Exit Signs - What You Should Know

When we design an exit sign, we intend for the sign to do more than just casually direct building occupants towards the nearest exit. The signs we manufacture are designed to reduce stress and combat the confusion that comes during a calamitous event and the best-made versions pass this test easily. It's no wonder so many building managers and safety experts advise switching to the newest models that feature the latest technological advances in this crucial area. The Exit Store offers the largest selection of exit signs available today through our online store. In addition to exit signs, we also offer emergency lights and battery packs. We have plenty of helpful articles that will help to inform and educate you on the newest types, styles, and designs of exit signs as well as the latest building code regulations that apply to your facility. We offer both electrical and non-electrical UL Listed exit signs that are code compliant across North America.

If you have electricity available where you need to install your exit sign, choose one of our LED models that are detailed in the following paragraphs. If not, don't worry, we offer a large selection of code compliant non-electrical exit signs; ;look further down to read more on glow in the dark and self luminous exit signs.

Thermoplastic LED exit signs are reliable and affordable

LED exit signs are the most affordable type of exit sign that we offer. Beginning at less than $20 per unit, LED exit signs are a great value. The Light Emitting Diodes that illuminate the 'EXIT' in either red or green consume less than five watts of electricity and last for 8 to 10 years. Most LED exit signs come with an internal battery backup system, which allows the exit sign to remain operable during a power outage. The battery backup systems inside our units will operate the sign for a minimum 90 minutes after AC power is lost. Unless you have a backup generator for your facility, you will want to purchase a battery backup model. LED exit signs can be top, side, or back mounted using the included mounting plate and are designed for both single and double sided applications. If you are not placing the exit sign directly above an exit door, you will want to pop-out one or both of the arrows that are placed on either side of the exit sign.

Cast Aluminum LED Exit Signs are attractive, compliant, and sturdy

When deciding what type of LED exit sign to purchase you will want to consider a number of factors including budget, design, style, and durability. We offer a variety of models, each of which has a different combination of these factors. Thermoplastic LED exit signs are the most affordable models available and are popular for most types of commercial applications. Cast aluminum LED exit signs offer a brushed housing that is attractive yet durable. Cast aluminum LED exit signs are popular for schools, offices, malls, and most other commercial applications. Edge-Lit LED exit signs are distinguished by their glowing LED exit panel and stylish aluminum housing that can be surface or recess mounted. Edge-Lit models are the most upscale type of exit sign that we provide and blend very well with high-end interiors. Edge-Lit LED exit signs are the popular choice of architects and lighting designers for upscale retail, office, and institutional applications such as schools and universities. Wet location LED exit signs are designed for outdoor and wet environments, they feature fully gasketed housings that seal out the elements and protect the electronics.

Our LED Exit Sign with LED Emergency Lamps is a 2 for 1 solution

Perhaps you need to install an emergency light fixture and an exit sign. In this case, you will want to consider installing a combo exit sign with lights model. Exit sign combo models require just one electrical connection to power two safety lighting fixtures. Additionally, there is only one battery backup system to maintain and the overall cost of your purchase is reduced. We offer the latest improvement in combo exit sign technology, including our LED Exit Sign Combo with LED Emergency Lamps. Outfitting our classic combo unit with LED emergency lamps instead of incandescent allowed us to reduce the size and weight of the unit by 40%. We switched from a sealed lead acid battery to nickel cadmium; a battery that is smaller, more efficient, and lasts up to 7 years. We made all these improvements and still offer this new model at less than $40 a unit. Developing and manufacturing our exit sign and emergency light products ourselves has allowed us to provide superior products at the most competitive prices.

Until recently, electrical power was always required when installing an exit sign. Traditionally, regular incandescent light bulbs were used as the light source for exit signs. As technology advanced, fluorescent bulbs and LEDs were adapted to exit signs and improved efficiency tremendously, as explained above. But even the advent of LED exit signs did not eliminate the need to hire an electrician for installation. Hiring an electrician is a time consuming and expensive endeavor that fortunately can be eliminated by installing one of The Exit Store's non-electrical exit signs.

Glow In The Dark Exit Signs are code compliant and non-electrical

The Exit Store manufactures both glow in the dark and self-luminous exit signs. Glow in the dark exit signs absorb light and then glow when dark conditions are present. Glow in the dark exit signs, also known as photoluminescent exit signs, are designed for indoor use in commercial facilities where the lights are normally on while the building is occupied. Glow in the dark exit signs are a great choice for offices, hotels, schools, hospitals, and just about any indoor commercial facility. We offer a variety of designs, from affordable to high end.

Self-luminous are completely self reliant and last up to 20 years, no electrician needed for installation

If there is not light available to charge the glow in the dark sign, consider our self-luminous exit sign which requires absolutely no power source and can be placed indoors or out. Self-luminous exit signs utilize tritium, a glowing type of hydrogen gas that constantly glows for 10 to 20 years, depending on the model purchased. You might have heard of tritium before, the Navy SEALS use it to keep their watches illuminated at all times. We applied the same technology to exit signs and have seen extraordinary growth in the popularity of this product ever since it was debuted. The versatility and ease of installation make self-luminous exit signs a solid choice for all types of applications.

Glow in the dark and self-luminous exit signs have up to a 25 year lifespan, 3x the lifespan of an LED exit sign. There are no operating costs; no bulbs to change, batteries to batteries to test and replace, maintenance costs are eliminated. Our glow in the dark and self-luminous exit signs are available in both single and double sided models and can be installed by the top, side, or back. The Exit Store non-electrical exit signs are UL924 Listed for the United States and Canada, the same specification met by our electrical exit sign models so they can be used in place of an electrical exit sign without worry of compliance. For questions about non-electrical exit signs and their applicability and compliance please do not hesitate to call us today.

This article is meant as a brief overview of the many different types of exit signs, both electrical and non-electrical, that we offer and their respective applications. One of our models will be the right choice for you. Please call us today to speak with a product specialist who can help you pick the right model and place an order. Please call us at 866.471.2849