Our stand will be featuring our extensive range of photoluminescent safety signs and systems including our solutions for the new "wayfinding signs for the fire service” that are now a mandatory requirement in most high- rise residential buildings as a result of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations which became came in to effect from the 23rd January. If these new, prescribed signs are of particular interest or you require further information our UK Sales Manager, Mark Bridgens, will be on hand to discuss this with you personally.
You can register your interest in attending this event for free here.
The Energy Crisis – The case for a wider use of Photoluminescent Safety Wayguidance Systems.
Adrian Iley, Managing Director,
G.B.C. (Speciality Chemicals) Limited., Director & Secretary,
Photoluminescent Safety Products Association (P.S.P.A.)
Adrian Iley, Managing Director, G.B.C. (Speciality Chemicals) Limited., Director & Secretary, Photoluminescent Safety Products Association (P.S.P.A.)
The energy crisis means that there is a strong possibility of power shortages and blackouts in the next year at least. It therefore makes sense for everyone to think about how they can manage without power. Of course, you can invest in battery back-up systems but unless you are in the fortunate position to have your own solar or wind farm most people just have to manage somehow.
In
public buildings or multiple occupancy buildings there should be adequate
escape route marking in all public areas as is specified by National and local
regulations. Usually, these systems involve emergency electrical lighting with
battery back-up systems. However, we have seen in numerous examples including the
Twin Towers (9/11), and more recently Grenfell Tower, that such systems, even if
installed correctly, do not necessarily function properly in an emergency. What
is always true is that electrical systems require power and if the power source
is interrupted or if not properly maintained, it does not function. Stairwell
with Photoluminescent system in natural
light Stairwell with Photoluminescent system in natural light in the dark
Photoluminescent (PL) systems are based on special pigments which absorb UV light, store it and re-emit the energy in the form of visible light over a period of several hours. Critically, these systems – provided they are first charged with UV light, cannot fail. There are many examples of cases where their existence has meant that people have managed to safely evacuate public buildings and transport only because such systems were installed – often supplementary to electrical systems, just because in an emergency they work! The most famous example of course was 9/11 when several people only managed to evacuate down the stairwells because of the photoluminescent paint markings which guided them to safety (all electrical systems had ceased to operate).
If you travel on a ferry, cruise ship, plane, train or transit many road tunnels you will find photoluminescent escape route systems installed. The unfortunate fact is that in most cases these systems were only installed subsequently as a result of a disaster. You may remember the ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’ ferry accident, the Piper Alpha Oil platform explosion, the Scandinavian Star cruise ship disaster, Swiss Tunnel fires, World Trade Centre New York bombing, 9/11 etc. etc. There is a long list of such accidents which have led to Photoluminescent systems being introduced into safety regulations and successfully installed.
In 1945 when the Americans dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki the whole area was devastated. However, people had to be able to move around despite the chaos that ensued. The founder of Nemoto & Co. Japan, Kenzo Nemoto first started business making photoluminescent paints to help people find their way in the wake of the devastation. Today as the worlds’ leading manufacturer of PL pigments, the main applications remain for emergency evacuation. You might consider that in other war zones – one thinks today of Ukraine, there could be a case for similar applications now unfortunately.
Away from war zones, but as a direct result, on a practical level (if energy is likely to become rationed in future due to escalating costs), it surely must make sense for us to consider simple applications in the home for Photoluminescent material in case of blackouts, not just for emergency evacuation? Applications could include:
- Marking torches/mobile phones
- Marking doorways/stair treads
- Marking door handles/keyholes/keys
- Marking Spectacles/hearing aids
- Marking Nebulisers/pill dispensers
- Marking on safety jackets (in addition to reflective)
- Marking any hazards (e.g. obstacles, trip hazards)
When you experience a serious blackout first hand it makes you realise how difficult it is to navigate in the dark, especially if there is also smoke present as a result of a fire incident or powder atmosphere as a result of the collapse of a building (earthquake, bombing etc.).
In 2003 there was an interesting study made by Ilmenau University in Germany where Photoluminescent systems were compared with electrical evacuation systems in smoky conditions (typical of an emergency situation). The study concluded that continuous lines of low ambient light fitted at a low level (approx. 1m above floor level – typical of a Photoluminescent system), were found to be much more effective as an escape route marking system than high mounted, high brightness electrical sources. The reason being that bright lights are scattered by smoke and can cause disorientation while Photoluminescent systems below the smoke offered a continuous escape pathway.
From an environmental perspective the
common LED lights and Photoluminescent systems both require special pigments
and a lot of energy to produce. The big difference is that if you use a high
quality Photoluminescent system, there is no end of life. As long as there
is a source of UV light, Photoluminescent systems will work when there is a
sudden blackout and we should be more prepared for that in the future.
NOTES:
LumiNova® pigments were invented by Nemoto & Co, Japan in 1993. These pigments are not radioactive and are activated by UV light sources. The energy is stored and re-emitted over many hours as a visible yellow/green light – so most discernible to the human eye and appropriate for safety.
Photoluminescent systems containing LumiNova® are already widely installed in ships, cars, aircraft, tunnels and public buildings where in some cases they have totally replaced electrical systems.
G.B.C. (Speciality Chemicals) Limited is the European marketing company for Nemoto & Co., Japan and Nemoto is a shareholder in the company.
Photographs courtesy of Nemoto & Co, Japan.
References:
https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/fileadmin/Bereiche/MB/lichttechnik/Literatur/2003/BieskeInterLumen2003.pdf
AGI/06.01.2023©
After 7 long years, Everlux is back to being one of the exhibitors at Interschutz 2022, that is going to be held at the Messegelände, in Hannover, from June 20th to 25th.
We
stay by this year´s theme: "Teams, Tactics, Technology – Connected for
Protection and Rescue”, keeping up with the innovative digital solutions
as well as contributing to improve the industry.
Everlux is excited to be able to reconnect with all of its peers and to meet new ones, whom will have the opportunity to visit our brand-new stand, learn more about our latest news and our broad range of photoluminescent safety signs & systems that are going to be showcased:
Safety Way Guidance Systems
DIN 4066 und Önorm F2030 – Hinweisschilder für die Feuerwehr
Excellence by Everlux – Safety Signs for Luxury Interiors
An opportunity to experience our famous "tunnel” where you will find your way out only guided by our Low Location Lighting Signage (LLL)! An experience that is not easily forgotten!
On 21st, 22nd and 23rd of June, Everlux has a surprise for the visitors that will come by our stand. What we can tell you is that our stand will be an art gallery with a real artist performing. Come check for yourself and don´t miss the opportunity to go home with a present.
Our team can’t wait for Interschutz 2022 and to meet all of our customers, friends and new acquaintances to our stand!
Come visit us at Hall 12 – stand B04!
Everlux starts the year by exhibiting at one of the largest events in the Middle East – Intersec 2022, that takes place from January 16th to 18th, at the Dubai World Trade Center.
Once again, we will be showing to our peers what we have been working on and our extensive range of products, including:
• UL Listed Exit Signs and Egress Path Marking Solutions
• Signs in Compliance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice
• Everlux Safety Way Guidance Systems (SWGS)
• Excellence by Everlux
• Everlux-AL – Photoluminescent Safety Signs for Tunnels
• Everlux-LLL – Low Location Lighting
Hence, at the Everlux stand visitors will have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive
understanding of all our solutions and you can also walk through our iconic luminance demonstration tunnel and have a safe evacuation experience!
Everlux
is highly conscious on the current sanitary situation and therefore the
Everlux stand and visitor flow was carefully planned according to the
highest safety standards in place.
We are looking forward to meet all of the visitors of Intersec 2022 at Hall 4 – stand H12, to meet all in person, and therefore, to contribute to the development of the fire safety industry.