Colored illumination for exit signs

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

February 16, 1977

Mr. Daniel R. Magnier
New York Telephone
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Magnier:

This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the OSHA Standard 1910.37(q)(6), the last sentence of which requires colored location indicating lights.

According to your letter with an enclosure of an OSHA Standards Notice reproduced in a magazine, there was a proposal to delete the last sentence of 1910.37(q)(6) requiring colored location indicating lights. However, the reproduced article indicated that there was a cancellation date for this notice of July 1, 1974. In looking at the 1976 Volume of the 1910 Standard, we note that the last sentence of 1910.37(q)(6) states, "Artificial light giving illumination to exit signs other than the internally illuminated type shall have screens, discs, or lenses, of not less than 25 square inches area made of translucent material to show red or other specified designating color on the side of the approach." This indicates that there has been no change in the Standard and that the sentence in question has not been deleted. Since that is a fact, then externally illuminated exit signs must be provided with a designating screen lighted with five (5) foot candles on the surface of the exit sign in accordance with the standard.

Please feel free to contact us if there are further questions about OSHA standards.

Sincerely,
Alfred Barden
Regional Administrator
Occupational Safety and Health Administration