– National Construction Code (2022), Clause E4D8 and Specification 25
– National Construction Code (2025), Clause E4D8 and Specification 25 (includes Standards Australia Technical Specification 5367 as primary reference)
– AS/NZS 2293 Emergency lighting and exit signs for buildings
– Clevertronics (2024), ‘Illuminating the path to sustainability’, presented by Michael Goodman at 2024 IHEA National Conference and published in Health Facilities, Vol 50, No. 2 Winter 2024, pp29-35
– South Australia’s Minister’s Specification SA 76 – 2015 edition
– Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Note Maintenance of building fire safety measures.

Commercial companies will make commercial decisions, and they are accountable to Boards and shareholders who are conscious of costs, risks and regulatory compliance. Tens of thousands of photoluminescent Exit Signs have been installed across Australia. This reinforces that photoluminescent Exit Signs are commercially viable.

Global facility management companies like BGIS have installed thousands of photoluminescent signs in Australia for Government clients. One of Australia’s largest warehouse retailers installs Photoluminescent Exit Signs in every new warehouse store. One of Australia’s largest telecommunications company is retrofitting its buildings with photoluminescent Exit Signs. They’re just a few examples.

AS/NZS 2293.1 Clause 2.2.2, the Australian Standard for Powered Electric-Battery Exit Signs, requires that at any time, all in-service Exit Signs to operate for at least 90 minutes.

The AS/NZS 2293.2 battery discharge test for Exit Signs and Emergency Lights / Emergency Escape Luminaires does not apply to Unpowered Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Powered Hybrid Exit Signs because they don’t have batteries.

Read our comparison of the Testing Requirements of the different types of Exit Signs.

AS/NZS 2293.1 Clause 2.2.1, the Australian Standard for Powered Electric-Battery Exit Signs, requires all powered Electric-Battery Exit Signs to operate for at least 120 minutes when first installed. This is 33% more than the standard 90 minute battery discharge test, to allow for the depreciation in battery capacity that occurs over time.

When installing any new electric-battery Exit Sign (or Emergency Light / Emergency Escape Luminaire) your installer must conduct this test and document the results, to demonstrate compliance.

This test does not apply to Unpowered Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Powered Hybrid Exit Signs because they don’t have batteries.

Read our comparison of the Testing Requirements of the different types of Exit Signs.

Yes, Exit Signs are required by the National Construction Code and local building regulations, and they must be replaced if they fail.

Choosing reliable low-maintenance Exit Signs will reduce your risk of non-compliance and keep you, your employees, contractors and customers safe.

Exit Signs powered with mains power and electric-battery backups do NOT have to be used in your building or business. You can use Unpowered Photoluminescent Exit Signs or Powered Hybrid Exit Signs instead.

Your electrician or testing or fire compliance company may not recommend them because:
– they’re familiar with powered electric-battery Exit Signs, and not up-to-date in their knowledge
– make more money from replacing failed electric-battery Exit Signs every time they fail and/or
– haven’t kept their knowledge up-to-date about the legality and compliance of Photoluminescent Exit Signs (since 2014!).

Most importantly, as Compare Exit Signs shows, Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Hybrid Photoluminescent Exit Signs will be cheaper for you over their long lifetime.

The supplier will provide a Product Technical Statement with information on how the exit sign must be maintained to fulfil the requirements of the National Construction Code.

In South Australia, there is a Minister’s Specification that details the maintenance of Exit Signs (Table 3.3 of SA76).

In summary it states that photoluminescent exit signs need only be clean, not damaged, have sufficient lighting levels in the vicinity of the sign to facilitate charging and continue to be clearly visible.

Battery exit signs must be maintained six monthly and yearly in accordance with AS/NZS2293.2 Sections 2 and 3 as relevant.

To specify photoluminescent exit signs in a project, require exit signs that confirm with National Construction Code Specification 25 or Standards Australia Technical Specification 5367:2021 from 1 May 2026.

For inspection and maintenance, specify that they must be maintained in accordance with one of the following, as applicable;
1. Product Technical Statement or Manufacturer’s Instructions, per NCC A5 G3.
2. South Australian Minister’s Specifications SA 76 (Table 3.3)
3. Photoluminescent Lighting Council’s Routine Service and Maintenance Standards for Hybrid Exit Signs or Passive PL Exit Signs.

Polar Enviro is about sustainable solutions for a safer tomorrow, creating a lasting impact for business and community. Polar Enviro is an Australian company, and its brands include Smarterlite, OmniGrip Direct, Roadside Safety Solutions and Vivacity Smart Lighting.