Not an ExitThis sign is on the OUTSIDE of a door on the gas station I frequent.  I can’t think of any reason it would be important to know that nobody will be exiting out of that door (UPDATE:  Check out the comments for some interesting insight from a fire marshal.), but it did make me wonder when a sign like this IS required.

As far as I can tell, the International Building Code and International Fire Code don’t include a requirement for marking doors that are not part of a means of egress.  I did find it in two other publications though.

According to the OSHA standards, doors that might be mistaken for exits have to be marked “Not an Exit” or have signage indicating what the room is used for (storage, electric room, etc.). NFPA 101 requires doors that might be mistaken for an exit to have a sign that reads “NO EXIT.”

Although neither of the publications actually state that the sign goes on the egress side of the door, I think it’s implied.  🙂

Occupational Safety and Health Standards:

1910.37(b)(5) –Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked “Not an Exit” or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., closet).

NFPA 101 – 2006, 2009:

7.10.8.3* No Exit.
7.10.8.3.1 Any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and that is located or arranged so that it is likely to be mistaken for an exit shall be identified by a sign that reads as follows:  NO EXIT
7.10.8.3.2 The NO EXIT sign shall have the word NO in letters 2 in. (51 mm) high, with a stroke width of 3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm), and the word EXIT in letters 1 in. (25 mm) high, with the word EXIT below the word NO, unless such sign is an approved existing sign.

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.