Jeannette Carrico, Exit Light Company CEO, said “We could not have achieved this honor without our loyal customer base and excellent staff.  We strive to provide exceptional products and customer service support, which in turn allows our business to continue to grow.”

Fire Exit Sign, photoluminescent, UL 924 Listed

While all fire exit signs are required to be illuminated, not all models require electricity. UL 924 listed fire exit signs are available in AC powered, non-electric self luminous Tritium or photoluminescent models all of which are compliant for use in the United States and Canada.

In the event of a power failure UL 924 listed photoluminescent exit signs are immediately visible from a distance of 50 to 75 feet. Current photoluminescent materials have a much longer and brighter glow compared to old materials, helping to speed evacuation during a lights-out emergency.

This failsafe technology works without electricity. Photoluminescent exit signs are completely power free, requiring no electricity (AC) or batter power to operate. Since no electrical connection is required, installation is very easy. Plus, with no power consumption, no electronics, no batteries to replace and no bulbs to burn out or break, these signs provide zero operational or maintenance costs over the lifetime of the product. Industrial-grade photoluminescent tapes and signs are designed to withstand normal wear and tear, making them a reliable solution that is “always ready” in an emergency.

A proven solution

Shortly after the tragic events of September 11th, the National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted an investigation into the evacuation process at the World Trade Center. According to the investigation, existing photoluminescent markings in the stairwells was one of the most commonly reported forms of aid in evacuating the buildings. As a result, the city of New York passed Local Law 26, requiring the installation of photoluminescent exit signs and floor level exit pathway markings in all commercial high rise buildings over 75 feet tall. Residential, hospital, hotel and educational buildings are installing photoluminescent exit signs and egress markings on a voluntary basis.

We recommend photoluminescent fixtures and markings as a reliable, energy efficient and cost effective solution to prepare for a lights-out emergency in your facility.

^*A 100W incandescent bulb produces about 1750 lumens or 137 foot-candles. A 23 watt fluorescent light produces about 1600 lumens or 125 foot-candles.

Are Tritium Exit Signs bright enough?

While tritium lamps are not visible when normal lighting is on in a building, the UL 924 required contrast ration of the face color makes the exit sign very visible when the normal lighting is off. In fact, the brightness of a Tritium Exit sign is over double the minimum requirement set by UL 924.

Are Tritium Exit Signs UL 924 approved?

Yes, all tritium exit signs sold by The Exit Light Company have a UL 924 listing for exit signs.

Which types of installations are ideal for Tritium Exit Signs?

Tritium is a perfect choice when: there is not enough ambient light to charge a photoluminescent sign; there is no electrical power supply to the location; environments where electricity could ignite particles in the environment; where zero power consumption and no maintenance cost is desired.

The real function of lighted LED exit signs is to allow you to find the exit or emergency egress route in the event of an emergency situation. Many times a power outage can be the result of a fire in the building. In such cases, finding the emergency exits can be complicated not only by a loss of power but from the presence of smoke in emergency egress routes. Under these circumstances, lighted exits signs powered by rechargeable backup batteries can literally save lives by allowing individuals to safely exit the building.

Most relevant codes (fire, building, health or safety) require exit signs to be permanently lit. The use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology provides brighter illumination than incandescent lamps, resulting in better visibility in a fire situation. LED exit signs also consume much less energy than traditional incandescent models, typically requiring about 4 watts of power to operate. This results in significant cost savings over the life span of the fixture, especially considering that LEDs have a very long life and may last for 10 or more years of continuous use.

The KD-PRO-25MP-ASB fire extinguisher is sold in cases of 6. Suitable for use on Class A (trash, wood & paper) Class B (liquids & gases) and Class C fires (energized electrical equiment), this unit is fitted with a pressure gauge that provides at-a-glance status. It is manufactured from lightweight aluminum cylinder & sturdy aluminum valve assembly and comes with metal retention bracket. A clear instruction label using graphics and easy-to-pull safety pin ensures that anyone can use this product under pressure.

All types of customers would benefit with the KD-RF-SM-DC. These units can be quickly installed to an interconnected smoke alarm system without the mess of rewiring or cost of labor. This battery-powered, UL Listed alarm links with other alarms and components to create a customized, advanced fire protection system. It even can be placed in a detached workshop or shed and linked into the system. Interconnected alarms provide early warning against fire by adding additional coverage throughout your home, dramatically increasing your ability to hear an alarm anywhere, regardless of where the fire starts. When one alarm sounds they all do! Newer homes are required by code to have interconnected alarms. Wireless technology enables any home to have an interconnected system, keeping its occupants safe.

This LED exit sign features an injection-molded, high impact, UV-stabilized, UL 94 V-O thermoplastic case with snap-together construction and a universal mounting quick-connect mounting canopy to speed up installation. The unit comes standard in white housing with optional black housing available. The long life, energy saving LED lamps provide years of reliable service. The dual voltage 120V/277V operation and UL listing for damp locations makes this fixture an ideal choice for interior residential, commercial or industrial installations.

The two maintenance-free, 6V 4.5AH sealed lead-acid batteries provide up to 90 minutes of emergency power to the LED exit sign and up to 10.8 watts of remote head emergency lighting. A status indicator light and test switch for the rechargeable emergency batteries is located conveniently on the lower left corner of the unit.

This fixture also includes universal single/double face and is available in Red or Green. The two chevron directional indicators can be adjusted in the field to accommodate multiple installation scenarios.

The flexibility and multifunction capabilities of this energy saving LED fixture is sure to make it one of our most popular lighted LED exit signs!

Red LED version, product code LEDR-RH
Green LED version, product code LEDG-RH

Check out the products individually on our emergency light fixtures page. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your needs and determine which fixture will fit your application!

Founded in 2000, The Exit Light Company celebrated an 83% growth rate between 2006 and 2009. Inc.com ranks the company in 60th place in San Diego for 3 year growth rate.

By Jenna Frazier of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine

She comes across as modest and unassuming, proud of her accomplishments yet wary of praise and not at all eager to talk about herself. But Jeannette Carrico, founder and CEO of The Exit Light Co. and recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year Award from the San Diego district office of the Small Business Administration, is nothing short of a trailblazer.

Inspired by what she perceived to be an unfulfilled niche in the emergency lighting industry, Carrico helped generate the idea of providing a service that would maintain these systems according to federal and state mandates in April 2000 while residing on the East Coast with her husband, Paul, now the company’s CFO. The couple founded the company with two other partners, who left early on amidst initial struggles. In 2003, the Carricos moved to San Diego County to be closer to family and found new ways to expand their Vista-based business, which currently serves over 35,000 customers in all 50 states as well as internationally.

“We realized we could make additional revenue by retrofitting businesses with more current products,” says Carrico. “Soon after, we launched our e-commerce store, which allowed us to expand business contacts and lay a foundation for providing low-cost, quality products and good customer service.”…

The Exit Light Co.’s business model includes working directly with manufacturers in order to obtain privately labeled products that are quality-assured and low cost. With safety and energy-efficient, environmentally friendly products as closely guarded values, the company proved in at least two separate case studies that some of their products reduce wattage by 80 percent without losing performance.

“The continued growth and success of the company shows that there is value in engaging in a business built around the concept of increasing public safety and risk management,” Carrico says of her company, which grew from three employees in 2000 to 12 today.

Asked why she believes the SBA chose to recognize her and what has contributed to the company’s success, Carrico cites unlikely odds and dogged determination.

“I’m a woman in a male-dominated industry,” she says. “I was involved from the inception of this company, and I’ve always had this drive to make it succeed.”

Carrico, who grew up in the Carmel Valley area, says a mutual drive to succeed brought her and her husband together when they first met at a friend’s wedding. Now married for close to 17 years, Carrico believes their shared values and goals have propelled them to prosperity. “We really formed a great partnership from the beginning,” she says. “It was a foundation that made it easier for us to enter this business together.”

While Carrico manages correspondence, daily operations, marketing, graphics and design, her husband prefers to stay behind the scenes and manage finances. “We’re different, yet alike enough — or should I say alike yet different enough — that being in business together works for us,” she laughs. …

Philanthropy is second nature to Carrico, to the extent that she doesn’t think to mention it unless pressed. Opportunities to contribute abound, and she uses insight and creativity to find the most profound uses for The Exit Light Co.’s carefully carved niche.

“In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we were able to contribute extra signage and emergency lighting to nonprofit organizations to assist with rebuilding,” Carrico says as an afterthought. “We’re trying to fulfill a need that can help businesses succeed and save lives.”

Disaster played a significant role in the Carricos’ inspiration for founding The Exit Light Co. Both worked in offices across the river from the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“We personally witnessed that horrific event,” Carrico recounts. “I kept thinking of all those people stuck inside who couldn’t find their way out, and how terrifying it must have been.”

Carrico says that on average, four out of 10 commercial buildings today lack functional emergency lighting. “We’ve heard of nightclubs burning down, people who have lost their lives because they couldn’t find the door,” she says.

Despite the company’s progress, and accolades she has garnished in the last decade — including three other business awards this year alone — Carrico says she constantly seeks new avenues for improvement. “We may have 95 percent of our orders shipping out the same day,” she says. “But I always find myself thinking, can’t we make it 96? Our customers are satisfied, but can’t they be ecstatic?”

She extends the same rigorous self-reflection to her employees, and personally screens every new addition to the company. “We try to be good listeners and encourage active communication, in addition to looking for the usual qualities like dedication, self-motivation, diversity and the ability to prioritize,” she says. “We like our company to feel like a family.”

“We strongly believe that you can’t ask an employee to do something you can’t do yourself,” she says. “It helps that we’ve created this business from the ground up, so we know everything about how it functions.”

Part of that includes helping staff reach personal goals. “I’m always challenging them to see how we can all improve as individuals in our job responsibilities,” she says. “This improves the bottom line and improves their happiness within the company.”

Carrico says she believes her employees’ diverse backgrounds are part of the company’s success. “Our employees deal with customers across the nation and the world. Diversity is so important to society today, and it allows our staff to relate to a wider range of people.”…

The Diversity Business Organization recognizes outstanding businesses throughout the country. Over 650,000 businesses in the United Sates had the opportunity to participate in their 10th annual business survey. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The Exit Light Company has distinguished themselves as one of the top entrepreneurs in the country. This award is the basis of their annual “Top Business List” which is seen by over 15 million people and is used by Fortune 500 companies and large buying organizations to find new business partners.

The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the United States economy- America’s privately held companies. This esteemed, elite list is coveted by the most successful companies in the U.S. The list has become the most recognized and respected compilation of companies that truly differentiate themselves in the market place in a time when doing so has never been more important.

Congratulations to The Exit Light Company, our employees and customers on this momentous occasion. The Exit Light Company is thankful for the recognition and will continue to strive for excellence.

Photoluminescent Sign

Photoluminescent (power free) exit signs require no electricity (AC) or battery power to work. They are illuminated via photoluminescence (“glow-in-the-dark”). Since no AC connection is required, installation is incredibly simple and does not require access to conduit, an outlet, or the services of an electrician (minimal installation costs). Since no power is consumed, there is zero lifetime power consumption cost! Since there are no electronics or batteries, these signs also enjoy zero maintenance costs!

Photoluminescent tape and emergency egress signs absorb and store energy from ambient light (requires 54 LUX -5-ft candles- of fluorescent, metal halide or mercury vapor light to charge material for 60 minutes). In the event of an emergency involving blackout or smoke-laden conditions, the photoluminescent product is immediately visible, providing a safe, illuminated evacuation path. Photoluminescent products can be installed easily in any location with sufficient ambient light source. We carry a variety of photoluminescent exit signs to meet your specific needs.

Self-Luminous Tritium Exit Sign

They require no AC power connection and require no ambient light source for charging. They are completely self-contained, relying on radioluminescence to illuminate the letters of the exit sign. Since no AC connection is required, installation is incredibly simple and does not require access to conduit, an outlet, or the services of an electrician (minimal installation costs). Since no power is consumed, there is zero lifetime power consumption cost because there are no electronics or batteries, these exit signs also enjoy zero lifetime maintenance costs! Tritium exits sign sales and disposals are regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and require End User Contact information before your order is processed.

Not only do these two options save you power consumption and installation costs, but you can save on testing and replacement bulbs, as there are no bulbs to be changed or electrical components to be tested! In our current economy, many people are trying to save money and decrease costs. However, exit signs are required by most regulating agencies and cannot be overlooked.

The Exit Light Company strives to provide customers with best possible pricing and quality products that will ease the strain this economy has imposed. Start saving now and we guarantee that you will be 100% satisfied with our environmentally friendly and low-cost products!

Can you believe another year is almost over? The year 2010 is approaching fast and we want to thank all our loyal customers for making 2009 a great year for the Exit Light Company! We want to remind you that the end of the year is a very important time for maintenance crews of shopping malls and buildings to ensure customer safety. With staggering crowds streaming to shopping centers it is critical that all safety measures are up to standard. This means testing all exit and emergency lights to ensure that they are working properly in case of an emergency.

Routine maintenance of exit and emergency lighting is frequently overlooked until an emergency occurs, which is often too late.
According to the NFPA Standard No. 101, chapter 31, section 1.3.7. “A functional test shall be conducted on every required emergency lighting system at 30-day intervals for a minimum of 30 seconds. An annual test shall be conducted for the 1 1/2 hour duration. Equipment shall be fully operational for the duration of the test. Written records of visual inspections and tests shall be kept by the owner for inspection by the authority having jurisdiction.” Some of our exit signs and emergency lights have an automatic test feature that will self-test every 28 days for 5 minutes and 90 minutes every 6 months. This self-testing feature allows you to simply look up at the indicator light on the sign to see if it is still functioning properly.

If your exit and emergency lighting does not offer this feature, the Exit Light Company offers testing and repair services within California.
Our certified electricians will test and repair your lights and will also provide you with written records indicating what was tested and the outcome/recommendation. We offer monthly, quarterly and annual testing service. Rely on real professionals to avoid serious liability and save money.

Our Testing Procedures for Exit and Emergency Lights include:

• Monthly, Quarterly and/or Annual full function test
• Disconnect AC power supply to each exit and emergency light
• Check battery and lens for sulfation
• Clean each exit and emergency light and lens as required
• Adjust beam for proper alignment if needed
• Place Testing Label on the exit and emergency light
• Troubleshooting/Repair

Contact our service department at (877) 352-3948 to arrange for your testing service today!

The debate on how to save the environment has been going on for decades. Recently, new restrictions have been going into effect across most of the European Union in an endeavor to cut greenhouse emissions. The sale of incandescent bulbs has been banned across Europe. This is the continent’s latest effort to get people to save energy and fight global warming.

Restricted from selling incandescent bulbs, companies in Europe now have to switch to the new compact fluorescent lamps, which use up to 80 percent less energy and do not burn out as quickly. According to James Kanter from the New York Times, “A bulb can cost €10 ($14 USD) or more, depending on type — whereas traditional incandescent bulbs cost about 70 cents each. But E.U. officials argue that the energy savings would cut average household electricity bills by up to €50 a year, amounting to about €5 billion annually. That would help buoy the economy if consumers spent their savings.”

Why the ban on incandescent bulbs?

The reason for the ban is the E.U.’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. The E.U. is implementing new energy-efficient ways to save the environment. Everything from televisions to washing machines are starting to be made with this in mind. The E.U. is not the only country banning incandescent light bulbs. Australia has already introduced the new light bulbs and Cuba is only using compact fluorescent bulbs. In the United States, incandescent bulbs are planned to be phased out in 2012.

James Kanter says: “E.U. officials sought to reassure consumers that they still would have plenty of choice, and that the changes would be gradual. The clear 60-watt bulb, one of the most commonly used, would remain available until at least September 2011, and clear 40-watt bulbs until 2012. E.U. officials said that they would find ways to push the industry to reduce the amount of mercury to levels around 2 milligrams per bulb from the current level of 5 milligrams per bulb.” But WWF, an environmental group, says standard halogen bulbs should also have been removed from the market. “Getting rid of incandescent bulbs is a no-brainer, but halogens are nearly as wasteful,” said Mariangiola Fabbri, a senior energy policy officer for WWF.

For over 10 years The Exit Light Company has carried environmentally friendly products, most of which use LED lights that are even more efficient than fluorescent bulbs. Many of the products meet or exceed ENERGY STAR guidelines. All of the exit signs have an input power demand of 5 watts or less per face. The LED Retrofit Kits convert older exit signs which utilize incandescent bulbs into vastly more energy-efficient LED lighting. We ship our products using packaging made from 100% recycled polystyrene that meets Green Cross certification standards for post and pre-consumer waste content. The Exit Light Company not only has their customers in mind but the environment as well.

Many of our products meet or exceed ENERGY STAR guidelines. All of our exit signs have an input power demand of 5 watts or less per face. Our Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Tritium Self-Luminous Exit Signs operate have absolutely no power requirements. We carry LED Retrofit Kits to convert older exit signs using incandescent bulbs to utilize vastly more energy-efficient LED lighting. We also carry a full line of Photoluminescent Tape & Photoluminescent Emergency Egress Signs for all your emergency sign needs. Finally, we ship our products using packing made from 100% recycled polystyrene that meets Green Cross certification standards for post and pre-consumer waste content.

With your help, we can make a difference. Call us if have questions about how to make your emergency lighting or egress signage project more environmentally sound.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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The "Featured Products" area of our storefront showcases those products that we feel are exceptional because of their value, design, or quality. This month, we are highlighting a category of emergency lighting which we feel meets all three of those criteria.

Emergency light fixtures operate as everyday lighting under normal circumstances. However, they have a backup-battery and charger, and in the event of power failure will operate as an emergency light. We carry a selection of decorative and functional emergency light fixtures.

Providing adequate emergency lighting does not have to comprise architecture and design choices. Now you can have both.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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The Exit Light Company is proud to announce that we have been selected for the 2009 Best of San Diego Award in the Lighting Fixture Repairing & Maintenance Category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

The Exit Light Company appreciates the recognition and will continue to maintain our commitment to excellence.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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The Exit Light Company is proud to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the category Excellence in Customer Service by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Being listed as one the of the top 6 companies out of a field of over 245,000 Southern California Businesses is a great achievement.

Companies were judged on the following criteria:

• Educated sales and services representatives who are approachable, available and willing to help.
• High-quality service from beginning to end; the amount and quality of assistance given to customers.
• Responsiveness and follow-through once a problem has been identified; dealing with situations of adversity from customers.

The Exit Light Company appreciates the recognition and will continue to maintain our commitment to excellence in customer service.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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The Exit Light Company is pleased to announce that we have been featured as a Spotlight Store by Miva Merchant.

MIVA Merchant has provided reliable and flexible e-commerce solutions since 1995.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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The Exit Light Company is pleased to announce that the new 2009 Product Catalog is available online at our website for immediate download.

This beautiful full-color 32 page catalog provides details for just some of the hundreds of exit signs, emergency lights, exit lights (exit sign/emergency light combos), and accessories that we carry. (We just couldn't fit everything in!) Be sure to visit www.exitlightco.com for pricing, and to see an even larger selection of products.

We take great pride in our industry leading pricing and service. For nearly a decade, 95% of our orders have shipped the same day from our own warehouse stock.

Download the 2009 Exit Light Company Product Catalog (3.6 MB) today.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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The "Featured Products" area of our storefront showcases those products that we feel are exceptional because of their value, design, or quality. We recently added a product which we feel meets all three of those criteria.

We are pleased to offer a line of specially priced "Cast Aluminum Exit Signs" which include self-testing diagnostic capabilities and an additional brushed aluminum faceplate at a fantastic price.

National safety regulations require that all exit signs be tested for functionality once every twenty-eight days for five minutes and ninety minutes every six months. This testing is time-consuming and labor intensive, especially in facilities/locations with a large number of installed signs. A self testing exit sign will perform routine self-diagnostics and warn you when there is a problem. This functionality can provide a significant cost savings over the lifetime of the product.

The aluminum faceplates have "knock-out" left and/or right chevrons which can be removed to indicate direction of emergency egress. The second faceplate allows for double-sided installations. The "knock-out" chevrons and double faceplates allow these signs to be fully configurable for every conceivable installation type.

Normally, the second faceplate and self-test options would add nearly $40.00 to the regular $65 cost of a cast aluminum exit sign (for a total cost of over $100.00), yet these Cast Aluminum specials are selling for only $56.00!

These are exceptional values and will not last for long. What’s keeping you from enjoying the architectural beauty of cast aluminum exit signs today?

As always, thank you for your continued support.

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As one of the first online retailers of Exit Signs and Emergency Lighting, we have heard just about every question there is about emergency lighting products. As the ONLY internet retailer who has a staff of electricians, has an electrical contractor’s license, and actually does installations, we’ve already experienced every potential problem or issue that you may be concerned about. In the future, we will be posting some of those along with general gotchas that can catch both new installers and grizzled electrical vets. Plus, look for helpful notes on some of our bestselling products.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Return to The Exit Light Company Store