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✅ Tritium Exit Signs Buying Guide
Tritium exit signs provide always-on illumination without power or ambient light. Here’s what to evaluate when selecting a self-luminous model:
- UL 924 Certified: Confirm the sign is tested and approved for emergency use per national life safety codes.
- Self-Luminous Operation: These signs glow using radioactive tritium gas—no electricity, wiring, or recharging required.
- Lifespan Rating: Tritium signs are available with 10-year or 20-year durations. Check the NRC label for expiration and disposal information.
- Zero Maintenance: Once installed, no inspections or replacements are required during the rated lifespan—ideal for remote or difficult-to-access areas.
- Compliance Labeling: Look for units with proper self-luminous markings, NRC registration numbers, and disposal guidelines.
- Mounting Flexibility: Choose single- or double-face signs with universal mounting brackets and directional chevrons.
- Photoluminescent Alternative: For well-lit indoor spaces, consider photoluminescent exit signs as a non-radioactive option.
FAQs About Tritium Exit Signs
Is a Tritium Exit Sign Right for My Building?
Tritium exit signs are ideal for facilities where electrical wiring is impractical or unavailable—such as tunnels, outdoor enclosures, or mechanical spaces. They are also excellent for reducing maintenance costs over time, since they require no batteries or electrical connections. Most buildings that fall under UL 924 and NFPA 101 compliance can use them, but check with your local fire marshal for location-specific restrictions.
When to Use Tritium Exit Signs (No Power Required)
Use tritium exit signs in any area without consistent light exposure or electrical power. These include stairwells, emergency egress paths, military shelters, underground parking structures, and storage vaults. Their 10- or 20-year lifespan and self-luminous design make them an excellent “set it and forget it” solution for safety lighting.
How Do Tritium Exit Signs Work?
These signs use tritium gas to emit light continuously without electricity. Tritium emits low-energy beta radiation that excites phosphor coatings inside the sign, producing visible glow.
Are Tritium Exit Signs Safe?
Yes. Tritium signs are sealed and regulated by the NRC. They emit low levels of radiation that are safe under normal use and pose no threat when intact.
What Are the Disposal Requirements?
Tritium signs must be returned to a licensed facility for proper radioactive disposal. Never discard them in regular waste streams.
Are There Alternatives to Tritium Signs?
Yes. In areas with consistent lighting, photoluminescent exit signs offer a non-radioactive, power-free alternative.
Do Tritium Signs Expire?
Yes. Depending on the model, they last 10, 15, or 20 years. Each sign includes an expiration date and must be properly disposed of when it reaches end-of-life.
What Is a Nuclear Exit Sign?
“Nuclear exit sign” is a common term for a tritium exit sign, which uses radioactive tritium gas to emit light continuously without electricity. These signs are self-powered, safe under normal use, and require no maintenance for 10–20 years.
Do Tritium Exit Signs Meet UL 924 and NFPA 101?
Yes. All tritium exit signs sold here are UL 924 listed and compliant with NFPA 101 and OSHA life safety code requirements when installed properly.