Life Safety Essentials: Legibility of EXIT Signs

Learning Objective: To be able to recognize the improper installation of EXIT signs.

By Robert Trotter, CBO, CFM, MCP - Manager, Sr. Life Safety Specialist

For a more aesthetically pleasing built environment, architects and building managers are marking the means of egress in new buildings and existing buildings with edge lit LED exit signs in favor of the standard thermoplastic or cast aluminum exit signs. Occasionally these exit signs have been in existence for many years or even recently installed where no one has noticed the sign does not meet the applicable provisions of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® nor any locally adopted building code. The edge lit exit sign (shown right) is listed as a ceiling mounted sign to be located near the wall. Double face signs utilize a Mylar insert to avoid viewing of the EXIT in reverse. 

When using The Joint Commission 2011 Hospital Accreditation Standards, apply the following reference: LS.02.01.20 Element of Performance 31 “Exit signs are visible when the path to the exit is not readily apparent. Signs are adequately lit and have letters that are 4 or more inches high (or 6 inches if externally lit). (For full text and any exceptions, refer to NFPA 101-2000: 7.10.1.2, 7.10.5, 7.10.61. and 7.10.7.1) Section 7.10.1.2 of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® which states, “Exits, other than main exterior exit doors that obviously and clearly are identifiable as exits, shall be marked by an approved sign readily visible from any direction of exit access.”

Section 7.10.3 addresses the Sign Legend for signs required by the general provisions of 7.10.1 and the directional sign provisions of 7.10.2. This section states that these signs “…shall have the word EXIT or other appropriate wording in plainly legible letters.”