Types of Exit Signs – Materials, Mounting, Ratings & Features

What Are Exit Signs Used For?

Exit signs serve a critical life-safety role: they continuously mark exit routes so people can evacuate calmly and quickly, even if the power fails. Codes require an exit sign at each exit door and anywhere the path to an exit isn’t obvious (for example, at corridor turns or intersections, and by stairwell entrances/exits). To be effective – and pass inspection – each sign should have the proper letter color, face count (single or double-sided), mounting configuration, and backup power as required by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). This ensures that occupants can always see the next indicator and follow the illuminated path to safety.

Types of Exit Signs

Thermoplastic (Budget-Friendly)

Thermoplastic exit signs are the workhorses of indoor exit lighting. Made from lightweight, flame-rated plastic, these signs are cost-effective and easy to install. They typically use efficient LED lamps and include an integrated battery backup to meet the required 90-minute emergency runtime without fuss. Installers appreciate the universal mounting plates and snap-out directional chevrons (arrows) that make new installations or retrofits quick. Facility managers often choose thermoplastic units when they need to deploy dozens of code-compliant signs across a property portfolio while keeping the total cost of ownership low.

Choose thermoplastic models when the environment is dry, traffic is moderate, and budget and simplicity are top priorities. These basic units blend into most interiors (housings are usually white or black) and make it easy to stock compatible spare parts or replacement units. If you’re outfitting a new building or replacing aging signs during a renovation, thermoplastic signs deliver bright, reliable “EXIT” illumination without paying a premium for heavier-duty materials that might not be necessary in a low-risk setting. For deeper selection tips, see Thermoplastic Exit Signs – Basic Guide.

Steel (Rugged)

When durability matters more than aesthetics, steel exit signs are up to the task. Built with heavy-gauge steel housings, these units can shrug off impacts and harsh conditions that might crack or damage a plastic sign. They pair well with vandal-resistant wire guards to protect against flying objects or tampering in locations like gymnasiums, warehouses, stairwells, parking garages, and factory floors. Maintenance crews prefer steel in back-of-house corridors, loading docks, or any space where fixtures are likely to get banged around or need frequent cleaning.

Opt for steel models if your site has a high risk of physical abuse, tampering, or extreme temperatures (for example, near industrial equipment or mechanical rooms). You’ll still get the long-life LEDs and 90-minute battery backup of a standard exit sign, but inside a tougher enclosure with captive mounting hardware and a durable finish that stands up to real-world wear and tear. In some jurisdictions and spec manuals, metal construction is explicitly favored for life-safety equipment – steel signs can help you meet those requirements and reduce the need for early replacements. Compare specs in Steel Exit Signs – Rugged Guide.

Die-Cast Aluminum (Architectural)

Die-cast aluminum exit signs straddle the line between strength and style. These are often called architectural exit signs because their precision-cast aluminum housings create a slim, refined profile that complements upscale interiors. The metal construction yields tighter seams, crisp edges, and clean mounting canopies (whether ceiling or end-mounted), so you can meet code without adding unsightly hardware. Die-cast signs tend to be favored in lobbies, hotels, museums, higher-education buildings, and high-end retail – anywhere the design aesthetic is important.

Choose die-cast aluminum when the space is design-sensitive but you still need a solid, permanent fixture. Designers and specifiers appreciate the range of finish options (e.g. brushed aluminum, white, black) and the substantial feel of a metal unit. These signs provide the same UL 924 performance – energy-efficient LED illumination, 90-minute emergency battery, field-selectable arrow knockouts – but packaged in an attractive, architectural form. A die-cast sign will maintain its appearance over years of cleaning and use, delivering code compliance in a way that “hides in plain sight” until needed. See the Die-Cast Aluminum Exit Signs – Guide.

Edge-Lit (Low-Profile)

Edge-lit exit signs use an etched acrylic panel that’s illuminated along the edges, producing a crisp, evenly lit “EXIT” legend without the bulky box of a conventional sign. The result is a minimalist, floating effect that designers love for modern spaces like boutiques, galleries, upscale offices, and healthcare facilities. Edge-lit models come with versatile mounting options – surface, ceiling, end-mount, and recessed kits – allowing you to position the sign for optimal visibility without compromising your interior design.

Pick an edge-lit sign when you want the most discreet solution that still meets code. Their ultra-thin profile and small canopies keep the focus on your architecture while still catching the eye in an emergency. Edge-lit signs work especially well at corridor intersections, where a double-faced “flag” mount can display the EXIT message to people approaching from either direction. Despite their sleek appearance, edge-lit units include all the essentials (battery backup, directional arrow inserts, single- or double-face configurations) – they simply deliver them in a package that enhances the space instead of detracting from it. Learn more in Edge-Lit Exit Signs – Modern Guide.

Wet / Damp / Industrial Locations

Match the enclosure to the environment. For areas exposed to water, rain, or regular wash-down, you’ll need wet-location exit signs with gasketed, weatherproof housings to seal out moisture. In high-humidity indoor areas like kitchens, locker rooms, or pool corridors, damp-location rated exit signs are designed to resist condensation and moderate moisture without shorting out. Dusty or corrosive industrial sites benefit from specialty NEMA-rated exit signs that keep out airborne particles and chemicals – these are smart choices for food processing plants, manufacturing facilities, and coastal installations where standard signs would deteriorate quickly.

Where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust might be present, you must opt for hazardous-location exit signs built and rated for the appropriate Class/Division. These explosion-proof designs are purpose-engineered for environments such as refineries, paint spray booths, chemical storage rooms, and grain silos – any area where a normal electrical device could spark a disaster. The reasoning is simple: choosing properly rated exit signs for harsh or hazardous environments protects people and property, ensures your system functions when needed, and helps you pass safety inspections without surprises. See also Wet-Location Exit Signs – Outdoor Guide.

City-Specific (NYC & Chicago)

Certain cities have unique exit sign requirements that go beyond the national codes. The two most famous examples are New York City and Chicago. In New York, most buildings require NYC-approved exit signs – models that meet local standards like 8-inch red lettering and durable metal housing construction. In the Chicago area, you’ll need Chicago-approved exit signs, which adhere to that city’s long-standing rules (typically red letters on a white background, heavy-gauge steel housing, and specific arrow and legend formats).

If your project is in one of these jurisdictions, using city-specific models from the start will save headaches. These pre-vetted units are designed to satisfy the local fire marshal’s expectations right out of the box. Buyers choose NYC- or Chicago-rated exit signs to avoid last-minute change orders and delays during inspections. If you operate properties across multiple regions, it’s wise to standardize on the locally approved sign where required – your install teams can proceed with confidence, and you’ll have peace of mind that each unit will pass inspection on the first try.

Exit Sign Combos (Exit Sign + Light)

An exit sign combo unit integrates an illuminated EXIT sign and emergency lighting into a single fixture. These combination exit signs are commonly installed above doors or at corridor junctions where you need both exit signage and lighting for the egress path. By having one device do the job of two, combos can reduce the number of separate fixtures you have to install and maintain. During normal conditions, they clearly mark the exit; during a power outage, the internal battery not only illuminates the EXIT letters but also powers the attached lighting heads to shine along the escape route.

Facility managers like combo units because they simplify maintenance (fewer batteries and fixtures to test or replace) and result in cleaner-looking walls with less clutter. Combination signs come in various materials and ratings too – you can get them in thermoplastic or steel, and even in wet-location or hazardous-location versions for tough environments. Each unit typically has adjustable lamp heads so you can aim the emergency lights to overlap coverage on the floor. If space is limited or you want to streamline your life-safety equipment, an exit sign combo is an efficient solution that still meets code for both exit marking and emergency illumination. For deeper guidance on using combo units effectively, read our Exit Sign & Emergency Light Code Finder.

Illuminated vs. Non-Illuminated Exit Signs

Illuminated (LED-Powered with Battery)

The vast majority of exit signs are internally illuminated by electric light sources (now almost always LEDs) and include a built-in battery for backup power. These hard-wired LED exit signs stay lit 24/7 under normal power, and if the electricity goes out, they automatically switch to battery so the “EXIT” remains visible for at least 90 minutes. Illuminated models are used for most indoor applications. You’ll choose between single-face or double-face versions depending on whether the sign needs to be seen from one side or both, and you’ll select either red or green letters (whichever color your local code requires or allows).

Non-Illuminated (No Electrical Power)

• Photoluminescent exit signs (glow-in-the-dark): These non-electrical signs have letters coated with special photoluminescent material that “charges” by absorbing ambient light. In darkness or a blackout, the letters release that stored energy as a visible green glow. There are no wires or batteries involved. Photoluminescent signs are code-compliant in many areas as long as there is sufficient normal lighting to keep them charged. They’re an easy retrofit solution and ideal for places where running electrical wiring is difficult, but they do require reliable lighting during building occupancy to function properly when needed.
• Tritium exit signs (self-luminous): These signs contain sealed tubes filled with tritium gas, which emit light continuously through a process called radioluminescence. A tritium exit sign will glow 24/7 for 10 to 20 years without any external power source or ambient charging light. They’re excellent for remote outdoor locations, areas with no electricity, or facilities where providing power to an exit sign is impractical. Keep in mind that tritium models must be replaced once their gas decays (at end of life) and disposed of according to regulatory guidelines. They provide a dependable “always on” solution in tough spots, albeit at a higher upfront cost.

For more insight into non-electrical exit signage, see Tritium Exit Signs: Illuminating Safety.

Where Are Exit Signs Required?

Building codes in the U.S. require exit signs to be placed anywhere people might become unsure of how to find an exit. In practical terms, this means you should install a sign above or adjacent to every exit door, at the entrances and exits of enclosed stairwells, at any major corridor junctions or turns, and in large open areas (like assembly rooms or open-plan offices) that have multiple exit points. Essentially, as you travel along an exit route, you should always be able to see the next illuminated “EXIT” sign ahead. If the way out isn’t immediately obvious, a sign with a directional arrow needs to point toward the exit.

Don’t forget about the path after people go through the exit door. Exterior discharge routes (for example, an outdoor pathway or alley leading away from an exit) often need to be illuminated as well so that evacuees can safely reach a public way. In such cases, use wet-rated battery-backed lights or outdoor-rated exit signs to mark the outside portion of the egress route. The goal is complete guidance from inside the building to a safe area outside.

Exit Sign Requirements

• Visibility: Arrange your exit signs so that one sign is always within sight as a person moves toward an exit. If the exit route changes direction (a turn or T-intersection in a corridor), use a sign with an arrow or add an extra sign to clearly point the way.
• Backup illumination: Internally illuminated exit signs must stay lit for at least 90 minutes during a power outage. This is typically accomplished with a built-in battery (for standalone signs) or an emergency circuit/generator. Make sure the models you choose are UL 924 listed for the full 90-minute runtime.
• Letter color & size: Exit signs use high-contrast red or green letters. The required letter height is generally 6 inches with a 3/4-inch stroke (check your local code for specifics). Some jurisdictions have strict rules on color or design (for instance, NYC mandates red 8-inch letters on a durable background). Always use city-approved models if local regulations demand a special style.
• Testing & maintenance: Exit signs (and their backup systems) should be tested regularly per fire code: a brief functionality test every month and a full 90-minute battery test once a year. Self-testing (self-diagnostic) exit signs can automate these checks and alert you to problems, simplifying the required documentation and upkeep for safety inspections.

Pro tip: At hallway intersections or anywhere people approach from opposite directions, install a double-faced exit sign on a perpendicular (“flag”) mount or ceiling mount. This way, the illuminated legend is visible from both directions, ensuring no one misses the sign.

Construction of Exit Signs

An electric LED exit sign typically contains a small LED circuit board, a charger/transfer module, and a rechargeable battery packed inside its housing (whether thermoplastic, steel, or aluminum). During normal operation, the sign’s LEDs are powered by the building’s AC supply. If the power fails, the internal transfer circuit automatically switches the sign to run off its battery supply, keeping the “EXIT” illuminated for the required 90 minutes. By contrast, non-electrical models have no internal power system at all: photoluminescent signs rely on special pigments charged by ambient light, and tritium signs rely on sealed radioactive gas tubes. Both of those designs can glow in complete darkness without any electricity.

Features worth having: Look for options like an integrated battery backup, self-testing capability, or remote-capable hookups for additional lighting heads. These features reduce maintenance trips and help ensure your exit signage remains compliant and functional with minimal effort.

Mounting Types & Visibility

• Wall-mount: Attached flat to a wall (often directly above an exit door). This is the simplest and most common way to mount an exit sign. Wall-Mount Exit Signs
• Ceiling-mount / Flag-mount: Attached to the ceiling or on a bracket so that the sign projects out from the wall like a flag. This perpendicular orientation makes the sign visible from both sides. Ceiling-Mount Exit Signs
• End-mount: Similar to a flag mount, but using an end bracket on the sign’s side. This allows the sign to wrap around a corner or hallway end, improving sight lines around obstacles. End-Mount Exit Signs
• Recessed: Installed flush into a wall or ceiling so that most of the sign’s body is hidden, leaving only the face (or a thin trim) visible. Recessed installation is often used with edge-lit models for an ultra-clean look. Recessed Exit Signs – Guide
• Low-profile / Architectural: Extra-slim, design-forward signs meant to blend into modern décor. These often use thin housings or clear panels to minimize visual impact. Low Profile · Architectural
• Vandal-resistant: Units built with tamper-resistant hardware or protected by add-on wire guards. Use these in high-abuse areas like schools, public transit stations, or correctional facilities. Steel Exit Signs – Rugged Guide

Popular Exit Sign Options

• Shop All Exit Signs
• Edge-Lit Exit Signs
• Die-Cast Aluminum Exit Signs
• Steel Exit Signs
• Thermoplastic Exit Signs
• Battery-Backup Exit Signs
• Self-Testing Exit Signs
• Wet Location Exit Signs
• Damp Location Exit Signs
• NYC-Approved Exit Signs
• Chicago-Approved Exit Signs