When it comes to exit sign regulations and fire safety, it’s confusing to understand what is required and what isn’t. As a business owner, you are obligated to understand the rules and adhere to them in order to keep patrons and employees safe.
It is necessary to keep exit signs free of obstacles and equipment that might obscure the view of the exit. Access to exits must be marked by visible signs in all cases where the exit is not immediately visible to the occupants. The presence of any door passage, or staircase, which is neither an exit nor a way to escape, and which is often mistaken for an exit, must be identified by a sign that reads “Not an Exit.”
EXIT SIGN REQUIREMENTS
The general requirements for exits are set out by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 29 CFR 1910.35, which states that an exit is defined as an unobstructed path for exiting any place in a building to a public way.
OSHA regulations state that an exit sign, with an arrow indicating the directions, needs to be placed in every location where the direction of travel to the nearest exit is not immediately apparent. Each of the signs marking exits should have the word “Exit” in legible letters no smaller than 6″ high. The main stroke of the letter should be 3/4″ wide. If the path to the nearest exit isn’t obvious, an exit sign that includes an arrow directing the reader to the nearest exit will be required.
TYPES OF EXIT SIGNS
Exit signs come in a variety of types, including running man signs, basic emergency exit signs, directional signs, green exit signs, and many others. They might not all be necessary for your specific facility, but it is nice to know your options and where they should be used is an important part of keeping your building up to code and offering the best fire safety measures.
Running Man Exit Sign
Green Exit Signs
Directional Exit Signs
The color red is often used as an international sign of danger or do not touch. Green, on the other hand, is an international color of safety and means “go” all over the world. Both OSHA and NFPA agree that as long as the sign is a distinctive color, readily visible, and contrasts with the background, it is acceptable.
Seton has a variety of EXIT and No Exit signs to choose from. Seton is your one-stop shop for all safety and signage needs!