About PL Products
Photoluminescent, or glow-in-the-dark, products improve safety through such options as exit signs, low-location egress pathway marking systems, and general safety signage. They use no power, do not use radioactive materials, and last for years. PL safety markings may be easily installed in seconds with just a few screws or some adhesive tape.
Who Requires Exit Path Markings?
The ICC (IBC/IFC) and many jurisdictions now require exit path markings. For a list of such codes, Jurisdictions that Require Exit Path Marking 7-30-10.
Photoluminescent Success Stories
Chroma Helps Bentzer Create a New Line of Home Safety Products
Photoluminescent Stair Tread Strips Light up San Antonio’s River Walk
How PL Products Work
As photoluminescent material absorbs light rays it stores energy. Upon removal of the light source, the stored light is gradually released, producing a highly visible surface illumination that fades over a period of time. Photoluminescent material glows in the dark if power is lost or smoke obscures overhead lighting. Unlike electrically powered systems, which rely on back up batteries or emergency generators, photoluminescent egress marking systems are fail safe. They will glow by themselves, with UL-listed products remaining visible for a minimum of 90 minutes and will continue to be visible for up to 30 hours.
PL products are often used as in egress marking systems to provide building occupants with a continuous pathway delineation for egress under all emergency conditions. Following the problems encountered in high-rise buildings in New York during the 9/11 tragedy, the city passed Local Law 26 of 2004 that requires a range of retroactive and prospective provisions, including photoluminescent exit path markings in high-rise office buildings. Other jurisdictions are considering similar legislation. Photoluminescent egress path markings inside staircases are now required by the 2009 IBC-International Building Code and 2009 IFC-International Fire Code and detailed in the 2009 NFPA 101-Life Safety Code and 2009 NFPA 5000-Building Construction and Safety Code.
PL products are on the General Services Administration schedule and are used in many government and military facilities, including the Pentagon in its post-9/11 rebuilding project.
PSA Members
Looking to buy PL products? Click here for a list of our members.