Calculator Inputs
Example Data
| Scenario | Exit doors | Stair doors | Corridor length | Turns | Intersections | Open area | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-size office floor | 6 | 4 | 180 m | 8 | 5 | 600 m² | 36 |
| Small clinic wing | 3 | 2 | 90 m | 3 | 2 | 250 m² | 15 |
| Complex mixed-use level | 10 | 6 | 320 m | 14 | 9 | 1100 m² | 74 |
Article
1) Purpose of exit sign quantity planning
Exit signage is a life-safety element that supports fast, intuitive evacuation. Quantity planning helps align early design assumptions with procurement, installation labor, and review milestones. A structured estimate also reduces late-stage changes that can disrupt ceilings, finishes, and electrical rough-ins.
2) Inputs that drive sign count
This calculator focuses on measurable drivers: exit doors, stairwell doors, corridor lengths, turns, and intersections. Those elements represent points where occupants either must identify an exit or decide which route to follow. Open-area coverage is included for lobbies and halls where long sightlines may still be blocked by partitions or furnishings.
3) Using spacing and coverage responsibly
Spacing is a practical proxy for visibility. Tighter spacing increases directional guidance in long corridors, while larger coverage per sign reduces quantities in open areas. Adjust both when layouts include corners, alcoves, columns, smoke doors, or signage competing for attention. Presets provide a starting point, not a code citation.
4) Typical breakdown and documentation
A professional estimate separates base signs (above doors) from directional signs (turns, intersections, and intermediate spacing). This breakdown supports design reviews, highlights the main cost drivers, and simplifies change control when tenant layouts shift. Use the CSV for BOQ tracking and the PDF for internal approval workflows.
5) Field verification and final checks
Before procurement, confirm mounting locations, power type, photometrics, and sightline obstructions on reflected ceiling plans and egress diagrams. Validate assumptions with your adopted standard and authority. A small contingency is sensible for coordination changes, but it should be justified and traceable.
FAQs
1) Does the calculator guarantee code compliance?
No. It provides a practical estimate from measurable layout inputs. Always confirm final sign locations, mounting height, and visibility with your adopted regulations, drawings, and authority requirements.
2) How do I choose directional sign spacing?
Start with the preset, then reduce spacing for longer corridors, more doors, or obstructed sightlines. Increase spacing only when visibility is clear and decision points are limited.
3) What should I enter for turns and intersections?
Count corridor turns, T‑junctions, cross corridors, and split routes where occupants must choose a direction. Do not count minor offsets that do not affect wayfinding.
4) When should I use the open-area input?
Use it for large lobbies, halls, atriums, and open-plan spaces where exits are not immediately obvious. Adjust coverage lower if partitions, kiosks, or columns block sightlines.
5) Why include elevator lobbies and special areas?
Elevator lobbies and refuge or discharge areas often need clear direction to stairs and exits. These counts capture locations that commonly receive additional identification or directional signs.
6) What contingency percentage is reasonable?
Many teams use 3–10% for coordination changes, depending on design maturity. Keep it small, document the reason, and reduce it as drawings and site conditions become confirmed.
7) Can I estimate by floor and then combine results?
Yes. Run the calculator per floor, wing, or tenant zone to reflect different layouts. Combine totals in your BOQ, and keep the breakdown for review and change tracking.
Formula Used
This tool estimates a practical sign count by adding common installation locations and spacing-based directionals. It is not a substitute for your adopted code, drawings, and visibility checks.
- Base signs = Exit doors + Stairwell doors.
- Spacing signs = ceil(Corridor length / Spacing) − 1.
- Directional signs = Turns + Intersections + Spacing signs.
- Open-area signs = ceil(Open area / Coverage per sign).
- Extras = Elevator lobbies + Special areas.
- Subtotal = Base + Directional + Open-area + Extras.
- Grand total = Subtotal + ceil(Subtotal × Contingency%).
How to Use This Calculator
- Count exit doors and stairwell access doors on your plans.
- Measure corridor centerline lengths per floor or zone.
- Count turns and intersections where occupants choose routes.
- Enter open-area sizes for lobbies, halls, and large rooms.
- Pick a preset, then adjust spacing and coverage for sightlines.
- Use contingency for revisions, late changes, and site conditions.
- Press Calculate, then export CSV or PDF for documentation.