In modern architecture and interior design, details matter. Increasingly, designers, builders and business owners are choosing exit signs that blend seamlessly with ceilings and interiors.
Whilst aesthetics is important, when it comes to emergency lighting, safety and compliance must always come first.
Why Black Theatre Exits Are Popular - But not compliant in some settings
Black exit signs with a predominantly black background—commonly referred to as theatre exits - are permitted under Australian Standards only in areas where normal use involves low levels of illumination, such as theatres, cinemas and auditoriums. In these environments, they perform exactly as intended: subtle, effective, unobtrusive and still visually effective in dark settings.
However, when installed in spaces with natural daylight or higher ambient light— such as offices, retail stores, or restaurants - their visibility and effectiveness is significantly reduced. This not only compromises safety but also makes the installation non-compliant with emergency lighting standards.
The Purpose of Theatre Exit Signs
Theatre exit signs were designed to minimise distraction for audiences during films, performances, lectures and the like. To achieve this, they operate at a much lower brightness than standard exit signs, while still providing the appropriate contrast levels in the darkened environment.
Low luminance is intentional, preventing visual intrusion in dark rooms.
Effective in darkness: Low luminance exit signs are effective, visible and recognisable, in cinemas and auditoriums.
But outside of these environments, the use of low luminance exit signs creates risks associated with compromising visibility and recognition of the exit sign
Luminance and Contrast Requirements in AS/NZS 2293
The AS/NZS 2293 standard specifies minimum levels for luminance (brightness) and contrast ratio between the background and the pictogram. These requirements ensure exit signs are quickly recognisable during an emergency.
- In bright spaces like foyers, retail areas, and restaurants, theatre exit signs often become “washed out” by ambient light, reducing visibility. This phenomenon is known in the industry as disability glare.
- In an emergency — whether fire, smoke, or power outage, delayed recognition of exits can significantly slow evacuation and compromise safety.
Aesthetic Design Meets Budget-Friendly Solutions
Recognising the increasing demand for a low-cost black trimmed exit signage across a wider range of budget friendly applications, Clevertronics has introduced the Trade Series Economy Black range. This new range provides a sleek black look while being compliant in high ambient or natural lighting environments, from brightly lit workplaces to darkened venues.
With its economy price point, this solution makes the Trade Series Economy Black range accessible to projects of all sizes and budgets - without compromising on aesthetics, compliance or performance.
