Most of us can recall the photographs of people streaming out of the World Trade Center after the planes hit in 2001. What most people don’t know, however, is that what helped many people survive was photoluminescent egress systems (PLES). This glow-in-the-dark technology marks the exits of buildings with the goal of guiding people out safely in case of an emergency.
Photoluminescent exit systems work. When interviewed, 9/11 survivors listed PLES markings among the Top 3 things that helped them get out of the building and live to talk about it.
When the power gets knocked out and no emergency generator is available, photoluminescence is invaluable. Now, it’s a requirement for all buildings as part of the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) for all buildings taller than 75 feet.
Besides the obvious safety benefit, photoluminescence is a great “green” product because it doesn’t require any power source and uses natural sunlight to charge. It can be used at any location, requires no wires or electricity and brings a cost savings because you don’t have to supply power during the year. Just as an example, if your facility uses 500 exit signs, you can save $3000 a year by using photoluminescent exit signs instead of LED signs, not to mention, no bulb changing or periodic testing.
Whether you are undertaking new construction, doing a retrofit or building an addition, we can help you determine your needs for this energy-efficient product that is crucial for safety.
We’ll come look at your facility, discuss requirements about what does and doesn’t need to be marked and give you an estimate to ensure that a building’s occupants have all possible advantages for exiting a building safely and quickly in case of a life-threatening emergency.