For the sign located on a controlled-access highway, see Exit number
"Exit Sign" redirects here. For the Hilltop Hoods song with Illy and Ecca Vandal, see Exit Sign (song)
[1] ISO Standard (1987) sign in parts of Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas; actual implementations vary slightly
Post-1982 Japanese exit sign ("running man") designed by Yukio Ota in 1979.ISO Standard (1987) sign in parts of Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas; actual implementations vary slightly
The red or green EXIT sign is more common in North America, especially in the United States. Canada previously used this design, but is phasing it out in favor of the ISO standard sign.
Sign used in the European Union and Macau , the arrow showing the escape route can be to the left, to the right, up or down
An exit sign is a pictogram or short text in a public facility (such as a building, aircraft, or boat) denoting the location of the closest emergency exit to be used in case of fire or other emergency that requires rapid evacuation. Most relevant codes (fire, building, health, or safety) require exit signs to be permanently lit at all times.
Exit signs are intended to be absolutely unmistakable and understandable to anyone. In the past, this generally meant exit signs that show the word "EXIT"[2] or the equivalent in the local language, but increasingly, exit signs around the world are in pictogram form, with or without supplementary text.[3]
History
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A dim early exit sign lit by an incandescent bulb
An exit sign with a design that is easier to see, even in poor visibility, emergency lighting immediately above
The design formerly used in Europe, as specified in Directive 92/58/EEC , lit by a fluorescent lamp
Early exit signs were generally either made of metal and lit by a nearby incandescent light bulb[4] or were a white glass cover with "EXIT" written in red, placed directly in front of a single-bulb light fixture. An inherent flaw with these designs was that in a fire, the power to the light often failed. In addition, the fixtures could be difficult to see in a fire where smoke often reduced visibility, despite being relatively bright. The biggest problem was that the exit sign was hardly distinguishable from an ordinary safety lighting fixture commonly installed above doors in the past. The problem was partially solved by using red-tinted bulbs instead.
Better signs were soon developed that more resembled today's modern exit sign, with an incandescent bulb inside a rectangular-shaped box that backlit the word "EXIT" on one or both sides. Being larger than its predecessors, this version of the exit sign solved some of the visibility problems. The sign was still only useful as long as mains power remained on.
As battery-backup systems became smaller and more efficient, some exit signs began to use a dual-power system. Under normal conditions, the exit sign was lit by mains power and the battery was maintained in a charged state. In the event of a power outage, the battery would supply power to light the sign. Early battery-backup systems were big, heavy, and costly.[4] Modern systems are lightweight, can be installed virtually anywhere, and are integrated into the fixture, rather than requiring a separate box. As batteries improved, so did the amount of time that a fixture could remain lit on batteries.
While exit signs were more visible due to large letters, even a 60-watt incandescent bulb shining through a plastic or glass cover could appear somewhat dim under certain conditions. Incandescent bulbs are still in use because they are cheap and common, even though they use more electricity and require more or less frequent replacement. Incandescent bulbs lit 24/7 have a greatly extended lifespan compared to ones that cycle on and off. When used in exit signs, they are often operated at a lower voltage than rated, which further extends their lifetime, at the trade-off of reduced light output and greatly reduced energy efficiency.
With the development of fluorescent lamp and light-emitting diode technology, exit signs could be made even brighter to compensate for the limited visibility in a fire situation, while using less electricity. Fluorescent lamps are used in the same way as incandescent bulbs, back-lighting both sides of an exit fixture from within. LED signs combine a large number of bright light-emitting diodes to illuminate the sign from inside. An exit sign is constantly lit; fluorescent bulbs need to be changed more often than LEDs, although the absence of frequent on/off cycles extends the life of fluorescent lamps significantly. Generally, LEDs have a very long life, and may last for 10 years or more of continuous use, although their brightness may gradually diminish.
Radio-luminescent and phosphorescent signs that require no electricity have also been developed, and have been used since the 1970s. Radio-luminescence uses the radioactive decay of tritium gas to illuminate the sign,[5] while phosphorescence uses light-emitting pigments to glow in the dark. While both of these types of signs meet California State Fire Marshal standards, electricity is used in the vast majority of signs.
Modern installations
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Old sign still used in some old Hong Kong buildings
Standard China sign (ISO / BS 5499 standard)
Most exit signs in the world, except in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Singapore, are of pictogram type. Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong have made changes to their respective life safety codes to encourage pictogram use. The Philippines, which lacks a uniform standard for emergency exit signage, have places that use either the pictogram type, signs with the word "EXIT"/"FIRE EXIT"/"EMERGENCY EXIT" written on it, or a mix between the two.
In the United States, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines the uniformed standard for exit signs. NFPA 101 - 7.10.3.1 requires text-based exit signs for all standard mounted applications, but pictogram supplements are allowed as long as approval from the local authority is obtained and complies with NFPA 170. The NFPA has also approved the ISO pictogram as an option for low level glow-in-the-dark signs.[6] New York City local law 26 requires these low level symbolic signs in all high rise buildings.[7] In tunnels, the Transportation Research Board recommends using the ISO symbol.[8]
Newer Airbus, Bombardier CS100, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes started using the new pictogram exit signs, which were approved by the FAA in 2012 and 2014 (depending on aircraft type).[9] The newly-renovated Government Center subway station in Boston, as well as MBTA's newer Type 9 streetcars for the Green Line and new Orange Line and Red Line trains manufactured by CRRC, use exit signs with white-on-green "EXIT" text with the ISO pictogram next to it. Recent terminal renovations at the Albany International Airport have added supplemental ISO pictogram exit signage on terminal way-finding signage near the emergency exits. Some sections of the Corning Museum of Glass use an exclusive variant of the ISO pictogram exit signage pointing to where the exits are along with traditional text-based exit signage.
Modern exit signs often can be seen indicating the path to an exit in commercial and large residential buildings that comply with fire code. Certain circumstances, such as the year a building was built, may leave it exempt from some of these codes. In most situations, the owner of the building is responsible for complying with exit sign requirements. This is especially true in older buildings that serve as multiple residences, such as apartment buildings, hotels, and campus dormitories.[10]
Modern fixtures are usually in a rugged plastic or metal housing securely bolted to the wall or ceiling. The signs have the word "EXIT", or a picture representing exit, on both sides. Single-sided signs are also available for wall-mount installations. The signs often have metal or plastic knock-outs which can optionally be removed so that an arrow is also lit pointing left or right. Modern exit signs are often combined with other safety devices, such as emergency floodlighting for supplementary area illumination.[11] Modern exit signs are also, to some degree, flame retardant.
Exit signs draw a relatively small amount of power, and can generally be added onto any existing electrical circuit without adverse effects. In addition, specialized LED lamps with "candelabra" sized screw-in bases are available to replace the always-on incandescent lamps in older exit signs. This allows the existing fixtures to be easily upgraded to save energy, without the expense of complete replacement.
Most recently, LEC (light emitting capacitor) exit signs have come to market. Also called electroluminescent (EL), these signs only consume 1/4 W of power, and have an operational life of 30+ years which far exceeds the typical 10-year life of an LED sign.[citation needed]
Non-compliance with building codes
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It is often a serious offence for a building owner or landlord to not comply with the fire/building code in terms of Exit signage. In July 2016, for example, a fire in a Toronto apartment caused the death of one person and injured many others.[12] An investigation found that Emergency lights and Exit signs were not properly illuminated, and the landlord was fined about $20,000 for "not properly illuminating exit signs and having no record of emergency lighting tests", and another $50,000 for other infractions to the code.[13]
Lighting
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Sign illuminated by radioactive tritium
Photoluminescent (glow in the dark) Exit Sign[14]Inside of an emergency light/exit sign combination unit with light bulbs and backup battery
Since visibility may be reduced in a fire, due to smoke or failure of electric lighting, the sign is often permanently illuminated, usually by one of:
Color and design
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The UK variant of the emergency exit light sign
A bilingual EXIT sign was used at the CN Tower in Toronto until 2014, when it was replaced with a pictogram
In most regions, including China, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea exit signs have green lettering. (In this color scheme, red is reserved to indicate prohibited activities.) In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and most European countries, pictograms are used in place of the word "exit".[16] European sign directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 indicates that the signs should be green in color to indicate a safe place of exit. BS EN 1838:1999 and BS 5266-7:1999 also govern emergency lighting applications.
In the United States, exit signs can be red or green, but traditionally they have been red. Many states or cities have enacted building codes that specify the sign color. For example, in Baltimore, Salt Lake City, and Portland, Oregon, green is required. New York City, Rhode Island, and Chicago (along with the rest of Illinois) require that exit signs be red.
New and renovated buildings in Canada are required to use the international standard green "running man" pictogram. The 1995 Canadian national building code required "red letters on a contrasting background or white letters on a red background ... spelling EXIT or SORTIE",[17] however the 2010 Code calls for a switch from the red EXIT signs to the green "running-man" signs.[18] The national building code informs provincial and municipal building codes but does not have legal status itself. Most Canadian jurisdictions require the international green "running-man" pictogram, however some have allowed red "EXIT" signs to be maintained in older properties so long as one style is used consistently throughout the building.[19]
Green fluorescent signs can be seen better in dark conditions than other colours, as the human rod cell is more sensitive to these wavelengths.[20][21]
Newly installed exit signs in Australia are green with a white "running man" figure (AS2293). Previously, green-written 'EXIT' signs were standard.
Accessible designs
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There is a trend towards providing a more accessible, socially inclusive exit sign design based on universal design principles, including consideration for people with disabilities in the overall exit sign strategy for a building or facility.[citation needed]
The Accessible Exit Sign Project, which started in Australia in 2014 and has spread to New Zealand and the United States, is an international awareness campaign that promotes the need for an accessible means of egress. Advocates propose that appropriate exit signage to identify the accessible means of egress is a critical component to successful emergency planning for any building.[22]
The proposed new exit sign design features an "Accessible Means of Egress Icon", which includes an adaptation of the "running man" symbol with a new wheelchair symbol. The design is considered an enhanced version of the ISO 7010 and ISO 21542 accessible exit sign that shows the "running man" and International Symbol of Access at the end of the sign. The universally inclusive design with the "running man" and "Accessible Means of Egress Icon" wheelchair symbol essentially share the same upper torso, and the design shows the two moving through the door together. The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) has stated that the introduction of the "Accessible Means of Egress Icon" onto exit signage changes the current discriminatory approach to emergency exit signs and presents a fully inclusive design.[23] "The combined ‘Running Man’ and ‘Accessible Means of Egress Icon’ […] are working together to escape the building. They move in unison, display the same urgency and motion and appear to be travelling at the same speed. Their heads are forward, showing their haste. Arms are extended and motioning back and forth as they move through the doorway."[23]
The accessible exit signs are now being produced in Australia, New Zealand, United States, and United Kingdom, also featuring braille and tactile lettering suitable for people that have low vision or are blind.[24] The design is intended to show where wheelchair accessible exit routes, evacuation lifts, evacuation devices and areas of refuge are located.[25] The concept also provides more intuitive building design to assist people that are blind or have low vision to locate an exit.[26] The design also meets the intent of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which requires signatory countries to consider the need for universal design in buildings.
See also
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References
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Emergency lights typically have a battery back-up that will operate the light in the event the power goes out, regardless of if there’s a generator for back-up power. Exit signs can and should also have a battery, especially if the building doesn’t have generator.
Often during fire department inspections, they check that your emergency lights are operational, both with and without power. Emergency lights must be kept properly maintained to meet all federal and state requirements, so when installing new ones or updating old ones, should you just change the battery or replace the entire fixture?
Emergency lights are required to illuminate areas when something goes wrong, such as a fire. Commercial buildings must have emergency and exit-path lighting to illuminate and identify hallways, stairwells, and exits. Lighting must emit at least 1.07 lux of light along the emergency exit path at floor level and must remain illuminated for at least 90 minutes.
Even if a building does not have a centralized inverter or backup generator, emergency lighting must still be distributed. This requires dedicated emergency lights or battery backup LED drivers in certain fixtures. In many cases, lights that are required to be battery powered will use different circuitry in the event of a power outage.
There are two main types of batteries used to power exit signs and emergency lights:
Battery life typically ranges between 2-4 years, they are available in different voltages and amperages, and maintenance is relatively quick and simple. Batteries for emergency lighting must be regularly cleaned and tested to ensure they are still operational and the lighting is not dimmed. A fully charged battery in good condition should power an emergency light for at least 90 minutes. You must replace the battery if the 90-second or 90-minute emergency readiness tests prove unsatisfactory (meaning the lights fail to illuminate or are not bright enough).
Note that each battery must be tested separately on a regular basis and replaced as soon as possible if necessary.
Even if a battery is still functional after the maximum operational lifespan (typically four years), it’s a good idea to replace it. For organization purposes, it’s much easier to replace all batteries at once rather than one here, one there. If the building is very large, perhaps your system might call for replacing batteries by floor, as an example. Also replace if they are showing any wear and tear, though some battery damage can damage the entire fixture and require a full replacement.
There are a number of reasons you may want or need to replace your emergency light fixture.
Illumination technology has changed drastically over the last decade, including wide-spread adoption of LED lighting technology that:
Lights themselves are also smaller now in comparison to traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs, producing less heat. There are new, sleeker designs to choose from, which may be an attractive option for commercial or apartment buildings.
If an emergency light contains traditional halogen or incandescent lightbulbs, it’s much larger than others on the market and it’s likely at least 10 years old, so consider replacing it with an LED light.
Obvious signs of wear and tear (dirty, discolored, hazy lamp heads, film) can all impact light performance. If the fixture shows these signs, consider replacing it. Additionally, if a fixture’s battery is showing signs of corrosion, is leaking, is foamy, or is crusty, this is a clear sign of age and it should be replaced.
One might ask, why would anyone change the battery and not just get a new fixture? With LED lighting technology improving, prices aren’t what they used to be, so why not spend a little bit more and get a new fixture versus putting in a new battery?
Bay Lighting has more than 70 years of combined lighting and electrical experience. Our experienced technicians can help you install new emergency lights at your commercial building or residential property. Contact Bay Lighting today to schedule a free estimate and learn more about upgrading your facility’s emergency lighting systems.