Article 8 - EXIT SIGNS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

Section 27-388

Section 27-388

  §  27-388  Retroactive  provisions.  Except as otherwise provided, the
provisions of this  subchapter  are  not  retroactive  except  that  the
provisions  of  this  article and article nine of subchapter six of this
chapter for certain existing office  buildings  are  retroactive.  Signs
required  by  this  article must be installed no later than March sixth,
nineteen hundred sixty-nine. Where auxiliary systems for emergency  exit
lighting  are  to  be  provided, the installation must commence no later
than May sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-nine.

Section 27-389

Section 27-389

  §  27-389  Designation  of  required  means  of egress. (a) Except for
spaces classified in  occupancy  J-2  and  J-3,  the  location  of  each
required  means  of  egress  on  every floor of every structure shall be
clearly indicated by exit signs. Such signs shall be placed at an  angle
with the exit doorway if such placement shall be required for such signs
to  serve  their purpose adequately. These signs shall be of an approved
phosphorescent  material,  which  after  exposure  to  normal   lighting
conditions shall be capable of remaining visible in total darkness for a
period  of at least eight hours. They shall also be washable, non-toxic,
non-radioactive, and if subjected to  fire  must  be  self-extinguishing
when  the  flame  is  removed. Except for illuminated signs, these signs
shall have a phosphorescent background and opaque text. Where  means  of
egress were required to be indicated by an illuminated sign, there shall
be  either  (1) an illuminated exit sign with the lettering thereon made
of the approved phosphorescent material, or (2) a supplemental exit sign
made of the approved phosphorescent material with an  opaque  text,  and
placed adjacent to or as close as possible to such illuminated sign.
  (b)  Except  for spaces classified in occupancy groups J-2 and J-3, in
long corridors, in open floor areas and in all  other  situations  where
the  location  of  the means of egress may not be readily discernible or
understood by the occupants, directional signs  shall  be  provided  and
maintained  to  serve  as  guides  from  all  portions  of  the floor or
corridor. These signs shall be of an  approved  phosphorescent  material
which  after  exposure to normal lighting conditions shall be capable of
remaining visible in total darkness for  a  period  of  at  least  eight
hours.  They  shall also be washable, non-toxic, non-radioactive, and if
subjected to fire must be self-extinguishing when the flame is  removed.
Except  for  illuminated  signs  these signs shall have a phosphorescent
background and opaque text. Where a directional sign was required to  be
illuminated  there  shall  be either (1) an illuminated directional sign
with the lettering, indicator, symbol or other device  thereon  made  of
the aforesaid phosphorescent material, or (2) a supplemental directional
sign  with the same lettering, indicator, symbol or device as appears on
the illuminated sign, but opaque, on a background made of the  aforesaid
phosphorescent  material  and placed adjacent to or as close as possible
to such illuminated sign.
  (c) Except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of any law, the
lettering of exit signs shall be of letters of  at  least  eight  inches
high.
  (d) In those buildings not provided with artificial lighting, in those
buildings  which  maintain  one  or more auxiliary systems for emergency
exit lighting in the event of a public utility  failure,  and  in  those
buildings  for  which  the  installation  of  one or more such auxiliary
systems is  commenced  on  or  before  August  sixth,  nineteen  hundred
sixty-nine,  the  signs  need  not be phosphorescent but shall otherwise
conform to this section.