Far from it! You can find exit signs in all shapes, sizes, and colors and this is often the problem.
EXIT signs actually have some specifications they must meet. Just because a “safety vendor” sells them does not make them COMPLIANT. This post is an attempt to help facilities understand their obligations for the exit signs they use.
1) Can I use 5″ X 5″ EXIT stickers over my EXIT doors?
The short answer is NO. 1910.37(b)(7) states the following about EXIT signs… Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letters not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.
2) Does my exit signs have to be self illuminating in the event of power outage?
Not necessarily. If your “emergency lighting” can illuminate the face of ALL YOUR EXIT signs to at least five foot-candles (54 lux) then you can use non-illuminating signs. Just keep in mind that ALL your EXIT signs have to be illuminated to this level and this INCLUDES those directional EXIT signs that lead personnel to an actual exit door that leads outside.
3) Does every door that personnel pass on their way to an EXIT door have to be labeled not an exit or by their specific function?
No. Only those doors that could be mistaken for an EXIT are required to be labeled. The problem with this kind of language is that it is VERY SUBJECTIVE. Here are some ABSOLUTES to seriously consider though: a) if you have an internal or external EXIT stairwell that employees will use to EXIT from upper floors and inside this stair well there is a door(s) that are NOT exit doors that lead to a safe area, these doors MOST CERTAINLY have to be labeled “NOT AN EXIT”. Although OSHA does not specifically state in 1910.37 the size of these “NOT AN EXIT” signs, I recommend to SAFTENG.net LLC clients that they use a sign size that makes this sign the MOST prominent sign on the door, with an emphasis on the word “NOT”.