Commercial emergency lighting is a life-safety system, not a fixture-only purchase. Contractors, facilities teams, and procurement managers need to coordinate exit signs, emergency luminaires, backup power, mounting locations, documentation, and testing with the project’s approved life-safety plan. Start with the design professional’s egress drawings and the applicable local requirements, then use the product schedule to make sure each device matches its assigned function.
This checklist helps teams organize that work before ordering. It is a planning aid, not a substitute for the adopted building and fire codes, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), or qualified design professionals.
Separate exit signs from emergency illumination
Emergency equipment can serve different purposes. An exit sign identifies an exit or route. An emergency luminaire supplies light when normal power is interrupted. Combination units can include both an exit legend and adjustable light heads, while some projects use a separate emergency-lighting system or backup-power source. UL describes emergency lighting products as including battery-equipped luminaires, exit signs, pathway markings, and emergency power equipment.1
Treat these as distinct line items in the drawings and fixture schedule. A sign that is visible from one approach does not automatically illuminate every required portion of an exit route. OSHA’s exit-route standard says each exit must be clearly visible and marked with an “Exit” sign; the complete placement, illumination, backup, and performance criteria must be checked against the applicable local code and approved project documents.2
Build the schedule from the approved egress plan
Before selecting quantities, coordinate with the architect, electrical designer, fire/life-safety professional, and installing contractor. Mark the approved exits, exit-access paths, changes in direction, stairs, doors, and other locations identified by the project documents. Then assign a device type and model to each location. Avoid estimating fixture count from floor area alone.
For each schedule row, record:
•The room, corridor, route, or exit served, using the drawing reference.
•Whether the device is an exit sign, emergency luminaire, or combination unit.
•Mounting type, orientation, legend or directional arrows, and environmental conditions.
•Normal-power input, backup-power arrangement, and the manufacturer’s stated operating duration.
•Required product listing or certification documentation for the exact model and variant.
•Photometric data or other submittals requested by the design professional or AHJ.
•Test, inspection, access, and maintenance instructions for handover.
This schedule makes it easier to catch mismatches before rough-in. It also gives purchasing a model-by-model basis for comparing bids instead of relying on a generic description such as “exit light.”
Verify the exact model documents before ordering
Do not infer a certification, runtime, voltage, or mounting option from a collection page or a similar-looking product. Review the label, cut sheet, installation instructions, and the exact SKU proposed for the project. UL explains that emergency lighting must function as intended during events that require evacuation; confirming the product’s applicable testing and certification documents is therefore a core submittal step.1
Amico’s current commercial emergency-lighting collection lists emergency fixtures and lighted exit signs for commercial projects. For example, the product page for a two-head emergency light with battery backup describes hard-wired 120/277 V AC input, two adjustable LED heads, a built-in NiCd battery, and a manufacturer-stated minimum 90-minute backup duration. Its page also makes a UL 924 compliance claim. A current exit-sign/emergency-light combination lists 120/277 V AC input, wall- or ceiling-mount options, two adjustable light heads, and a manufacturer-stated 90-minute battery backup.
Treat these as product-page statements to verify against current submittal documents. Do not assume the same voltage, listing, duration, battery, or mounting arrangement applies to every model. The project specification and AHJ determine what documentation is acceptable.
Coordinate installation, controls, and access
Emergency devices must be coordinated with ceiling plans, structural support, wiring, fire-rated assemblies, signage visibility, and other building systems. Confirm power source and branch-circuit details with the electrical designer. Check that devices remain visible from the intended approach and that equipment, décor, doors, or later tenant improvements will not block the sign or light distribution.
OSHA’s emergency-action-plan rule requires an evacuation procedure and exit-route assignments where an emergency action plan is required. It also requires the plan to be available to employees and reviewed when it is developed or changed.3 Connect installation closeout to the facility’s emergency plan: update drawings, identify device locations, train responsible staff, and retain the product and maintenance documents.
Test and maintain the system after handover
Commission each device using the manufacturer’s instructions and the approved project procedure. Record the model, location, test result, date, corrective action, and responsible person. Set a maintenance plan that follows the exact product instructions and applicable local requirements. Include battery replacement or service criteria, access for inspection, and a process for reporting failed tests.
For a contractor quote or multi-site rollout, Amico asks project teams to provide project details or a bill of materials for volume pricing. Send the reflected ceiling or egress plan, quantities by model, input-voltage requirements, mounting conditions, required documentation, delivery location, and schedule. Confirm every proposed model and project term in writing before releasing the order.
Frequently asked questions
Is an exit sign the same thing as an emergency light?
No. An exit sign marks an exit or route. An emergency luminaire provides light during loss of normal power. Some combination products do both, but the project drawings should show the required function at each location.
Does OSHA specify the complete emergency-light layout?
OSHA’s exit-route rules include requirements such as clearly visible exits and “Exit” signs, while emergency action plans address evacuation procedures and route assignments. The full device layout, illumination performance, power duration, testing, and documentation must be determined from the locally adopted codes, approved design, AHJ decisions, and product instructions.2 3
Is 90 minutes the required backup time for every project?
Do not assume that a product-page runtime is a universal code requirement. Requirements depend on the applicable code edition, occupancy, system, and local enforcement. Have the design professional or AHJ confirm the project criteria and verify the exact product documentation.
What should a contractor include with a quote request?
Provide the approved egress plan, device schedule, quantities, model preferences, voltage, mounting conditions, required submittals, project location, delivery timeline, and any approved alternates. This gives the supplier enough context to confirm product fit and documentation.
