If you own or manage a commercial building in Ohio, you have a responsibility to ensure your emergency and exit lighting systems meet all safety regulations. These illuminated exit signs and emergency lights are required in all commercial buildings and are designed to save lives by guiding occupants to safety during emergencies. Holmes Fire & Safety, with a rich legacy of over 50 years serving Ohio communities, has prepared this guide to educate business owners on the codes and standards for emergency/exit lighting, required monthly and annual testing, common maintenance issues, and the importance of professional inspections.
Why Emergency & Exit Lighting Is Essential
Battery-backed exit signs and emergency lights activate during power outages to show people the way out. Ensuring these lights remain functional is not just a precaution but a code requirement. They clearly mark exits and illuminate corridors, stairs, and other egress paths, greatly reducing the risk of occupants being stranded in the dark during an evacuation. In other words, emergency lighting provides enough light for everyone to safely reach an exit during a crisis. Without reliable exit signs and emergency lights, people could panic or become disoriented in smoke or darkness – a scenario no business owner wants to face.
Codes and Standards Governing Emergency & Exit Lighting in Ohio
In Ohio, fire safety codes set strict requirements for exit signs and emergency egress lighting in commercial buildings. The primary standards include the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (adopted nationally and often referenced by Ohio regulations) and the Ohio Fire Code, which is part of Ohio’s state law. These codes specify where emergency and exit lights must be installed, how they must perform, and how they are to be maintained.
NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code): NFPA 101 requires that means of egress be illuminated by emergency lighting for at least 1½ hours (90 minutes) in the event of a power failure. It also mandates that exit routes be clearly marked by visible, illuminated “Exit” signs so occupants can readily find exits. NFPA 101’s provisions apply to both new and existing buildings, ensuring life safety in all occupancy types. Importantly, NFPA 101 outlines testing requirements (covered below) to verify that emergency lights and exit signs will work when needed.
Ohio Fire Code: Ohio’s fire regulations closely mirror NFPA’s standards. In fact, Ohio Fire Code §604.6 explicitly requires all exit and emergency lighting with self-contained battery backup to be inspected and tested on a schedule: monthly and annually. The code mandates that emergency lights illuminate automatically upon loss of power and provides the same 90-minute minimum illumination requirement. It also incorporates national standards (such as UL 924 for emergency lighting equipment and NFPA 70/110/111 for electrical aspects) to ensure uniform safety and performance. In summary, if your Ohio business has an exit sign or emergency light, it must comply with these fire code requirements for placement, brightness, and duration of illumination.
Required Monthly and Annual Testing of Emergency Lights
Exit signs must remain illuminated at all times and have a reliable backup power source. Regular inspections ensure that even if normal power fails, these signs (and accompanying emergency lights) will stay lit, guiding people to safety. In fact, Ohio fire code and NFPA standards require routine testing of emergency and exit lighting systems to prove they are working properly. Specifically, a brief functional test every month and a full-duration test every year are mandatory:
Monthly 30-Second Test: At least once every 30 days, each battery-backed emergency light and exit sign must be activated on emergency power for a minimum of 30 seconds. This can be done by using the test button on the unit or cutting power to the circuit. The light should come on promptly and remain sufficiently bright for the test duration. This monthly “activation test” confirms that the battery and bulbs/LEDs are operational and that the unit will automatically function when needed.
Annual 90-Minute Test: Once a year, a full power test for 1½ hours (90 minutes) must be performed on all battery-supported emergency lights and exit signs. This simulates a long-duration power outage. The emergency lights are run on battery backup for the entire 90 minutes to ensure they can sustain illumination for the code-required period. They must remain sufficiently bright for the full test – a key indicator that your batteries are healthy and charging properly. Any unit that fails to last the duration or has dimming issues should have its battery (or entire fixture) replaced immediately.
During these tests, all units must be fully operational for the entire test period. It’s not enough for a light to flash on – it needs to stay on and provide adequate illumination. Written records of each test (date, duration, pass/fail, and any maintenance performed) should be logged and kept on file. The Ohio Fire Code requires owners to maintain records of all emergency lighting inspections and tests, and fire inspectors will ask to review these logs during routine fire inspections. Keeping organized records not only keeps you code-compliant, but also proves your due diligence in safety.
Common Maintenance Practices and Issues to Watch For
Emergency and exit lighting systems are generally low-maintenance, but they do require regular attention so that they’ll function perfectly in an emergency. Business owners should implement a basic maintenance routine in-house (or through a service provider like Holmes Fire & Safety) that includes monthly visual checks and annual full service. During monthly checks, you or your facility manager can press the test button on each unit to verify it lights up, and also look for any obvious problems like dim or burnt-out bulbs. Annually (or semi-annually), more thorough maintenance should be done by a qualified technician, including battery load testing, cleaning the units, and preventative replacement of parts as needed.
Common issues with emergency and exit lights that you should look out for include:
Dead or Weak Batteries: The most frequent issue is battery failure. Batteries can lose their charge over time or fail if not properly maintained, meaning the light won’t stay on for the required 90 minutes during an outage. If an emergency light’s battery doesn’t hold a charge or if the charging indicator shows a problem, the battery should be replaced. (Most batteries have a lifespan of 3–5 years, so plan to replace them on that cycle or whenever they fail a test.)
Burned-Out Bulbs/LEDs: Traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs in older emergency lights can burn out, and even LED-based exit signs can have LED failures. A burned-out lamp means no illumination when you need it most. Check that all lamps and indicator lights are working during monthly tests. Replace any burnt-out bulbs or malfunctioning LED boards promptly so that your exit signs are always visible and your emergency lights shine at full brightness.
Wiring or Circuit Problems: Loose connections, tripped breakers, or damaged wiring can disable your emergency lighting system. For example, if an exit sign is not wired to the correct circuit (it should be tied into the same circuit as the area’s normal lighting per electrical code), it may not function as intended during a power failure. Likewise, corrosion or damage in the unit’s wiring can prevent the battery from charging. Regular inspections should include a quick check for any signs of electrical damage or tampering. If a unit isn’t working at all, an electrician or fire safety technician can troubleshoot the wiring and repair or rewire as needed.
Physical Damage or Obstruction: It’s also important to ensure the units are not physically damaged or blocked. Exit signs should be clean and unobstructed so that the lettering is clearly visible from distance. Emergency light heads should be positioned to cover the path of egress and not pointed at a wall or obstructed by stored items. During maintenance, wipe down lenses/covers (dust and grime can dim the lights) and adjust the light heads if necessary to illuminate critical areas like stair steps and doorways.
By staying on top of these issues, you greatly increase the likelihood that your emergency lighting will perform correctly in an actual emergency. If you discover problems – such as lights that don’t come on, flickering or dim illumination, or batteries that beep indicating low charge – don’t ignore them. It’s best to contact a professional fire protection service to repair or replace faulty units right away. Remember, these lights are too important to leave to chance.
Holmes Fire & Safety: Licensed Experts in Emergency Light Inspection & Maintenance
When it comes to ensuring your emergency and exit lights are code-compliant and reliable, professional help can make all the difference. Holmes Fire & Safety specializes in all aspects of emergency lighting inspection, testing, maintenance, and installation. Our team is fully licensed, trained, and equipped to handle the job – so you can focus on your business. In fact, our technicians are consistently trained and maintain up-to-date licenses under the Ohio State Fire Marshal, meaning we stay current on Ohio’s fire safety codes and best practices. We bring over five decades of experience to the table, and we’ve built a reputation as a trusted fire protection partner for businesses across Ohio.
Here’s what Holmes Fire & Safety can do for you regarding emergency and exit lighting:
Scheduled Testing & Inspections: We can take charge of your required monthly and annual tests. Our technicians will visit your facility to perform the 30-second monthly activation tests and the annual 90-minute power tests on schedule. We handle all the logistics – including accessing hard-to-reach units (we have ladders and lifts as needed) – ensuring every exit sign and emergency light is tested per code. After each service, we provide you with written documentation of the tests and results, which you can keep on file for the fire marshal or insurance compliance.
Full-Service Maintenance: During our inspections, Holmes Fire & Safety will also perform any maintenance needed on the spot. This includes replacing faulty bulbs, expired batteries, or even entire light units that aren’t up to par. We come prepared with common replacement parts and new units in case any device has failed. Our goal is to leave your building with every emergency light and exit sign fully functional. We also clean lenses and check charging circuits, doing whatever is necessary to guarantee your personnel won’t be left in the dark during an outage.
Code Compliance Assurance: Because we specialize in fire protection, we ensure that all work we do is in full compliance with the latest codes and regulations. You won’t have to worry about whether you’re meeting NFPA 101, OSHA, or Ohio Fire Code requirements – by relying on our expertise, you can be confident your emergency lighting will pass fire inspections and, most importantly, perform properly in an emergency. Our technicians can also advise you on optimal placement of emergency lights and any updates needed (for example, if your building layout changed or if older units should be upgraded to modern LED versions for better reliability).
In short, Holmes Fire & Safety is your one-stop solution to install, inspect, test, and maintain emergency and exit lighting. We pride ourselves on meticulous service that keeps your business safe and compliant. As our motto states, “We are the solution to keeping your business compliant with the latest fire protection codes.” When you partner with us, you can rest assured that your emergency lights are in the hands of professionals who treat your building’s safety as seriously as you do.
Schedule Your Emergency Lighting Inspection Today – Stay Safe and Compliant
Don’t wait until an emergency or a fire inspection to find out if your exit lights and emergency lighting are working – by then, it could be too late. Ensure the safety of your employees and customers now by scheduling your required monthly and annual emergency lighting inspections with Holmes Fire & Safety. As a longtime Ohio fire protection company, we are proud to serve businesses across the state, keeping you up to code and safe.
Contact Holmes Fire & Safety today to set up your emergency and exit light inspection program. Let our licensed experts handle the testing and maintenance that keeps your building compliant and your people safe. With our help, you can have confidence that when the power goes out, your lights will shine and everyone in your facility will be guided to safety. Protect your business and stay compliant – rely on Holmes Fire & Safety for all your emergency lighting needs!
We are the solution to keeping your business compliant with the latest fire protection codes.
