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vendredi 25 avril 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 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.

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.

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) is the final arbiter in regards to safety practices and equipment in their locality. As such, they have the final say on reliability of illumination. The major requirements are only that the face of sign remains continuous illuminated for stipulated hours and all the markings and writing on its surface are clearly visible all this time.

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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