Exit sign requirements differ from region to region. To give you a sense of these differences, we’ve listed the general regulations for New York State, New York City, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Connecticut.
New York State
- Exit signs should be visible from any direction of egress travel.
- Signs should indicate the path of egress travel where the exit is not visible.
- No point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway should be more than 100 feet or the listed viewing distance for the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.
- No point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway should be more than 100’ or the listed viewing distance for the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.
- Exit signs shall be illuminated.
- The letters in exit signs should be red. The letters should be at least six inches tall with strokes at least 3/4-inch wide. Each letter should be at least two inches wide, except the letter “I”. There should be at least 3/8-inch between each letter.
- The exit sign should contrast with the background.
- The chevron should be designed so that the direction cannot be changed.
- The exit sign should be lit to an intensity of at least five foot-candles.
- The sign should be connected to an emergency power system that can support the exit sign for at least 90 minutes after a loss of power.
New York City
With the following exceptions, exit sign regulations in NYC are the same as the New York State:
- In cases such as hotels, dormitories, and places of assembly, the letters in the exit sign should be eight inches tall. The widths, strokes, and spaces should be proportionate to this height.
- The exit sign should be lit to an intensity of at least 25 foot-candles.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey
In general, the exit sign regulations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are the same as the New York State regulations.
Connecticut
In general, the exit sign regulations in Connecticut are the same as in New York State, with the addition of the following regulations:
- In cases such as places of assembly, medical offices, institutions, hotels and dormitories, exit doors shall be marked by floor proximity exit signs.
- Floor proximity exit signs shall be located with the bottom of the sign, six to 18 inches above the floor. The signs shall be located on or adjacent to the door with the nearest edge within four inches of the door.
- Floor proximity exit signs shall have the same illumination requirements as traditional exit signs.
- Accessible exits at the level of exit discharge that lead directly to accessible paths of exit discharge must be marked by the International Symbol of Accessibility. Such symbol must be at least six inches high and shall be incorporated into the required exit sign or shall be located directly adjacent to it.
For any additional questions or comments on exit sign regulations, please contact your local Milrose Consultants office or comment below.
