exit signs in warehouse

[wllthwa1]

Are lighted exit signs in a normally unmanned warehouse required?

wllthwa1:

 

[LarryFine]

I would think so.

 

[raider1]

The requirement for exit signs comes from the building codes. I would check with your local building department for the requirements. Typically the requirement for exit signs is based on the occupant load of the building.

Chris

 

[Ragin Cajun]

While it "normally" may not be occupied, when it is the occupants require exit signs and emergency lighting for the egress paths including outside the exit doors.

RC

 

[SiddMartin]

as said before, that is building code issue. From what I understand, if a door is considered an "exit", then it req. a sign. I do not know what would consider a door and exit or not though. That must be determined by other factors.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I am doing a 16,000 sf buildout now and 30 feet up in what was a shell is a lighted exit above the door.Stupid being its been empty for years.Person you need is the fire marshal,he/she will have the final say.

 

[c2500]

Definitely ask the fire marshall.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I believe an exit sign is always required, I also believe that it's the number of occupants that dictate whether it has to be lit or not.

 

[480sparky]

I believe an exit sign is always required, I also believe that it's the number of occupants that dictate whether it has to be lit or not.

I wonder if they would be required if it's a robotic warehouse, where machines are the only moving things in there. Usually, there's not even any lights on.

 

[raider1]

I believe an exit sign is always required, I also believe that it's the number of occupants that dictate whether it has to be lit or not.

It depends on the building code that is adopted. The IBC has an exception that permits exit signs to not be installed in rooms or areas that require only one exit or exit access. See 2006 IBC 1011.1 exception #1.

Chris

 

[cowboyjwc]

It depends on the building code that is adopted. The IBC has an exception that permits exit signs to not be installed in rooms or areas that require only one exit or exit access. See 2006 IBC 1011.1 exception #1.

Chris

That's kind of why I didn't commit to an answer, first, I don't have a building code handy and second, that's something I let the building plan checkers worry about.:smile:

 

[hockeyoligist2]

I have wondered about this also?

I have wondered about this also?

We have a CLASS I, DIVISION 2 room and the exit lights only come on if the power is lost on the lighting circuit. Shouldn't they be on all the time?

 

[DanZ]

as said before, that is building code issue. From what I understand, if a door is considered an "exit", then it req. a sign. I do not know what would consider a door and exit or not though. That must be determined by other factors.

a door is an "exit" or a means of egress if it leads directly to the exterior, it is an "exit" door if you are required to maneuver through the door to follow a path of egress (out of the building). Around here (Ohio) , they are required to be illuminated signs (not powered). There is also a requirement in the OBC saying the path of egress travel shall be illuminated to no less than 1 foot candle, measured 1 foot off the floor. Or something like that.

 

[ivsenroute]

This should get you started in answering the question but it is not everything about the signs:

SECTION 1006
MEANS OF EGRESS ILLUMINATION
1006.1 Illumination required. The means of egress, including
the exit discharge, shall be illuminated at all times the building
space served by the means of egress is occupied.
Exceptions:
1. Occupancies in Group U.
2. Aisle accessways in Group A.
3. Dwelling units and sleeping units in Groups R-1, R-2
and R-3.
4. Sleeping units of Group I occupancies.
1006.2 Illumination level. The means of egress illumination
level shall not be less than 1 foot-candle (11 lux) at the walking
surface level.
Exception: For auditoriums, theaters, concert or opera halls
and similar assembly occupancies, the illumination at the
walking surface level is permitted to be reduced during performances
to not less than 0.2 foot-candle (2.15 lux), provided
that the required illumination is automatically
restored upon activation of a premises? fire alarm system
where such system is provided.
1006.3 Illumination emergency power. The power supply for
means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the
premises? electrical supply.
In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical
system shall automatically illuminate the following areas:
1. Aisles and unenclosed egress stairways in rooms and
spaces that require two or more means of egress.
2. Corridors, exit enclosures and exit passageways in buildings
required to have two or more exits.
3. Exterior egress components at other than the level of exit
discharge until exit discharge is accomplished for buildings
required to have two or more exits.
4. Interior exit discharge elements, as permitted in Section
1024.1, in buildings required to have two or more exits.
5. Exterior landings, as required by Section 1008.1.5, for
exit discharge doorways in buildings required to have
two or more exits.
The emergency power system shall provide power for a
duration of not less than 90 minutes and shall consist of storage
batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation
of the emergency power system shall be in accordance
with Section 2702.
1006.4 Performance of system. Emergency lighting facilities
shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is at least
an average of 1 foot-candle (11 lux) and a minimum at any
point of 0.1 foot-candle (1 lux) measured along the path of
egress at floor level. Illumination levels shall be permitted to
decline to 0.6 foot-candle (6 lux) average and a minimum at
any point of 0.06 foot-candle (0.6 lux) at the end of the emergency
lighting time duration. A maximum-to-minimum illumination
uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded.

 

[ivsenroute]

This is more inline with the question:

2. At each door to an egress stairway, exit passageway and
exit discharge, signage shall be provided in accordance
with Section 1011.3.

 

[ivsenroute]

And now for the real answer or the Meat & Potatoes. This of course in not in the NEC.

1011.3 Tactile exit signs. A tactile sign stating EXIT and complying
with ICC A117.1 shall be provided adjacent to each
door to an egress stairway, an exit passageway and the exit discharge.
1011.4 Internally illuminated exit signs. Internally illuminated
exit signs shall be listed and labeled and shall be installed
in accordance with the manufacturer?s instructions and Section
2702. Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times.
1011.5 Externally illuminated exit signs. Externally illuminated
exit signs shall comply with Sections 1011.5.1 through
1011.5.3.
1011.5.1 Graphics. Every exit sign and directional exit sign
shall have plainly legible letters not less than 6 inches (152
mm) high with the principal strokes of the letters not less
than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) wide. The word ?EXIT? shall
have letters having a width not less than 2 inches (51 mm)
wide, except the letter ?I,? and the minimum spacing
between letters shall not be less than 0.375 inch (9.5 mm).
Signs larger than the minimum established in this section
shall have letter widths, strokes and spacing in proportion to
their height.
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. If a chevron
directional indicator is provided as part of the exit sign, the
construction shall be such that the direction of the chevron
directional indicator cannot be readily changed.
1011.5.2 Exit sign illumination. The face of an exit sign
illuminated from an external source shall have an intensity
of not less than 5 foot-candles (54 lux).
1011.5.3 Power source. Exit signs shall be illuminated at
all times. To ensure continued illumination for a duration of
not less than 90 minutes in case of primary power loss, the
sign illumination means shall be connected to an emergency
power system provided from storage batteries, unit equipment
or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency
power system shall be in accordance with Section
2702.
Exception: Approved exit sign illumination means that
provide continuous illumination independent of external
power sources for a duration of not less than 90 minutes,
in case of primary power loss, are not required to be connected
to an emergency electrical system.

 

[benaround]

We have a CLASS I, DIVISION 2 room and the exit lights only come on if the power is lost on the lighting circuit. Shouldn't they be on all the time?

I'm just thinking outloud, Do the exits go outside or just out of the Cl1 Div2

area? If people were exiting from eleswhere in the building for some reason

would you want to draw them into the Cl1 Div2 area because they saw a lit

exit light. These 'could' be a few reasons they are not lit full time ?

 

[hockeyoligist2]

I'm just thinking outloud, Do the exits go outside or just out of the Cl1 Div2

area? If people were exiting from eleswhere in the building for some reason

would you want to draw them into the Cl1 Div2 area because they saw a lit

exit light. These 'could' be a few reasons they are not lit full time ?

It is on the second floor, no other rooms, the exits lead to the outside stairs. It is only occupied during machine maintenance. The signs are very obvious when the lights are on. But if all of the lights went out, without losing power, you would be in the dark, feeling your way out. It also has emergency lights tied in with the lighting circuit, same system, except the light goes in to the exit sign. It is an almost new install, less than a year, by a contractor. I'm not comfortable with it!