Prenat minimize the possibility that occupants traveling on stairs will inadvertently continue their stair descent past the level of exit discharge (LED), stop at the basement level where the stair ends, but where there is no discharge, and then have to reverse direc- tion and retrace their steps to the level of discharge. The barrier needed to cue occupants that the level of discharge has been reached might be a partition with door assembly, a gate, another physical barrier, signage, or floor marking that effectively inter- rupts the flow of travel, forcing a person to perform a deliberate ‘act to continue traveling past the level of discharge but not restricting required egress from fioors below the level of dis- ‘charge. Exhibit 7.188 shows the NO EXIT sign on the side of the ‘gate facing the level of discharge floor landing, Sign on gate providing interruption of ext star. (Photo courtesy of dake Pauls) 7.14 Components of Exit Discharge. Doors, stairs, ramps, corridors, exit passageways, bridges, balconies, escalators, moving walks, and ‘other components of an ext discharge shall comply with the detailed requirements ofthis chapter for such components 718 Signs. See 72.284. 7.1.6 Discharge to Roofs. Where approved by the authority having jurisdiction, exits shall be permitted to discharge to roofs or other sec- tions of the building or an adjoining building where all ofthe following citeria are met (1), The rooffceiling assembly construction has afr resistance rating not less thin that required forthe exit enclosure 2) A continuous and safe means of egress from the roof is available. 2018 LifeSafery Code Handbook ‘An exit discharge to a roof is not acceptable, unless there is another continuous and safe means of egress from the roof and the roof construction affords protection against fie that is at least equivalent to that of the exit enclosure (eg, the exit stair) that discharged occupants to the roof. Helicopter rescue from roofs is not dependable enough to be given credit as an exit; ‘many factors in such a rescue are too unpredictable for this, ‘method to be a consideration. Outside stats leading to the roofs of other sections of the building or onto the roofs of adjoining buildings are acceptable 2s part of the means of egress, but only with the approval ofthe ‘AHU-The conditions and settings of such paths of travel are likely +t0.be sovaried that itis virtually impossible to cover them by writ- ten provisions. Ideally the AH) judges each situation individually 7.8 Ilumination of Means of Egress When fire occurs in a building, the degree of visibility in aisles, corridors, stars, and exit passageways might mean the differ. ence between orderly evacuation and chaos and, possibly, the difference between life and death, 78:1 General. | 78.1.1* Illumination of metns of egress shall be provided in accordance with Section 7.8 for every building and structure where required in ‘Chapters 11 through 43, For the purposes ofthis requirement, exit access shall include only designated sais, isles, corridors, ramps, escalator, and passageways leading to an exit For the purposes of this requirement, exit discharge shall include only designated stairs, aisles, coridors, amps, escalators, walkways, and passageways leading toa public way. A.78.1.1 Illumination provided ouside the building should be to either 1 public way or a distance away from the building that is considered sae, whichever is closest to the building being evacuated, ‘The means of egress (le, exit access, exit, and exit discharge) encompasses practically all spaces where persons can be pres tent. The subject addressed by Section 78 is illumination of ‘means of egress. t would seem that the title of Section 7.8 indi: ‘ates that such illumination needs to be provided throughout al portions of the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge, but, this is not so. Illumination is required throughout the exit (eg, an enclosed exit stair or exit passageway). Yet, 78.1.1 clarifies, that, for the purposes of applying the requirements of Sec- tion 78, the portions ofthe exit access and exit discharge requir ing illumination are only the “designated egress paths, such as aisles, corridors, stairs, and ramps. "Designated" is meant to indi ‘ate designation by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). For ‘example, most authorities having jurisdiction do not designate the space within an individual's work cubicle as a portion of the cexitaccess requited to be illuminated, but the aisles serving mul: tiple cubicles are typically designated as requiring illumination, llumination of means of egressis not requited unless specif «ally called for in the appropriate occupancy chapter. However,ee ee ae all occupancy chapters do require illumination, but there are a few exemptions. For example, in new assembly occupancies, 1228 exempts private-party tents not larger than 1200 ft? (112 m’) from the illumination requirement. Subsection 28 (eg, 36.28 for new mercantile occupancies) of each occupancy chapter provides illumination requirements 781.2 Mumination of means of egress shall be continuous during the time that the conditions of occupancy require that the means af egress be available for use, unless otherwise provided in 7.8.1.2.2. 781.24 Aniicial lighting shall be employed a such locations and for such periods of time as re necessary to maintain the illumination tothe ‘minimum criteria values herein specified 78.1.22* Unless prohibited by Chapters 11 through 43, automatic lighting control devices shall be permitted to temporarily tum off the iMlumination within the means of egress, provided that each lighting control device complies wit all ofthe following: (1) Io new installations, the lighting control devie i sted (@) The lighting control device is equipped to automatically energize ‘the controlled lights upon loss of normal power and is evaluted Tor this purpose. G)_Tilumination timers are provided and are set for a mit 15-minute deration, (4). The lighting control device is activated hy any occupant movement in the area served by th lighting units. (5) In now installations, the lighting contol device is activated by activation of the building fire alarm system, if provide. (6) Thelighting control device doesnot sur off any ight eed upon {or activation of photoluminesceent ext signs or pala mazkers (1) The lighting contol device does not turn off any batcery-equipped ‘emergency luminaires unit equipment, oF exit signs A.78.1.2.2 Photoluminescent materials and battery-powered luminaires require some period of time to restore themselves to oll operational capacity after being de-enerpized Photoluminescent products ely on nearby luminaires to maintain their full capacity. When those luminaires are de-energized, the pho- ‘olumineseent product will gradually deplete its eapacty. Listed pho- toluminescent exit signs and path markers ate restored to full rated capacity within one hour, and there is no known limit to the number of times they canbe discharged and recharged, nor any known degrads tion of overall capacity or lifetime a a result of dischargecharge cycles. ‘De-energizing the normal (stilt) power souree will automatically begin the battery discharge cycle of emergency luminaires, unit equip- ‘ment, and ext signs provided with batery backup. Once drained, these batteries wil typically equire between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the battery technology and charging citcutry design, o regain full capacity. Frequent dischargefcharge cycles ean reduce overall battery lifeime and, epending on battery technology, might also prematurely reduce overall battery capacity. 78:1.2.3* Energy-saving sensors, switches, imers, or controllers shall bbe approved and shall not compromise the continuity of illumination of the means of egress required by 7.8.1.2. [A.78.12.3 A consideration for the approval of automatic, motion sensor-type lighting switches, controls, timers, or controllers is whether the equipments listed as failsafe device for use i the mens of egress 781.3 The Moors and other walking surfaces within an exit and within the portions of the exit aceess and exit discharge designated in 7.8.1.1 shall be illuminated as follows: (1) During conditions of stat use, the minimum illumination for new stairs shall be at least 10 f-candle (1OR fox), measured at the svalking surfaces (2) The minitaum illumination for floors and other walking surfaces, ‘other than new stairs during conditions of sta use, shall be 10 values of atleast 1 ft-candle (10.8 lux), measured at the foot. @)__Inassembly occupancies the illumination ofthe walking surfaces ‘of exit acess shal be at east 0.2 f-candle (2.2 lux) during periods ‘of performances or projections invalving directed Tight. (@)* The minimam illumination requirements shall not apply where ‘operations or processes require ow lighting levels, A.78L3(8) Some processes, such as manufacturing or handling of photosensitive materials, cannot be performed in areas provided with, ‘the minimum specified lighting levels. The use of spaces with lighting levels below 1 candle (10:8 lux) might necessitate additional safety ‘measures, such as writen emergency action plans, training of new ‘employees in emergency evacuation procedures, and periodic fire dil. ‘The Code requires that there be at least 1 ft-candle (10.8 lux) of illumination at floor level. Paragraph 7.8.1.3(1) requires at least 10 fe-candle (108 lux) for new stairs during conditions of stair use. Note that, during conditions where the stair is not being used but the building is ‘occupied, there must be atleast 1 ft-candle (108 lux) ofilumina tion on the stair walking surfaces in compliance with 78.1302) ‘An atrangement that might be used to comply with 7.8.1.1), ‘and (2} would include illuminating the star to a minimum off candle (10.8 lux) during periods that the building is occupied land using motion detectors to sense occupant presence in any portion of the stair enclosure that, upon activation, would increase the illumination level to the minimum 10 ft-candle (108 lux) requirement. Exhibit 7.189 and Exhibit 7.190 show novel lighting techniques — ensuring that stair treads are Exhibit 7.189 Exterior stair ilumination va ightsin stair handrail (Photo courtesy of Jake Pauls} Life Safety Code Handbook 2018air reads. (Phot adequately illuminated and tread edge stair users — for an outdoor stair and an indoor stair, respec: ‘ively, Exhibit 7.191 shows a stair with questionable illuin: especially given that occupants who use the stair in the down: ward direction are coming from the area neara bu ‘wall with bright outdoor lighting. When motion pictures, slides, and the like are being shown in theaters, auditoriums, and other assembly occupancies, 7.8:1.3(3) permits the level oflumin: bereducedto 0.2ft candle (2.2 lux) terior stir near brighty lighted window space. Paragraph 7.8.1.3(4) recognizes that some operation: photographic film manufacturing) require low Special precautions can be taken for oc not to have to require a minimum illumination level ighting levels. upant life safety so as 78.1.4 Required illumination shall be arranged so that the failure of any single lighting unit does not result im an illumination level of less than 0.2 fLeandle 2.2 lux) in any designated area A.T8.1.4 Failure of a lighting unit is deemed to have occurred when the light output drops below 70 percent of its original leve! All lights, circuits, or auxiliary power must be arranged to ensure continuity of egress lighting, although the permitted to decline from 1 ft-candle (10.8 lux) to 0.2 ft-candle 2.2 lux) if a system element fails. Continuity of egress lig can be accomplished by means such as use of duplicate light bulbs in fixtures or overlapping light patterns from neighboring 78.1.5 The equipment or units installed to meet the requirements of Section 7.10 also shall be permitted to serve the function of ilumination ‘of means of egress, provided that all requirements of Section 7.8 for such illumination are met 7.82 Sources of Iumination, 7.82.1 Illumination of means of egress shall be from a souree consi cred reliable by the authority having jurisdiction, 782.2 Batery-operated electic lights and other types of portable lamps ‘orlantems shall not be used fr primary illumination of means of egress, ‘atery-operatd elect lights shall be permitted to he used as an emer gency source tothe extent permitted under Section 7.9. 7.9 Emergency Lighting 794 General. 79.11% Emergeney lighting facilities for means of egress shall be provided in accordance wit Section 7.9 for the following: (1). Buildings or strctures where required in Chapters 11 ubrough 43 (@) Underground and limited access structures as addressed in Section 11.7 (G)_ Highrise buildings as required by other sections ofthis Cade (4) Doors equipped with delayed-egress locks (6). Star shafts and vestibules of smokeproof enclosures, for whieh the following also apply (a) ‘The star shaft and vestibule shall be permite to include a standby generator thal is installed forthe smokeproof enclo- sure mechanical ventilation equipment () The standby generator shall be permitted to be used for the stair shaft and vestibule emergency lighting power supply, (6) New sensorcelease of electrical locking systems in accordance with 72.162, 79.1.1 Emergency lighting outside the building should provide ill- ‘mination to either a public way ora distance away from the building tht 4s considered sae, whichever is closes othe building being evacuate.oe Emergency lighting i not required unless specifically called for in the appropriate occupancy chapter or by a provision of 7.9.1.1 “Most occupancy chapters require emergency lighting in medium, to large buildings. Subsection _.2.9 of each occupancy chapter (eg, 1229 and 36.2.9,or new assembly andnew mercantile occu ppancies, respectively) provides emergency lighting requirements. 7.91.2 For the purposes of 7.9.1.1, exit acess shall include ony des- ‘ignated stairs, aisles, coridors, ramps, escalators, and passageways. leading to an exit, For the purposes of 79.1.1, exit discharge shall ‘include only designated stars, ramps, aisles, walkways, and escalators Teading to a public way. The means of egress (Le, exit access, exit, and exit discharge) encompasses practically all spaces where persons can be pres- tent. The subject addressed by Section 7.9 is emergency lighting of means of egress. It would seem that the title of Section 7.9, indicates that such emergency lighting needs to be provided throughout al portions of the exit access, the exit, and the exit, discharge, but that is not so. Emergency lighting is required throughout the exit (eg, in an enclosed exit stair or exit pas- sageway). However, 79.1.2 clarifies that, for the purposes of applying the requirements of Section 7.9, the portions of the exit access and exit discharge requiring emergency lighting are only the “designated” egress paths, such as aisles, corridors, stairs, ramps, and passageways. “Designated” is meant to indi- cate designation by the AH. For example, most authorities hav- Ing jurisdiction do not designate the space within an individual’ work cubicle as a portion of the exit access required to be pro- Vided with emergency lighting, but the aisles serving multiple cubicles are typically designated as requiring emergency lighting 7.9.1.3 Where maintenance of illumination depends on changing ftom fone energy source to another, adelay of not more than 10 seconds shall be permited. ‘An on-site generator driven by a prime mover must be automati- cally started and capable of picking up the emergency lighting load within 10 seconds. f the generator is not able to supply power within that time frame, an auxiliary power source must be provided, Some turbine-driven emergency generators take longer than 10 seconds to reach operating speed. A backup battery pack, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), capable of delivering emergency power fora few minutes might be used in Conjunction with any on-site generator that cannot meet the To-second requirement. As another alternative, unit lighting packs with thelr integral batteries might be used to provide emergency lighting immediately upon loss of normal power, with a switchover to other lighting fixtures supplied by power from the generator ata later point in the incident during which normal power was lost 7.92 Performance of System. 7.9.2.1 Emergency illumination shall be provided for a minimum of 14 hours in the event of failure of normal lighting 79.21 Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is not less then an average of 1 feeandle (10.8 lux) and, at any point, not less than 0.1 ft-candle (1.1 lux), mea sured along the path of egress at floor level 7.9.2.1.2 Iumination levels shall be permitted to dectne to not less than an average of 0.6 ft-eandle (6.5 lux) and, at any point, not less than (0.06 f-candle (0.65 lux) atthe end of 1} hours. 7.9213 The maximum-to-minimum illumination shall not exceed a ratio of 40 to 1. ‘The Code requires a I ft-candle (10.8 lux) average and establishes, 230.1 f-candle (1.1 lux) minimum, with a uniformity ratio maxi- ‘mum of 40 to 1 to prevent excessively bright and dark spots. 1A 79.22 New emergency power systems for emergency lighting shall be atleast Type 10, Class 5, Level |, in accordance with NFPA 110. A Type 10 emergency power supply system (EPSS) must restore power within 10 seconds of the failure of the primary power Source, AClass 1.5 EPSS must be capable of operating at its rated load without being refueled for a minimum of 1% hours. Level 1 performance is specified based on the technical committee's judgment that failure of the EPSS is critical to human life and safely. For an example where Level 2 performance, for EPSS less critical to human life and safety, is specified in the Code, see 7.2312 related to powering mechanical ventilation equipment for smokeproof enclosures. See also NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, 7.9.2.3 ‘The emergency lighting system shall be aranged to provide the required illumination automatically inthe event of any interruption ‘of notmalligiting due to any ofthe following (1) Failure of a public utility or other outside electrical power supply Opening ofa ciruit breaker a fuse “Manual ats), including accidental opening of a switch controlling norznal lighting facilities @ a AT92.3 Where emergency lighting is provided by automat transfer ‘petween normal power service and an emergency generator, itis the {nent to prohibit the installation, for any reason, of single switch that ‘an interrupt both energy sources ‘The emergency lighting provisions of 7.9.23 are more stringent than those in NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Compliance with the criterion of 79.2.3(2), related to interuption of normal ight- ing due to the opening of acircut breaker or fuse, requires care ful design and installation. The requirement can be met by providing @ minimum of two lighting circuits in 8 room. If the breaker controling one of the two lighting circuits is opened, ‘theres stllilumination in the room, so that there is no interrup- tion of normal lighting and no resulting requirement to switch ‘over to emergency lighting ‘The second breaker serving the lighting circuits in the room should be installed on a subpanel separate from the subpanel serving the first breaker. f a common subpanel were used for both lighting circuits, the opening of the main breaker in that Life Safety Code Handbook 2018Freee subpanel would interrupt normal lighting in the room so as to trigger the need to provide emergency lighting. The common subpanels would introduce the need to monitor those subpan- ‘ls for the purpose of automatically switching over to emer- gency lighting — a complication that would be unacceptable to most building operators. ‘The wiring for the independent lighting subpanels needs to ‘come together somewhere in order to provide them with power, ‘and that typically occurs at the main service entrance/panel. The main breaker can be monitored in the same way that the incom- ing public power is monitored, so as to automatically provide ‘emergency lighting upon interruption of power. 1A 79.24 Emergency generators and related transfer switch equipment that provide power to emergency lighting systems shall be installed, inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NEPA 110. Stored electrical energy systems, where required in this Code, other than battery systems for emergency luminaires in accordance with 7.9.2.5, shall be installed, inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with, NFPA II The provision of 7.9.24 was revised for the 2018 edition of the Code to clarify that transfer switch equipment associated with the emergency generator must be installed, inspected, tested, ‘and maintained in accordance with NFPA 110, Standard for Emer- ‘gency and Standby Power Systems. The second sentence clatifies that battery systems for emergency luminaires are to comply with 7.9.25, which requires listing per ANSVUL 924, Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment. 7.9.28 Unit equipment and battery systems for emergency luminaires, shall be listed to ANSVUL 924, Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment. 1 79.26 Existing battery-operated emergency lights shall use only reli- able types of rechargeable batteries provided with suitable facilities for ‘maintaining them in properly charged condition, Batteries used in such lights or units shall be approved for their intended use and shall comply ‘with NFPA 70, 7.9.2.7 The emergency lighting system shall be ether continuously in ‘operation of shall be capable of repeated automate operation without ‘manual intervention, 7.93 Periodie Testing of Emergency Lighting Equipment. 1A 79.31 Required emergency lighting ystems shall be tested in accar- dance with one of the four options offered by 7.9.3.1.1, 7.9.3.1.2, 7.93.13, 007.93.14. A 7931.1 Testing of required emergency lighting systems shall be per mitted tobe conducted as follows: (1) Functional testing shall be conducted monthly, witha minimum ‘of 3 weeks and a maximum of S weeks between tests, for not less than 30 seconds, except as otherwise permitted by 7.9.1.1). (2)* The testinerval shall be permitted robe extended beyond 30 days ‘with the approval ofthe authority having jurisdiction. (2) Functional testing shall be conducted annually for minimum of 14 hours ifthe emergency lighting system is battery powered. 2018 LifeSafery Code Handbook (©) The emergeney lighting equipment shall be fully operational for the duration ofthe tests required by 7.93.1.1(2) and79.3.1.1G). (8) Written records of visual inspections ang tests shall be kept by the ‘owner for inspection by the authority having jurisdiction, A.7.93.1.12) Technical justification for extending test intervals past, 30 days should be based on recorded event history (data) and should include evaluation of the following criteria (1) Number of egress lighting units (Q) Number of 30-second tests for analysis {@) Reevaluation period (confirm or adjust intervals) (4) Number of fixtures found obstructed (5) Number of Gixtures found misaligned (©) Fixtures found o be missing () Fixtures found damaged (8) Battery design (9) Type of light source (10) Fixture design (manufactures) (1 Number of ight fixtures per exit path (12) Existence of fire, smoke, and thermal barriers (13) Evacuation capability (14) Maximum egress time (15) Hours of occupancy (16) Number of recorded bulb failures (17) Nomber of recorded fixture failures (18) Single Hxture reliability (19) Repairs — mean time to repair (20) Lighted egress path probability of success o failure — monthly Upper tolerance limit (21) Lighted egress path probability of success or failure — quarterly ‘upper tolerance limit (estimated) 79.3..2 Testing of required emergeney lighting systems shall be per mitted 1 be conducted as follows: (1) Seif tesing/self diagnostic batery-operated emergency lighting ‘equipment shall be provided (@) Not less than once every 30 days, self-esting/self-diagnostic ‘battery-operated emergency lighting equipment shal automatically perform a test with duration of a minimum of 30 seconds and & siggnostc routine, @)_Selftesing/self diagnostic battery-operated emergency lighting ‘equipment shall indicate failures by a status indieator. (4)_A visual inspection shall be performed at intervals not exceeding 30 days. (8). Punctional testing shall be conducted annually for & minimum of 14 ours (6) Self tesing/self. diagnostic butery-operated emergency lighting {equipment shal be fully operational forthe duration ofthe 1-hour test. (1). Weiten records of visual inspections and tess shall be kept by the ‘owner for inspection by the authority haying jurisdiction. 79.3.1.3 Testing of required emergency lighting systems shall be per- rmited tobe conducted as follows: (1) Computer-based, sel-testing/sel- diagnostic battery-operated «emergency lighting equipment shal be provided. (@)_ Not less than once every 30 days, emergency lighting equipment shall automatically perform a test with a duration of a minimum ‘f 30 seconds and a diagnostic routineECAC G) The emergency lighting equipment shall automatically perform annually atest for minimum of 1% hours (4) The emergency lighting equipment shall be fully operational for the duration of the tests required by 7.9.3.1 3(2) and 7.93.1.3@). (5) The computer-based system shall be capable of providing a report of the history of tests and failures at all ies, LN T9AA Testing of required emergency lighting systems shal be per sited tobe conducted in accordance with 7.9.2.4, ‘The provision of 79.3.14 Is new to the 2018 edition of the Code. It recognizes a fourth option for testing of the emergency lighting equipment. The fourth means is via the procedures of 79.24, which reference the requirements of NFPA 110, Standard for Emer. gency and Standby Power Systems, and NFPA 111, Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems. * Periodic testing of emergency lighting equipment is needed to help ensure that such equipment will perform as needed upon fallure of normal power. The functional test, requited to be con: ducted by 793.1.1(1), 7.931.202), and 793.1.32), ensures that the bulbs and other equipment work. Additionally, for battery powered equipment, the 30-second performance citerion for the functional test demonstrates that batteries have more than a esi al charge. The 1¥shour performance citerion required yeatly for battery powered equipment ensues suficient battery life to pro Vide emergency lighting for the 17 hours required by 7.92.1. The selftesting/self-diagnostlc systems permitted by 7.93.12 and 7.93.13 use newer technologies and equipment to automate the testing, thereby reducing the manual labor needed to keep the emergency lighting systems in proper oper: ating condition, Note that 7.93.1.1(1) was revised for and 7.93.1.12) was new tothe 2009 edition of the Code. In prior editions, the functional est, Which must be performed manually (contrasted with the functional testing that is conducted automatically by the selftesting/ self-diagnostic systems addressed in 7.93.1.2 and 7.93.13), was requied to be conducted at 30-day intervals. Where that require: ‘ment was followed exactly, testing performed on January 31 would 'be performed again the following year on January 25 due to the forward creep caused by 31-day months. The former requirement also offered no leniency for scheduling the testing to avoid week tends when the person responsible for conducting the testing might not normally be present. The currentlanguage of 793.1.1(1) offers flexibility without permitting someone to test, for example, ‘on January 31 and again the next day February 1, and claim com: pliance with having tested once in each of those months. The provision of 7:93.1.102) offers further flexibility by allowing the AHI to extend the testing frequency. The text of A7.9.3.1.1(2) provides guidance on the nature of the technical justification needed to qualify for such an extension, 7.10 Marking of Means of Egress In the fatal Westchase Hilton Hotel fre, which occurred in Hous- ton, Texas, in March of 1982, “several people were confused by the exit markings or the similarity of exit doors and adjacent, storage room doors. The directional exit signs within the exit foy- fers at the ends ofthe hotel corridors indicated that the exit path from this point would be perpendicular to the exit access corr dor. Some of the occupants moved toward the locked storage room doors and away from the exits!”* 7.10.1 General. 7.10.1.1. Where Required, Means of egress shall be marked in acear- dance with Section 7.10 where required in Chapters 11 through 43, Marking of means of egress is not required unless specifically called for by the applicable occupancy chapter. Subsec- tion _2.10 of each occupancy chapter (eg, 12.2.10 for new assembly occupancies) details where exit signs and directional ‘exit signs are required. 7.10.2 Exits, 7.10.1.2.18 Exits, other than main exterior exit doors that obviously and clearly ae identifiable as exits, shall be marked by an approved sign that is eeadily visible from any dtection of exit acces, AJT10.1.2.1 Where a main entrance also serves as an exit it will usu ally be sufficiently obvious to occupants so that no exit sign is needed. ‘The character of the occupancy has a practical effect on the need orsign. In any assembly occupancy, hotel, department store, or other ‘building subject transient occupancy, the need for signs will be greater than in building subject to permanent or semipermanent occupancy bby the same people, such as an apartment house where the residents are presumed to be familiar with ext facilities by reason of regular use ‘thereof. Even in a permanent residence-type building, however, there ia need for signs to identify exit facilities, such as outside stirs that are not subject to regular use during the normal occupancy of the >uilding. “The requirement forthe locations of exit signs visible from any direction of ext access i illustrated in Figure 87.10.12, 7.10.12.2* Horizontal components of the egress path within an exit enclosure shall be marked by approved exit or directional exit signs ‘where the contination ofthe egress path is not obvious Some exit stair enclosures, particularly in high-rise buildings where the upper portion of the tower presents a smaller foot print than the base of the building, include horizontal compo: rents (much like exit passageways) at floors where the stair fenclosure that serves the next group of floors immediately below shifts horizontally in position. Although exit and direc tional exit signs are not normally needed within an exit stair enclosure that is stacked vertically without offsets because occu pants simply move downward from floor to floor, the presence (of the horizontal passageway might confound the egress path, Where the continuation of the egress path is not obvious, 7.10.1.2.2 requires additional exit or directional ext signs. AT40.1.22 The direction of travel tothe exit discharge within a stair enclosure with horizontal components in excess ofthe typical landings, ‘might need additional signage tobe readily visible or obvious. Exit signs should be installed above doors through which the egress path lea. Life Safety Code Handbook 2018