Glow in the dark signs are made from a self-charging material that can be used in a variety of ways to enhance building safety - they offer a practical and cost-effective way to provide guidance in emergency situations.
In this article we go into more depth about how glow in the dark safety signs work, the types of safety products available and the benefits they can provide.
How does a Glow In The Dark Safety Sign work?
The technical term for a product that glows in the dark is photoluminescent. Safety signs (or any other type of product) that uses photoluminescence is able to emit light without any heat or connection to electricity. This is because photoluminescent material absorbs and stores particles when exposed to source of bright light for a period of time. So when the lights are turned off, the stored energy is then emitted.
Compared to some glow in the dark toys and similar products, photoluminescent safety signs use an industrial grade substrate called strontium oxide - this enables the material to absorb far more energy photons so it can remain brighter for longer.
If you are installing a photoluminescent safety sign, it is important to ensure it will be exposed to an artificial or natural light source so it can remain ‘charged’. This also makes it an environmentally friendly option as it does not require batteries or an electrical power source in order to work.
Photoluminescent material can be included a wide range of safety sign products, from wall stickers to rigid plastic signs. The brightness and length of time they will be able to glow in the dark depends on the classification of the pigment being used. This is rated from Class A to G, with Class A containing the least amount of pigmentation to produce the shortest life and dimmest glow, and Class G providing the longest and brightest results.
What are the legal requirements for glow in the dark safety signs?
Currently in the UK there are no legal requirements for signs to be glow in the dark signage. This takes into account both the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
UK Building regs do require every doorway or other exit providing fire escape access to be provided with an exit sign, but there is no legal requirement for this to be photoluminescent.
However, there is a moral argument that a correctly installed photoluminescent signs and a safety way guidance system (SWGS) can save lives and reduce damage liability.
Safety Way Guidance Systems (SWGS), which relates to photoluminescent marking and directional material such as fire exit signs, must conform to the standards set out in BS ISO 16069. This ensures the design, installation and performance of the signs are fire compliant and meet UK safety requirements.
While it is a legal requirement for every fire exit to have an exit sign installed, it does not have to be of the glow in the dark variety. Not every situation involving the use of a fire exit will affect the visibility of a safety sign, however, should the lights go out or the area become filled with smoke and people are unable to navigate their way to the nearest fire exit, a photoluminescent door sign or other Glow in the Dark Fire could make all the difference.
Is there a British Standard for Photoluminescent Signs?
Similar to legal requirements, there is no specific British Standard that relates to photoluminescent signs in general. As mentioned above, a British Standard exists for SWGS, although this is specifically for directional signage, and not general photoluminescent warning signs.
However, many businesses and organisations recognise the benefits provided by installing a photoluminescent sign. Whether it’s helping people find their way out of a building in an emergency, or guiding them to key firefighting equipment, using a photoluminescent sign significantly enhances safety measures.
How should you install a safety way-guidance system
There are some basic principles to follow when installing a SWGS:
- Signs installed at a low level should not be higher than 0.4m from the floor. Intermediate signs should be at eye level and high level signs at a minimum of 1.8m above the floor
- Guidance lines should be at low level and offer perspective up to 30m
- All symbols, shapes, colours and contrasts should conform to ISO 3864-1 and ISO 7010
- Minimum operational time for a safety way guidance system is one hour
The above is just a small selection of the principles outlined in BS ISO 16069. Following these guidelines means the signs are installed to standard and when used people will have the right level of safety support.
What are the benefits of Photoluminescent Safety Signage?
If you are thinking of installing photoluminescent safety signs in your building, you should consider the benefits they can offer, such as:
Safer environment
The use of photoluminescent signage can help mitigate against slips and trips and associated injuries that can occur in an emergency. The illumination provided by these types of signs ensures hazards and obstructions that may otherwise remain unseen can be avoided, making it faster and easier to navigate out of the building.
Reduced operating costs
Because photoluminescent signs absorb and store photons from existing light sources, they do not require batteries or electricity to work. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to traditional electric signage, reducing operational costs and the need to pay for electricians to maintain them over time. They are also quick and easy to install and do not require a professional tradesperson to put them in place.
Reliability
In an emergency situation, you need to make sure everyone is as safe as possible and that people are able to find their way out of the building efficiently. Unfortunately, signs powered by electricity cannot always be relied on, especially if you experience a blackout. Battery-powered signs can also fail which means exit signs will not be visible. The great thing about photoluminescent signs is they can be relied upon no matter the conditions, giving them a longer lifespan than LED and incandescent signs, sometimes lasting as long as 25 years.
Low maintenance
The cost of electric signage can be seen not only in the price you pay upfront, but in maintenance and servicing costs across its lifespan. This is not something you have to worry about with photoluminescent signs because there are no breakable parts and no backup battery testing is required, and the time it takes to ‘charge’ is also very short. You will have to do occasional ‘housekeeping’ to remove dust and debris, but nothing beyond that.
What types of Photoluminescent Safety Products are available?
There are a number of ways to use photoluminescence to enhance safety, such as:
Safety signs
From Glow in the Dark Fire Exit or Glow in the Dark Fire Door Signs, to PPE and fire drill signage, there are wide range of glow in the dark safety signs you can install around the workplace.
Safety tapes
Safety tapes are used on floors and walls in addition to safety signage to identify a clear route of escape in the event of an emergency. It can also be used to outline fire equipment storage so it can be accessed if lighting conditions are poor.
Safety markers
Safety markers are used to complement escape route messages and can include things such as arrows, chevrons, plain dots, dots with arrows and switch markers.
Safety handrails
This is another complementary method that uses handrail markers to highlight their wall position in poor lighting conditions, helping people negotiate stairs and other pathways on their way towards the exit.
Safety clothing
You will see photoluminescent material on high-vis jackets used by a variety of workers operating in high-risk environments. This helps identity where people are at any given time, especially if they are working at night or in low-light conditions.
Are Photoluminescent Signs different to Reflective Signs?
As the name suggests, unlike photoluminescent signs, reflective signs do not absorb light. Instead, when a light source is shone onto the surface of the sign, it is reflected back - Highly reflective vinyl is used to manufacture this type of signage.
Deciding on whether or not a photoluminescent sign is suitable for your building depends on its layout and when it is occupied. For example, a retail store on a high street will usually have large windows with good natural lighting and the hours of business are usually during the day, so standard safety signs that do not glow should be good enough for customers. If the premises has large back areas, you may want to install a photoluminescent sign to help staff in the event of an emergency.
Photoluminescent signs are ideal for buildings with basements, internal corridors and stairwells. This ensures people have a well illuminated route so they can safely make their way out of the building if needed.
Conclusion
Photoluminescent safety signs offer a number of advantages over standard signage and can give you more assurance that people will have the safety support they need in the event of an emergency. Not only is it cost-effective and reliable, it is a more eco-friendly alternative to electrical signage. While there is no legal requirement to install glow in the dark signage in any building, it does offer clear advantages over standard signage, especially in more complex buildings with multiple stairwells and corridors.
