Coating manufacturers that supply photoluminescent safety technology provide an important alternative to safety technologies that use electricity for safety-critical illumination. In addition to buying standard photoluminescent safety products such as signs and markings, companies can also convert non-luminescent surfaces into luminescent ones by purchasing photoluminescent film and applying it on top of an existing surface. Examples of surfaces where the film is applied for safety reasons are:
Sign Surfaces
Large buildings contain hundreds of signs, many of which are non-luminescent. When a power outage occurs and backup lighting fails, these signs become all but invisible, even if they contain reflective surfacing. Most building signs are now available in photoluminescent form, but replacing hundreds of non-luminescent signs with luminescent ones can be expensive. A more cost-effective option is equipping the signs to glow in the dark by outfitting them with photoluminescent film.
Surfaces in Egress Areas
A coating manufacturer can also supply luminescent egress stripes. In many municipalities, outlining egress paths with luminous egress stripes is mandatory. If backup lighting fails during an evacuation, the stripes serve as a form of illumination, outlining stairs, handrails, door areas, and other egress elements to help guide evacuees to safety.
Luminescent stripes are available as non slip materials, with rough surfacing to help prevent slips and falls during evacuations.
Vehicle Surfaces
Applying photoluminescent film to the surfaces of boats, planes, trains, and other vehicles is a cost-effective strategy for increasing their visibility at night, especially when fog is present. This strategy is especially effective for large vehicles such as trains, jet liners, and cargo ships, whose large dimensions can be difficult to illuminate with onboard lighting.
Stationary Machine Surfaces
Many building owners outline egress paths with photoluminescent markings in preparation for power outages, but they rarely apply luminescent markings in areas separated from egress paths, such as equipment stations. If a machinist operates an industrial machine when an outage occurs, navigating away from the machine in the darkness could be treacherous.
Applying luminescent film to the surfaces of machines can help machinists gain their bearings when a power outage occurs, especially if backup lighting fails due to generator failure.
Surfaces on Building Exteriors
Applying photoluminescent film to building surfaces helps buildings remain visible during blackouts. Of particular interest is making hospitals and health clinics visible. The film can also be applied to high towers and roof areas to help prevent airplane and crane collisions.
Conclusion
Photoluminescent film operates in the same manner as other photoluminescent products by absorbing photons from ambient light, and then reemitting them, creating a distinct glowing effect. Although simple in mechanism, photoluminescent film can make a major difference in the safety of the areas where it is applied. Best of all, it offers an economical alternative to achieving safety illumination via powerful lights or complex lighting systems.
Photoluminescent film is frequently used to convert the non-luminous surfaces of signs, vehicles, buildings, and interior building areas to luminous surfaces. For more information on photoluminescent film and non slip materials, contact a coating manufacturer who supplies luminescent safety solutions.