OSHA Exit Sign Requirements
Complete 2026 guide to OSHA exit sign regulations. Learn the exact letter size, illumination, placement, color, and "NOT AN EXIT" requirements under 29 CFR 1910.37 — plus penalties up to $170,181 per willful violation.
OSHA Exit Sign Requirements — 29 CFR 1910.37(b)
Every requirement employers must meet for exit sign compliance
Sign Required at Each Exit
Each exit must be clearly identified by a sign visible from every direction of approach.
Letter Size & Legibility
'EXIT' letters minimum 6 inches high, 3/4-inch stroke width, plainly legible.
Visibility Distance
Signs must be visible from the maximum viewing distance along the route of exit access.
Color & Contrast
Letters must be distinctly visible with contrasting colors to the background.
'NOT AN EXIT' Marking
Doors that could be mistaken for exits must be marked 'NOT AN EXIT' or identified by actual use.
Illumination
Minimum 5 foot-candles on sign face (external) or 0.06 footlamberts (self-luminous/electroluminescent).
Emergency Power
Exit signs must remain illuminated during power failure (90 min minimum backup per NFPA 101).
Types of Exit Signs
Choose the right exit sign type for your facility
Internally Illuminated
Most common in new constructionLED or fluorescent lighting within the sign body. Energy efficient with built-in battery backup. Minimum 0.06 footlamberts luminance.
Advantages
- Low energy cost
- Built-in battery backup
- Long LED lifespan (50,000+ hours)
- Uniform illumination
Externally Illuminated
Common in existing buildingsSign face lit by external light fixtures providing at least 5 foot-candles on the sign surface. Requires separate emergency power.
Advantages
- Low initial cost
- Easy to replace sign face
- Compatible with existing fixtures
Self-Luminous (Tritium)
No power requiredContains tritium gas tubes that glow without electricity. No wiring, no batteries, no maintenance. Lifespan of 10-20 years.
Advantages
- Zero electricity needed
- No maintenance
- Works in any condition
- NRC licensed
Photoluminescent
Charging light requiredAbsorbs ambient light and glows in the dark. Must be charged by reliable light source. Meets UL 924 when properly installed.
Advantages
- No electricity needed
- Eco-friendly
- Low cost
- Code-compliant in many jurisdictions
"NOT AN EXIT" Sign Requirements
Under 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5), any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access — and is located in an area where it could be mistaken for an exit — must be identified as such.
Doors That Need "NOT AN EXIT" Signs:
- Storage rooms along exit corridors
- Mechanical/electrical rooms near exits
- Basement stairways that don't lead outside
- Conference rooms opening onto exit corridors
- Restrooms near exit paths
- Elevator lobbies (elevators are not exits)
Pro Tip: Instead of "NOT AN EXIT," you can label the door with its actual purpose (e.g., "STORAGE," "MECHANICAL ROOM," "RESTROOM"). This is equally compliant and more informative.
Both "NOT AN EXIT" and functional labels are OSHA-compliant
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Most Common Exit Sign Violations
OSHA inspectors cite these exit sign violations most frequently
Missing Exit Signs
Exits without any sign — the most basic and most cited violation. Every designated exit must have a sign visible from every direction of approach.
Non-Illuminated Signs
Exit signs with burned-out bulbs, dead batteries, or insufficient illumination. Signs must maintain 5 foot-candles or 0.06 footlamberts at all times.
Missing "NOT AN EXIT" Signs
Doors that look like exits but lead to storage, basements, or dead ends. Employees can waste critical evacuation time trying these doors.
Obstructed or Hidden Signs
Exit signs blocked by equipment, inventory, decorations, or hanging displays. Signs must be visible at all times from every approach direction.
Undersized Lettering
Letters less than 6 inches high or strokes less than 3/4 inch wide. Small lettering isn't readable at distance, especially in smoke conditions.
No Emergency Backup
Signs without battery backup or generator connection. During power failures (when signs matter most), they go dark.
OSHA Exit Sign FAQs
Common questions about exit sign requirements and compliance
What are OSHA's exit sign requirements?
OSHA requires exit signs at every designated exit per 29 CFR 1910.37(b). Signs must be distinctly visible, illuminated to a minimum of 5 foot-candles, and use the word 'EXIT' in plainly legible letters not less than 6 inches high with 3/4-inch wide strokes. Self-luminous and electroluminescent signs must have a minimum luminance of 0.06 footlamberts. Signs must be placed so no point in the exit access is more than 100 feet from the nearest visible exit sign.
What color must OSHA exit signs be?
OSHA does not mandate a specific color for exit signs. However, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code specifies that exit signs must have contrasting colors with the letters clearly distinguished from the background. Most US facilities use red or green EXIT signs. Green is internationally preferred (ISO 7010) and is required in many countries. The key requirement is visibility and contrast, not a specific color — but red and green are the industry standards.
Do exit signs need to be illuminated?
Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(6) requires that each exit sign must be adequately illuminated by a reliable light source providing at least 5 foot-candles on the sign face. Internally illuminated signs (self-luminous or electroluminescent) must provide at least 0.06 footlamberts. Exit signs must also remain illuminated during power failures using emergency backup power (battery or generator) for at least 90 minutes per NFPA 101.
How far apart must exit signs be placed?
Exit signs must be placed so that no point in the exit access corridor is more than 100 feet from the nearest visible exit sign (NFPA 101 Section 7.10.1.5). Additionally, exit signs are required at each designated exit doorway, at points where the exit access direction is not immediately apparent, and near each change of direction along the exit access path. Intermediate directional signs are needed in longer corridors.
When are 'NOT AN EXIT' signs required?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5) requires that any door, passage, or stairway that is not an exit or does not lead to an exit — but could be mistaken for one — must be marked 'NOT AN EXIT' or identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., 'STORAGE ROOM,' 'BASEMENT'). This prevents confusion during evacuations and ensures occupants don't waste time trying doors that don't lead to safety.
What are the letter size requirements for exit signs?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2) requires: the word 'EXIT' in plainly legible letters not less than 6 inches high, with the principal strokes not less than 3/4 inch wide. If a directional arrow is used, it must be placed to show the direction of travel. If additional text appears (such as floor number), the EXIT lettering must remain predominant. The sign must be visible from all directions of approach.
Are exit signs required in all buildings?
Exit signs are required in virtually all commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(1) requires exit signs at each exit. Exceptions are limited: single-exit rooms where the exit is immediately visible to all occupants may not require a sign. However, best practice (and many local codes) recommend signs even in single-exit rooms. Residential buildings follow different codes (IRC) but multi-family dwellings require them.
What backup power is required for exit signs?
Exit signs must remain illuminated during power failures. NFPA 101 Section 7.9 requires emergency lighting (including exit sign illumination) to operate for at least 90 minutes on backup power. Options include: battery backup units built into the sign, central battery systems, or emergency generators. Battery-backed signs must be tested monthly (30-second test) and annually (90-minute full discharge test) per NFPA 101 Section 7.9.3.
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