ECN Forum
Posted By: daniel damon exit signs - 09/22/02 07:44 PM
does anyone know the reason , if any, why some exit signs are red and some are green??

thanks

dan
Posted By: George Corron Re: exit signs - 09/22/02 08:11 PM
Daniel,
Hard headed adherence to an old tradition?
Seriously, I do believe BOCA says Green, but here in VA we use Red, but over in Md the use green.......yup, it's confusing.

Each jurisdiction, of course, has the right to amend the code as they see fit. Since you asked the question on Sunday, you'll have to wait for proper codes until I hit the office tomorrow. In all truth, the answer is in the first sentence even with tongue in cheek. I'll give you some more pro-fish-in-all answers in the AM, unless someone with books at home wants to tackle it today.
Posted By: George Corron Re: exit signs - 09/23/02 10:31 AM
OK, 96 BOCA says: "Exit" signs shall have red letters at least 6" high...." So I was wrong, it was red.
ICBO - 2000 says NOTHING about color (smart guys) 1003.2.10.2 says 6" letters in high contrast.
Now ya got me curious as to where the danged green comes from.
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: exit signs - 09/23/02 03:12 PM
Just curious here,

What sort of contrast do these colors (Red/White or Green/White) present to a color-blind person? Is one better than the other?

Bill
Posted By: ThinkGood Re: exit signs - 09/23/02 03:33 PM
http://www.gilbertinc.com/newcolor.htm

Also search http://www.google.com for various articles on LEDs and visibility issues, etc.

I wonder if there are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines on this?
Posted By: WARREN1 Re: exit signs - 09/23/02 05:15 PM
George, I think you are right when you said that some states/jurisdictions have adopted red and some green. Check with your local Hubbell Lighting Rep. If he doesn't know, he can find out.
Many years ago, I did a design project in Ca., and I remember that was the only time I have specified green letters. I think most states require red.
Posted By: golf junkie Re: exit signs - 09/24/02 12:03 AM
we install both colors here in Nebraska. Whatever is specified by the engineer, both are aceptable to the AHJ.

GJ
Posted By: WNYJim Re: exit signs - 09/24/02 04:30 PM
I was at the movie theater (one of those multi-plexes with the stadium seating) last weekend and noticed the color of the exit signs. The ones over the outside doors were red. The signs over the doors about three quarters of the way up had green signs. Using that exit would take you down a flight of stairs and then down a hallway to the outside door that had a red sign.
Seemed to make sense to me.
Posted By: pauluk Re: exit signs - 09/24/02 09:13 PM
Now you mention it, I wondered why some were red and some green during my travels in America.

Still, whichever color you use in your area, at least they beat the horrible green and white pictogram symbols that were introduced into U.K. legislation a few years ago.

The fire exit signs here now have to show a symbol of a man running toward a door.

What's the first thing a fire chief will tell you not to do in an emergency? You got it.....
Posted By: daniel damon Re: exit signs - 09/28/02 05:29 PM
hey thanks for all the replys guys,
Posted By: CanadianSparky Re: exit signs - 09/29/02 12:22 AM
Paul, I sent a picture to Bill which he'll hopefully post, its a picture of the latest and greatest in FA horns. You can't help but laugh when you're putting these up.
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: exit signs - 09/29/02 09:53 PM
CanadianSparky,

Did you send me something?
I haven't seen it yet.

Bill
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