Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 10:02:45 -0500 From: <> To: exitsigns@charcoal.oxhouse.org Subject: Exit Sign Color [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Brent, Interesting web page. I haven't done a survey, however I thought if you seriously wanted some more information on this topic, I'd give you a little background. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issues fire codes which can be adopted (and most are) by local jurisdictions for use in local enforcement. One such code is the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101). This is the code where number and width of exits, room capacities and the like are defined. In NFPA 101 there is a requirement only that exit signs be a "distinctive color". In the Appendix there is a bit more discussion stating that historically signs were red, but then a group of folks felt that green was more in line with the traffic light mentality (i.e. green means go - as you indicate on your web page). Others felt strong enough that at one point NFPA 101 stated that signs should be red unless local codes required another color. As I said the current version simply requires a "distinctive color". To further confuse the issue, there are also Regional/National building codes (e.g. Standard Building Code - used mostly in the South, Uniform Building Code - used mostly in the West, Uniform Building Code - used mostly in the Midwest) which might be more specific than NFPA 101, hence the regional look that you seem to be finding. By the way, in the building in which I work they are red, contrary to what is shown on your map! Regards, <> <> <> B.S. Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology, <>, 1982 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 17:46:27 -0400 From: <> To: "'exitsigns@oxhouse.org'" Subject: Green EXIT Signs Brent, I came across your website quite by accident, but it amused me because I have a small company that specializes in green EXIT signs--check out our site at www.lightpanel.com. The history of this goes back quite a ways, back to the 1940s, I believe. At that time the standard was supposed to be green, because green means safety and "go", and green light will never be confused with a fire in a smoky situation--there are cases where firefighters have tried to extinguish exit signs! Because a number of buildings already had red exit signs, it was considered an economic burden to force people to switch solely to green--the standard was changed to read that Red, Green, or "other approved colors" were acceptable so long as the contrast between the letters and the enclosure was high enough for readability. It's been an uphill battle for us in certain areas of the country because some local fire marshalls and electrical inspectors refuse to allow green even though the code allows for either color--they just have never heard of green signs! In some areas it's just the opposite--San Francisco is one example. It's a strange world. Thought you'd like to know! best, <> <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 18:04:57 -0700 From: <> To: exitsigns@charcoal.oxhouse.org Subject: EXIT SIGNS [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] A LITTLE BACKGROUND TRIVIA FOR YOU. AT ONE TIME EXIT SIGNS WERE ALMOST UNIVERSALLY RED. THERE THEN CAME A MOVEMENT TO ABANDON RED IN FAVOR OF GREEN. WHICH HAS RECIEVED MIXED ACCEPTANCE OVER THE PAST 25-30 YEARS. THE ARGUMENT AGAINST RED HAS TO DO WITH THE PROPERTIES OF THE COLOR BAND, AND LIGHT. RED IS THE FIRST COLOR THE HUMAN EYE LOSES WITH DISTANCE, DEPTH IN WATER, OR OBSCURED ATMOSPHERES (READ SMOKE). THERE YOU NOW KNOW ALL I DO ON THE SUBJECT. FIREMAN <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 00:14:36 EDT From: <> To: exitsigns@charcoal.oxhouse.org Subject: Massachusetts State Building Code Chapter 780 CMR 1023.2 states: "Size and Color: "Exit" signs shall have red or green letters at least six inches (152mm) high and the minimum width of each stroke shall be 3/4 inch (19mm) on a white background or in other approved distinguishable colors. The word "Exit," except the letter I, hsall have letters having a width of not less than two inches (51mm) and the minimum spacing between letters shall not be less than 3/8 inch (10mm). Siogns larger than the minimum size herein required shall have letter widths and spacing in the same proportion to the height as indicated in 780 CMR 1023.0. If an arrow is provided as part of an "Exit" sign, the construction shall be such that the arrow direction cannot be readily changed. The word "Exit" shall be clearly discernable when the sign illumination means is not energized." FYI No. 1, this section of the law contains FOUR additional paragraphs, each with appropriate "exceptions." FYI No. 2, and in addition to this section, we also have to comply with the Department of Fire Prevention Regulations (yes, they are separate), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Regulations and a few more. Welcome to the world of architecture...the only place where it takes FIVE years to earn a Bachelor's degree.. Good luck with your study! <>, Registered Architect ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 08:39:30 -0400 From: <> To: exitsigns@charcoal.oxhouse.org Subject: What about butter cubes? I will begin to take notice of the color of exit signs in North Carolina and other states as I travel. I would like to propose another research project on a subject which has puzzled me since moving here from California; the shape of butter cubes. in California and some other western states cubes are shorter and thicker and boxed in a single layer of four cubes. In the East cubes are longer and thinner and boxed in two layers of two cubes. WHere does it change and why? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USA Today Hot Sites says: " Here's your opportunity to participate in something totally pointless." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (from Yahoo Internet Life) Strange Site for 12/19/01 by Scott Alexander Color Me Gone Exit Sign Coloration While we may be able to agree on the color of stop signs, yield signs, traffic lights, and other life-protecting visual communications, the exit sign has always remained aloof. This iconoclast among emergency insignia has thus far been unwilling to pigeonhole itself into a single color, preferring to switch things up on us humans, just to keep us on our toes. Brent Emerson has taken it upon himself to impose a modicum of order to our exit signography, embarking on a project to document exit-sign coloration across the United States. Hey, it may not be the most exciting job in the world, but you'll thank him next time there's a fire in your favorite theater -- while the panicking masses mill about helplessly, you'll be calmly checking the Web to see what color the exit signs are in your area, then making a handy escape.