As summer continues to approach, more people will be traveling for their summer road trips they have been so eagerly planning since winter. It is busy season for the hospitality industry and as facility manager you want to guarantee that your guest will be safe. There is nothing more terrifying than being trapped in a building during a fire, especially in a high rise building. That’s why photoluminescent egress markers and exit signs (PL) have been made a part of a buildings over all fire safety protection systems.
During a fire, smoke can quickly fill a building’s hallways and stairwells, which will obscuring occupant’s vision making accidents more likely to occur as everyone scrambles around trying to get out of harm’s way. Not to mention, if the exits aren’t clearly marked, occupants could become confused and unsure of which way to head towards safety. This could cause them to be stuck in a bad situation that could lead to injuries or even death.
Your building’s PL system is used to illuminate obstacles that could cause someone to get hurt, while the signage is used to clearly mark the closest and safest exit. It also allows a building to have continuous visual support for up to 48 hours in black out or smoky condition. No electricity is required, PL produces sunlight or recycles existing electrical light. That’s why it is extremely important to not only make sure that all of your fire and life safety protection features are working and up-to-date with the codes, but that the proper PL egress markers and exit signs are installed.
Codes That Requires Means of Egress and Signage:
- 2009 International Fire Code (IFC)
- 2009 International Building Code (IBS)
- NFPA 101 and 5000
- California, Chapter 10
- Connecticut, Section 1026
- New York City Code
- New York City Local Law 26
- General Services Administration (GSA) for all Buildings
