherever needed without being tied to an exit sign location. Also, standard exit signs are typically lower cost than remote capable ones, and if one device fails it doesn’t knock out multiple lights. However, the downside is a higher device count and more maintenance points (each emergency light has its own battery to maintain). In a small space, having multiple devices might be overkill, and aesthetically it means more “clutter” on walls and ceilings.

Exit Sign/Emergency Light Combo Units (Non-Remote-Capable)

Combo exit signs (the kind with two lighting heads attached to the sign) are a popular middle ground. They mark the exit and illuminate the area immediately around the sign (typically covering a corridor or room adjacent to that door). Combos are cost-effective and easy to install because you mount one unit instead of potentially three (one sign + two lights). Many standard combos, however, do not support additional remote heads. That means their coverage is limited to wherever they are mounted. If your goal is to cover more distant areas from the same battery source, a non-remote combo won’t help – you’d need either additional combos or separate lights. Essentially, a combo without remote capability is a self-contained solution for one location only.

Remote Capable Exit Signs (or Combos)

These are the focus of our guide – and they can be viewed as an upgraded version of either of the above. A remote capable exit sign or combo gives you the benefit of consolidated equipment plus extended reach. You get an exit sign (often with optional built-in lamps) and the ability to connect extra heads. This can replace an exit sign and a couple of emergency lights with one unit, as we’ve discussed. The trade-offs are: a slightly higher upfront cost for the remote-capable model and the need to do some DC wiring for the remote heads. But in many cases, the reduction in installation labor and long-term maintenance (fewer batteries) makes it well worth it. Many building owners also like that remote-capable units can cut down on the number of visible gadgets on the walls. As one example, a remote-capable LED exit sign in a white thermoplastic housing can blend in on a wall, while its tiny remote heads (also white) might be barely noticeable across the room – a much cleaner look than having larger standalone emergency lights mounted everywhere.

Central Battery or Generator Systems

For completeness, it’s worth mentioning the “central power” approach. In larger facilities (like hospitals, high-rises, or campuses), sometimes exit signs and emergency lights are wired into a central battery inverter or emergency generator. In those setups, individual units may not have their own batteries at all – they rely on building-wide backup power. If your building has a code-compliant generator or centralized emergency power unit, remote capable exit signs might be unnecessary, since all lights can be fed from the central source. However, most small to mid-size buildings do not have that infrastructure, so the local battery units (including remote capable signs) are the practical solution. Even in big projects, you might still use some battery units for areas not easily tied into the central system.

Which to Choose? If you have a straightforward layout and budget is tight, standard exit signs plus a few emergency lights could suffice. If you have places where an exit sign and an emergency light would literally sit next to each other, a combo unit is a no-brainer to combine them. And if you see an opportunity where one battery unit could cover multiple spots (especially if running a little wire is easier than adding electrical circuits and additional units), then a remote capable exit sign is an elegant solution. It’s all about matching the tool to the task. You can even mix approaches in one building: perhaps use remote capable combos in the front-of-house areas for a clean look, but use simpler separate lights in a back storage room where you don’t mind a utilitarian device on the wall.

Conclusion and Pro Tips

Remote capable exit signs offer an efficient, flexible way to meet emergency egress requirements by combining signage and lighting functions. By investing in a slightly more robust unit up front, you can simplify your overall emergency lighting system and potentially lower long-run maintenance costs. These units truly shine in scenarios where one well-placed battery unit can serve multiple safety roles – an attractive proposition for many facility managers and business owners.

Before we wrap up, here are some additional tips and best practices to ensure you get the most out of your remote capable exit signs:

• Plan Your Remote Head Layout: During the design phase, map out where you will mount both the exit sign and the remote heads. Make sure the wire run distances are reasonable (long runs can cause voltage drop, reducing brightness). If you find you’d need very long wire runs, consider using a higher-voltage unit or adding another remote-capable sign closer to that area.
• Match Voltage and Type: Only use remote heads that are compatible with your exit sign’s output. Voltage must match (e.g. use 3.6V heads with a 3.6V unit, 6V heads with a 6V unit), and the total wattage of all heads must not exceed the rated capacity. This information is usually in the product specs or even printed near the terminals. Mixing voltages or overloading the unit can result in dim lights or no lighting at all during an outage.
• Secure Connections: Treat low-voltage wiring with the same care as high-voltage. Secure the cables with clamps, keep them away from sharp edges, and use junction boxes where required. A loose connection on a remote head could render it non-functional when you need it most. After installation, tug-test your wires and use a multimeter to verify continuity if possible.
• Regular Drills and Checks: Don’t wait for an emergency to discover an issue. Conduct your own emergency lighting drill periodically (in addition to the mandated tests). Turn off the power, walk the building, and see firsthand that every exit sign is lit and every remote head is doing its job. This holistic testing approach can reveal, for example, if a remote head’s angle needs adjustment to eliminate a dark spot in a stairwell.
• Keep Spare Parts: It’s a good idea to stock one or two spare remote heads and maybe a spare battery for your units (especially if you have many of the same model across a property). In an emergency lighting system, time is of the essence – if a part fails or breaks during routine inspection, having a replacement on hand means you can restore full functionality quickly. Remote heads generally aren’t expensive, and having an extra ensures you’re not left unprotected while waiting for a replacement to ship.

In conclusion, remote capable exit signs are about **coverage and convenience**. They extend light to where you need it while keeping the number of separate fixtures low. By understanding their features, installing them thoughtfully, and maintaining them regularly, you’ll achieve a safe evacuation environment that’s code-compliant and efficient. When the lights go out, these units will be ready to shine the way to safety – and that peace of mind is well worth the investment.