Exit sign regulations define how to mark egress routes so people can evacuate safely during fires or outages. This guide explains national rules (OSHA, NFPA 101, IBC/IFC, UL 924) in plain English—what’s required for design, power, placement, and testing—plus when to consider photoluminescent or tritium alternatives. For purchasing, see LED exit signs for reliable, energy-efficient compliance.
Last updated: August 2025
Overview: Who Regulates What?
OSHA defines exit routes and the duty to provide safe egress. NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and model building codes IBC/IFC dictate performance for exit signage and emergency lighting. UL 924 is the product safety standard that tests exit signs/luminaires (e.g., 90-minute performance). The NEC governs wiring and emergency circuits supporting these systems.
What Defines an Exit Route (OSHA)?
An exit route is the continuous path to safety: access corridors, the exit door itself, and the discharge path to a public way. Signs must make this path unmistakably clear under both normal and emergency conditions.
Codes & Standards (NFPA 101, IBC/IFC, UL 924)
- Visibility & Illumination: Signs must remain legible in darkness with emergency power.
- 90-Minute Operation: Exit signs and emergency lighting are expected to provide at least 90 minutes of illumination during power loss. UL 924 validates products for this performance.
- Wiring & Circuits: Follow NEC emergency/standby power rules for branch circuits, transfer, and separation from normal power.
- Labeling & Listings: Use UL 924 listed equipment and retain cut sheets for plan review/inspections.
Exit Sign Design Requirements
Nationally, exit signs typically display “EXIT” with letters at least 6 inches high and 3/4-inch stroke, with strong contrast between letters and background. Enclosures must be made of appropriate fire-resistant materials. Some jurisdictions adopt stricter local specs (see NYC/Chicago notes below).
Technology & Power: LED, Photoluminescent, Tritium
Modern LED exit signs are UL 924 listed and deliver long-life, efficient illumination.
LED Exit Signs (Electrical)
LED exit signs are bright, efficient, and long-lived. With integrated battery backup, compliant models provide a minimum 90 minutes of emergency operation when normal power fails.
Self-Luminous Exit Signs (Tritium)
When power is unavailable, self-luminous exit signs use tritium gas to glow continuously for 10–20 years. Use only where permitted and plan for licensed end-of-life recycling.
Photoluminescent Exit Signs (Glow-in-the-Dark)
Photoluminescent exit signs absorb ambient light and glow during outages. For compliance, they typically need about 5 foot-candles (≈54 lux) of charging light during occupancy and must meet the minimum surface luminance (e.g., ≥0.06 foot-lamberts per listing).
Glow-in-the-dark signs are easy to install and can last decades with minimal maintenance.
Combo Exit Signs with Emergency Lights
Combination units integrate the EXIT legend and emergency floodlights in one fixture. They include larger batteries to power both the sign and lamps for the full 90-minute duration, simplifying wiring and maintenance at doorways and corridor intersections.
Placement & Directional Compliance
- Mark every exit door and the egress path leading to it.
- If the route isn’t obvious, add directional chevrons to point the way.
- Label non-exits along the path as “Not an Exit” or with their actual use (e.g., Storage).
- Maintain clear sightlines—avoid decorations, shelving, or construction that obscure the legend.
Required Testing & Recordkeeping
- Monthly: Functional test (~30 seconds) for battery-backed signs/luminaires; confirm indicators show pass.
- Annual: Full 90-minute discharge test under emergency power; replace batteries/hardware as needed.
- Logs: Keep a durable record with unit location/ID, date/time, test type, results, and corrective actions for inspections.
City-Specific Notes (NYC, Chicago)
New York City
NYC requires 8-inch red letters on metal housings and prohibits green lettering. Tritium is not permitted. See NYC Exit Sign Requirements and shop NYC-approved exit signs.
Chicago
Chicago typically requires a white background with red letters on a glass face (edge-lit acrylic is also used). See Chicago-approved exit signs.
Disposal & End-of-Life
Non-electrical signs still require proper end-of-life handling—especially tritium. Review tritium exit sign disposal requirements before replacement projects.