Emergency Lighting / EXIT Signage

EXIT and Emergency Lighting Inspection Report Form

Required Testing of Emergency Light and Exit Signage

Most emergency lights installed in businesses are simple lighting devices that contain a small battery. The device is connected to the building’s electrical supply, which provides a constant charge to the battery. In the event of a power failure, circuitry in the fixture activates the lights, so that occupants can see to exit the building. Most emergency lights are only designed to work for the code’s required minimum of ninety (90) minutes on battery power.

Emergency Lights and Exit Signs

Exit signs that are internally lighted operate in much the same way as emergency lights. Because they stay on all the time, many of them have two sets of bulbs. One set, that is normally on, operates on 110 volt building power. The second set, which comes on only when there is a power failure, are low voltage bulbs that operate on the battery only. Therefore, an exit sign that appears to be working normally may not work at all during a power failure, because the low voltage bulbs have burned out.

In some larger buildings, emergency power to exit signs and emergency light fixtures is provided by an emergency generator. Testing of emergency lighting in these facilities is normally done at the same time that the generator is tested, and is usually done by either an electrical or mechanical contractor, or by full time building maintenance staff.

Anatomy of an Emergency Light / Exit Sign Combination Unit

      The photo shows the fixture with the “Exit” sign removed from the front to expose its components:

• A is the “Exit” sign that has been removed from the front of the fixture.
• B is an emergency light.
• C is the electrical transformer that reduces the voltage of the building system to match the voltage used by the lights and battery charger.
• D is the rechargeable lead-acid gel-cell battery.
• E is the test button and LED function indicator.
• F is the battery charger and the circuit board that transfers the fixture to battery power when building system power fails
• G is an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that illuminate the translucent “EXIT” sign

What Type of Testing Does the Fire Code Require?

The fire code requires that the emergency lights or lighted exit signs be inspected and tested at least once a month. The test must include a thirty-second test of the lights.

An annual test is also required, with the lights being operated on emergency power for the full minimum of ninety (90) minutes. Written records documenting the testing must be maintained and available for review by the Office of the Fire Marshal or your insurance company.

How Do I Test Them?

Most emergency lights or exit signs have a small “push to test” button somewhere on the casing. You can push and hold this button for thirty seconds to test the bulbs and battery. This works ok if you have a small number of devices that can be easily reached. The lights should come on and remain at the same brightness level for the full thirty seconds. If the lights dim right away, or some of the bulbs don’t work, then you should contact maintenance to replace the bulbs and/or batteries in the fixture

For exit signs you should also check to see if the sign is properly lighted when in normal power mode. 

For a large number of devices, or for the annual ninety (90) minute test, there is a second option that may work better. Locate the circuit breaker or fuse that supplies power to the emergency lights or exit signs. (You may need to contact an electrician if they are not properly labeled.) The circuit breaker should be turned off, and the lights observed to determine if they work for the 90-minute (annual) or thirty-second (monthly) testing period.

CAUTION: You may want to make sure that you first save data on computers or similar devices, if they are connected to the same circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions 

QUESTION. Is there a requirement for exit sign color? Some facilities have green, other facilities have red.

ANSWER. There is no requirement for specific colors. NFPA 101 Section 7.10.1.8 states "signs must be of a distinctive color and design that is readily visible and shall contrast with decorations, interior finish and other signs."

QUESTION. When is a "NO EXIT" sign required?

ANSWER. The "NO EXIT" sign is only needed where "any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and that is located or arranged so that it is likely to be mistaken for an exit shall be identified by a sign that reads: NO EXIT". 

2015 Fire Code of New York State - Section 1031.5 Nonexit identification. Where a door is adjacent to, constructed similar to and can be confused with a means of egress door, that door shall be identified with an approved sign that identifies the room name or use of the room.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - Life Safety Code 101 Section 7 7.10.8.3 states that a “No EXIT” sign is only needed where “any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and that is located or arranged so that it is likely to be mistaken for an exit shall be identified by a sign that reads as follows: NO EXIT.” 

This sign is required only if the door does not lead to a way out AND is likely to be mistaken for an exit door. It is not the code’s intent that such signs be placed on every door that is not an exit. If the door is labeled as to what it is, such as “Closet,” “Basement,” or “Electrical Room,” there should be no confusion.

If a “No EXIT” sign is necessary, Section 7.10.8.3.2 clearly specifies that the word “No” must be 2 inches (5 centimeters) high and the word “EXIT” must be 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) high. This is so occupants will not key in on the word exit and mistake it for an exit sign.

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