Photoluminescent Safety Signs: What They Are and Why You Need Them?

Photoluminescent safety signs, also commonly known as glow-in-the-dark,have been substantially trending in recent times. Whether it is an industry, warehouse, or residential complex, photoluminescent safety signs are highly prevalent everywhere.

These signs offer great accessibility during emergency situations by glowing in the dark and helping in the evacuation process. Let us learn more about these safety signs and why they are becoming extremely popular these days.

Let us start by understanding first:

What are Photoluminescent Safety Signs?

These are the safety signs purposefully designed with photoluminescent material, which makes them glow in the dark and provide path assistance. The safety signs leverage the photoluminescence process through which it absorbs the natural light of the environment.

Further, natural light is dispersed in the dark, allowing people to see the safety signs in an emergency. Photoluminescent safety signs take around one hour to fully charge and further illuminate for at least 90 minutes.

How Do Photoluminescent Safety Signs Work?

Photoluminescent safety signs use ambient lighting to glow in the dark places. They are specifically designed not to illuminate spaces but to define a space so that people can easily be evacuated during emergencies.

The photoluminescence film luminous principle is used to make these safety signs work. Primarily, inorganic phosphorus material is utilised to design a photoluminescence film that pulls the energy from the surroundings.

The film is attached to a substrate which can be a water-based or solvent-based paint, plastic extrusion, magnetic tape, or vinyl film. The phosphorus absorbs the light and exhibits it in dark settings, making it perfect for displaying crucial information during darkness.

Why Do You Need Photoluminescent Safety Signs?

Photoluminescent safety signs are essential in case of emergencies at nighttime. Besides, they significantly improve any building’s path-marking system, whether a factory or a residential block.

Here are a few reasons why you need them:

• They are useful in the event of a power outage.
• They help in path navigation for staff, residents, and visitors during an emergency.
• They are beneficial in blackout conditions.
• They ​​ensure building compliance and are a great tool for an evacuation plan.

Learn More About Safety Signs and Why Foamex is a Popular Choice for Safety Signs? 

Glancing at the Advantages of Photoluminescent Safety Signs

One of the reasons for the surging popularity of photoluminescent safety signs is their high workability at a cost-effective price. Let us discover more of its benefits.

Better Assistance to Fire Responders

Safety signs are extremely helpful when a fire breaks down, and fire responders need to control the situation. Fire responders need to build a mental map in their heads of the building they are about to enter.

If no safety signs are installed in the building, it gets really hard for the fire workers to locate the different sections of the building and act accordingly.

Conversely, buildings with proper photoluminescent safety signs are easy to clear as you can flawlessly follow self-illuminating signs to find the way in light, dark, wet or smoky conditions.

Reduced Operating Costs

Traditional safety signs were designed in a way that required electricity to run. As the safety signs need to stay active all the time, they needed energy at all times to run.

This significantly impacted the overall energy costs for the building. However, with photoluminescent safety signs, the energy needs get substantially reduced as the signs gather light from natural sources and illuminate without any power.

Also, installing photoluminescent safety signs reduces several other costs like:

The cost of an electrician

Maintenance costs of battery backup systems

Monthly energy bills

Improved Reliability

Reliability is one of the primary reasons for these safety signs being popular. During emergencies, it is vital to have some light to guide people to safety. However, with electric-based safety signs, the chances of failure are more. In case the backup battery systems need replacement, the chances of signs not being displayed clearly widens.

Conversely, photoluminescent safety signs are extremely dependable as they illuminate no matter the conditions. Whether it is smoke or pitch darkness, the glow-in-the-dark safety signs will ensure a safe evacuation experience for you. Besides, they have an average lifespan of over 25 years or more which makes them extremely reliable.

Little to No Maintenance

Photoluminescent safety signs have another great advantage. Unlike traditional safety signs, photoluminescent signs do not use any additional power source, significantly reducing their maintenance needs. The only maintenance they require is the removal of dirt and debris from their surface, and they are good to go at zero maintenance cost.

Longer Lifespan

Electricity illuminated emergency signs are subjected to electrical failure and need constant replacement of light equipment. However, with photoluminescent safety signs, you can install and forget about them as they averagely live for over two to three decades. Hence, choosing photoluminescent signs is a more profitable choice in the overall run.

Code Compliance

Due to code concerns, many people hesitate to install photoluminescent safety signs in their buildings. To their surprise, these signs are code compliant and, in fact, meet the same standards as electric safety signs.

Photoluminescent safety signs include the following code compliance:

NFPA 101® Life Safety Code®

International Fire Code®

International Building Code®

UL 924

Therefore, you will have no code compliance issue by installing these safety signs, provided the signs are brought from a reputable sign dealer and installed properly in your buildings.

Increased LEED Credits

Photoluminescent safety signs greatly save energy and decrease a building’s carbon footprint. Apart from that, it helps improve your LEED credit ratings.

The photoluminescent safety signs apply to 2 LEED credits:

Energy & Atmosphere

Innovation & Design

Depending upon the manufacturing of the safety signs, you may also avail of ‘Materials & Resources’ credit points. In all, photoluminescent safety signs encourage more sustainable energy for a greener planet.

Ready to Buy Photoluminescent Safety Signs?

Providing the right visual support becomes simple and effective with the use of photoluminescent safety signs. They are a reliable and cost-effective way to improve your building’s safety measures and achieve better results. In case you are looking to design photoluminescent safety signs for your office or residence, you may contact our Foamex team to know more and get the best market price.