Get the 411 on Exit Signs

In the USA, the normal exit sign, usually operated by a luminescent or a self-luminated light bulb, has red text on a white background, however since the 80's, the Green "running man" on a bright background has become used as the emergency symbol of choice in certain countries.

emergency signs

In buildings, generally in the States, exit signs are determined by municipal building, safety and fire unique codes and they normally feature an incandescent light bulb in a square box with the word "Exit" back-lighted on both sides. Fire, smoke or electrical power failure in a building lowers visibility and makes the exit indicators harder to see. To fix this problem and keep the emergency signs lighted at all times, several lamps are painted on the inside with phosphorous that creates a gleam in the lamp even with no power supply. These types of emergency signs have to stay ignited all the time, except if, electric power to the building fails so the building's back-up electric power system, an electrical generator or a battery-emergency system, take on its work.

exit sign

In many countries around the globe, the United Kingdom, the European Countries, Japan, China, Sydney and Korea, exit signs have natural green coloring with pictograms, including the "running man", that are chosen instead of the word "exit". Either green or red print can be used in America but are mostly red because the building codes in most states and towns need emergency signs to be colored red. In Baltimore, for instance, the exit sign must be in green, while in New York and in Chicago, the exit sign must be colored in red. However, New York City has recently approved a new fire and safety code for new high-rise buildings that require green signs, so in that town there will be a mixture of red and green warning signs.

Depending on age, a number of older constructions, with older electric powered systems, might be exempt from open fire and security codes. Nevertheless, slightly older architectural structures with a number of people, for instance accommodations, rooming residences, apartments or condos and university dormitories, normally stick to the codes and bring their building up to date by installing brand new signs. Several modern commercial and residential building have advanced well-lighted warning signs that are really noticeable and often are joined with emergency floodlighting and perhaps to some degree resistant to flame.

emergency signs

New lighting systems, with Leds, electrical diodes, super-capacitors and self-illuminating lights, use reduced voltage and offer battery-powered lighting that is better, more affordable and longer-lasting to operate emergency warning signs..

This Year, Canada was predicted to get rid of the red lettered sign and to switch to the foreign green 'running man" pictograph exit sign, created by Japanese developer, Yukio Ota, in the early 80's and in Sydney the exit warning signs have already been green.


exit signs