1 Scope

1.1 This standard governs the specification, procurement, and installation of all signage required by building, accessibility, and life-safety codes for occupied buildings, including exit signs, means-of-egress directional and path-of-travel markings, tactile room and space identification, stairway identification, area-of-refuge instruction signs, hazard and safety signs, occupancy load placards, and No-Exit signs.

1.2 Work of this standard includes the selection of substrate, finish, legend content, illumination type, and mounting method for each sign type, and coordination of sign locations with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) submittal and inspection process.

NOTE Code-required signage is life-safety equipment, not decoration; its placement, content, illumination, and tactile properties are dictated by code and verified by the AHJ at inspection, and deviations generate notices of non-compliance that can delay occupancy. (1.3)

NOTE This standard applies across occupied building types — commercial, institutional, healthcare, educational, assembly, hospitality, and multi-family residential — on new construction and on alterations where code compliance is triggered. (1.4)

NOTE The signage covered here is the minimum mandated by code; where the project also carries wayfinding, branding, or environmental graphics, that scope is additive and is specified separately under SignageSignageResolves to the current edition.sync/signage (interior) and Exterior SignageExterior SignageResolves to the current edition.sync/exterior-signage (exterior). (1.5)

NOTE Electrically powered emergency luminaires, battery packs, inverters, and remote heads are not signage and are specified under Emergency And Egress LightingEmergency and Egress LightingResolves to the current edition.sync/emergency-and-egress-lighting; the electrical rough-in, conduit, and branch wiring feeding illuminated signs belong to the project's electrical division. (1.6)

NOTE Egress door hardware required by code — panic hardware, closers, locksets — is specified under Door HardwareDoor HardwareResolves to the current edition.sync/door-hardware and coordinated with, but not part of, this standard. (1.7)

2 Referenced Standards

2.1 Equipment, materials, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless the project jurisdiction has adopted a specific edition, in which case that edition governs.

2.2 Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Architect or Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.

2.3 The applicable model code edition is jurisdiction-specific; the Contractor shall confirm the adopted editions of the building code, life-safety code, and accessibility standard with the AHJ before procurement.

Standard	Title
2024 IBC Section 1013	International Building Code — Exit Signs (Means of Egress)
2024 IBC Section 1011	International Building Code — Stairways and Stairway Identification Signs
2024 IBC Section 1004	International Building Code — Occupant Load (placard requirement)
2024 IBC Sections 1009.9, 1009.10	International Building Code — Areas of Refuge and Two-Way Communication
NFPA 101	Life Safety Code (Section 7.10, Marking of Means of Egress)
2010 ADA Standards	ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Sections 216 and 703, Signs)
ICC A117.1	Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (Chapter 7, Communication Elements)
UL 924	Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment (listing for illuminated exit signs)
ANSI Z535.1–Z535.5	Safety Color Codes, Signs, Symbols, Labels, Tags, and Barricade Tapes
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145	Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs and Tags
NFPA 170	Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols

NOTE The 2010 ADA Standards are federally enforceable under the Americans with Disabilities Act; ICC A117.1 is the technical companion adopted by reference in the IBC and most state codes. The two are not identical, and both shall be consulted when designing tactile signage. (2.4)

NOTE UL 924 is the listing standard for illuminated exit signs; the AHJ requires the UL listing mark on the product label, not merely specification compliance, so a UL 924 listed product is mandatory wherever an illuminated exit sign is provided. (2.5)

3 Submittals

3.1 Action Submittals

3.1.1 The Contractor shall submit the following Action Submittals for review and approval before fabrication or procurement:

Product data for each exit sign type, including illumination method, voltage, battery type and rated duration, legend color, face configuration, and UL 924 listing.
Product data for each tactile sign type, including substrate and process, character height and font, Braille grade, finish, and field/character contrast values.
A complete sign schedule keyed to the floor plans, listing every sign by type, location, message/legend content, mounting method, and mounting height.
Shop drawings showing exit sign and directional sign locations overlaid on the egress plan, with viewing distances annotated, for AHJ pre-approval where the jurisdiction requires it.
Color and finish samples for tactile signs, demonstrating the character-to-background contrast.
Manufacturer's installation instructions and mounting details for each sign type and substrate condition.

Action Submittals Requiredcheckbox

☐ Exit sign product data (illumination, voltage, battery, UL 924)

☐ Tactile sign product data (substrate, process, Braille, contrast)

☐ Sign schedule keyed to plans

☐ Egress shop drawings with viewing distances (AHJ pre-approval)

☐ Color and finish samples

☐ Manufacturer installation instructions

3.2 Informational Submittals

3.2.1 The Contractor shall submit the following Informational Submittals:

UL 924 listing certificates for all illuminated and photoluminescent exit signs.
Evidence of AHJ approval where photoluminescent exit signs are relied upon as the sole egress marking.
Documentation of ambient light levels at proposed photoluminescent sign locations where photoluminescent signs are used.

Informational Submittals Requiredcheckbox

☐ UL 924 listing certificates

☐ AHJ approval for sole-reliance photoluminescent signs

☐ Ambient light level documentation

3.3 Closeout Submittals

3.3.1 The Contractor shall submit the following Closeout Submittals before final acceptance:

As-installed sign schedule reflecting field changes.
Operation and maintenance data for illuminated exit signs, including battery replacement intervals and test procedures.
Written confirmation that all signs have passed AHJ life-safety inspection.

Closeout Submittals Requiredcheckbox

☐ As-installed sign schedule

☐ O&M data for illuminated exit signs

☐ AHJ inspection sign-off

4 Quality Assurance

4.1 All illuminated exit signs shall be listed and labeled under UL 924 by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.

4.2 Tactile signs shall comply with the technical provisions of the 2010 ADA Standards Section 703 and ICC A117.1 Chapter 7 for character height, stroke, finish, contrast, Braille, and mounting.

NOTE The Contractor shall verify the adopted code editions and any local amendments with the AHJ before procurement, and shall confirm permitted exit sign legend colors with the AHJ where the project location admits more than one. (4.3)

4.4 The Contractor shall coordinate exit sign and directional sign locations with the AHJ submittal process.

4.5 The Contractor shall obtain pre-approval of sign locations before electrical rough-in where the jurisdiction requires it.

4.6 Tactile signs across the project shall be furnished from a single manufacturer or a pre-approved equal so that Braille dot geometry, character proportion, and finish are uniform.

NOTE Mixing tactile sign vendors within a project produces visible variation in Braille geometry, character height, and finish, and risks inconsistent compliance; single-sourcing is the simplest control. (4.7)

4.8 Mock-Ups

4.8.1 Where the project includes more than 50 tactile signs, the Contractor shall submit one production sample of each tactile sign type as a mock-up for approval before full fabrication.

4.8.2 The approved mock-up shall establish the standard of quality for character finish, contrast, and Braille for the remainder of the work.

5 Environmental and Service Conditions

5.1 Signs shall be suitable for the service environment of their installed location, including interior conditioned, wet, vandal-prone, and covered-exterior conditions as applicable.

Service Environmentradio

● Interior conditioned (standard)

○ Wet / washdown location

○ Covered exterior

○ Vandal-resistant / high-abuse

5.2 Signs in wet or washdown locations — locker rooms, pool enclosures, covered exterior walks — shall use corrosion-resistant substrates and fasteners and shall carry a wet-location rating where the product type requires one.

5.3 Photoluminescent exit signs depend on ambient light to charge; they shall be installed only where the ambient illumination at the sign face is maintained at a minimum of 1 fc during all hours of occupancy.

6 Exit Signs

6.1 Exit signs shall be provided at every exit door and wherever the path of egress travel is not immediately visible to occupants.

6.2 An exit sign shall be located so that no point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway is more than 100 ft, or the sign's listed viewing distance if less, from the nearest visible exit sign.

6.3 Where the direction of egress travel is not apparent, directional exit signs with chevron or arrow indicators shall be provided to indicate the path to the nearest exit.

6.4 The legend shall read "EXIT" with no other words on the sign face, in letters not less than 6 in high with a stroke width of not less than 3/4 in.

6.5 Internally illuminated exit signs shall be illuminated continuously during building occupancy and shall meet the illumination requirements of their UL 924 listing; externally illuminated signs shall be illuminated to not less than 5 fc on the sign face.

Exit Sign Illumination Typeradio

● LED internally illuminated

○ Externally illuminated

○ Photoluminescent (UL 924 listed)

○ Combination LED + photoluminescent backup

6.6 Each illuminated exit sign shall be provided with a backup power source that maintains rated illumination for not less than 90 minutes after loss of normal power and re-energizes to full output within 10 seconds of a power failure.

NOTE The configuration most projects use is an LED internally illuminated exit sign with a red legend, dual 120/277V input, and an integral 90-minute battery; this satisfies nearly all AHJ requirements without special approval and is the default unless project conditions dictate otherwise. (6.7)

NOTE For sign-face and color selection: IBC does not mandate a legend color and NFPA 101 permits both red and green, but many state amendments and local fire marshals require red — confirm the permitted color with the AHJ before procurement where green is contemplated; double-face signs are used where the sign is viewed from both directions of a corridor or is ceiling- or blade-mounted in an open path, while single-face signs are used against a wall or at a terminal door. (6.8)

6.9 The exit sign legend color shall be specified, confirmed with the authority having jurisdiction where a green legend is contemplated.

Exit Sign Legend Colorradio

● Red

○ Green

6.10 The exit sign face configuration shall be specified based on whether the sign is viewed from one or both directions of travel.

Exit Sign Face Configurationradio

● Single-face

○ Double-face

6.11 The exit sign input voltage shall be specified to match the building's available power supply.

Exit Sign Input Voltageradio

● 120/277V dual

○ 120V

○ 277V

Exit Sign Battery Backup Durationradio

● 90 minutes (code minimum)

○ 120 minutes

6.12 The exit sign mounting method shall be specified based on the sign's location and orientation within the path of egress.

Exit Sign Mounting Methodradio

● Wall-mounted

○ Ceiling-suspended

○ Blade / flag-mounted

○ Recessed

6.13 Photoluminescent Exit Signs

6.13.1 Where photoluminescent exit signs are provided, they shall be UL 924 listed under the photoluminescent listing path applicable to their intended use.

6.13.2 Photoluminescent exit signs shall not be relied upon as the sole egress marking unless the AHJ has approved that use in writing.

NOTE Photoluminescent signs carry a separate UL 924 listing with different test protocols from electrically illuminated signs; a sign listed for one use is not automatically acceptable for the other, and the listing category shall match the intended application. (6.13.3)

NOTE Combination signs — electrically illuminated primary face with a photoluminescent backup face — are common in transit and healthcare applications where a charged backup is desired during extended outages. (6.13.4)

6.14 No-Exit Signs

6.14.1 Doors, passages, or stairways that are neither exits nor access to exits, but which are arranged so they may be mistaken for an exit, shall be identified with a sign reading "NO EXIT".

6.14.2 The "NO EXIT" sign shall have the word "NO" in letters not less than 2 in high and the word "EXIT" in letters not less than 1 in high, with the word "EXIT" below the word "NO".

6.14.3 No-Exit signs at storage, mechanical, and electrical room doors adjacent to corridors are frequently omitted and are a common source of inspection non-compliance; every door that could be confused for an exit shall be evaluated against this requirement.

No-Exit Signs Required on Projectradio

● Yes

○ No

7 Directional and Path-of-Travel Markings

7.1 Directional exit signage shall be provided along the egress path wherever a change of direction is required or the next exit is not directly visible.

7.2 Directional indicators shall point toward the nearest exit consistent with the approved egress plan.

7.3 The directional indicator type shall be selected for legibility at the required viewing distance; chevron and arrow indicators are standard, and a running-man pictogram may be added as a supplement where the project's signage palette uses it.

Directional Indicator Typeradio

● Chevron / arrow indicator

○ Arrow with running-man pictogram

○ Text-only directional

8 Tactile (ADA) Identification Signs

8.1 Signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces — restrooms, stairwells, floor levels, areas of refuge, and similar — shall be tactile, providing both raised characters and Grade 2 (contracted) Braille.

8.2 Raised characters shall be uppercase, sans-serif, not less than 5/8 in and not more than 2 in in height measured by the uppercase letter "I".

8.3 The stroke width of raised characters shall be not less than 15% and not more than 30% of the character height.

8.4 Grade 2 Braille shall be provided directly below the corresponding raised text, with domed or rounded dots not less than 0.025 in high, separated from the raised characters by not less than 3/8 in.

NOTE Grade 1 (uncontracted) Braille does not satisfy the ADA Standards or ICC A117.1; specifying it produces a non-compliant sign that accessibility reviewers will reject, so Grade 2 is mandatory. (8.5)

8.6 Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish and shall contrast with each other, characters being light on a dark field or dark on a light field.

NOTE The federal standard sets no numeric contrast value, but ICC A117.1 guidance and industry practice target a minimum 70% difference in light-reflectance value (LRV) between the characters/Braille and the background field; this standard adopts 70% LRV contrast as the project minimum. (8.7)

8.8 Tactile signs shall be mounted so that the centerline of the tactile characters is at 60 in above the finished floor.

8.9 Tactile signs at a door shall be mounted on the latch side of the door; where there is no wall space on the latch side, the sign shall be mounted on the nearest adjacent wall, located so a person may approach within 3 in of the sign without encountering the door swing.

NOTE Latch-side mounting is the single most common field error on tactile signs; crews default to centering the sign on the door or mounting it on the push side, both of which are non-compliant and require relocation. (8.10)

NOTE The 80% process for tactile signs is photopolymer on an acrylic face, which yields the most accurate Braille, has the widest vendor base, and is cost-effective on projects with 50 or more signs; this is the default unless a more durable substrate is required. (8.11)

8.12 The tactile sign substrate and fabrication process shall be specified, considering sign quantity and any durability requirements beyond the default.

Tactile Sign Substrate / Processradio

● Photopolymer on acrylic face

○ Acrylic with subsurface printing

○ Cast metal

○ Routed substrate

Character / Background Contrast Orientationradio

○ Light characters on dark field

● Dark characters on light field

Minimum Character / Background LRV Contrastrange

% LRV difference

70100

Tactile Character Mounting Height (centerline)range

in AFF

4860

8.13 Pictogram Fields

8.13.1 Where a sign carries a pictogram — accessible symbol, restroom, stairway — the pictogram shall be located in a field above the tactile characters, and the pictogram field shall not contain raised characters or Braille.

Tactile Sign Pictogramselect

None

Accessible (ISA) symbol

Restroom (men)

Restroom (women)

Restroom (all-gender)

Stairway

8.13.2 The pictogram field shall be sized in accordance with ICC A117.1 so the symbol is legible at the approach distance.

NOTE Tactile signs with pictogram fields use a taller plate, commonly a 6 in x 9 in or 4 in x 8 in format with the pictogram panel above the text and Braille field. (8.13.3)

9 Stairway Identification Signs

9.1 A stairway identification sign shall be provided at each floor landing of an interior exit stairway, mounted on both sides of the stairway door, identifying the stair, the floor level, and the terminus of the stair.

9.2 The sign shall state the stairway designation, the floor level, the upper and lower terminus of the stairway, and whether the stairway provides roof access.

9.3 The stairway identification sign shall be not less than 18 in high by 12 in wide, with high-contrast raised characters, and shall be mounted 5 ft above the floor landing measured to the centerline of the sign.

NOTE Generic "STAIRWELL" placards do not satisfy this requirement; the sign content is prescribed — stair designation, all floors served, upper and lower terminus, and roof access — and a sign missing any of these elements will be flagged at inspection. (9.4)

9.5 The stairway designation and terminus information are project-specific and shall be coordinated with the floor numbering and stair layout shown on the architectural drawings stair designations and floor levels.

Stairway ID Sign Substrateradio

○ Brushed stainless plate

● Brushed aluminum plate

○ Photopolymer

Stairway Provides Roof Accessradio

○ Yes

● No

10 Area of Refuge Signage

10.1 Each area of refuge shall be identified by a sign that reads "AREA OF REFUGE" and bears the International Symbol of Accessibility.

10.2 At each area of refuge equipped with two-way communication, instructions for summoning assistance via the two-way communication system, and written identification of the location, shall be posted adjacent to the two-way communication device.

Area of Refuge Sign Configurationradio

● Combined sign + two-way communication unit

○ Separate instruction sign referencing remote device

○ Identification sign only (sprinklered building)

10.3 Doorways and exit access leading to an area of refuge shall be provided with directional signage indicating the location of the area of refuge.

NOTE Areas of refuge in non-sprinklered or partially sprinklered multi-story buildings require both two-way communication and signage at each location; on partial-sprinkler alteration projects this pairing is frequently missed and is a common non-compliance finding. (10.4)

NOTE The area of refuge instruction sign may be a single combined sign-and-speaker unit, or a separate instruction sign referencing a remote two-way communication device, depending on the communication system provided. (10.5)

10.6 The area of refuge sign mounting method shall be specified based on the wall or surface condition at its location.

Area of Refuge Sign Mountingradio

● Surface-mounted

○ Recessed

11 Occupancy Load Placards

11.1 In every assembly occupancy and in any room or space used for assembly purposes, an occupancy load placard stating the approved occupant load shall be posted in a conspicuous location near the main exit or exit access doorway from the room.

11.2 The occupancy load placard shall be maintained legible and durable.

NOTE The occupant load value on the placard is established and commonly issued by the AHJ after inspection; this standard specifies the frame or holder only, not the placarded value, unless the Owner requests an Owner-furnished placard reviewed and accepted by the AHJ before occupancy. (11.3)

11.4 The Contractor shall furnish and install a placard frame or insert holder at each required location, sized to receive the AHJ-issued or Owner-furnished placard.

Occupancy Load Placard Frameradio

○ Owner-furnished frame (Contractor installs)

● Surface-mounted glazed frame

○ Recessed glazed frame

Placard Frame Sizeradio

● 8.5 in x 11 in

○ 11 in x 14 in

12 Safety and Hazard Signs

12.1 In occupancies where workplace hazards are present — manufacturing, industrial, laboratory, and mechanical spaces — accident prevention signs shall be provided in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145 and the ANSI Z535 series.

12.2 "DANGER" signs shall be used only to indicate an immediate hazard that will result in death or serious injury, and shall use the red, black, and white color scheme.

12.3 "WARNING" signs shall be used to indicate a hazard that could result in death or serious injury, and shall use the orange, black, and white color scheme.

12.4 "CAUTION" signs shall be used to indicate a hazard that could result in minor or moderate injury, and shall use the yellow and black color scheme.

NOTE The ANSI Z535 signal-word hierarchy is mandatory, not stylistic: using CAUTION (yellow) for a life-threatening hazard understates the risk, creates liability exposure, and invites OSHA citation; the signal word shall match the actual severity of the hazard. (12.6)

12.7 Lettering, symbols, and panel proportions on safety signs shall conform to the ANSI Z535 series, and fire-safety symbols shall conform to NFPA 170 where used.

Safety Sign Signal Wordselect

DANGER (red)

WARNING (orange)

CAUTION (yellow)

NOTICE (blue)

Safety Sign Substrateradio

● 0.040 in aluminum

○ Rigid PVC

○ Photoluminescent rigid

Safety Sign Material Durability Classradio

● Standard interior

○ Vandal-resistant

○ Wet-location

○ Tamper-proof hardware

13 Installation

13.1 Signs shall be installed plumb, level, and securely fastened to the substrate using the manufacturer's recommended fasteners for the wall construction encountered.

13.2 Illuminated exit signs shall be connected to the branch circuit and emergency or backup power source in accordance with the electrical drawings; the sign body and battery are furnished under this standard, and the branch circuit and emergency power source are provided under the project's electrical division.

13.3 Tactile signs shall be installed at the heights and locations required by the ADA Standards and shall be located within the door-swing clearance required so the sign is approachable.

13.4 Tactile sign installation shall be coordinated with the door hardware and door swing schedule so the latch-side mounting location is not obstructed by the door in its open position; this coordination is essential and is referenced to Door HardwareDoor HardwareResolves to the current edition.sync/door-hardware.

13.5 Exact sign locations, exit locations, and egress directions shall follow the approved egress plan and life-safety drawings egress plan and sign locations.

13.6 Where the wall assembly receiving a sign is fire-rated, fasteners and any penetrations shall not compromise the rating; coordinate with Fire Rated Wall And Floor AssembliesFire-Resistance-Rated AssembliesResolves to the current edition.sync/fire-rated-wall-and-floor-assemblies for through-penetration conditions.

13.7 Surface preparation and fastener selection for each substrate condition shall follow the manufacturer's printed instructions.

13.8 Field Coordination

13.8.1 The Contractor shall verify final sign locations against the as-built egress conditions before installation, accounting for furniture, casework, and door swings that could obscure a sign.

13.8.2 Any conflict between the approved sign schedule and field conditions shall be reported to the Architect before installation.

14 Delivery, Storage, and Handling

14.1 Signs shall be delivered to the site in the manufacturer's protective packaging, labeled with the sign schedule designation.

14.2 Signs shall be stored indoors, flat or upright as recommended by the manufacturer, protected from moisture, abrasion, and ultraviolet exposure until installation.

14.3 Tactile signs shall be handled so the raised characters, Braille, and finished faces are not scratched, dented, or contaminated; damaged tactile signs shall not be installed.

NOTE Tactile ADA signs typically carry a 4 to 6 week lead time for standard configurations and 8 to 12 weeks for large custom orders; these durations shall be reflected in the submittal and procurement schedule so installation is not the project's critical path. (14.4)

15 Warranty

15.1 The manufacturer shall warrant illuminated exit signs and their batteries against defects in materials and workmanship for the manufacturer's standard warranty period from the date of Substantial Completion.

15.2 The manufacturer shall warrant tactile and non-illuminated signs against delamination, fading, and Braille or character separation for the manufacturer's standard warranty period from the date of Substantial Completion.

15.3 Warranty terms for batteries are commonly shorter than for the sign body; the battery warranty period and replacement interval shall be documented in the closeout O&M data so the Owner can plan replacement.

Warranty Period (sign body)radio

○ 1 year

○ 3 years

● 5 years

Battery Warranty Periodradio

○ 1 year

● 3 years

○ 5 years

16 Spare Parts

16.1 The Contractor shall furnish to the Owner spare replacement batteries for illuminated exit signs in the quantity scheduled below, of the same type as installed.

Spare Exit Sign Batteries Furnishedrange

each

5

16.2 The Contractor shall furnish to the Owner spare tactile signs for the most commonly repeated room types so field damage can be replaced without a new procurement lead time.

Spare Tactile Signs Furnishedrange

each

3

NOTE Stocking a small quantity of spare batteries and common tactile signs lets the Owner restore code compliance immediately after damage or battery failure, rather than waiting weeks for replacements; this is inexpensive insurance against an out-of-compliance condition. (16.3)