Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark With Photoluminescence
Halloween is right around the corner, which means when darkness falls, all kinds of ghouls and goblins will be out playing tricks for treats! But let’s be honest, the scariest thing about the darkness isn’t the make-believe monsters, but the smoke that obscures your line of vision while you are trying to get to safety in the event of a fire. That’s why it is important to not only to make sure your building’s fire barriers are properly maintained to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, but the proper egress has been installed.
Photoluminescent (PL) Egress Path Markers and Exit Signs are a non-electrical systems that creates an outline of steps, landings, handrails and any other obstacles in a smoky or dark space to prevent accidents. PL is made of quality material that is engineered to last the lifespan of your facility. Not to mention, it allows a building to have continual visual support over traditional emergency lighting which could become masked by smoke.
Being trapped in a burning building is a scary thing. And although the fear of burning is terrifying enough, smoke seems to take the most victims in the event of a fire. Smoke rises, and can quickly fill any room, hallway, and stairwell. According to NFPA, smoke travels 120 – 420 feet per minute under fire conditions. And not only does smoke spread quickly, but it can cause occupants to become disorientated and cloud their vision. Trying to evacuate from a burning building while staying calm is difficult enough, and with smoke masking your line of vision, safely evacuating seem almost impossible. This why photoluminescent egress path markers and exit signs should be a part of a building’s fire and life safety plan.
According to both the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC), “luminous egress path markings that outline the exit path should be provided in buildings having floors that are located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of a fire department vehicle”.
