4.0 Maintenance program. Owners shall keep the required photoluminescent

signs and markings in good repair. At a minimum, owners shall, every 12 months, perform a visual inspection of the signs and marking with the normal lighting turned on. Signs and markings that are missing, damaged, loose, or that show signs of wear or missing MEA labels shall be noted and promptly repaired. The log of such inspections, including the results and any corrective measures taken, shall be kept and maintained on the premises for inspection by the Department of Buildings and Fire Department. The log shall contain the date of inspection and the printed name and signature of the person performing the inspection. Deviations from any of the requirements of this standard shall be a violation of the code.

 

EXPLANATORY MATERIAL

The following are additional technical considerations for Reference Standard RS 6-1 and do not constitute a portion of the mandatory requirements.

A. Activating Illumination.

The products approved for use under Reference Standard 6-1 are tested in a laboratory with a fluorescent activating light source of 2 footcandles as measured on the surface of the test specimen. The measurement of 2 footcandles was derived from the minimum lighting levels as measured on the floor in exits as required by

the New York City Building Code for buildings constructed after December 1, 1968. The Department of Buildings recognizes that many buildings are voluntarily providing more than 2 footcandles, and that many buildings erected before 1968 may properly be providing less. Additionally, some existing buildings are illuminated with incandescent lamps, which might not efficiently charge certain photoluminescent materials.

Reference Standard 6-1 does not permit the use of lower-performing photoluminescent products for brightly-lit environments, nor does it mandate the use of higher-performing photoluminescent products for grandfathered lighting environments. Therefore, prior to choosing a product, owners are encouraged to conduct a survey of existing lighting conditions to ensure adequate performance of the photoluminescent materials selected for the particular installation.

Reference Standard 6-1 relies on the current requirement of the New York City Building Code that continuous illumination be provided at all periods of building occupancy in corridors and exits4. Over the years, on a case-by-case basis, some buildings have been approved for the installation of motion-sensor activating switches allowing dark exit stairs, with the determination made that the resulting installation was equivalent to what was then required under the code. However, such determinations were made prior to the requirement of photoluminescent materials; motion-sensor devices that reduce continuous illumination to a level below the required 2 footcandles are no longer acceptable in exits where photoluminescent materials are required.

B. Dissimilar Luminance Levels Within Same Environment

It is neither necessary nor possible to require that photoluminescent products in the same environment emit identical luminance levels; many factors, including the distance to the activating light source, the angle of incidence and shadows, will result in different luminance levels for identical photoluminescent products placed in the same stairway. Variations in actual luminance are expected in the same environment. However, grossly dissimilar brightness ratings within the same environment should be avoided.

C. Contrasting Colors

Photoluminescent material are effective in completely dark conditions, and, conversely, are usually visible in normal lighting conditions. However, in dim or semi-lit conditions, such as when batteries for an emergency light are running low or when a stair is dark but a door is open to a lighted area, the photoluminescent materials forming the outlines of steps, landing, demarcation lines, and handrails might become hard to discern. Photoluminescent materials installed adjacent to a contrasting, dark color ameliorate this effect.

D. Abrasion Resistance

Reference Standard 6-1 does not mandate minimum standards for abrasion resistance. For products that are to be applied to walking surfaces, it is recommended that owners consider 1) the amount of traffic in the stairs by building occupants, and 2) the products' durability and resistance to abrasion. For instance, certain thin films and paints may be sufficient where the stairs are alarmed and only used in emergencies. However, where the occupants use the stairs on a daily basis, more durable products should be considered. Ultimately, the building owner is responsible for maintaining the photoluminescent materials in accordance with Reference Standard 6-

1, Section 4.0.

4 As such terms are defined in the Building Code of the City of New York

E. Adhesives.

Reference Standard 6-1 does not specify the adhesives to be used. The choice of adhesive should be carefully considered for the longevity of the installation, particularly if the surface to which the product to be applied is porous, uneven, or subject to temperature or humidity variation. At a minimum owners should follow the manufacturers? instructions.

F. Slip-resistance.

Reference Standard 6-1 does not specify minimum slip-resistance requirements for photoluminescent products installed on walking surfaces. Whether or not a particular building?s egress path is subject to any slipresistance requirements may depend on the original date of construction. Any photoluminescent materials installed should be as slip-resistant as the minimum standard that is applicable to the building in which they are being installed. A stripe of photoluminescent material that is not slip-resistant may, depending on the design of the stair nosing product, be compensated for by the inclusion of an adjacent, slip-resistant strip.

G. Wall-mounted floor perimeter markings at doors.

In deciding whether to continue a wall-mounted demarcation line across a door or to transition to the floor (2.2.4.2), consideration should be given to how the door is used or secured so as to avoid the possibility that the demarcation line on the door, if left open, might lead evacuees into a non-egress space or area.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Reference Standard RS 6-1A

Additional Standards as Required by Reference Standard RS 6-1 for Photoluminescent exit path markings

Specimens to be tested shall be finished products as they would be sold to purchasers. Each distinct product material shall be separately tested and receive its respective test results for its respective Materials, Equipment and Acceptance (MEA) Division approval number. However, variation in the size of the product and differences in the text or arrow directions, etc., shall not constitute a distinct product material, but shall constitute a different model number—provided that product literature describing with pictorial representations of all such model numbers associated with the test specimens is submitted to MEA.

Thin gauge films and paints shall be tested when applied to a rigid cement board ¼? thick. In the case of paints, such painted test specimens shall be submitted along with the description of the procedures used to produce the test specimens (such as surface preparation, primer coats, number of photoluminescent coats, encapsulant coat if applicable, maximum/minimum temperature or humidity during painting if applicable, etc.). Such description shall be included in the laboratory?s test report; and such description shall be included in the MEA resolution as the mandatory labeling on the paint cans as instructions to purchasers.

1.0 Brightness Rating

ISO 17398:2004, Safety Colours and Safety Signs—Classification, Performance and Durability of Safety Signs, Clause 7.11. Three specimens shall be tested (separately for each distinct product material). Thin gauge films and paints shall be tested when applied to a rigid cement board ¼? thick.

The testing shall be in accordance with ISO 17398, clause 7.11, with the following modifications:

1.1 Clause 7.11.5 – Excitation Light Conditions. The test established in Clause 7.11.5.1. for classification of photoluminescent materials in accordance with Clause 5.5 is not required.

The test in Clause 7.11.5.2 is required, however subclauses a), b), and c) are replaced with the following excitation standard: "Excitation of the phosphorescent test specimens shall be by a 4000K to 4500 K fluorescent light providing a mean illuminance of 2 footcandles (21.6 lux) on the surface of the test specimen. The excitation duration shall be 2 hours."

1.2 Clause 7.11.6.1 – Luminance Instrumentation. This Clause 7.11.6.1 describes two luminance instrumentation options. For this Reference Standard 6-1A, the contact luminance meter option shall be limited only to test specimens that are both smooth and flat.

1.3 Clause 7.11.6.4.2 – Luminance recordings for classification purposes. This Clause 7.11.6.4.2 is not required.

1.4 Clause 7.11.6.4.3 – Luminance recordings for product description purposes. The luminance performance shall be based on the mean values of the three test specimens measured at 10 minutes, the mean values of the three test specimens measured at 60 minutes, and the mean values of the three test specimens measured at 90 minutes. The resulting luminance performances shall constitute a "brightness rating", which shall be indicated in the test report.

The minimum brightness rating shall be 30.0 mcd/m2 at 10 minutes, 7.0 mcd/m2 at 60 minutes, and 5.0 mcd/m2 at 90 minutes. For example, a product that minimally meets the luminance levels would have a brightness rating of 30-7-5.

2.0 Washability

ASTM D 4828-1994 (2003), Standard Test Methods for Practical Washability of Organic Coatings.

2.1 Three specimens (of each distinct product material) shall be tested for each soil/staining medium in accordance with ASTM D 4828. Thin gauge films and paints shall be tested when applied to a rigid cement board ¼? thick.

2.2 The laboratory shall prepare the soils and staining media that shall include: crayon, waterborne felt-tipped pen, lipstick, and a mineral-oil-bourne soilants as outlined in clause 6.2.

2.3 The cleaning media shall include liquid household cleansers available at supermarkets or laboratory-standardized liquid cleansers as outlined in clause 6.3.

2.4 After completion of the test, each specimen shall be rated at 5 or greater in accordance with clause 8.8.

3.0 Toxicity

Bombardier SMP 800-C (Rev. 4, 11/1/2000) Toxic Gas Generation Test. One test specimen (of each distinct product material) shall be tested in each of the flaming and non-flaming modes in accordance with SMP 800-C. Where the test specimen is narrower than the required 3" x 3" (76 mm x 76 mm), more than one test specimens shall be placed next to each other to provide 9 in2 (229 mm2) of surface area. Thin gauge films and paints shall be tested when applied to a rigid cement board ¼? thick. The testing shall be in accordance with SMP 800-C, with the following modifications:

3.1 Clause 4.3 – For determining the concentration of the toxic gases in accordance with the referenced Boeing BSS 7239 specification, the Commissioner may accept a procedure that uses gas detection tubes or other procedures, in lieu of the absorptive sampling procedure, provided that the testing laboratory outlines the procedures in its report and certifies that equivalent results are obtained.

3.2 Clause 5.0 – In accodance with the Building Code and departmental rules, the Department of Buildings? Materials, Equipment and Acceptance Division may approve any testing laboratory it deem qualified to perform this test.

EXCEPTION: For photoluminescent products that, when installed, provide coverage exceeding the limits of interior trim, such products shall instead be tested for toxicity as interior finishes and/or interior floor coverings if and as required by Building Code ? 27-348(e) and/or ? 27-351. Tread nosings with a horizontal depth of 4" or less and that contain a photoluminescent stripe may be tested in accordance with RS 6-1A.

4.0 Radioactivity

ASTM D 3648-2004, Standard Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity.

4.1 Three test specimens (of each distinct product material) shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 3648. Thin gauge films and paints shall be tested when applied to a rigid cementboard.

4.2 The activity of the test specimens shall be shown to be statistically indistinguishable from background.

4.3 Alpha and beta activity shall be measured on a test specimen of at least 1 in x 1 in (25.4 mm x 25.4 mm) and counted using a proportional counter for a minimum of 15 minutes.

4.4 Gamma activity shall be measured on the same test specimen using a gamma spectrometer counted for at least 1 hour.

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