How photoluminescent fire exit signs can improve safety?

In the event of a fire-related emergency, you can’t always rely on the power and the lights still working. You still need to offer a safe and clear path to your emergency exit points, though, and this is where photoluminescence comes in. 

Photoluminescence (or glow-in-the-dark) is a cost-effective way of making sure that your signs are both eye-catching and easy to read —  in full-light, low-light and no-light environments.  important information like how to open doors quickly (‘Push Bar to Open’, for example). As with the standard, non-luminescent versions, these signs are all super easy to read, with clear, internationally recognised images and high-contrast text information.

How does it work?

The vast majority of photoluminescent signage on the market today works by absorbing light energy from an external source — sunlight, electric lighting etc — which is then emitted slowly in periods of darkness. This kind of product requires no electricity/battery supply and is non-radioactive. As well as being very low-cost, a key benefit of these signs is that they can last for decades with their almost unlimited charge/discharge cycles. 

The different light levels

Photoluminescence is measured to ISO 17398 and ISO 16069 relating to emergency signage and safety way guidance systems. The method of measurement is to expose the sign to a bright light source (1000 lux from a Xenon D75, equivalent to daylight) for five minutes. At this point, the external light is extinguished and the light emitted from the sign is measured periodically — it must meet or exceed specific levels of brightness at various times to be categorised correctly. 

The categories are lettered from Class A through to Class G, with Class G being the strongest, longest-lasting light level. Class C is the requirement needed to meet with BS ISO 16069 and is therefore the accepted industry minimum standard. 

Positioning

As with any health and safety or emergency-related sign, your photoluminescent fire signs should be positioned in an unobstructed place. Positioning should also be consistent — if you are suspending some of your photoluminescent signs from the ceiling, then all of them should be high up; in an emergency evacuation, when the lights are off and the site is filling with smoke, people can’t be expected to search for the signs. You should also place signs frequently, and clearly show directional changes at junctions or staircases. Wherever a stranger to your site could conceivably get lost in an emergency — that’s where you need a photoluminescent sign. 

Sign types

You can find photoluminescent versions of any standard fire safety sign. Common versions are signs that point to exits or response equipment (alarm points, extinguishers, etc) and those that show important information like how to open doors quickly (‘Push Bar to Open’, for example). As with the standard, non-luminescent versions, these signs are all super easy to read, with clear, internationally recognised images and high-contrast text information. 

Author Bio: First Mats started life as safety matting specialists, but have since expanded to become a complete industrial and commercial supplies company. The focus of First Mats is to provide safety-focused products that improve the wellbeing of staff through quality approved products, backed up by extensive knowledge. www.firstmats.co.uk