Thanks to Ruben Garcia, The Life Safety Guy, for creating this FAQ! Connect with Ruben HERE
Per NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2012 Edition – Chapter 7 Means of Egress, stairway identification for new enclosed stairs serving three or more stories and existing enclosed stairs serving five or more stories shall meet the following criteria:
(A) Signage shall be provided at each floor landing within the stair enclosure.
(B) Signage shall indicate the floor level.
(C) Signage must include the highest and lowest accessible floor.
(D) Signage must identify the name of the stair enclosure.
(E) Signage must indicate floor of exit discharge and the direction to get to the exit discharge
(F) Signage must be installed in manner that is visible with the stair door open or closed and must be installed about 5 feet above the landing.
(G) Signage must be visible under emergency power conditions and must meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
(H) The floor level designation shall be tactile (raised lettering) and must include Braille.
(I) Signage can be installed on the wall or it can be stenciled or painted on the wall.
(J) Signage identifying the name of the stair enclosure shall be located at the top, be at least 1 in. in height, and must meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
(K) Stairs with no roof access shall indicate NO ROOF ACCESS and shall be at least 1 in, in height, and must meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
(L) The floor level shall be located in the middle of the sign, be at least 5 in. in height, and must meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. Mezzanine levels shall have the letter “M” and basement levels shall have the letter “B”, and shall be tactile (raised lettering).
(M) Identification of the highest and lowest accessible floor shall be located at the bottom of the sign, shall be at least 1 in. in height, and must meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
Bonus Tip: Be sure to review your local AHJ’s stair signage requirements to ensure you are complying with both the Life Safety Code and any local ordinances. Most AHJs will allow stairway signs to be designated only by alphabetic letters (can not use numbers to designate stairways). The example of the stairway sign shown is customized to meet both the City of Houston and the Life Safety Code signage requirements. See referenced red letters in the example that correspond with the signage criteria A – M. Message me if you would like a courtesy remote review of one of your stair signs for compliance.