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Steel Exit Signs – Heavy-Duty Metal Fixtures Red Letter

Steel Exit Signs – Heavy-Duty Metal Fixtures

Steel exit signs are built for high-abuse environments like stairwells, warehouses, loading docks, correctional facilities, and industrial sites. Explore our Exit Signs collection for the full lineup. Constructed from rugged 20-gauge steel, these metal exit signs resist impact, tampering, and harsh conditions better than thermoplastic models. All models are UL 924, NFPA 101, and NEC compliant for safe egress nationwide — including strict local requirements in cities like New York City and Chicago. Standard LED versions use a maintenance-free Ni-Cd battery to provide at least 90 minutes of emergency illumination during power loss.

UL 924 90-Min Backup LED Illumination 20-Gauge Steel Universal Mount
Buyers Guide Tips

What to Look for in Steel Exit Signs

  • Housing construction: 18/20-ga steel, powder-coat finish, reinforced seams, and tamper-resistant hardware for high-abuse areas.
  • Egress performance: UL 924 listing with a verified 90-minute emergency runtime and even legend illumination.
  • Legend & visibility: Red/green letters, field-selectable chevrons; confirm character height and viewing distance per spec.
  • Mounting & power: Universal wall/ceiling/end mounting; dual 120/277 VAC input and solid-state charger/automatic transfer.
  • Environment rating: Specify damp/wet or enclosure (NEMA/IP) where humidity, spray, dust, or wash-down are present; cold-weather options as needed.
  • Diagnostics & serviceability: Self-testing availability; favor quick-connect batteries and floor-visible status indicators.
  • Codes & listings: Look for UL 924 with NFPA 101 and NEC compliance; verify local city requirements (e.g., NYC/Chicago) for letter height and face style.
  • Battery & warranty: Maintenance-free Ni-Cd packs are common; confirm warranty coverage to match long-service installations.

All models meet UL 924, NFPA 101, and OSHA requirements. During a power failure, the internal battery system delivers at least 90 minutes of egress illumination to ensure safe evacuation.

Features include bright LED exit sign illumination, field-selectable chevrons, and universal mounting hardware for wall, ceiling, or end installation. Select models also include self-testing exit signs to simplify inspections and code compliance.

For complete protection, pair your exit sign with matching steel emergency lights, or upgrade to all-in-one steel exit sign & emergency light combos for maximum durability and efficiency.

💡 What is a steel exit sign? A metal exit sign built from heavy-duty steel to withstand abuse, corrosion, and impact—ideal for industrial, security, and high-traffic areas where durability and compliance are critical.

Whether you’re upgrading for code or designing for long-term resilience, steel exit signs deliver unmatched reliability in the most demanding environments.

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Steel Exit Signs – Spec Guide

  • Compliance & runtime: UL 924 listed; battery-backed models provide a minimum 90-minute emergency duration (coordinate with NFPA 101 / AHJ for egress levels and spacing).
  • Housing construction: 18/20-ga steel enclosure, powder-coat finish, reinforced seams, and tamper-resistant hardware for high-abuse areas; consider vandal-resistant lenses.
  • Legend visibility: Uniform LED illumination (red/green); confirm character height and viewing distance (e.g., 6" letters often specified to ~100 ft, per model spec).
  • Faces & chevrons: Single or double face; use field-selectable directional arrows set on site to match actual egress direction and standardize SKUs across floors/zones.
  • Mounting & clearances: Universal wall/ceiling/end mounting; verify canopy projection, headroom, conduit access, and separations from sprinklers/detectors/other signage; maintain push-to-test access post-install.
  • Power & safeguards: Dual 120/277 VAC input, solid-state charger, automatic transfer, brownout protection, low-voltage disconnect, and surge suppression for long-term reliability.
  • Battery & environment: Maintenance-free Ni-Cd, NiMH, or lithium; confirm recharge time, ambient range, and available cold-weather kits if required.
  • Damp/wet & enclosure ratings: Specify damp/wet-location or enclosure (NEMA/IP) where humidity, spray, dust, or wash-down are present; use sealed hubs and gasketed entries as needed.
  • Diagnostics: Self-testing capability for automated monthly 30-second and annual 90-minute tests with floor-visible status/fault indicators to speed inspections.
  • Serviceability: Favor hinged doors or captive screws, quick-connect batteries, labeled terminals, and front-accessible test/reset to minimize PM time.

FAQs About Steel Exit Signs

What are steel exit signs used for?

Steel exit signs—also referred to as metal exit signs—are built for high-abuse environments like warehouses, stairwells, correctional facilities, and industrial sites. These rugged fixtures provide superior durability and long-term performance where standard plastic signs may fail.

Are steel exit signs code compliant?

Yes. All models are UL 924 listed and meet NFPA 101 requirements for emergency egress signage in commercial and industrial facilities.

Do steel exit signs come with battery backup?

Absolutely. Most industrial steel exit signs include internal backup batteries that provide at least 90 minutes of illumination during a power outage. See our battery-operated exit signs for more options.

Can steel exit signs be used outdoors?

Yes—if they’re wet location rated. Otherwise, steel signs are best suited for indoor or damp environments like utility rooms, parking garages, and service corridors. Check our wet-location exit signs for outdoor-rated options.

Are self-testing steel exit signs available?

Yes. Many steel self-testing exit signs feature built-in diagnostics that automatically run monthly and annual tests—helping you stay code compliant with minimal maintenance.

What illumination colors are available?

Most steel LED exit signs are offered with either red or green legend illumination to meet regional code requirements and match building aesthetics.

Steel vs. plastic exit signs — which should I choose?

Choose steel for high-traffic, high-abuse, or security-sensitive areas, or where local codes specify metal housings. Thermoplastic models suit lower-abuse interiors where budget and weight matter most.

Are steel exit signs more expensive?

Typically yes, but they deliver longer service life and better abuse resistance, reducing replacements and downtime. For facilities with frequent impacts or tampering, steel often lowers total cost of ownership.

Do I need a city-approved steel exit sign?

Some jurisdictions require specific letter heights, faces, or housing types. If you’re subject to stricter local rules (e.g., large characters or special face styles), select a model labeled for that city’s code.