Exit Sign - Modern Installations

Modern Installations

Most exit signs in the world, except in countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, Philippines, and Singapore are of pictogram type. Australia and Singapore have made changes to their respective life safety codes in the direction of pictogram use. In the US, New York City has endorsed a new code requiring high rises to have glow in the dark exit signs with a pictogram (ISO). In Thailand, most exit signs are in any running-man pictogram (ISO).

Modern exit signs in the United States and Canada can be seen over every 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 complies regarding exit signs. This is especially true in older buildings that serve as multiple residences, such as apartment buildings, hotels, and campus dormitories. 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 be removed so that an arrow is also lit pointing left or right.

Many modern exit signs are combined with other safety devices, such as emergency floodlighting, as shown above. Exit signs draw a relatively small amount of power, and can generally be added onto any existing electrical circuit without adverse effects. Modern exit signs are also, to some degree, flame retardant.

Most recently, LEC (light emitting capacitor) exit signs have come to market. Drawing only 1/4W of power with an operational life of 30+ years and far exceeding the actual 5 year life of an LED sign, LEC exit signs are a new option for architects and engineers.