Are fire exit signs mandatory?
Are fire exit signs mandatory?
Are fire exit signs mandatory? Would it be cited if there are not designated fire exits?
Re: Are fire exit signs mandatory?
The most direct answer is “it depends on local code,” but that doesn’t really help you, I know. It depends on code, and the type of space we’re talking about, and the occupancy rating – how many people could be expected to occupy that space at the same time. Where we have a Community Room
that can be occupied by 50 people, we almost certainly need designated emergency exits. Where we have a small mechanical space where 3 people could not even get in there together, we probably do not need an exit sign.
Where REAC leaves this is that, if the inspector sees evidence that an exit sign was once present, but it is now gone – we have a missing exit sign defect.
This is the kind of thing that rarely comes up – it does come up, but rarely. Usually, we will see that there are exit signs where they are required, because they were installed when the building was built. The architect specified them, and they were installed. If they were not installed, the code
inspector probably caught it when the building underwent its occupancy inspection.
HOWEVER – it does happen that required fire exit signs get damaged or torn down, or they get blocked, or the wiring gets damaged or lights in them burn out. I’d say that 99% of the time, when an exit sign defect is cited, there is an exit sign present but the lights are burnt out.
that can be occupied by 50 people, we almost certainly need designated emergency exits. Where we have a small mechanical space where 3 people could not even get in there together, we probably do not need an exit sign.
Where REAC leaves this is that, if the inspector sees evidence that an exit sign was once present, but it is now gone – we have a missing exit sign defect.
This is the kind of thing that rarely comes up – it does come up, but rarely. Usually, we will see that there are exit signs where they are required, because they were installed when the building was built. The architect specified them, and they were installed. If they were not installed, the code
inspector probably caught it when the building underwent its occupancy inspection.
HOWEVER – it does happen that required fire exit signs get damaged or torn down, or they get blocked, or the wiring gets damaged or lights in them burn out. I’d say that 99% of the time, when an exit sign defect is cited, there is an exit sign present but the lights are burnt out.