Is your corporate building prepared in the event of an emergency? Do your tenants and employees know where to go when they need to evacuate the building? It’s vitally important to install an emergency exit sign to point them in the right direction.
You might be surprised to learn that there are two different kinds of exit-only signs: wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted. As you might expect, these sign lights require two different types of installation processes.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to install an exit sign and everything that you need to be aware of when you do so.
What Are the Requirements of an Emergency Exit Sign
Imagine being a building tenant in an emergency situation. The fire alarms are going off and you have to make a quick exit. Your heart is racing, your adrenaline is pumping, and it’s hard to gather your thoughts.
However, thanks to some well-placed and well-lit exit signs, you’re able to safely find your way out and reconvene with all of your coworkers.
It’s important to purchase Exit signs that abide by all Chicago requirements, as well as being certified to CEC under Title 20 regulations.
An exit sign must be placed on any door that connects to a pathway out of the building. The sign needs to visibly read “Exit” and be shown in very bright lights. The area must be void of any objects that would make it difficult to read.
One other thing to consider is whether it’s clear which way the exit is located. For example, installing a ceiling-mounted exit sign in between two doors on either side of each other can be ineffective. In that case, the sign must have an arrow pointing to the proper exit path.
As far as the exit sign itself, you want to make sure your sign has trusty backup batteries. That way, the word “Exit” stays visible in the event of a fire.
How to Install Wall-Mounted or Ceiling-Mounted Exit Signs
If you’ve never installed an emergency exit sign before, then it might feel as if you’re shouldering a big responsibility. While that might be true, the good news is that they’re very easy to install.
For a wall-mounted exit sign, you’ll want to remove the face of the light to get into the inside (for mounting purposes). Grab the input wires from inside and feed them all through the holes in the back faceplate.
Next, grab the ground wire and connect it to the correlated ground wire that’s on the junction box. Grab the neutral wires (which are indicated in the installation instructions) and put them together with a wire nut.
Next, connect either the 120V wire or 277V wire to the line input wire, and then cap the one you didn’t use for this step.
After all of that is finished, screw in the junction box to the back faceplate and connect the battery to the circuit board inside. Reconnect the faceplate and mount it to the wall.
If you have a ceiling-mounted exit sign, then you’ll want to feed the input wires into the mounting area, rather than the back faceplate.
What Are the Benefits of an Exit Sign?
Now that you’ve seen what the regulations are for an exit sign and how to install them, see below for the biggest benefits to installing them on your property.
Helps Tenants Navigate to Safety
Whenever an unforeseen emergency occurs, your brain instantly adapts to the stress and hits a fight-or-flight response, this is what’s referred to as an amygdala hijack.
It’s hard to think straight when your adrenaline is pumping. Your brain has one thing in its mind: get to safety. An emergency exit sign can be the saving grace for everyone in the building.
Rather than having to consciously think about the quickest exit, the exit signs will get them to the quickest and safest path out. This ensures safety for everyone that acts quickly and takes the emergency seriously.
Pathway for First Responders
Your tenants aren’t the only ones that will benefit from exit sign lights. First responders depend on them to assist them in getting everyone to safety.
Imagine trying to navigate people through a building you’ve never been in; that’s the problem that firefighters face when they’re trying to get all building tenants out of the property.
Adequate emergency exit signage will help them expedite the process. They’ll get tenants out quickly and move fast to ensure that everyone gets out okay.
Accommodates Legal Regulations
Installing emergency exit lights isn’t just a preference, is a legal obligation. Every city has requirements for where the exit lights are to be installed, what they’re made of, etc.
By purchasing LED exit signs from a trusted source, you can have more peace of mind. All of the products on our site abide by regulations and are certified.
You can invest in a variety of wall-mounted, and ceiling-mounted exit signs to ensure an easy path for all of your residents. If an emergency ever occurs on your property, your proactive purchase of high-quality exit signs can save their lives.
Invest in a High-Quality Exit Sign Today
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to install an exit sign, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to read this article for more information on a complete buyer’s guide to exit sign lighting and what you need to look for. To get started, please be sure to call us directly at 833-LED-LUME and we will be happy to assist you further.
