Emergency Exit Signs

When designing or building a new public space, one of the primary concerns is emergency safety.  During regular operating hours, exit signs run on electricity to guide visitors and occupants safely through the building.  Emergency situations create extra problems, though, and electricity can fail when those emergency situations arise.  There are several different types of emergency exit signs available that can operate even in times of power failure. 

Self-luminous exit signs, photoluminescent exit signs, and electrical exit signs that have built-in backup power battery systems are all emergency exit sign options.  When you can’t rely on electricity and traditionally illuminated exit signs, these emergency exit signs step in to save the day.

Self-luminous Emergency Exit Signs

Self-luminous exit signs do not use any electricity, making them an excellent choice for emergency exit signs.  They provide illumination through a chemical process.  A tritium gas-filled tube coated with phosphor creates a glow when the tritium and phosphor come into contact with each other. 

Self-luminous exit signs provide plenty of light to guide a building’s occupants and visitors to the exits in the absence of ambient lighting, and they will not fail when the electrical power goes out.  High-quality self-luminous exit signs can glow for years without dimming, making them a breeze to maintain.

Photoluminescent Emergency Exit Signs

Photoluminescent exit signs are coated with a chemical that absorbs the light around it and re-emits the light when the power goes out.  This simple glow-in-the-dark technology is very reliable and an excellent safety choice for emergency situations.

In fact, many local city safety codes are now requiring photoluminescent exit signs and egress pathway markings for optimum backup safety.  Many public buildings have emergency electricity backup systems, but even these fail on occasion.  When all electrical systems fail, photoluminescent emergency exit signs will still provide a glow to guide evacuees to safety.

Built-In Backup Systems

Many electrical exit signs have their own battery-powered built-in backup system.  The batteries inside the electrical system charge when not in use.  When power fails, the backup system becomes operational, allowing the sign to continue to glow as people find their way out of the building.  These battery-powered backup systems typically hold enough power to provide light for 90 minutes. 

With all of these options for emergency exit signs, designing a system of signage that is fail-safe is easy.  As office buildings, retail outlets and other public spaces continue to grow, the need for emergency exit signs becomes greater.  Optimum safety is essential, and emergency exit signs help provide that safety.

About The Exit Store

The Exit Store has been providing exit signs and exit lights online since 2004.  We focus on cost-effective quality and safety.  We also carry an array of energy-efficient exit signs and lighting systems for even greater cost efficiency.  Exit signs are an essential part of any building’s emergency safety systems, and The Exit Store is a one-stop shop for all exit sign needs.