How to Place Exit Signs (Step-by-Step Video)

11/25/2025

This week, we're featuring a segment that comes from our MeyerFire University platform. This one is just one of 900+ that make up MeyerFire University.

It answers a fundamental question that many life safety consultants and electrical and fire protection engineers encounter at some point: where do we need exit signs?

Unlike sprinkler or strobe locations, placing exit signs leans more towards the 'performance' end of the spectrum rather than purely 'prescriptive,' where there's a little more art to the process than straight numbers.

For this one, Fire Protection Engineer Steven Barrett takes the reins and explains a walkthrough example.

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Thanks and have a great rest of your week!

- Joe

3 Comments

Doug

11/26/2025 02:11:31 pm

I am wondering how you would place exit signs within a data centres? Would you require one at each end of the server rack rows?

Jocelyn Sarrantonio

12/1/2025 02:12:01 pm

Doug:
Your mileage may vary, depending on the AHJ, but in my experience it is typically not necessary to put signs in every aisle. Most data centers are laid out with main aisles running perpendicular to the server rows, down the center and adjacent to walls. Once an occupant starts to egress, whichever way they go they'll end up in one of the main aisles, so as long as there is proper signage there, that is typically sufficient.

Mark

12/2/2025 05:08:57 am

And as MeyerFire mentioned here on this blog last year, a friendly reminder for anyone reading: if you're using the 2021 IBC or newer, the old-fashioned "EXIT" letters aren't the only option anymore (for internally illuminated exit signs) thanks to updates to UL 924.

Same goes for any modern edition of NFPA 101 (regardless of whether the exit sign is internally or externally illuminated) if approved by the AHJ.

How to Place Exit Signs (Step-by-Step Video)

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