Green Exit Signs

[LGreene]

I don't know anything about exit signs, so forgive me for a rookie question. Our marketing department used a photo for the cover of my code resource guide, and the exit sign is green. I don't see green exit signs that often in the US, and I want to make sure we're not using a photo of something that is not code-compliant. I looked in the IBC, and I don't see the color stated, but if there was no required color it seems like I'd see other colors (blue, purple...you know, creative freedom). I saw something online about OSHA requiring red exit signs.

Can someone help me out? Is green ok to use for the cover photo?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

When I installed some exit signs they always came with red or green film to choose from to use for the color. I don't see anything wrong with green.

 

[north star]

( = = )

No requirement for green or red from the IBC, ...the IFC, ...OSHA

or NFPA 101................The AHJ may have a specific requirement that

they want though !

The signs themselves must be a distinctive color, ...have a minimum

illumination level, ...contrast with their surroundings so as to be easily

viewable and legible [ usually under very poor environment conditions ],

...be a minimum size, and have the capability to remain illuminated for

1.5 hours, when the normal electrical power is not active.

I.E. - Yes, ...green is o.k. for your application ! :grin:



( = = )

 

[cda]

As you stated, color not specified

I think long ago maybe 101 did prefer a color

 

[cda]

In most regions, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and China, exit signs have green lettering. (In this color scheme, red is used to show prohibited activities.) In most European countries pictograms are used in place of the word "exit". European sign directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 indicates that the signs should be green in colour indicating a safe place of exit. BS EN 1838:1999, BS 5266-7:1999 also governs the emergency lighting applications.

In United States and Canada exit signs can have either red or green lettering, but usually red. This is due to states or cities enacting building codes which specify the sign color. For example, in Maryland and Los Angeles, green is required. New York, New Jersey, and Chicago require that exit signs have red text.

The Canadian National Building codes requires "red letters on a contrasting background or white letters on a red background, at least 114 mm high with 19 mm stroke spelling EXIT or SORTIE when the sign is internally illuminated".[8]

Green fluorescent signs can be seen better in dark conditions than other colors, as the human rod cell is more sensitive to these wavelengths.[9][10]

Newly installed exit signs in Australia are green with white "running man" figure (AS2293). Canada's 2010 National Building Code, released in November 2010, also calls for a switch from the North American red EXIT/SORTIE signs to the international ISO 'green running man' signs in 2015, but in airports in Canada the signs must have French and English (CAN/ULC-S572). It is expected to be adopted into the codes of each province within a few months.[11]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_sign

 

[LGreene]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[mark handler]

We had this discussion on the "old" site.

You might be able to find it in their archives.

A lot of firefighters prefer the green in a smoke filled room. On the road right now, I will post a picture later

 

[steveray]

We have no requirements for color...only listed viewing distance..

 

[mtlogcabin]

"The word "EXIT" shall be in high contrast with the background and shall be clearly discernible when the means of exit sign illumination is or is not energized" 1011.5.1

Put a green sign on a green wall or a red sign on a red wall might be a problem.

What is clearly discernible to one person may not be to another who is sight impaired or color blind

Either color is permissible under the code. The installation and background colors may be the issue

 

[Paul Sweet]

At one time some codes (possibly NFPA 101) required green. I think it was because red implied "stop" or "danger" and green implied "go" or "safety". As far as I can remember BOCA always required red.

 

[JBI]

When teaching these requirements in classes, I always ask the class 3 questions...

"Since you were a little kid what does red mean?" Answers invariably begin with 'Stop'.

"What does green mean?" And the answers are always 'Go'.

Then I ask "What color are most Exit signs?"

The Code is silent and only requires contrast with background. Couldn't speak for NFPA or OSHA.

 

[steveray]

Although we have this that no one else seems to have...

(Add) 1011.1.2 Accessible exits. [in addition to the] exit signs required by Section 1011.1 of this code, accessible exit doors at the level of exit discharge that lead directly to accessible paths of exit discharge shall additionally be marked by the International Symbol of Accessibility. Such symbol shall be not less than 6 inches high and shall be incorporated into the required exit sign or shall be located directly adjacent to it. Such symbol shall meet the requirements of Section 1011.

 

[cda]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[mark handler]

In a smoke filled room would you run to the red glow?

 

[Chad Pasquini]

If it said Exit on it I would

 

[FM William Burns]

Smoke in egress path blocking visibility of the door signs, is why some of us have worked so hard to get floor proximity egress path marking and signs into the acceptable practices in the codes post WTC incident in 1993 and the big blackout ;-)

 

[cda]

Smoke in egress path blocking visibility of the door signs, is why some of us have worked so hard to get floor proximity egress path marking and signs into the acceptable practices in the codes post WTC incident in 1993 and the big blackout ;-)

Besides the problem of them being fifteen or more feet in the air!!

Why has there never been a code change to put the exit sign at a specific height near the door and if more are needed in order to point the direction , add them.

Seems like the exit sign makers would be pushing that.

Agree low level signs should be put back in code

 

[cda]

101 does have mounting criteria

14.14.1.9 Mounting Location.

The bottom of new egress markings shall be located at a vertical distance of not more than 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm) above the top edge of the egress opening intended for designation by that marking. Egress markings shall be located at a horizontal distance of not more than the required width of the egress opening, as measured from the edge of the egress opening intended for designation by that marking to the nearest edge of the marking. [101:7.10.1.9]

 

[FM William Burns]

Agree low level signs should be put back in code

They are in and permitted by the codes, it's a matter of how the RDP chooses to use them. There are specific occupancies where we try very hard and are successful in recommending them in addition to to those above the exit doors. Hotels are a prime example due to the lack of intimacy occupants have with the building and egress system ;-)

Now to get back on topic, here is some history from the Life Safety Code:

A.7.10.1.8 In stores, for example, an otherwise adequate exit sign could be rendered inconspicuous by a high-intensity illuminated advertising sign located in the immediate vicinity.Red is the traditional color for exit signs and is required by law in many places. However, at an early stage in the development of the Code, a provision made green the color for exit signs, following the concept of traffic lights in which green indicates safety and red is the signal to stop. During the period when green signs were specified by the Code, many such signs were installed, but the traditional red signs also remained. In 1949, the Fire Marshals Association of North America voted to request that red be restored as the required exit sign color, because it was found that the provision for green involved difficulties in law enactment that were out of proportion to the importance of safety. Accordingly, the 10th edition of the Code specified red where not otherwise required by law. The present text avoids any specific requirement for color, based on the assumption that either red or green will be used in most cases and that there are some situations in which a color other than red or green could actually provide better visibility.