Emergency & Exit Lighting — Installation, Testing & Repair

California-licensed installation, monthly testing, 90-minute annual battery tests, and emergency repair for all occupied buildings. Code-compliant exit sign and emergency lighting programs that pass every inspection.

NFPA 101 Compliant Title 24 Licensed All System Types All of California

Your Emergency Lighting Compliance Partner

Emergency and exit lighting is a life safety requirement in every occupied building — yet it's one of the most overlooked compliance items until a fire marshal walk-through or a power failure reveals a problem. Dead batteries, non-illuminating exit signs, and untested systems result in immediate code violations and create real danger for occupants during evacuations.

Delta Fire Equipment provides complete emergency and exit lighting services: new installations, monthly functional checks, the annual 90-minute battery discharge test required by NFPA 101, battery replacements, and emergency repairs. We document everything and issue compliance certificates your AHJ will accept.

  • Monthly 30-second and annual 90-minute battery tests performed
  • Test reports and compliance certificates provided after every service
  • Battery replacements on-site — no waiting for parts
  • All system types: battery backup, generator-fed, self-luminous
  • Exit sign repairs and replacements — same day when available
  • ADA-compliant illuminated exit signs and directional signage

The 90-Minute Test

NFPA 101 requires that emergency lighting systems be capable of providing at least 90 minutes of illumination following a power loss. The annual test runs the batteries down to verify this capacity — and most batteries that have never been tested will fail on first inspection.

Monthly
30-Second Functional Test
Annual
90-Minute Battery Test
90 Min
Required Runtime Per NFPA 101
1 fc
Minimum Illumination Level

Emergency & Exit Lighting Systems We Service

Emergency lighting systems vary by building type, power infrastructure, and occupancy. Delta installs and services all types — and helps you choose the right solution for your facility.

Battery Backup Emergency Lighting

The most common system type for commercial occupancies. Individual emergency light units contain sealed lead-acid or NiCd batteries that automatically activate when building power is lost. Simple, cost-effective, and widely code-accepted.

Offices Retail Schools Warehouses

Generator-Fed Emergency Lighting

In facilities with standby generators, emergency lighting is wired to the generator circuit and activates on generator transfer. Common in hospitals, large commercial buildings, and facilities with large emergency power systems. Requires coordination with electrical systems.

Healthcare High-Rise Data Centers Industrial

Self-Luminous Exit Signs

Tritium-powered self-luminous exit signs require no electricity or batteries — they glow continuously through radioactive decay for 10–20 years. Ideal for locations where maintaining power or battery reliability is a challenge. EPA-regulated disposal required at end of life.

Remote Locations Historic Buildings Low-Maintenance Long Lifespan

Complete Emergency Lighting Services

From new installations to battery replacements and annual compliance testing — Delta handles the full lifecycle of your emergency and exit lighting systems.

Installation & Layout Design

New installations designed to meet NFPA 101 and IBC illumination level requirements — including exit sign placement, emergency light spacing, and egress path coverage.

  • Egress path coverage per NFPA 101 Section 7.9
  • Exit sign placement and directional signage
  • ADA-compliant illuminated signs supplied

Monthly 30-Second Functional Testing

NFPA 101 requires a 30-second monthly test of every emergency light and exit sign. We perform and document this test, noting any units that fail to activate or illuminate properly.

  • Each unit tested and logged individually
  • Failed units flagged for immediate repair
  • Test records maintained for AHJ review

Annual 90-Minute Battery Discharge Test

The most critical test in the emergency lighting inspection cycle. We run each unit on battery power for the full 90 minutes required by NFPA 101, measuring illumination levels at start and end. Units that fail are replaced on the spot where possible.

  • Full 90-minute runtime verification
  • Initial and final footcandle measurements
  • Pass/fail certificate issued for each unit

Battery Replacement

Most emergency light batteries have a rated service life of 4–5 years. We carry common battery types on our service vehicles for same-day replacement and retest following battery swap.

  • Sealed lead-acid and NiCd replacements
  • Battery age tracked per unit
  • Immediate retest after replacement

Exit Sign Repair & Replacement

Non-illuminating exit signs are an immediate life safety and code violation. We repair or replace faulty exit signs — LED retrofits, lens replacements, and full unit swaps — with minimal disruption to operations.

  • LED and incandescent replacement options
  • Directional arrow inserts and chevrons
  • Emergency exit combo units available

Compliance Documentation

All testing and service is documented in a format accepted by California fire marshals and AHJs. We provide test reports, compliance certificates, and deficiency notices that satisfy insurance and inspection requirements.

  • NFPA 101-compliant inspection reports
  • Unit-by-unit test logs with timestamps
  • Deficiency lists with correction deadlines

California Emergency Lighting Requirements

Emergency and exit lighting in California is governed by four overlapping codes. Delta ensures compliance with all of them — documented and inspection-ready.

NFPA 101

Life Safety Code — Section 7.9 & 7.10

The primary standard governing emergency lighting and exit signs. Requires 90-minute battery runtime, minimum 1 footcandle illumination along egress paths, and monthly/annual testing with documented records.

IBC

International Building Code — Chapter 10

Governs emergency lighting in new construction and major renovations. Specifies exit sign illumination levels, locations, and backup power requirements for all occupancy types.

Title 24

California Energy Code — Emergency Lighting

California's Title 24 Part 6 regulates the energy efficiency of emergency and exit lighting, including LED specifications and control requirements for new installations and major alterations.

ADA

ADA Accessibility Standards

Exit signs must be legible and accessible to all occupants, including those with visual impairments. ADA compliance affects sign height, character size, color contrast, and mounting location.

Who Needs Emergency Lighting?

Every occupied building in California is required to maintain functional emergency lighting and exit signs. This includes:

  • Office buildings, retail stores, and shopping centers
  • Restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues
  • Healthcare facilities, clinics, and hospitals
  • Schools, universities, and educational facilities
  • Hotels, apartment complexes, and multi-family buildings
  • Warehouses, manufacturing, and industrial facilities

Most failures happen during the annual test.

Batteries that appear functional during monthly 30-second tests commonly fail the 90-minute annual test. Delta carries common replacement batteries on every service vehicle — so failed units get fixed the same day they're tested.

Keep Your Emergency Lighting Inspection-Ready

Get a free on-site assessment and quote for your emergency and exit lighting program. We serve all occupancy types across California — offices, healthcare, retail, schools, and more.

Available 24/7 for emergencies