Emergency Exit Sign Requirements to Consider

As a business owner, you must be familiar and compliant with certain requirements surrounding fire and emergency safety signs in Tyler, TX, including exit signs. Here’s an overview of some of these requirements of which you should be aware. Keep in mind that these are standards as set by agencies such as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA); there are some states and cities that may apply their own additional laws that are even more stringent, so be sure to familiarize yourself with regulations and building codes in your area as well.

Means of egress

All exit signs must be completely clear of anything that could impair visibility of that signage, including decorations or equipment. Access to exits should always be marked by visible signs, regardless of how visible or obvious the exit is. Any door passage or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and is located in such a manner that could be mistaken for an exit should have a sign indicating it is not an exit, or a sign indicating its destination.

The exit signs should be placed in every location on the premises where the direction to take to reach the closest exit might not be immediately apparent.

Specific signage requirements

fdsThe signs themselves should have the word “exit” written in easily legible letters that are at least six inches high. The main stroke of the letter should be a minimum of ¾ inch wide. If the nearest exit location is not obvious, the sign should include an arrow directing the reader to the nearest exit.

Illumination requirements

All exit signs must be illuminated by a reliable light source. There is a minimum of five foot-candles on the illuminated surface. Any ambient light sources that illuminate exit signs other than electrical exit signs must have discs, screens or lenses of at least 25 square inches made with a translucent material to ensure contrast.

Under the NFPA’s fire safety code, all signs must meet the following standards of illumination:

• Each sign must be properly illuminated by a reliable source of light. This includes internally, externally and photo luminescent illuminated signs.
• Buildings must ensure the provision of at least 1.5 hours of emergency lighting if the standard building lighting fails during an emergency event.
• Any emergency lighting provided in the building should emit light that provides at least an average of one foot-candle, and never less than .1 foot-candle. There are also specific standards to be aware of regarding the decline of the light’s strength.
• Any signs that have internal illumination must be listed, and all should comply with UL 924 standards.
• Any photo luminescent signs must have lights provided to charge that sign so that, if the other lights in the building go out, the sign can stay illuminated for at least 1.5 hours.

For more information about some of the must-know requirements associated with fire and emergency safety signs in Tyler, TX, we encourage you to contact the team at Anchor Safety Inc. today.

Categorised in: Exit and Emergency Signs

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