Exit Signs & Emergency Lights error codes, explained
The compliance-critical fixtures (NFPA 101 testing). Codes below: Testing requirements and battery guides. Each guide covers what the code means, what you can safely try yourself, when to stop and call a technician, and what the repair typically costs.
Exit sign & emergency light testing — what the code actually requires
Per NFPA 101 §7.9.3 (adopted by fire codes nearly everywhere): a monthly function test of at least 30 seconds — hold the test button; the unit must stay lit at consistent brightness the whole time — and an ANNUAL test running the units on battery for a full 90 minutes. Facility staff can do both in-house; no certification is required. Keep written records (location, date, pass/fail, tester) — that log is what the fire marshal asks for. Self-testing units with status indicators are a code-recognized alternative to the monthly button ritual.
Exit sign failed its test — the battery swap
The battery is the consumable; the sign's LEDs typically outlast several battery cycles. Documented lifespans by chemistry: sealed lead-acid 3–5 years, NiCd 5–7, lithium 7–10. Replacement is maintenance-person work: faceplate off, swap the pack (all cells at once, matching the original spec), test. Common packs run $10–25.