Sunday, April 20, 2014

The Best Practices When Installing Emergency Exit Signs With Lights

By Essie Osborn


Emergency lighting use in all institutional, industrial and commercial buildings has been in practice since 1940s and is mandated by local authorities, state government and federal government. The emergency exit signs with lights are required to remain luminous for at least 90 minutes after the main light goes out. The time is estimated to be enough for all occupants to exit the building during a crisis.

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 prerequisites as expressed by OSHA states each route leading to the exit door sufficiently lighted so that anybody with ordinary vision easily locate the route. The gadget itself needs to have an EXIT sign written with bold and clear letters not less than six inches in size. An arrow showing the direction is to be used together with the writing in parts of the rout where the direction is not obvious.

The illumination requirements are defined in the NFPA 101. The requirements include a fluorescence source or an incandescent and are contained on the surface of the device being illuminated. If it is to be internally illuminated, the light source is then located inside the device.

The gadgets illuminated from internal light source may have a variety of light source but the common ones are the fluorescence, incandescence, photoluminescence and the light emitting diodes (LED). The most common ones are the photoluminescence signs which are required to be powered by an independent power source and must illuminate all the time the main power source goes off.

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.




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