AS 2293 Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs — Australian Guide
AS 2293 is the three-part Australian Standard that governs emergency escape lighting and exit signs in buildings. Every Class 2–9 building in Australia — offices, retail, hospitals, schools, factories, apartments, hotels — must comply with AS 2293 under the National Construction Code (NCC). A missing or failed exit sign is among the most common fire-safety audit findings and the most common reason a final-occupation inspection fails.
The Standard is split into three parts: AS 2293.1 covers system design, installation and operation; AS 2293.2 covers inspection and maintenance; AS 2293.3 covers the emergency escape luminaires and exit signs themselves. For sign buyers, AS 2293.3 is the one that matters — it specifies what an exit sign looks like, how bright it has to be, and what viewing distance it's rated for.
This guide covers the practical buyer view: electrically-illuminated vs photoluminescent exit signs, the running-man pictogram, viewing-distance sizing, and which situations demand which type.
The 'running man' pictogram — only green is compliant
AS 2293.3 prescribes a specific green-and-white running-man pictogram with directional arrow. This is the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) green exit symbol. Red-background EXIT signs — the old American and 1970s-era Australian style — are not AS 2293.3 compliant for new installations. The green running man is non-negotiable.
The pictogram geometry is exact: figure proportions, arrow stroke width, the ratio of pictogram height to sign height, and the minimum luminance level (for illuminated) or stored luminance (for photoluminescent) are all prescribed in AS 2293.3 Clause 2.
Electrically-illuminated vs photoluminescent
AS 2293 permits two types of exit sign: electrically-illuminated (with battery backup for mains failure) and photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark, no power required). The NCC mandates electrically-illuminated for most occupancy classes, but photoluminescent is permitted as a supplement or standalone in specific low-risk applications.
| Type | Power | Viewing distance | Typical price band | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrically-illuminated LED | Mains + 90-min battery backup | Up to 24m | $120–$350 per unit | New commercial fit-outs, Class 5–9 buildings, any primary exit |
| Photoluminescent | None (charged by ambient light) | Up to 20m | $45–$95 per sign | Supplementary signage, low-rise residential, heritage sites, backup marking |
| Pictogram-only wall sign (non-illuminated) | None | Up to 16m (ambient light) | $18–$45 | Wayfinding in always-lit areas, secondary signage, compliance gap fills |
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Emergency & Exit Signs (AS 2293 pictogram-based)
Green-and-white AS 2293.3 exit and emergency signs — running man pictogram with directional arrow variants. Pre-printed wall/ceiling mount signs, photoluminescent options, assembly point signs.
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Fire Equipment Signs (AS 1319 + AS 2293 overlap)
Fire equipment location signs — fire extinguisher, fire hose reel, fire blanket, fire alarm call point, fire indicator panel. Often installed alongside AS 2293 exit wayfinding.
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Photoluminescent Signs
Glow-in-the-dark photoluminescent signs for emergency wayfinding, exit supplementation, and low-light compliance marking. ChromaGlo pigment charged by ambient light, no power required.
Viewing-distance rules
AS 2293.3 prescribes exit sign size by viewing distance and pictogram height. The three common size classes are:
| Pictogram height | Maximum viewing distance | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| 75 mm | Up to 16 m | Small offices, retail tenancies, residential corridors |
| 150 mm | Up to 24 m | Commercial buildings, hotels, factories, warehouses |
| 200 mm+ | Up to 32 m | Large-span warehousing, transport hubs, stadiums |
Testing and maintenance (AS 2293.2)
- Electrically-illuminated exit signs: 90-minute battery discharge test every 6 months
- Visual inspection of all signs every 6 months — legibility, damage, obstruction
- Photoluminescent: annual luminance test after 10 minutes in darkness, verifying minimum 2 mcd/m² at 60 minutes
- Maintenance log must be kept on-site for WHS/NCC audit
- Failed signs must be replaced within 7 days or the path must be alternatively signed
How Platinum Signs covers AS 2293
We manufacture the pre-printed signage side — AS 2293.3 pictogram wall/ceiling signs in photoluminescent and standard finishes, fire equipment location signs (AS 1319 / AS 2293 overlap), and assembly-point signs. For electrically-illuminated LED exit signs with battery backup, we recommend a specialist emergency-lighting supplier — the electrical compliance (battery certification, wiring, mains integration) is outside pure signage and requires electrical contractor installation.
Written by
Platinum Signs
Sydney-based commercial signage manufacturer
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