Reliable egress visibility isn’t a “nice-to-have” — it’s a life-safety system
Exit signs & emergency lighting protect people during the most chaotic minutes of an incident: power loss, smoke conditions, or a rapid evacuation. For procurement teams, MRO managers, and project engineers, the challenge is rarely “finding a product” — it’s confirming the right type, runtime, placement, testing approach, and power strategy for the occupancy and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). IFW Supply supports buyers across the United States with export-ready sourcing and logistics for fire protection, safety, and industrial projects where correct specification matters.
1) Code “basics” that drive your submittal
While requirements vary by jurisdiction, many U.S. projects align around a few consistent performance expectations:
| Requirement area | Typical expectation | Why it matters to buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Exit route marking | Exits must be marked and visible; line-of-sight must stay clear | Placement and arrow/directional strategy can trigger change orders later |
| Exit sign illumination | Illuminated “EXIT” signage with minimum sign-face illumination (OSHA details 5 foot-candles for workplaces) | Aesthetic choices can’t override luminance and legibility requirements |
| Emergency egress illumination | Commonly 90 minutes of emergency illumination along egress paths | Runtime drives battery chemistry, unit selection, and maintenance planning |
| Transition time | A short transfer delay is typically permitted (often up to ~10 seconds) | Impacts generator/UPS strategy and controls compatibility |
OSHA’s exit route standard highlights that exit routes must be adequately lighted, exits must be marked “Exit,” and exit signs must meet minimum illumination and legibility criteria in workplaces. (osha.gov)
2) Exit signs: spec decisions that affect compliance and maintenance
Exit signs feel simple until you hit field conditions: high ceilings, dust, vibration, temperature swings, or a layout where the direction of travel isn’t obvious. OSHA emphasizes line-of-sight visibility and directional signs when the route isn’t immediately apparent. (osha.gov)
Common procurement checklist (exit signage)
Note: OSHA has stated it does not have a general standard that universally requires emergency lighting, but it does require exit routes to be adequately lighted and exit signs to meet illumination/marking rules in workplaces. (osha.gov)
3) Emergency lighting: performance metrics that show up in inspections
For many occupancies, emergency egress lighting is evaluated by two things: how long it runs and how usable the light is along the path. Life-safety guidance commonly references 90 minutes of operation and measured illumination along the egress path. (emergencylight.net)
Why “90 minutes” impacts your bill of materials
A 90-minute requirement affects battery capacity, fixture count, and where you place units to avoid dark spots. It also changes your maintenance plan: batteries and test routines become recurring operational costs, not a one-time install decision. NFPA 101 emergency lighting language commonly allows a short transfer delay (often up to 10 seconds) when switching energy sources. (emergencylight.net)
| Field reality | What to specify/confirm | Buyer benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Long corridors, turns, or obstructions | Photometrics approach; correct spacing and mounting height | Fewer failed inspections and fewer “add another unit” surprises |
| Generator-backed sites with transfer time | Controls compatibility and emergency circuit identification | Cleaner commissioning and easier troubleshooting later |
| Maintenance constraints (limited staff/time) | Self-test/self-diagnostic features; standardized battery types | Lower lifecycle cost and simpler recurring compliance checks |
4) Quick “Did you know?” facts procurement teams can use
5) Step-by-step: how to spec exit signs & emergency lighting for a project or MRO refresh
Step 1 — Confirm what standard your AHJ is enforcing
Start with the governing building/fire code adoption (often an IBC-based code plus referenced standards) and any industry-specific requirements (healthcare, high-rise, industrial hazards). This prevents ordering “technically good” equipment that fails a local interpretation.
Step 2 — Map the egress path like an inspector will
Identify the exit access, exits, and exit discharge, then confirm signage where the route is not obvious. OSHA defines exit route components and requires adequate lighting and “Exit” marking. (osha.gov)
Step 3 — Choose a power approach that matches operations
Decide whether unit equipment (local batteries), a centralized inverter, or generator-backed emergency circuits best fit the site. NEC emergency systems requirements commonly include identification and separation of emergency circuits, and expectations around rapid availability of emergency power. (ecmweb.com)
Step 4 — Standardize models to simplify spare parts
If you operate multiple facilities, standardizing on a smaller set of exit sign and emergency light SKUs reduces battery variety, training needs, and downtime. This matters even more for buyers managing multi-city footprints or export shipments where lead times and documentation are part of the scope.
Step 5 — Plan testing and documentation before the order is placed
Decide how your team will document inspections (manual logs vs. self-test indicators vs. facility CMMS work orders). Compliance often fails in the paperwork phase, not the hardware phase.
6) U.S. multi-site reality: keeping egress products consistent across cities
For organizations purchasing across Boise, Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, and other hubs, the headache is variation: different AHJ preferences, different building vintages, and different maintenance maturity. A practical strategy is to standardize around a “base spec” (runtime, test method, environment rating, mounting style), then allow location-specific alternates only when the local review demands it.
Where IFW Supply fits (procurement + logistics)
IFW Supply supports buyers who need responsive sourcing, technical coordination, and export-ready shipping workflows for safety and fire protection product packages — especially when a project requires consolidation, documentation, and careful packaging for longer transit.
Request help with exit signs & emergency lighting sourcing
If you’re building a submittal, refreshing a facility’s egress package, or consolidating products for a multi-site rollout, IFW Supply can help you align the spec with operations and supply chain realities.
FAQ: Exit signs & emergency lighting
Are exit signs required to be illuminated?
In workplaces, OSHA requires exits to be marked and exit signs to meet illumination requirements (including minimum illumination on the sign face) and remain clearly visible along the route. (osha.gov)
Is “90 minutes” always the emergency lighting requirement?
Many codes and standards commonly reference a 90-minute duration for emergency egress illumination, but the exact requirement depends on occupancy, jurisdiction, and your AHJ. NFPA 101 emergency lighting language and common IBC excerpts reference 90 minutes as a typical minimum duration. (emergencylight.net)
If the exit route direction isn’t obvious, what’s expected?
OSHA requires posting signs along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit/exit discharge when the route isn’t immediately apparent, and it requires that the line-of-sight to an exit sign remains visible. (osha.gov)
Does OSHA require emergency lighting everywhere?
OSHA has indicated it does not have a general standard that universally requires emergency lighting, though it does require adequate lighting/marking for exit routes and working exit signage. Many emergency lighting obligations come from adopted building/fire codes and referenced standards enforced by local jurisdictions. (osha.gov)
What information should I send to get the right quotation?
Provide facility type, voltage, mounting (wall/ceiling), environment (damp/wet), preferred test method (self-test vs. manual), and whether emergency power is unit-battery, inverter, or generator-backed. If you’re exporting, include destination, incoterms, and documentation needs.