Exit Signs & Emergency Lighting

Are exit signs and emergency lights required by code?

Yes, in nearly all commercial and multi-unit buildings. NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), the IBC, and OSHA require illuminated exit signs at every egress door and emergency lights along the path of escape. Coverage and placement depend on occupancy type and travel distance.

What's the difference between an exit sign, an emergency light, and a combo?

Each serves a different egress role. An exit sign marks the door with an illuminated EXIT legend. An emergency light floods the escape path with battery-powered lamp heads during an outage. A combo unit integrates both — an exit sign with attached emergency heads — in one housing.

• Exit sign — illuminated EXIT legend — marks the egress door
• Emergency light — battery-powered lamp heads — lights the escape path during an outage
• Combo unit — exit sign plus emergency heads — both functions in one housing

Red or green exit sign — which does code require?

Color depends on local code. NFPA 101 does not specify a color, so federal code accepts red or green. Many jurisdictions mandate one — red is most common in the United States, while some cities and international codes require green. Confirm the color your local authority enforces.

How long must emergency lighting stay on during a power outage?

Battery backup must power exit signs and emergency lights for at least 90 minutes after a power loss, under NFPA 101 and UL 924. The battery recharges automatically when power returns. A monthly 30-second test and an annual 90-minute test are also required.

What types of exit signs are available?

Exit signs differ by how they illuminate. LED edge-lit signs use a slim, bright panel for modern interiors. Photoluminescent signs glow without power or wiring. Self-luminous (tritium) signs need no electricity at all. Most installations use hardwired LED signs with battery backup.

• LED edge-lit — slim illuminated panel — hardwired with battery backup
• Photoluminescent — glows after light exposure — no power or wiring required
• Self-luminous (tritium) — constant glow — no electricity, sealed gas tubes

Outfitting the rest of the building? Emergency ballasts and backup drivers live in LED Drivers & Power Supplies, and the general ceiling lighting for the same spaces is in LED Panels and Troffers.