FAQ: Why Choose a Photoluminescent Exit Sign?

One of the most frequently asked exit sign questions is, why is choose a self luminous exit sign?

Photoluminescent exit signs are a non-electrical, UL Listed, and code compliant. Save money and improve efficiency by purchasing a glow in the dark exit sign

There are a number of choices available on the market for exit signs; battery backup, edge-lit, self-luminous and of course photoluminescent. With so many choices, deciding what would be best for your particular application may be a little bit tricky. While much of this depends upon personal preference, the economics of your decision must be taken into account.

View our Photoluminescent Exit Signs

With rising costs everywhere, companies are having to look at the way they do business, taking steps to find places where they can reduce costs, especially indirect costs. One high cost for many companies is in energy consumption. Paying rising energy bills for businesses, like families can be a challenge.

When we compare the energy costs of the various types of illuminated exit signs available on the market, it becomes obvious why LEDs have replaced incandescent bulbs for illumination. On an average, LEDs consume 1/10 of the electricity of incandescent bulbs. That’s a considerable savings. On top of that, LEDs outlast incandescent bulbs by over 50 times, making for even greater savings to your operation. With edge-lit exit signs having only five watts of power consumption, it would seem next to impossible to encounter a greater cost savings.

However, photoluminescent exit signs use 0 watts of power consumption. In fact, you don’t even have to bother connecting them to the building’s electrical grid. That makes for an even greater energy savings than what you can get with LEDs.

How does a Photoluminescent Exit Sign Work?

Unlike regular or even LED illuminated exit signs, photoluminescent exit signs consume no electricity to produce light. They are made of photoluminescent plastics; what we used to call “glow in the dark” when we were kids. These plastics absorb light energy when it is available and store it as just that, light energy. When the lights the building are out, the material that these signs are made of gradually releases that energy as light.

It takes about an hour for photoluminescent exit signs to absorb enough light to become fully “charged.” After this amount of time, any additional light will only help the signs maintain their charge, as the light entering the plastic material and the light being dispelled will equal each other. However, in the event of power loss to the building, the signs will continue to glow. Photoluminescent signs will glow for a minimum of 3 hours, double the time required by regulations.

Photoluminescent models are also known as glow in the dark exit signs. "Glow in the dark exit sign" is a common synonym for a photoluminescent exit sign.

Advantages of Photoluminescent Exit Signs

We’ve talked about how these signs reduce energy costs, by not using any electrical power to charge them. However, there are additional cost savings you can incur by installing photoluminescent exit signs:

• Reduced installation cost – no need to run electrical power
• Reduced maintenance cost – other than cleaning them, there is no maintenance and no testing
• No maintenance - no need to keep replacement parts for repairs on hand
• Last for up to 25 years – longer than most other types of exit signs

Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Hazardous Materials

If your operations require the use of hazardous materials, specifically flammable gases and vapors, the National Electric Code (and others) specify the use of special “explosion proof” lighting. Since exit signs are illuminated, these requirements also apply to them. The risk that is of concern is a fire caused by a spark from the light. Explosion proof lights are designed and manufactured in a way to prevent the entry of flammable gases or vapors.

Since photoluminescent exit signs use no electricity, there is no risk of spark-induced fire. Although they do not meet the NEC requirements, they don’t have to, because they are non-electrical signs. At the same time, they do meet other regulatory requirements for exit signs. This is a true cost savings option for companies that use flammable materials in their operations.