N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 1013: Section BC 1013: Exit Signs

1013.1 Where required.

Exits and exit access doors shall be marked by an approved exit sign readily visible from any direction of egress travel. The path of egress travel to exits and within exits shall be marked by readily visible exit signs to clearly indicate the direction of egress travel in cases where the exit or the path of egress travel is not immediately visible to the occupants. Intervening means of egress doors within exits shall be marked by exit signs. Exit sign placement shall be such that no point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway is more than 100 feet (30 480 mm) or the listed viewing distance for the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.

Exceptions:

1. Exit signs are not required in rooms or areas that require only one exit or exit access.

2. Exit signs are not required in occupancies in Group U and individual sleeping units or dwelling units in Group I-1 or R. However, in a congregate living unit where the occupancy of such unit exceeds four people, exit signs shall be provided.

3. Exit signs are not required in dayrooms, sleeping rooms or dormitories in occupancies in Group I-3.

4. In occupancies in Groups A-4 and A-5, exit signs are not required on the seating side of vomitories or openings into seating areas where exit signs are provided in the concourse that are readily apparent from the vomitories. Such vomitories shall be provided with emergency egress lighting to identify each vomitory or opening within the seating area.

1013.1.1 Signs within exits in high-rise buildings.

In high-rise buildings subject to Section 403, exit signs shall be placed within exits at horizontal extensions to indicate the transition from vertical to horizontal direction and at turns along the horizontal path.

1013.2 Floor-level exit signs in Group R-1.

Where exit signs are required in Group R-1 occupancies by Section 1013.1, additional low-level exit signs shall be provided in all areas serving guest rooms in Group R-1 occupancies and shall comply with Section 1013.5.

The bottom of the sign shall be not less than 10 inches (254 mm) nor more than 12 inches (304.8 mm) above the floor level. The sign shall be flush mounted to the door or wall. Where mounted on the wall, the edge of the sign shall be within 4 inches (101.6 mm) of the door frame on the latch side.

1013.3 Illumination.

Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated.

Exception: Tactile signs required by Section 1013.4 need not be provided with illumination.

1013.4 Raised character and braille exit signs.

A sign stating "EXIT" in visual characters, raised characters and braille and complying with ICC A117.1 shall be provided adjacent to each door to an area of rescue assistance, an exterior area for assisted rescue, an exit stairway or ramp, an exit passageway, a horizontal exit and the exit discharge.

1013.5 Internally illuminated exit signs.

Electrically powered exit signs shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 924, except that letters of exit signs shall be red. Exit signs shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and Chapter 27 of this code. Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times. The letters of exit signs shall be red.

1013.5.1 Graphics.

The height of letters shall be not less than 6 inches (152.4 mm), except that in Group A and Group R- 1 occupancies letters shall be not less than 8 inches (203.2 mm) high. Graphics shall have letter widths, strokes and spacing in proportion to their height.

1013.6 Externally illuminated exit signs.

Externally illuminated exit signs shall comply with Sections 1013.6.1 through 1013.6.3.

1013.6.1 Graphics.

Every exit sign and directional exit sign shall have plainly legible letters not less than 6 inches (152.4 mm) high with the principal strokes of the letters not less than 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) wide. The word "EXIT" shall have letters having a width not less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) wide except the letter "I," and the minimum spacing between letters shall not be less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). In Group A and R- 1 occupancies letters shall be not less than 8 inches (203.2 mm) high. Signs larger than the minimum established in this section shall have letter widths, strokes and spacing in proportion to their height.

The word "EXIT" shall be in high contrast with the background and shall be clearly discernible when the means of exit sign illumination is or is not energized. The letters of exit signs shall be red. If a chevron directional indicator is provided as part of the exit sign, the construction shall be such that the direction of the chevron directional indicator cannot be readily changed.

1013.6.2 Exit sign illumination.

The face of an exit sign illuminated from an external source shall have an intensity of not less than 25 footcandles (269.1 lux).

1013.6.3 Power source.

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.