Exit Sign Battery Replacement-Introduction, Changing Methods and Cycle Life

Installing exit signs in your corporate space or business area is obviously one of the most vital steps for the sake of your staff and customers. But what if the battery inside them becomes dead? If you are facing the same issue and what to know everything about exit sign batteries, then we have got you covered because, in this article, we will let you know everything about exit sign battery replacement.

An exit sign is a device that is generally used in a public area or facility like a building, aircraft, etc., indicating the location of the nearby emergency exit in case of any emergency. Most of the laws and codes like OSHA, therefore, require the exit signs to be lit permanently. So, it becomes essential for you to know how to replace the batteries inside them in case when they become dead. Read on and clear all your doubts relating to exit sign batteries and their replacement.

What kind of batteries do exit signs take?

Almost all the exit signs use a battery for powering the lamps that are fitted inside them. In order to ensure the continuous operation and readiness of the exit signs, the batteries must be checked frequently. Although some of the exit signs in the market do not run on power, they are naturally illuminated by a glowing hydrogen gas called tritium. But if you have an exit sign that runs on battery, then we will let you know what kind of batteries they generally take.?

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Most of the modern exit signs use only three types of battery cells: Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Sealed Lead-Acid battery. The nickel-cadmium batteries can last for up to 10 years, and they generally come in various capacities and sizes to fit as per different requirements. These batteries often resemble small black bricks with contact points on the sides and front.

Secondly, the nickel hydride cells appear to be the same as nickel-cadmium cells, only smaller. The only significant difference in the design of the nickel-metal hydride battery is its negative contact points that are made of a hydrogen-absorbing material rather than cadmium.

Last but not least, the sealed lead-acid batteries are found in the current exit sign combo units and in most pre-LED exit systems. Sealed lead-acid batteries are capable of holding a more massive electric load than both the batteries above, thus making it an ideal fit for combo units that involve powerful dual headlamps on the top of the LED exit design.

How do you open an exit sign to change the battery?

One of the most common and primary reasons for exit sign failure is an exhausted or dead battery. This calls for the need for battery replacement. Unfortunately, the backup batteries do not work forever, and after a while, the rechargeable batteries also lose their ability to charge fully. To keep your exit signs and lights in compliance with the 90 minutes backup required, a replacement battery is a must.?

Now the question is how to open an exit sign to replace or change a battery? There’s no need to worry about it because we will let you know a step by step method of how to open an exit sign and change the battery inside. Have a look!

Step 1:Take a screwdriver and open up the casing of the exit sign.

Step 2:After losing all the screws, remove the front plate and you will be presented with a structure that will have wires, bulbs, and a battery.

Step 3:Depending upon the exit sign, the battery will either be nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, or sealed lead-acid battery. Locate the battery and pull it out by removing the wires attached to it.

Step 4:Take the new battery, attach the wires to it properly, and fit back the battery inside the battery space.

Step 5:After fixing the new battery properly, fix back the front plate of the exit sign, and you are all done with the exit sign battery replacement.

In case you face any trouble with removing the front panel or locating the battery, you can also take the help of professionals.

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How long do exit sign batteries last?

Every battery has a limited life span, and therefore, the batteries stop functioning when their life span comes to an end. If we talk about the batteries in exit signs, they generally have a minimum design life of 4 years; however, they will last well beyond this in some other cases. When dealing with sensitive buildings or places, some of the most careful facilities companies change the exit sign batteries every four years to keep the exit sign lit at all times. But doing this can prove to be a waste in some cases because sometimes the batteries last double this period.

It is recommended that you must always check your exit sign frequently to make sure they are operating and functioning correctly. Most of the exit signs fall under the governmental codes and guidelines to assure the safety of the building occupants in case of any emergency. Therefore, if you don’t keep up with your exit sign batteries, you could be fined possibly. So, make sure to keep a regular check on your exit sign batteries, even if they have a four-year life span or more.

The Bottom Line

So, here you come down to the bottom line of the article in which you got a clear and basic understanding of how to replace exit sign battery and how long do these batteries generally lasts. Like you have read above, an exit sign typically uses three kinds of batteries, which can be replaced easily whenever required. Several laws or codes require you to keep exit signs lightning system fully functional at all times. So, as a building manager or business owner, it is essential for you to make sure that your exit signs are lit at all times and function properly without any issue.