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Emergency exit signs with glowing markings to indicate when it is safe to leave are a very important part of any workplace. They help workers know when they can safely go home, or at least step out for some much needed break time.
Photoluminescence (also called phosphorescence) occurs when molecules in a material spontaneously decay into other more stable states. This process takes place without combustion, so it does not require energy from the sun or another source.
It is our body’s own natural way to give off light as it decomposes. A lot of things naturally photoluminece, including certain chemicals found in living organisms and some non-living materials such as some minerals and crystals.
There are many examples where this effect has been used to create technology. For instance, you may have seen glow-in-the-dark toys that use phosphorus to emit soft glows. These are sometimes referred to as “luminous powder.”
The term comes from the word lumina, which means “light.” When put together, these two words describe what the material does; it gives off light. It is just like having a nightlight but better because it doesn’t run down and die like a candle will.
How exit signs work
Most people are familiar with those warning triangles that stick out of car hoods to warn of vehicle accidents. They’re called ejection marks or ejector markings, and they go away when you pull off.
Some cars have photoluminescent materials which glow under dark conditions, however, so they keep flashing for a little while after being exposed to light. That’s why they’re sometimes referred to as glimmer lights!
Photoluminescence happens when electrons in atoms get excited and then drop back down to a lower energy level. When they do this, it can’t happen quickly, and it takes some time before they’re able to relax and come back into their normal state.
It may be because there’s something about the material itself, or perhaps due to what kind of chemical reaction is taking place inside it. Either way, it means that it takes a bit of time to fade away completely, which is why they stay illuminated even after exposure to bright light.
There are several types of photoluminescence, but one of the most common is fluorescence. This occurs when molecules in the material absorb light at one wavelength (like blue) and emit light at another (redder). Because these chemicals shift from absorbing red to emitting green, yellow, or orange, it creates a more neutral color.
How photoluminescent exit signs work
Most photoluminescence systems contain three main components: light source, phosphor coating and substrate. The glow you see in some materials comes from the phosphors reacting with the illumination given off by the light source to produce their own light.
The most common type of light source is an LED (light-emitting diode). These are very durable, can be designed into many shapes and functions and cost around $1–$5 per unit! Because they do not have strong enough batteries, they need to be connected to a power supply or recharged regularly.
A second option is cold cathodes which create a stream of electrons that collide onto another surface causing it to emit light. These are much more expensive than LEDs but last longer since there are no batteries to run down.
Thirdly, vacuum tubes such as neon bulbs will always give off bright glowing colors due to the negative gas ions inside. They are also relatively inexpensive and easy to find online and at brick-and-mortar stores.
Test photoluminescence levels
First, you need to test how well your exit signs work. You can do this by placing them next to a light source or in indirect lighting conditions where they will not be exposed directly to light.
You want to make sure that when you turn off the lights, there are no flashes of light coming from the sign. If there is, then the luminance level is too high and it may cause eye discomfort or even damage for some people.
After testing, you can lower the brightness until there are no longer any flashes. Then, you can conserve energy more efficiently by having less bright exits!
Tips: Make sure your vehicle’s interior does not have plastic covers or dark shades of paint because these reflect back enough light so as to keep the photoluminescence active.
Potential damage caused by exit signs
Most states require that you are able to perceive an exit sign at night, and therefore require photoluminescence in those signs. This feature makes sure that the light source is strong enough to be seen even when there is no ambient lighting around.
However, many of these lights use heavy metals such as lead or mercury to produce the glow. These chemicals can leak into the air we breathe and could cause health issues for people exposed to very high levels. It also cannot be guaranteed that the glows will stay switched off permanently.
If someone who has asthma experiences symptoms after being outside during dark hours, then it may indicate that they were exposed to excessive amounts of photoluminescence material.
It is important to note that while photoluminescent materials help protect drivers from getting run over, they do not guarantee protection against other types of accidents.
Disadvantages of photoluminescent exit signs
There are two main disadvantages to photoluminescent materials. The first is that they can be expensive to make at the source plant, which means you may not have access to them if there ever was a power outage.
The second is that photoluminescence will eventually stop working over time due to exposure to light or heat. This could mean being without safety equipment for an extended period in case of an emergency.
Bright lights hurt your eyes
Even if you never use an exit in your life, these things still exist! They help keep people from fleeing the scene of a crime or accident by making it more difficult to see outside.
Photoluminescence happens when light is shined onto some materials and they glow for a few seconds before going out. This happens because phototantalic compounds in the material fluoresce (glow) under certain wavelengths and conditions.
The photoflash technology that uses this effect comes in two varieties: red and blue. Both work by using a short burst of high intensity light to ignite a chemical reaction which glows for a longer period of time.
In both cases, the chemicals used are so efficient at glowing that there’s no need to increase the length of the flash — just make sure you hit the brake soon after firing! These bulbs last around ten times longer than normal fluroescent ones.
Their long lifespan makes them cost effective for keeping safety off the road.
They are expensive to run
While they can be fun to look at, photoluminisant exit signs cost way more than normal emergency exit signage. This is due to the fact that they must use special materials to work. Luminaires need to contain light emitting diodes (LEDs), powerful batteries, and reflective coatings to function properly.
The LEDs and batteries in these lumens require energy to work so choosing the right size battery can make a big difference in how long they last. Yours will depend on the usage of your building as well as the length of time you expect people to stay outside during an alarm or evacuation.
Reflective coatings help prevent the lumen from being blocked by dirt or water which could potentially break down the material and impair its effectiveness. People often skip cleaning their sign because it seems too difficult, but leaving it dirty may cause health or safety issues for those trying to find it.
They are difficult to repair
Most people have never seen a photoluminescent exit sign before, but they do work! Exit signs that use light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser lights to indicate exits are actually very expensive to make.
That’s why most don’t see many of them around today. Luckily, it is possible to create your own! You can pick up components at almost any store for about $25-30 each. All you need to do is take one component home after you buy it, and then just put it together!
There are even some great online resources where you can find easy to follow instructions on how to build your own LED exit sign.
