Photoluminescent Exit Signs Explanation

While battery backup emergency exit signs are still the standard for most commercial applications, in recent times photoluminescent exit signs have gained in popularity. These signs are not electrically powered, but made of a light absorbing thermoplastic that glows in the dark.

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This non-electrical exit sign type is popular for projects where electrical power is not easily accessible. When the photoluminescent plastic absorbs light from a building's normal lighting system it excites the glow in the dark molecules. The excess energy is thrown off as visible light when dark conditions are present.

View Our Selection of Photoluminescent Exit Signs

Photoluminescent exit signs a do not require electricity and meet the same code requirements as standard exit signs. This simple and easy alternative is available immediately.

Glow in the dark exit signs are tested and certified to the same code requirements and standards that electrical exit signs are so they can be used in place of one another without worry.

Photoluminescent exit signs are UL 924 listed, making them compliant for use in marking egress points and routes in commercial facilities in all areas of the United States and Canada. They can be used indoors in all types of commercial facilities.

Photoluminescent exit signs take about an hour to absorb enough light to reach their peak luminescence. From that point, if there is no continuing source of energy input, the light they give off begins to diminish. However, as long as they are in a lighted area, they remain fully “charged.”

This makes these materials excellent for emergency exit signs, as they will continue a lighted indication of the location of exits for as much as three hours, double the 90 minutes required by OSHA regulations.

Design of Photoluminescent Exit Signs

Since these signs are molded from thermoplastics, they are of a fairly simple design. The photoluminescent part of the sign is a white plastic, contrasted by red, green or black. The white photoluminescent material glows a pistachio green. The photoluminescent material can either be used as a background, creating a 'knock out' effect, with red or green lettering; or you can have a colored or black background with glowing letters. Either type is code compliant.

Photoluminescent exit signs typically come with an “arrow kit.” This allows you to use the same sign throughout your facility; both over exit doors and by adding the arrow, in corridors leading to the exit doors.

While the early use of this technology was limited, increases in materials have made it possible to produce Photoluminescent exit signs can be seen from 50, 75 or even 100 feet away.

Advantages of Photoluminescent Exit Signs

• Reduced installation costs – no electrical wiring to run
• Reduced operation costs – no electrical usage
• Reduced maintenance costs – lights last up to 25 years with no maintenance
• Meet the requirements to be UL 924 listed
• No spark hazard for areas with flammable vapors or dust
• Provides egress lighting for double the required 90 minute minimum
• Great visibility range – up to 100 feet with some models
• Photoluminescent Exit Signs and Hazardous Materials

In cases where flammable vapors or gases are present, the NEC dictates the use of special exit signs and emergency lighting that are sealed to prevent the possibility of vapors entering and a spark igniting a fire. Since photoluminescent exit signs are not electrical, they do not meet the requirements of the NEC for Class 1, Division 1 or 2 emergency exit signs. However, this is immaterial, as they use no electricity.

It is this fact, that photoluminescent exit signs don’t use any electricity that makes them an excellent choice for areas where flammable gasses or vapors are present. There is no possibility of spark from a photoluminescent exit sign, eliminating the possibility of fire risk.

Compared to Class 1 Division 1 or 2 emergency exit signs, photoluminescent exit signs provide for a considerable cost savings, due to their simpler design.

By Jonathan Carter