Who is covered
Buildings required to provide emergency egress illumination and exit signage — most commercial, assembly, and multifamily common areas.
What the law requires
- Run a monthly 30-second function test of all emergency lights and exit signs.
- Perform a full 90-minute discharge test annually and record the result.
- Replace failed batteries/heads, re-test, and keep the written log on site.
Filing frequency and deadlines
Penalty structure
Non-compliance with Egress Lighting can result in the following penalties:
- FDNY/DOB violation for inoperable emergency or exit lighting in the means of egress.
Exemptions
- Spaces not part of a required means of egress.
Recent updates and amendments
The exact 2022 NYC Fire Code section is being confirmed against the official FDNY code text — treat the citation as pending while the monthly/annual cadence stands.
Reference
Official source: NYC Fire Code (FDNY)
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