“A-1” Occupancy Exit Signage-Emergency Lighting – Application of Universal Design

Exit signage refers to permanently installed, illuminated signs that indicate the location of exits and egress routes in a building. Exit signs are required to be clearly visible, illuminated, and placed at all designated exit doors and along the path of egress to ensure safe evacuation during emergencies.
- Emergency lighting is a backup lighting system designed to provide illumination for exit paths, corridors, stairways, and other critical areas in the event of a power failure, fire, or emergency evacuation. It ensures that occupants can safely navigate the egress routes and reach exits.

Exit Signage Requirements

Code	Exit Sign Placement	Illumination Requirements	Visibility Standards
IBC (1013 – USA)	– Required at all exits & exit access doors. – Directional signs required where exits are not immediately visible.	– Must be internally or externally illuminated (minimum 5 foot-candles / 54 lux).	– Letters must be at least 6 inches (152 mm) high. – Contrast: Red or green text on contrasting background.
BSL (Article 126 – Japan)	– Required at all exits and corridors leading to exits. – Additional illuminated signage is required in large assembly spaces.	– Must be illuminated at all times (minimum 10 lux measured at the sign surface).	– Japanese characters + universal exit symbols required. – Height and visibility standards vary by facility type.

IBC requires exit signs at every exit and along exit paths, while BSL mandates additional illuminated signage for large spaces.
BSL requires constant illumination of exit signs (10 lux), while IBC mandates minimum 5 foot-candles (54 lux) when externally illuminated.
IBC exit signs must have red/green text on a contrasting background, whereas BSL mandates both Japanese characters and universal exit symbols.

Code	Where Required	Illumination Duration	Backup Power Source
IBC (1008.3 – USA)	– Required in all corridors, exit stairways, and assembly rooms >50 occupants.	– 90 minutes of continuous lighting required during power failure.	– Must be powered by a generator or battery backup system.
BSL (Article 126 – Japan)	– Required in all emergency exit routes and public assembly halls.	– 30 minutes minimum (60 minutes in large assembly spaces).	– Battery backup or emergency generator required.

IBC mandates emergency lighting for at least 90 minutes during power failure, whereas BSL requires 30–60 minutes based on occupancy size.
BSL has stricter emergency lighting coverage requirements for large assembly spaces.
Both codes require battery backup or emergency generators for emergency lighting systems.

Code	Accessibility & ADA Compliance	Fire Safety Considerations
IBC (1013, 1008.3)	– Exit signs and emergency lighting must be positioned at ADA-compliant heights. – Signs must include braille and tactile characters.	– Emergency power must activate within 10 seconds of power failure. – Stairwell emergency lighting must be brighter than general exit path lighting.
BSL (Article 126)	– Signs must use universal pictograms for improved comprehension.	– Fire-resistant emergency lighting wiring is required. – Additional exit sign visibility testing is mandated in high-density areas.

IBC mandates ADA compliance for exit signs (braille, tactile characters, and placement at wheelchair-accessible height), whereas BSL prioritizes universal pictograms for readability.
BSL enforces stricter fire-resistant wiring for emergency lighting, while IBC focuses on quick activation of emergency lighting within 10 seconds of power loss.

Aspect	IBC (1013, 1008.3 – USA)	BSL (Article 126 – Japan)
Exit Sign Placement	At all exits, corridors, and exit doors.	At all exits, corridors, and additional signage for large spaces.
Exit Sign Illumination	5 foot-candles (54 lux) minimum	10 lux minimum at sign surface.
Exit Sign Visibility	6-inch (152 mm) lettering, red/green contrast.	Universal pictograms + Japanese characters.
Emergency Lighting Duration	90 minutes minimum	30 minutes (60 minutes for large assembly spaces).
Backup Power Requirement	Battery or generator backup.	Battery or generator backup.
Fire Safety Features	Emergency lights activate within 10 seconds.	Fire-resistant emergency lighting wiring.
Accessibility Compliance	Braille, tactile signs, ADA height placement.	Universal pictograms, improved visibility for high-density areas.

Issue	IBC Recommendation	BSL Recommendation
Exit Sign Readability	Include universal pictograms in addition to English text.	Standardize minimum lettering height for better visibility.
Emergency Lighting Duration	Require longer durations (120 minutes) in high-occupancy buildings.	Increase 60-minute duration to 90 minutes for large venues.
Fire Safety Enhancements	Implement fire-resistant emergency lighting wiring like BSL.	Improve activation speed of emergency lighting (reduce power loss time).
Accessibility Features	Improve tactile and braille requirements for universal design.	Adopt tactile indicators for visually impaired individuals.

IBC and BSL both require exit signage at all exits, but BSL mandates additional signage in large spaces.
BSL requires brighter exit signs (10 lux vs. IBC’s 5 foot-candles / 54 lux).
IBC requires 90-minute emergency lighting, while BSL requires only 30–60 minutes.
IBC mandates ADA accessibility features for exit signage, whereas BSL focuses on universal pictograms.
BSL enforces stricter fire-resistant wiring for emergency lighting systems.
IBC prioritizes quick activation of emergency lighting within 10 seconds of power failure