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When Exit Emergency Combo Units Are Required

When Exit Emergency Combo Units Are Required

In this Guide, you’ll learn when you need exit emergency lights and combo units, and when they’re optional:

If you’re opening a business or managing a building, you’ve probably seen those exit signs with little lights attached above doorways...

What Are Combo Units?

An exit/emergency combo unit is a single device that serves two life-safety functions: it clearly marks an exit route and provides emergency lighting during a power outage. In other words, it’s an illuminated exit sign with a built-in battery backup and attached floodlights.

Buyer Insight: Combo units are a favorite among contractors for being UL 924 listed out of the box, saving time on approval.

When the power is on, the word “EXIT” stays lit (usually in red or green LEDs). When the power goes out, the internal battery keeps the EXIT sign glowing and also turns on the attached lights to illuminate the escape path.

Note: Any code-compliant exit sign or emergency light in the U.S. should be UL 924 listed.

Why Use a Combo Unit?

  • Convenience: One install, one wire run.
  • Space Saving: Ideal for tight corridors or doorways.
  • Clean Look: Fewer devices on the wall.
  • Guaranteed Coverage: Ensures light near every exit sign.
  • Code Compliance: Easier to meet fire code with one certified device.
Installer Tip: Use combo units in hallway intersections and stairwell doors to kill two birds with one fixture.

When Are Combo Units Required?

  • Commercial/Public Buildings: Offices, restaurants, clinics, churches, etc.
  • Multi-Story Layouts: Especially stairwells and corridor turns.
  • Rooms with No Windows: Bathrooms, storage, interior offices.
  • High Occupancy Venues: Auditoriums, gyms, theaters.
  • Permit-Inspected Businesses: Most occupancies other than dwellings.
Quick Fact: UL 924 requires emergency lights to stay on for at least 90 minutes during a power outage.

When Are They Not Required?

  • Single-Exit Spaces: Tiny retail or offices with one clearly visible exit.
  • Private Dwellings: Apartments, homes, and bedrooms.
  • Generator Backup Systems: If egress is illuminated by generator power.
  • Photoluminescent Signs: Glow-in-the-dark signs used in well-lit spaces.
Safety Reminder: Most fire marshals require both exit signage and emergency lighting — using a combo makes inspections easier.

Choosing the Right Combo

  • Lettering: Red or green LEDs depending on local code.
  • Location: Indoor, wet location, or hazardous rated.
  • Material: Thermoplastic, aluminum, or steel.
  • Features: Remote-capable, self-testing, high-output lamps.
  • Budget: UL-listed basic units under $50, premium options for aesthetics or specific codes.
Why Combo Units? Looking to save space without sacrificing safety? Exit sign and emergency light combo units combine bright emergency illumination and clear exit direction in a single compact fixture.

Conclusion

Combo units take the guesswork out of fire code compliance by giving you exit emergency lights and emergency exit lights with battery backup in one. While some small or obvious exit locations may be exempt, most commercial buildings benefit from UL-listed combo units.

Need more help? See our Combo Unit Compliance & Safety Guide or shop all our exit sign combo units here.