What Are Remote Emergency Light Heads? A Guide for Architects, Designers, and Building Owners

When designing a code-compliant means of egress, an illuminated exit sign is only part of the equation. Many buildings also require emergency lighting to illuminate the path of travel if normal power is lost. One solution often used in commercial buildings is a remote emergency light head.

If you’ve ever wondered what a remote head is, how it works, or when it’s required, this guide will walk you through the basics.

What Is a Remote Emergency Light Head?

A remote emergency light head is an emergency lighting fixture that receives power from a separate battery-powered emergency unit or exit sign. Unlike a standard emergency light, a remote head does not contain its own battery, charger, or electronics.

Instead, it functions much like a lamp connected to a central emergency power source.

When utility power fails, the battery inside the emergency unit automatically supplies low-voltage power to the remote heads, providing illumination for the required emergency duration—typically 90 minutes, as required by building codes.

How Does a Remote Head Work?

A remote emergency lighting system consists of three primary components:

1. Emergency Power Unit
   • Contains the battery, charger, and control electronics.
   • Continuously charges the battery during normal operation.
   • Automatically switches to battery power during an outage.
2. Low-Voltage Wiring
   • Connects the emergency unit to one or more remote heads.
   • Typically operates at 6V, 12V, or 24V DC, depending on the system.
3. Remote Light Heads
   • LED or halogen fixtures that illuminate the required egress path.
   • Can often be aimed to direct light exactly where it’s needed.

Why Use Remote Heads?

Remote heads provide flexibility when emergency lighting is needed beyond the immediate area surrounding an exit sign.

Common applications include:

• Exterior exit doors
• Covered porches
• Loading docks
• Stairwells
• Long corridors
• Large assembly spaces
• Warehouses
• Historic buildings where minimizing visible equipment is important

Instead of installing multiple battery-powered emergency lights throughout a space, one properly sized emergency unit may power several remote heads, reducing maintenance while keeping the installation cleaner.

Do All Exit Signs Support Remote Heads?

No.

This is one of the most common misconceptions.

Most battery backup exit signs are designed only to illuminate the EXIT legend during a power outage. They cannot power additional remote fixtures.

To support remote heads, an exit sign or emergency unit must be specifically designed with:

• Remote head output terminals
• A battery sized for the additional load
• Electronics capable of supplying remote fixtures
• A UL 924 listing covering remote-head operation

If remote capability isn’t listed in the product specifications, you should assume the unit is not compatible.

How Many Remote Heads Can One Unit Power?

That depends on the emergency unit’s available output.

Manufacturers rate remote-capable units by the maximum wattage they can supply. Modern LED remote heads consume relatively little power, allowing many systems to operate multiple fixtures from a single battery pack.

Always verify that the total connected load does not exceed the unit’s rated capacity.

Are Remote Heads Required?

Building codes don’t necessarily require remote heads specifically—they require adequate emergency illumination.

If a standard exit sign or integral emergency lights cannot provide enough light to illuminate the required egress path, remote heads are often an effective solution.

This is especially common at exterior exits where additional lighting is needed on landings, walkways, or porches.

Remote Heads and Decorative Exit Signs

At Flamsted, we believe life safety products should complement great architecture.

Many historic renovations, boutique hotels, restaurants, theaters, and civic buildings require emergency lighting without sacrificing design. In these applications, remote-capable emergency systems can provide code-compliant illumination while allowing decorative exit signage to remain the visual focal point.

Every project is unique, and the appropriate emergency lighting solution depends on your building layout, local code requirements, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Need Help Selecting the Right Emergency Lighting?

Whether you’re restoring a historic building or designing a contemporary commercial space, Flamsted can help you determine the best combination of decorative exit signage and emergency lighting for your project.

If you’re unsure whether your application requires remote heads—or whether a particular exit sign supports them—we’re happy to help.

Because every exit should be safe, compliant, and beautifully designed.