Emergency exit sign electrical symbol IEC 60617 — what it represents, where it appears in UK electrical drawings, and how it relates to the rest of the symbol library.
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Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
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01 · Symbol Reference
A maintained or non-maintained emergency exit sign to BS EN 1838. Indicates the direction of escape; runs on battery during mains failure for at least 3 hours per BS 5266.
Used in: Above doors on escape routes, change-of-direction points, top of staircases.
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02 · Symbol Reference
A maintained or non-maintained emergency exit sign to BS EN 1838. Indicates the direction of escape; runs on battery during mains failure for at least 3 hours per BS 5266.
03 · Symbol Reference
Above doors on escape routes, change-of-direction points, top of staircases.
For the full set of lighting symbols, see the Lighting Symbols reference page — covering every related symbol with the same level of installation context.
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04 · Symbol Reference
Other lighting symbols you may need on the same drawing:
A ceiling-mounted light suspended on a flex or chain from a rose. The most common domestic light fitting — drawn as a circle with a cross.
Used in: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, hallways; the default UK domestic light point.
A flush-mounted ceiling light — the fitting sits directly against the ceiling rather than suspended. Common in kitchens, bathrooms and low-ceiling rooms.
Used in: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways with low ceilings, loft conversions.
A recessed downlight set into the ceiling void. Fire-rated downlights are required where they breach a fire-rated ceiling (e.g. flats, loft conversions, above habitable rooms).
Used in: Kitchens, bathrooms (zone-rated), corridors, retail; the modern UK lighting default.
A wall-mounted light fitting. Symbol drawn against the wall line of the plan. Often used with dimming or two-way switching for ambience.
Used in: Bedrooms (bedside), living rooms, hallways, staircases, restaurants.
A robust enclosed light fitting designed for outdoor or utility use. Typically IP65 with a polycarbonate diffuser. Common with integrated PIR sensor for security.
Used in: External walls, garages, sheds, plant rooms, communal stairwells.
An external light fitting, typically IP44 or higher. Includes wall lights, post lights, ground-mounted spike spots, soffit downlights and porch lights.
Used in: Front and rear of houses, gardens, pathways, garages; usually with PIR or photocell control.
A passive infrared sensor that detects movement and switches connected lights on. Separate from a PIR switch — the sensor is the input to a relay or control module.
Used in: Security lighting, corridors with extended throw, large rooms with multiple zones.
A non-maintained emergency light to BS 5266. Off in normal use; switches on automatically when the mains supply fails. Tested monthly and annually per BS 5266-1.
Used in: Escape routes, stairwells, plant rooms, kitchens, places of assembly.
A self-contained emergency luminaire with two adjustable spotlights and an internal battery. Provides high-output emergency illumination of escape routes on mains failure.
Used in: Open-plan offices, retail floors, plant rooms, warehouses, large halls.
A maintained or non-maintained emergency exit sign to BS EN 1838. Indicates the direction of escape; runs on battery during mains failure for at least 3 hours per BS 5266.
Used in: Above doors on escape routes, change-of-direction points, top of staircases.
A linear fluorescent or LED-batten fitting. Most modern installations now use LED battens — same symbol applies. Lamp length specified separately (typically 1.2 m or 1.5 m).
Used in: Garages, plant rooms, workshops, kitchens, commercial corridors, retail back-of-house.
A linear LED tape or strip light. Requires a constant-voltage driver (usually 12 V or 24 V DC). Often dimmable via the driver or via 0-10V / DALI control.
Used in: Under-cabinet kitchens, cove lighting, stairs, bathroom mirrors, retail display shelves.
A high-output LED or HID light fitting designed for high-ceiling industrial spaces (typically 6-15 m mounting height). Wide-beam or narrow-beam reflectors depending on layout.
Used in: Warehouses, factories, gymnasiums, indoor sports halls, large retail spaces.
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