Designing outdoor egress lighting means choosing between remote heads (lamp heads powered by a separate battery unit) and integrated units (battery and heads in one weatherproof enclosure, including exit/light combos). This guide explains when each approach is best outside—covering wiring, voltage‑drop, cold‑weather strategies, spacing, and maintenance. For a full refresher on ratings and definitions, see the Wet‑Location Emergency Egress Guide.
Last updated: October 2025
Overview: two ways to light outdoors
Remote‑head systems place the battery/charger in one location (often indoors or in a protected area) and power separate wet‑rated heads on the exterior. Integrated units combine battery and heads in the same weatherproof enclosure—this includes stand‑alone bug‑eye lights and exit/light combo units. Both must be UL 924 listed and suitable for wet locations; which path you choose depends on climate, wiring path, aesthetics, coverage, and maintenance strategy.
Quick comparison (pros & cons)
| Approach | Best For | Strengths | Trade‑offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote heads + indoor/covered battery unit | Extreme cold, long corridors, multi‑door coverage, clean aesthetics | Batteries in conditioned space; fewer batteries to service; flexible aiming/locations; can feed multiple heads | Voltage‑drop management; conductor sizing; limited remote wattage per unit; more field wiring |
| Integrated bug‑eye (weatherproof) | Single exterior door, short throw, simple wiring | Fast install; no remote wiring; predictable performance | Battery lives outdoors; one battery per device to maintain; heaters may be needed in cold |
| Integrated exit/light combo | Doorways that need both EXIT legend and egress illumination | One device/penetration; simplifies layout at doors | Shared battery drives sign + heads; ensure output/range is adequate |
For combo specifics (ratings, sizing, install), see the Outdoor Combo Units Guide.
When to choose remote heads
- Cold climates/freezers: Keep batteries indoors or in a conditioned space and power wet‑rated remote heads outside. This preserves 90‑minute performance in extreme cold; see Cold‑Weather Emergency Lights for temperature considerations.
- Complex coverage: One remote‑capable base can drive multiple heads around corners, canopies, and long breezeways where a single integrated unit can’t reach.
- Aesthetics & security: Smaller head enclosures are less obtrusive; remote battery can be placed out of public reach.
- Centralized maintenance: Fewer battery packs to test/replace versus many integrated devices spread across a site.
When to choose integrated units
- Single points: A door or small landing where one weatherproof bug‑eye or combo provides coverage with minimal wiring.
- Limited conduit runs: When running new circuits is costly, one integrated device near the door solves both power and placement.
- Simple compliance: UL 924 runtime and spacing published per unit; no remote load math.
- Combos at doors: Where an EXIT legend is required outdoors, a wet‑rated combo above the door is clean and efficient.
Wiring & voltage‑drop basics
Remote heads are powered by DC from a remote‑capable unit (commonly 6/12/24 V). To keep brightness and runtime within spec:
- Minimize voltage drop: Shorter runs and larger conductors reduce loss. Keep remote head circuits within manufacturer‑recommended distances and total wattage.
- Group loads logically: Balance total remote wattage across outputs; avoid daisy‑chaining excessive heads on one pair.
- Plan terminations: Use listed, liquid‑tight fittings at every entry; maintain gasket compression.
- Document calculations: Retain remote load and conductor sizing notes with submittals for AHJ review.
Layout, spacing & aiming
- Photometrics: Start with manufacturer spacing tables; verify in the field after dark and at end‑of‑runtime.
- Aim for the path: Angle heads to wash walking surfaces; avoid glare into open areas or vehicles.
- Redundancy: Use overlapping beams in high‑traffic or critical paths so a single failure doesn’t create blackout zones.
Maintenance & testing
- Self‑testing: Choose self‑diagnostic electronics so monthly/annual tests are automated and status is visible at a glance.
- Access: Place indicators and test controls where they can be viewed without lifts whenever possible.
- Troubleshooting: For water ingress, early drop‑out, or fault codes, see Troubleshooting Wet‑Location Emergency Lights.
Design scenarios
Walk‑in freezer exit
Indoor battery unit with low‑temp option feeds two IP66 remote heads inside the freezer. Heads are aimed along the route to the door; indicator remains in the warm corridor.
Parking garage breezeway
Two integrated weatherproof bug‑eye units spaced along the breezeway, plus a wet‑rated combo above the discharge door for EXIT + illumination.
School courtyard
Remote heads for discreet appearance and vandal resistance, fed from a locked interior electrical room. Heads positioned to avoid student tampering.
Loading dock
Wet‑rated combo above the dock exit door; additional integrated bug‑eye on the landing to extend coverage across stairs and ramp.
AHJ checklist
- UL 924 listed; “Suitable for Wet Locations” on every device.
- Enclosure rating matches environment (NEMA 4/4X or IP65/66 as required).
- Remote head total wattage and conductor sizing documented; voltage‑drop within manufacturer guidance.
- Indicators/test controls accessible; self‑test logs retained.
- End‑of‑runtime illumination verified in field (90‑minute test).
Resources
FAQ
How far can I run remote heads?
Distance depends on system voltage, conductor size, and total wattage. Use the manufacturer’s tables and keep voltage‑drop within guidance; choose higher‑voltage systems for longer runs.
Can a combo unit power remote heads?
Some wet‑rated combos are remote‑capable, but capacity is limited. Check the spec’s remote wattage allowance and plan loads accordingly.
Do I need heaters outside?
In freezing climates, select low‑temperature battery options or heaters for integrated units, or keep batteries indoors and use remote heads.