Directional Exit Signs

The Joint Commission Statement of Conditions™ requires exit signs to be readily visible from any direction of access and it refers the user to NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® section 7.10.1.2.

Exits, other than the main exterior exit doors that obviously and clearly are identifiable as readily visible from any direction of exit access.

An exit sign with directional indicator should be installed to indicate the direction of travel to the exit. While there are many situations where the actual need for exit signs is debatable, it is desirable to be on the safe side by providing signs, because it is known that panic seldom develops, even in the presence of danger, as long as occupants of buildings are moving toward exits where signs are visible within a reasonable distance in the path of travel.