Understanding Codes: OSHA Exit Signs
Posted on 05. Mar, 2009 by admin in Fire Safety
Fires cause millions of dollars of damage to businesses each year. More importantly, workplace fires are responsible for hundreds of injuries, and even death. Strict adherence to local, state, and federal fire code is critical to safe business operation. Something as simple as a sign can save a life. We all benefit when evacuation routes are designed to meet OSHA exit signs standards.
OSHA leaves no room for guesswork on this lifesaving subject. The federal agency specifies that exit signs must be designed with high-contrast lettering six inches tall and three-fourths of an inch wide. There must be adequately bright emergency exit lights illuminating evacuation routes, and all exit signs must be lit to 54 lux for proper visibility. Additionally, OSHA notes that all local-level fire codes must be met.
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has begun requiring all federal agencies to phase in a zero-energy form of exit signs. Photoluminescent egress lighting and exit signs draw no external power, relying instead on a passive charge from ambient fluorescent lighting. While these signs appeal to cost-conscious business owners, they must also meet or exceed federal safety regulations.
Not only do these FEMP-endorsed exit signs measure up to OSHA standards, they take further safety concerns into consideration. The use of green and white lettering, glowing reliably at regulation levels, has been shown to improve visibility in smoky conditions. With no light bulbs or wiring to maintain, they also provide increased reliability in any situation.
For more information on the safety and reliability features of photoluminescent egress lighting visit GloBriteSystem.com.
