There is often confusion over which colors are allowed when choosing an Exit sign for your building. Exit sign requirements vary by state and municipality, which is why it's important to check with your Fire Marshall to see whether Green Exit Signs
or Red Exit Signs are required in your building. The information below is for general guidance, only. For many, however, it is also important to get a “sense” of any color preference – so that your building is as consistent as possible with others in your area. Even though the European Union generally uses Green
Exit Signs (Red is used to specify prohibited actions), our UL 924 standards allow either Green Exit signs or Red Exit signs. Yet, localized codes often specify one or the
other.
State Summary
North Carolina recommends red Exit signs, which you will typically find along the East Coast. While building code allows existing buildings built before the Life Safety Code was enacted to continue as-is, anything that is an "imminent life safety hazard" must be mitigated. This hazard is defined as "any built condition which will expose occupants to a danger, harm, or delay in means of egress, such that their lives will be at risk at any moment." While the inclusion of Exit signs in this definition is debatable, it is always best to check with your local fire marshal to see if your building requires NFPA approved North Carolina Exit signs.
