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Special Use Emergency Lights and Exit Signs

Special Use Emergency Lights & Exit Signs – Code-Driven, Site-Specific Solutions

Certain environments require specialized emergency lighting and exit signage to meet strict regional regulations, environmental challenges, or non-standard power requirements. Our curated selection of special use emergency lights and exit signs spans photoluminescent exit signs and self-luminous exit signs, along with jurisdiction-specific models designed for NYC and Chicago code compliance.

NYC / Chicago Approved UL 924 Certified Tritium Disposal Services Photoluminescent & Tritium Non-Electrical Options
Buyers Guide Tips

What to Look for in Special Use Emergency Lights & Exit Signs

  • Jurisdictional code: Verify NYC/Chicago requirements for letter height, legend color, housing material, and mounting.
  • Listing & runtime: UL 924 and 90-minute minimum emergency duration; coordinate with AHJ for interpretations.
  • Non-electrical options: Confirm photoluminescent charging light levels/time; ensure tritium units meet labeling and handling rules.
  • Environment rating: Damp/wet or enclosure ratings where humidity, spray, dust, or wash-down are present.
  • Pictograms & accessibility: Use approved symbols and tactile/ADA details where required; verify mounting heights and clearances.
  • Documentation: Maintain submittals, test logs, and disposal chain-of-custody (for tritium) for inspections.

Special Use Emergency Lights & Exit Signs – Spec Guide

  • NYC compliance: Confirm 8" red letters, white background (for exit signs), metal housings, and required mounting hardware.
  • Chicago compliance: Verify red on white legend, metal/steel construction, and tamper-resistant features; check local submittal notes.
  • Photoluminescent specs: Establish minimum ambient illuminance, charging duration, and viewing distance per model data; confirm sign placement for reliable charging.
  • Tritium specs: Ensure activity rating and lifetime, proper labeling, end-of-life handling plan, and storage/transport procedures per site policy.
  • Egress performance: UL 924 90-minute operation for electrical models; choose battery chemistry and self-testing to match maintenance needs.
  • Siting & mounting: Maintain sightlines; verify wall/ceiling/end mounting clearances near doors, sprinklers, and detectors; observe projection limits.

For projects within the five boroughs, explore our comprehensive selection of NYC-approved exit signs & emergency lights that comply with Local Law 26, including models with 8-inch red letters and durable steel housings. For installations in Illinois, our Chicago-approved exit signs are built to meet city-specific standards for legend color, construction, and mounting.

Facilities requiring power-free solutions can choose from a range of non-electrical exit signs using proven photoluminescent and self-luminous tritium technologies. These are ideal for stairwells, basements, tunnels, and outbuildings where wiring isn’t feasible or permitted.

To responsibly handle expired radioactive signage, we also provide tritium exit sign disposal & recycling in accordance with EPA and NRC regulations—helping your facility avoid fines and stay compliant with hazardous-material guidelines.

What are special use emergency lights and exit signs? These fixtures are designed for non-standard applications—such as regional code compliance (NYC, Chicago), non-electrical use, or hazardous-material handling—where general-purpose models don’t meet legal or functional requirements.

Whether you’re working on a metropolitan retrofit, an industrial-grade installation, or a code-driven upgrade in a regulated sector, our specialized emergency fixtures are engineered to meet your needs. From jurisdiction-specific mandates to off-grid performance, these solutions ensure safety and compliance under any condition.

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Special Use Emergency Lights & Exit Signs – Spec Guide

  • NYC compliance: Confirm 8" red letters (exit signs), white background, metal housings, and required mounting hardware per NYC rules.
  • Chicago compliance: Verify red-on-white legend, metal/steel construction, tamper resistance, and city-specific mounting requirements.
  • Photoluminescent specs: Establish minimum ambient illuminance, charging duration, and viewing distance; ensure placement for reliable charging.
  • Tritium specs: Check activity rating and service life, labeling, end-of-life handling plan, and storage/transport per site policy.
  • Egress performance: UL 924 90-minute operation for electrical models; select battery chemistry and self-testing to match maintenance needs.
  • Siting & mounting: Maintain sightlines; verify wall/ceiling/end mounting clearances near doors, sprinklers, and detectors; observe projection limits.

FAQs About Special Use Emergency Lights & Exit Signs

What are NYC-approved exit signs?

NYC-approved exit signs meet Local Law 26 and must follow specific requirements for red letter color, 8-inch text height, and approved mounting configurations unique to New York City building codes.

What makes a sign Chicago-approved?

Chicago-approved exit signs must use red lettering on a white background, be housed in steel enclosures, and meet visibility and electrical code requirements specific to the city of Chicago.

What is a non-electric exit sign?

These include photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) and tritium-based self-luminous exit signs. They require no power, wiring, or batteries—ideal for stairwells, tunnels, or remote locations.

How long do tritium signs last?

Tritium exit signs typically last 10, 15, or 20 years depending on the model. Expiration dates are printed on each unit and must be tracked for compliance.

How do I dispose of expired tritium signs?

Use a certified recycling service like our Tritium Recycling Program to ensure NRC-compliant disposal of radioactive exit signage.

Are these special-use signs UL and NFPA compliant?

Yes. All models are UL 924 listed and meet NFPA 101 egress lighting codes when installed according to manufacturer and local code specifications.