Saturday, April 19, 2014

The Basics Of Emergency Exit Signs With Lights

By Essie Osborn


The laws regulating the emergency lighting system have been in place since 1940 and the structures erected for commercial purpose, institutional purpose or for industrial use are required to meet given expectations in regards to this. The emergency exit signs with lights for instance must be strategically placed along the exit route and must remain illuminated for not less than 90 minutes after the main light source goes off.

In order to work in the named structures, the exit lighting system must pass stringent requirements that have been developed over years. Most of the reference laws governing the use and safety of these gadgets are found in the International Building Code principles (IBC). Others are outlined in National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Standards for Emergency and Standby Power System (NFPA 111) and Health Care Facility Code (NFPA 99). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the body in charge.

The requirements as stated by OSHA demands that each of exist route is adequately lighted to the level that all those with normal vision are able to clearly see the exit rout. Some of the requirements in regards to signs include the presence of the EXIT writing done with legible letters which should not be less than 6 inches in height. The designation sign should accompany the word particularly at the sections where the way out is not obvious.

In order to get approval, the luminous system should light the path every time the fire alarm goes on. According to NFPA 101, the device used to mark the exit path could be surface lit or internally lit. The surface lighted devices are powered by fluorescence or incandescence while the internal ones are also light internally.

This could have variety of sources ranging from fluorescent, incandescent, LED, electro luminescent or even photoluminescent. For the photoluminescent signs, the device must be illuminated by a self-contained power source that it able to operate independent from any other sources. As such, batteries do not qualify for this category.

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the final say in regards to adequacy of safety measures and if the gadgets meets the standards that are required. Accordingly, they have the last say on whether this lighting system is reliable or not. The major focus include the ability of sign to remains consistently lit up for stipulated hours and all the markings its surface are obvious both in day light and in pitch darkness.

In order to function properly, photoluminescent signs need to get certain level of light exposure for a given duration from a specific type of light source. This is the only way to ensure that they are able to light the emergency exits for the whole duration as required and allowing for rapid, safe and successful exit and rescue mission.

Not all emergency illumination systems are the same due to given reasons. The source of light, the height on which it is mounted and the surrounding environment are just a few factors that determines what kind of the system to be used. The environmental viable to be considered include temperature levels, damp and wet conditions, the level of dust and the danger associated with the area.




About the Author:





No comments :

Post a Comment