Exploring Means of Egress Requirements: Your Guide to Code-Compliant Exit Safety

An egress system defines the unobstructed path occupants take to safely leave any building or facility during an emergency. From exit access to final discharge, signs play a vital role in informing and guiding occupants. Here, we'll explore the various types of required egress signs, their specific functions, and how our custom solutions ensure your facility is prepared and compliant.

An elevator landing with emergency egress signage.

What Signs Do I Need
for an Emergency Egress Path?

The three basic signs that you will need for your emergency egress path are: the evacuation map, low-level path markings, and exit signs. To best determine your facility's specific egress signage needs, we recommend a simple walkthrough of each emergency egress path. Focus on the occupant's journey from start to finish, identifying areas where locked doors, confusing turns, or potential low-light conditions could impede safe exit. This firsthand information is crucial for accurately planning your custom emergency action plan and selecting the perfect signs.

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Emergency Action Plan »

(A) Evacuation Maps

Designed to meet local fire codes, proper evacuation plans include a map of the building and/or floor — showcasing rooms, doors, exits, staircases, and other important features such as fire extinguishers and pull alarms. This way, even occupants unfamiliar with the layout of the building can safely find their way out in the event of an emergency. We customize these maps to your facility's exact layout.

Evacuation maps should be located along the various exit egress routes, in building lobbies, near elevators and stairwells, in conference rooms and break rooms, in guest rooms, and other prominent locations where visitors, staff, and any other occupants can easily locate them.

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(B) In Case of Fire Elevator Sign

If your building contains an elevator, in case of fire signs remind occupants to take the stairs during a fire emergency. Post these signs outside of the elevator near the call button to remind building occupants that taking an elevator during a fire emergency is not safe. If the power were to go out, the elevator may become a trap rather than a means of escape. Occupants should use the stairs instead, or if they are unable navigate the stairs, shelter in an area of refuge until help arrives.

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(C) Photoluminescent Low-Level Directionals

Marked with a green running man symbol, each photoluminescent low-level egress sign directs occupants in the direction of the closest emergency exit. Though not always required, use them in hallways and other areas where the direction of an egress path isn't completely evident. Install on the wall, no more than 18" above the floor, ensuring they are still discernible in low-light situations, while also allowing visibility to those potentially crawling on the floor through smoke.

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(D) Photoluminescent Exit Signs

Mark exit doors with a low-level photoluminescent exit sign that has both green "EXIT" text and a green running man symbol. This denotes to occupants that the egress door in question leads to a final exit. These signs should be mounted on the bottom of the door leading to the exit discharge or exit egress path, with the top of the sign being no more than 18" above the floor. New York City compliant versions include additional wording, giving further information about the egress path.

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(E) Tactile Exit Signs

Tactile exit signs announce that behind the door is either an exit discharge or an egress path to an exit door. There are multiple layouts available, including options that denote a stairwell is also located within. All tactile exit signs should be mounted on the latch-side of the exit door. Tactile signs feature Grade 2 Braille, making them ADA-compliant. They may also display a pictogram, if so desired. Tactile exit signs must be installed along with overhead and low-level egress signage, when required by local fire codes.

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Examples of an area of tactile exit signs

Example of a photoluminescent no exit sign

(F) Photoluminescent No Exit Sign

One very important sign that often gets overlooked is the "No Exit" sign. Some doors in your facility may seem to lead outside, when in actuality they do not. Installing "No Exit" signs will avoid confusion during an emergency by guiding occupants away from doors that are not egress routes. These photoluminescent "No Exit" signs should be mounted on the door, with the top of the sign no more than 18" above the floor.

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Evacuation Map Drawing Services: Expert Design, Guaranteed Compliance

Let the professionals at EvacuationPlans.com expertly guide you through the custom map-making process. We'll verify your facility's specific needs while ensuring your evacuation maps are fully compliant with all necessary codes and rules. You'll receive precision-crafted maps ready to install, designed to pass your fire inspection with ease. Simply provide your facility's blueprints, and we'll take it from there—even providing a digital proof for your final approval.

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Browse State & City Specific Egress Signage: Simplify Local Compliance

Navigating unique state and city regulations for emergency egress signage can be complex. We simplify it for you. Select any of the product categories below to explore signs specifically designed to meet requirements for areas like California, New York City, and Washington, DC. Ensure your custom signs are locally compliant.

NYC Apartment ID Signs

DC Exit Stairs

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Guaranteed

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Made Products

Manufactured
in the USA

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of Options

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Customer Service

Still have questions about fire code compliance or your facility's specific signage needs? Our ADA signage experts are here to help. Benefit from our free SignSpec© quoting service for outfitting your entire facility with new fire-code compliant signage. Contact our compliance experts or call us directly at 1.833.917.1131 for prompt assistance.