Why UL 924 Exit Signs are Critical in an Emergency
What is a UL 924 exit sign? Set apart from signs of lesser quality, a UL 924 sign is a sign that meets the essential safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories for emergency lighting and power equipment safety. The standard for safe equipment of many types, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) performs testing on emergency lights and exits signs – including all-important emergency exit signs, which are essential in a crisis situation or in the event of an emergency evacuation. Dedicated to ensuring life-saving measures work when they’re most needed, UL delivers their certifications only to equipment that meets their criteria for visibility, functionality, and reliability. This is why, if you’re in need of an important sign such as an emergency exit only sign, you’ll want to ensure that your chosen sign is described as “UL Listed”. It may also be noted that the exit only sign you’re considering meets UL-924 standards. This isn’t simply a throwaway “extra feature” – it’s vital. True UL emergency lights are up to (or even go beyond) Underwriter's Laboratories’ strict safety criteria. And UL’s standards are to be counted upon, as Underwriters Laboratories is considered North America’s most reliable not-for-profit testing and compliance agency.
What kind of equipment is subject to UL 924 testing? The UL 924 label encompasses items that function using fewer than 600 volts. Exit signage is contained in this category, as well as equipment designed to provide emergency illumination and power if AC power fails. With fire safety in mind, UL performs flammability testing, certifying that parts do not melt, and making sure they won’t provide added fuel in the event of a fire, thus increasing safety risks instead of alleviating them. What kinds of qualities do UL 924 exit signs possess that make them so important in an emergency? Having gone through thorough testing, a certified UL 924 sign boasts a visibility rating of 100 feet minimum. This means that a UL 924-listed exit sign remains readable, even from 100 or more feet away, and even in completely dark conditions. If the sign is electrical, the inner battery backup system, designed to provide the power needed to light the sign if power is lost, also undergoes careful testing by UL. To qualify as meeting standards, these batteries are required to deliver a minimum of 1.5 hours of operating time in a power crisis.
Keep in mind, while UL 924 exit signs are the best you can buy, it remains the owner’s responsibility to safeguard their own equipment, making sure all emergency gear gets appropriate maintenance and regular inspection. So be sure you understand what it takes to keep your UL 924 equipment working correctly. Moreover, if you’re looking to make the switch to a green exit sign, it’s good to know that glow-in-the-dark (also called photoluminescent) exit signs that are UL-924 listed are suitable for usage as an alternative to UL-listed an electrical emergency exit sign.
