Customers of the Emergency Lights Company who are in Canada can expect the same prompt service that our customers in the U.S. receive. No matter where you are in the world, as soon as you place your order, we will estimate both your shipping costs and estimated delivery dates.As with any order that is shipped, costs are based on both dimensions and weight of your package. An estimated weight and dimensions of every item in our inventory is listed within the product description. When you place your order, the weight will be rounded up to the highest pound.We will give you the costs of both of our shipping carriers, FedEX and UPS. Because of the volatility in shipping rates from any carrier, how those costs can vary and Customs requirements, we want to give you the best, up-to-the-minute rates and shipping estimates to get your Emergency Lights Company order to you.Our emergency lighting specialists are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. To find out exactly what your shipping costs and delivery estimates will be, you may either call us at (800) 847-1955 to talk with a customer service representative, or can email us at: sales@unlimitedlights.com.

The regulations for emergency lights in New York City are
unlike those of any other city. Units here are much tougher and put out
more light than typical fixtures. To complicate things further, each
borough in the city has their own individual codes for the amount of
illumination required.

So if you had a recent inspection and your brand new
emergency lights failed, it's probably because you did not get
NYC-approved products. Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code only states that emergency light enclosures should be able to withstand a raging fire for 2 hours, and
makes no specific demands regarding the material used in constructing
them. Most generic EL units have lightweight thermoplastic housings that
are rated as "flame resistant." Naturally you assumed you found a way
to outsmart the Buildings Department.

Now that you have discovered the error, it's time to fix the problem before your next re-inspect. Here is how you do it.

WHAT THE FIRE MARSHALL OR INSPECTOR WILL LOOK FOR

Before you find replacement units, get the full report
from your last inspection to determine exactly which exit signs and
luminaries failed. Cheaper plastic emergency fixtures can be acceptable
in areas of reduced importance like basements, storerooms and sleeping
berths. However any area along the path of egress will require steel or
cast-aluminum lights with higher light outputs.

According to Ch. 10 part 1007.2, New York egress lighting must provide continuous pathway illumination in the following areas:

Interior access routes like hallways

Areas of refuge or rescue assistance for the disabled

Interior stairways leading to a final exit

Exterior exit stairways

Elevators

Platform lifts

Horizontal exits

Ramps

Exit discharge (end) points

Outdoor accessible routes

BUYING NEW YORK CITY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OR COMPONENTS

ONCE YOU KNOW HOW MANY FIXTURES REQUIRE ATTENTION BEFORE THE NEXT INSPECTION, ASK YOURSELF:

Which units need to be replaced completely?

Which units just require new batteries or bulbs?

In most boroughs and high rises, facilities with emergency
lighting installed must be arranged to provide initial illumination
that is at least an average of 2 foot-candle (22 lux) at any point when
measured along the egress pathway. This reading is determined by your
inspector's light meter, measured at floor level. If a unit fails to
provide this coverage, it may just need a higher wattage bulb.

GET NEW YORK CITY EXIT SIGNS AND SAVE!

When you inspect the failed emergency units, always press
the test switch to ascertain if there is a fault in the battery. If it
is, you cannot re-charge the battery, you'll have to buy a new one.
Luckily batteries are affordable and we offer a wide selection. The most
popular type used in New York City are 6-volt 4.5-amp sealed lead acid
types.

FINDING NYC EMERGENCY LIGHTS FAST AND CHEAP

We understand you don't want to sacrifice quality when
getting battery backup lights, but money doesn't grow on trees. To
guarantee a satisfactory inspection in this city, you will need to buy
fixtures that are pre-approved by the NYC building code. These lights
and exit signs have 20-gauge steel housing that protects the battery
from impact, flames and sprinkler damage. You'll also need them ASAP, so
it is imperative to find a local vendor.

View our New York City Wet Location Emergency Light

Luckily the Emergency Lights Co. has several warehouses at
convenient locations close to all 5 boroughs. Choosing a local
distributor like ELC cuts out all the guess work and guarantees a fast
build-and-ship time as well as low delivery costs. 

INSPECTIONS GOT YOU DOWN?

We are going to help you pass the next inspection with
flying colors, providing you with fixtures, bulbs and batteries that are
affordable and long-lasting. There is nobody in the business that beats
our know-how and customer support. You can email our sales staff or call us directly at 800-847-1955.

As you know, all emergency lighting products require an
internal power source to work during electrical failure. However, with
the case of a Sealed Lead Acid unit, what's the best way to recharge
once normal power has been restored.

When charging (or re-charging) your sealed lead acid
battery, you should know that it's not as difficult as you may think.
However, it's very important that you should heed to some important tips
in order to do so successfully. 

1. GIVE IT A PROPER CHARGE

Your charger must provide the proper voltage (6V,12V or 24V) for your
Sealed Lead Acid Battery. The most common method is referred to as
Constant Voltage Charging. This method allows for the battery's
individual cells to share the voltage between them.

BROWSE OUR MOST POPULAR EMERGENCY LIGHTS

2. DON'T RUSH THE CHARGE, LET IT RUN ITS COURSE!

The worst thing you can do is rush the charge time by increasing the
voltage. By doing so, the unit will result in being overcharged which
leads to overheating. An excessively overcharged battery will do nothing
but kill the poor thing.

For example, using a 24V charger on a battery that operates a maximum of 6V or 12V will eventually lead to overheating. 

VIEW OUR SELECTION OF EMERGENCY LIGHT BATTERIES

3. NEVER USE A CHARGER WITH LOW VOLTAGE

This will only result in the battery never reaching maximum charge.
In contrast to overcharging, undercharging will essentially lead to a
reduction in voltage capacity thus creating a battery that needs to work
harder. This will ultimately lead to a dying battery. 

Basically, if your battery operates 12V, using a charger that only goes as high as 6V will eventually render it useless.

Now you've got the basic information for recharging your Sealed Lead
Acid battery. If you need more in-depth information, contact one of our
lighting specialists today! If you're looking to purchase an emergency
lighting fixture and/or battery, contact us anytime at (800) 928-2848
or  email us now !

Q:  With regard to the Red LED Exit Sign Retrofit Kit:
What are the dimensions in inches of these strips? I want to fit it into
8x8 housing. 

Our Red LED Exit Sign Retrofit Kit (277 Volt) will fit in any
exit sign housing where an incandescent or fluorescent bulb has been
used previously. The dimensions for the bulbs are 1/4"L x 7/8"W x 3/4"H.

This kit is very popular to allow our customers to make use of old
emergency exit sign housings that used incandescent or fluorescent bulbs
that are now either too difficult or too expensive to find. When
retrofitting from earlier forms of lighting to LED, users will be able
to have up to 97% efficiency in energy costs because these retrofit
strips use 1.1 watts of power - which is an amazing 1/10th of the power
previously consumed. Along with lower energy costs, there is no more
need for maintenance as these strips have a life of approximately 20 -20
years.

The cost of our LED Exit Sign Retrofit Kit is 41.99 and ships within 72 hours. Call us for availability, shipping costs and estimated delivery dates.

LED MR16 lamps last are more efficient, longer-lasting and have a
better color rendering than tungsten lamps. They last up to 50,000 hours
though they are rated for only 25,000.

Are there any LED bulbs that last over 25,000 hours?

Halogen flood lamps draw a lot of battery power, reduce emergency
runtime and only last 2 years. They can easily be replaced with
long-life LED bulbs

Yes. Almost any LED bulb will last well over 25,000 hours and longer. Most bulbs will last more than 50,000 hours under the conditions that the fixture is designed for.

Unlike incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs, which expire
in a year or less of constant use, LED bulbs just start to lose
intensity after about three years, fading at a slow rate until they go
out completely. It is possible that you won’t even be aware of this slow
degradation for a long time, or until it reaches the point LED bulb is
on its way to burning out.

The only reason LED bulbs are not rated at 50,000 hours is due
to Energy Star testing rubric. To achieve a full 50,000 hour test, the
bulb manufacturer would have to perform a year-long test for the LED
bulbs. Since LED technology is improving daily, a bulb patent would
often be outdated by the time the year-long test was completed. Instead,
manufacturers perform an expedited 6-month test, resulting in the
25,000 hour rating figure that is often seen.

Rest assured that if you are buying LED bulbs, you will get a
lot more than 25,000 hours out of your LED light bulb if installed
correctly and placed indoors.

Different emergency lights use different types of bulbs. Depending on
the intended environment, there may be a better choice for the
particular lighting solution.

VIEW OUR MOST POPULAR FLUORESCENT EMERGENCY LIGHTS

FLUORESCENT LAMP HEADS

Fluorescent lamps use electricity to excite mercury vapor, producing
short-wave ultraviolet light that causes phosphor to fluoresce (hence
the name), creating visible light. This style of lighting is commonly
used in schools because it can be fit into tubes and installed along
ceilings. They are also common in various types of large businesses
because they save money through their energy efficient operation and tax
incentives in states like California. Over the last several years
fluorescent lights have begun to phase out incandescent lights.
Emergency lights that utilize fluorescent lamps are available as both
AC/emergency and AC only fixtures. This means that the same fixture can
be used for both normal and emergency operation.

VIEW OUR MOST POPULAR HALOGEN EMERGENCY LIGHTS

HALOGEN LAMP HEADS

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent lamp that contain a small
amount halogen gas and a tungsten filament. This creates a chemical
reaction called a halogen cycle that produces light with a higher
luminous efficacy and color temperature. Halogen lamps have a variety of
uses including automotive, architectural, stage lighting, and home use.
This type of lamp head is commonly used in wet location emergency
lights because the bright light is able to pierce rain and other
elements that would block the field of vision. These lamps are sealed
using a fully gasketed design that locks out moisture.

VIEW OUR MOST POPULAR LED EMERGENCY LIGHTS

LED LAMP HEADS

Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are a semiconductor light source that
combine electrons with electron holes when switched on. This process is
called electroluminescence. LEDs have become an increasingly popular
choice in recent years as they have become more affordable. This rise in
popularity is primarily attributed to their size, brightness, and
longevity. They also consume less than 5 watts of electricity at all
times, making them an energy efficient option as well. LEDs are popular
in fixtures like the cold weather LED emergency light because of their
small physical size and energy requirements that allow them to use a
more compact nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery.

All emergency lights and exit signs use backup battery packs to
provide a minimum of 90 minutes of power when the primary source of
electricity is cut. These batteries come in two flavors: nickel cadmium
(Ni-Cd) or sealed lead acid. It is important to match the battery type,
voltage, and amperage of the new battery with the old one.

VIEW OUR MOST POPULAR NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES

NI-CD

Nickel-cadmium batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that use
nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium. This is the same type of
battery that is commonly used in portable electronics and toys. They
have a variety of uses, but are primarily used in exit signs because
they are so small and efficient.

They range in voltage from 1.2V to 6.0V, with larger voltages
requiring more cells. Each cell is about the same size as a AA battery.
They fully charge in 24 hours and typically maintain their recharge
capacity for 5 to 7 years. It is recommended that you reuse your
existing nickel-cadmium connectors because wire leads can vary from one
manufacturer to another.

VIEW OUR MOST POPULAR SEALED LEAD ACID BATTERIES

SEALED LEAD

Sealed lead acid batteries are another type of rechargeable battery
that are used in emergency fixtures. They are similar to nickel-cadmium,
but use a slightly different chemical reaction to produce energy. The
alloy plates inside the battery are broken down by acid to create
charged electrons. This makes for a more powerful battery that powers
emergency lights as well as combo fixtures.

These batteries are larger than Ni-Cd, but can support more powerful
components. Higher capacity sealed lead acid batteries can extend
emergency run times or support more powerful lamps depending on the
configuration you have chosen.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIABLE BATTERIES

There is no doubt that emergency lights and exit signs have the
potential to save lives. They can't do it on their own though. They need
the help of a reliable battery. When the AC power is cut, it is the
sole responsibility of the battery pack to provide enough power to allow
the building's occupants enough time to evacuate the premises in an
orderly and timely fashion.

Large emergency generators require a deep cycle battery to supply a
high cranking voltage. Normal SLA batteries and automotive batteries do
not have enough capacity to start these engines.

WHAT ARE DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES?

While heavier and less efficient than nickel cadmium and lithium batteries, sealed lead acid batteries are
still widely used in emergency lighting applications due to their high
capacity. These battery cases are somewhat similar to a car battery,
using liquid battery acid to store electricity.

But unlike automotive batteries, which are designed to give a
short burst when starting a vehicle, deep cycle batteries supply a much
larger dose of electrical power for a much longer duration.

YOU CAN FIND DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES IN ALL KINDS OF APPLICATIONS WHERE CONTINUOUS BATTERY POWER IS A MUST, SUCH AS:

Recreational vehicles

Some ATV’s

Boats

Golf carts

Solar cell battery bank

In the emergency lighting world, deep cycle batteries play an important part in keeping us safe. They are commonly found in emergency lighting inverters and
as well as starting emergency generators, which require a large
cranking voltage to get the combustible engine going. A normal car
battery would not have enough capacity for either application.

Depending on the manufacturer’s specifications, a deep-cycle
battery operates optimally when it discharges 45 -75 percent of its
capacity. Many of these can be discharged as much as 80% before
requiring recharging. 

Some commercial, industrial or residential buildings require more
than just an exit sign or emergency light. When that's the case, your
best bet is to go with an Exit Sign and Emergency Light Combo!

Once you decide to go with a combo unit, the next step is to figure
out which one bests fits your application. Start by gauging between the
most popular combo units that we offer.

Here are the top 5 Emergency Light Combo units sold by the Emergency Lights Co:

1. RED LED EXIT SIGN COMBO 

Our Red LED Exit Sign Combo works best for commercial or residential
interiors. It's constructed from durable thermoplastic. This unit
features 2 circular LED lamps located on each side that consumes 90%
less electricity than incandescent or halogen ones. During a power
outage, this unit will provide up to 90 minutes of emergency
illumination thanks to a compact nickel cadmium battery.

2. GREEN LED EXIT SIGN COMBO

Our Green LED Exit Sign Combo also works best for commercial or
residential interiors. Its green letters are only allowed in states
that don't require the red letters. This unit is similar to the Red LED
Exit Sign Combo.

3. WET LOCATION RED LED EXIT SIGN COMBO

The Wet Location Red LED Exit Sign Combo is made for outdoor
applications or others where moisture is present in the area. It's made
with impact resistant ABS plastic and can take a beating brought on by
inclement weather. It's fully gasketed to seal out any wetness and can
be customized to work in freezing conditions. It features 2 PAR style 9
watts halogen lamps either top or side mounted, while the E-X-I-T sign
is illuminated by LEDs.

4. NEW YORK CITY EXIT SIGN COMBO

A required standard in the Big Apple, the New York City Exit Sign
Combo is different from others because its E-X-I-T letters is 8" in
height as opposed to 6". The exit sign regulations headed down by the
NYC building as mandates that these units be made from steel and operate
120V or 277V. It is also available with 2 or 3 halogen lamp heads.

5. CLASS 1 DIVISION 2 EXIT SIGN EMERGENCY LIGHTS COMBO

Our Class 1 Division 2 Exit Sign Emergency Lights Combo unit is a
popular choice for areas that are defined as hazardous locations. Areas
such as, paint shops, oil refineries, power plants and chemical
processing facilities are distinguished by this definition because they
feature ignitable gassed and vapors. Composed from a combination of
tamper-resistant aluminum housing and polycarborate face plate, this unit
is features an LED exit sign and halogen emergency lamps.

All five of these units are guaranteed UL 924 listed and meet their applications respective local and state compliance laws.

When sourcing which exit sign is best for your hazardous
location, make sure you’re clear on which materials are present in your
area. If you’re not sure of which class and/or group that your location
falls under, contact us anytime at (800) 847-1955 or email us at sales@unlimitedlights.com

It happens.

We’re talking about that moment when you’re not sure if your Chicago rated Wet Location Emergency Light is broken or just tired. 

It’s time for that monthly test and one or more of the bug-eyed
bulbs just won’t stay on during the 90-minute checkup? What could be
the problem? Is it broken? Are they both broken?  Do I take it to be repaired Do I ask for my money back? DO I HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE?!?!

Relax and let’s take a look.

After you’ve taken the required step of conducting either the monthly or yearly testing on your unit as required by the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL), you should first pat yourself on back because you’re a great consumer, who follows the rules!

Next, we must figure out if there are some minor issues that may have led to your unit not to respond to the test.

In order to determine which element(s) of your Chicago rated
Wet location unit is causing it not to properly function, please
consider the following tips:

• If your emergency lighting unit doesn’t remain operable during the
  full 90 minutes of its annual test you may need to open the cabin and
  check to see if the battery is wired properly
• If the battery is wired properly yet the unit is still not working, you may need to replace it
• If one or more bulbs are not working, there may be an issue with
  them. First check to see if they are screwed or wedged in properly
• Also, check for corrosion in and around the bulb and socket
• Then…check the wiring to the bulb
• If the bulbs are mounted properly and the unit remains inoperable, then replace the bulbs immediately
• If all seems well with the bulbs, try looking at the circuit board
• There’s always the…Transformer, check it for operability.
• If nothing seems to work after checking these things, then it’s time to call an electrician
• Finally, if it’s determined that the device if defective…Return for an exchange or get a refund

We hope that this information has been helpful.

If you need more information on this or other topics, or would
like to purchase an emergency lighting unit contact our knowledgeable
and courteous staff at (800) 847-1955. You can also Email us we’re here for you at Emergency Lights Co.!

WHY DOESN'T MY BATTERY OPERATED EXIT SIGN WORK?

Self-luminous exit signs are the most common crossovers for customers
seeking battery powered exit signs. They require no electricity or
ambient light to stay fully charged!

The most popular and cost effective exit sign solutions for
most consumers is a standard, plastic LED exit sign. Unless you specify
an AC-only model, these consumer signs will almost always include a battery backup system.
So with that said, we still get questions from people asking if these
basic models can run continuously without power. In this article we will
shed some light on why battery powered exit signs do not exist.

We all know how typical AA, C and D-cell batteries work for household
items like portable radios, flashlights and toys. The more you use it,
the shorter the battery life. Even your automobile's beefy battery will
drain pretty quickly if you try to run the radio or air conditioner
without assistance from the engine.  

Exit signs are no different. After a few hours the battery
will drain and they will deactivate, rendering the sign useless until
the batteries are charged or replaced.

BATTERY BACKUP EXIT SIGN ILLUMINATION TYPES

Illuminated exit signs of today use light emitting diode
(LED) technology, a highly efficient light source that uses between 3
and 5 watts of power at any given time. This is a huge leap over the
inefficient bulbs of the past and create a much smaller carbon
footprint.

HERE'S A QUICK COMPARISON OF LED, FLUORESCENT AND INCANDESCENT BATTERY BACKUP EXIT SIGNS: 

ILLUMINATION TYPE:

LED

YEARLY ENERGY USE:

44 kWh

YEARLY COST:

$4

LAMP LIFE:

10+ Years

CARBON DIOXIDE POLLUTION:

72 lbs

ILLUMINATION TYPE:

Fluorescent

YEARLY ENERGY USE:

140 kWh

YEARLY COST:

$11

LAMP LIFE:

11 Mos

CARBON DIOXIDE POLLUTION:

230 lbs

ILLUMINATION TYPE:

Incandescent

YEARLY ENERGY USE:

350 kWh

YEARLY COST:

$28

LAMP LIFE:

2.8 Mos

CARBON DIOXIDE POLLUTION:

574 lns

Certain LED signs are Energy Star rated, meaning they consume less than 5
watts of electricity at any given time. However, despite all the
advantages in maintenance time and energy use, such signs will still die
out after about two hours of continuous battery use.

BATTERY BACKUP EXIT SIGN REGULATIONS

Several guidelines require exit signage to stay on at all
times in any public building. If there is a sudden loss in power, the
building will be plunged into darkness. Only the exit signs and a few
other emergency luminaire's will stay lit, guiding occupants to safety.
But if you install a battery backup sign without assistance from the
building's power grid, you will be cited on your next inspection for non-compliance.

When it comes to staying compliant, two important documents to review are the International Building Code (IBC) and the NFPA 101: Life Safety Code.

IBC SECTION 1011.5.3 - POWER SOURCE

LED Exit Signs with battery backup may sound like a miracle for areas
without access to AC electricity. But further research will prove
differently. 

Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times. To ensure continued illumination for a duration of not less than 90 minutes in
case of primary power loss, the sign illumination means shall be
connected to an emergency power system provided from storage batteries,
unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the
emergency power system shall be in accordance with Chapter 27.

NFPA 101 CHAPTER 14.12.1.2

Illumination of means of egress shall be continuous during
the time that the conditions of occupancy require that the means of
egress be available for use, unless otherwise provided in 14.12.1.2.2.

There are several other associations and documents that
also mandate the 24 hour use of internally illuminated exit signs
including OSHA, IFC, ANSI and ISO; the list goes on and on. Again, a
battery powered sign would make no sense because unless it were
constantly maintained, the sign would fail to stay illuminated for 90
minutes in an emergency.

ELECTRICAL DESIGN OF BATTERY BACKUP LED SIGNS

Now that we are completely certain there are no battery operated exit signs, let's briefly discuss the electrical process of these safety markers.

During normal hours when the power is on, LED signage
utilize the AC "house current" from the building's electrical grid. But
AC current has a typical load of 120 or 277 volts; exit signs take
either a 6 or 12 volt input. To prevent the exit sign from exploding, AC
power must be dropped down and converted to a DC current. The voltage
is brought down with a small intermediary transformer and the conversion
to DC is accomplished by a half-wave bridge on the circuit card.

The converted DC current supplies power to the LEDs while
the battery is continuously trickle-charged to ensure emergency
readiness. When a power outage or brownout occurs, the switching
circuits inside the sign will automatically cutoff AC power, causing the
battery to switch into action mode.

CONCLUSION

Now that we've cleared up all that confusion regarding
battery backup/battery operated exit signs, it's time for the next step.
Check out our great selection of LED exit signs, emergency light combo units and our sleek edge-lit models to choose the right sign for your business. Need a second opinion? Give us a call at 800.847.1955 anytime day or night.