While photoluminescet safety products have been available for decades, new generation pigments have ushered advanced,
photoluminescent emergency Exit Signs into the mainstream. With today’s luminosity and increased luminance
duration, it's no wonder that many building codes and are now including the use of new generation photoluminecent Exit Signs
into the mainstream. What we call photoluminescent material is actually a special inorganic pigment that is incorporated into
the lettering of the Exit Sign. The photoluminescent pigments used in the sign absorb and store energy from normal, ambient
light. In the case of sudden darkness such as a power outage or the spread of smoke, the Exit Sign releases this energy in
the form of a luminous glow and is immediately visible.
According to recent statistics from
the U.S. Department of Energy, there are over 100 million electric exit signs operating across the country 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. The companies, schools, government facilities, hotels and other public buildings that use these electric
signs pay a combined cost of over $1 BILLION a year in energy and maintenance costs. When it comes to saving
on energy costs, photoluminescent exit signs are clearly the solution. By switching to photoluminescent exit signs, it is
estimated that U.S. companies could save thousands of kilowatts of electricity each year. That translates to an annual energy
cost-savings of hundreds of millions of dollars.
As we see national safety trends moving towards the mandated addition of low-level exit signage and emergency egress
systems, U.S. businesses and public and private institutions will look to save money on product installation and maintenance
costs. Photoluminescent exit signs and egress pathway components can save you money in many
ways.
· Compared to
electric exit signs, photoluminescent exit signs are simple to install and require no additional electricity to operate. This
means you will not incur the additional labor and electrical costs associated with the installation of electric exit signs.
· Whereas electric exit signs also require electricity
to operate the individual components, the photoluminescent exit signs are fueled by the absorption and storage of ambient
fluorescent light and require no additional electricity to operate.
· Maintenance costs are also less with photoluminescent exit signs. Most electric
exit signs are illuminated through the use of light bulbs and as we know, light bulbs burn out over time. There are no bulbs
to replace with photoluminescent exit signs, and once installed they are easily maintained for 25+ years. This increased reliability
also ensures against potential life safety hazards that could result due to the lack of maintenance for electric exit signs.
Simple
and economical to install and maintain, photoluminescent exit signs are also very durable, non-toxic, non-radioactive and
explosion-proof. It all adds up to one solution:.When it comes to saving lives, photoluminescent exit signs offer unsurpassed
reliability while also saving you money on installation, maintenance and energy costs.