The Best Practices When Installing Emergency Exit Signs With Lights
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.
For uniformity and to ensure that all gadgets used meet the basic requirements, there are several laws that act as guideline for manufacturing and installing these gadgets. Most of these are outlined in the International Building Code Standards (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The specific parts are the NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 99 (Health Care Facility), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and NFPA 111 Standards for Emergency and Standby Power System. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the body that comes with these safety requirements.
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.
The internally light sign could have a range of light sources but the common ones include LED, incandescent, fluorescent, photoluminescent and the electro luminescent. The photoluminescent lighted signs have to contain an independent power source that illuminates it all the time. Such gadget will not work with an external power like a battery.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) gives the last word on whether the exit lighting system meets the set requirements or not. Basically, these devices should be present at all paths that are meant for emergency pathway and should be clearly marked and positioned at the correct height.
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.
In the market, not all the emergency illumination systems are similar, provided that the one bought is certified by the relevant authorities; it should be good to go. However, there are a number of factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate lighten sign for an emergency path. The significant issues to consider are the environmental conditions like the temperature, moisture, dusts and the level of hazard in the place. A place that is very wet or dump needs specific signs and so on.
For uniformity and to ensure that all gadgets used meet the basic requirements, there are several laws that act as guideline for manufacturing and installing these gadgets. Most of these are outlined in the International Building Code Standards (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The specific parts are the NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 99 (Health Care Facility), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and NFPA 111 Standards for Emergency and Standby Power System. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the body that comes with these safety requirements.
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.
The internally light sign could have a range of light sources but the common ones include LED, incandescent, fluorescent, photoluminescent and the electro luminescent. The photoluminescent lighted signs have to contain an independent power source that illuminates it all the time. Such gadget will not work with an external power like a battery.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) gives the last word on whether the exit lighting system meets the set requirements or not. Basically, these devices should be present at all paths that are meant for emergency pathway and should be clearly marked and positioned at the correct height.
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.
In the market, not all the emergency illumination systems are similar, provided that the one bought is certified by the relevant authorities; it should be good to go. However, there are a number of factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate lighten sign for an emergency path. The significant issues to consider are the environmental conditions like the temperature, moisture, dusts and the level of hazard in the place. A place that is very wet or dump needs specific signs and so on.
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