So in my previous post, we covered the SIZE of the EXIT signs and in this post, I want to cover the “illumination” requirements of these EXIT signs. Simply stated, OSHA and the IBC require the face of the sign to be illuminated to at least 5-foot candles or 54 Lux at ALL TIMES. Which is NOT a lot of light. Of course, when the area has its normal lights on, meeting this illumination requirement is usually very easy. But at night time inside a building when the lights go out, we will be far less than 5-foot candles or 54 Lux. So the question I always get is “when do I need self-illuminating signs?”
Here is the answer…