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Photoluminescent Signs: How They Work
Glow-in-the-dark signs keep exits and fire equipment easy to spot when the power goes off, and they need no wiring or batteries.
The science behind glow signs
Photoluminescent material soaks up ordinary light during the day and releases it as a green-yellow glow once it gets dark. The signs need no electricity, so they stay visible during a power outage, during load shedding and in smoke-filled passages.
EXIT →
Exit routes
Arrows and running figures marking escape routes.
EXIT →
Fire equipment
Glowing versions of extinguisher and hose reel signs.
EXIT →
Stair and step marking
Glow strips and step nosings along stairways.
Glow signs versus illuminated exit signs
| Photoluminescent | Electrically lit |
|---|
| Power needed | None | Mains power with battery backup |
| Keeps working during load shedding | Yes | Only while the battery holds charge |
| Maintenance | Keep clean and exposed to light | Testing the battery and lamp |
| Cost | Low | Higher, plus installation |
| Best use | Escape routes, stairwells, fire equipment | Primary exits in large public buildings |
Many buildings combine both: lit exit signs at the main doors, and photoluminescent signs along the whole route and on fire equipment.
Where to install them
- Above each emergency exit door
- At each change of direction along an escape route
- Low on walls in long corridors, where smoke is thinner
- On staircases and landings
- Over fire extinguishers, hose reels and alarm call points
Common questions
How long do photoluminescent signs keep glowing?
The glow time depends on the material grade and how much light the sign has soaked up. Good-quality photoluminescent signs stay visible for a long while after the lights go off, long enough for people to leave a building. Ask us which grade suits your fire plan.
Do glow-in-the-dark signs need power?
No. They soak up normal room light and give it off in the dark, so they still work during a power cut or load shedding.
Where should photoluminescent signs go?
On escape routes, exit doors, staircases, fire equipment and alarm call points: anywhere people need to find their way in the dark.
Will they work in a room that is never lit?
No. A sign needs light exposure to charge up. Fit them where the normal lights are on during working hours.
Explore more safety sign guides
Place your order today
Express Print produces SABS-style safety signs in Rivonia, Johannesburg, using ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl. Share the sign codes and sizes you need and we’ll send you a quote.
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