Photoluminescent Signs Explained
Glow-in-the-dark signs keep exits and fire equipment visible when the lights fail, with no wiring or batteries.
How glow signs work
Photoluminescent material absorbs ordinary light during the day and gives it off as a green-yellow glow when it gets dark. The signs need no electricity, so they keep working in a power failure, during load shedding and in smoke-filled passages.
Exit route
Arrows and running figures along escape routes.
Fire equipment
Glow versions of extinguisher and hose reel signs.
Stair and step marking
Glow strips and step nosings on stairs.
Glow signs vs. illuminated exit signs
| Photoluminescent | Electrically lit | |
|---|---|---|
| Power needed | None | Mains plus battery backup |
| Works in load shedding | Yes | Only while the battery lasts |
| Maintenance | Clean and keep lit | Battery and lamp testing |
| Cost | Low | Higher, plus installation |
| Best use | Escape routes, stairs, fire equipment | Main exits in large public buildings |
Where to install them
- Above every emergency exit door
- At every change of direction on an escape route
- Low on walls in long passages, where smoke is thinner
- On stairs and landings
- Above fire extinguishers, hose reels and alarm call points
Frequently asked questions
How long do photoluminescent signs glow?
It depends on the grade of material and how much light it absorbed. Good-quality photoluminescent signs stay visible for a long time after the lights go out, long enough to evacuate a building. Ask us for the grade that suits your fire plan.
Do glow-in-the-dark signs need electricity?
No. They charge from normal room light and release it in the dark, so they keep working in a power failure or load shedding.
Where should photoluminescent signs be installed?
On escape routes, exit doors, stairwells, fire equipment and alarm call points, anywhere people must find their way in the dark.
Do they work in a dark room that is never lit?
No. The sign must be exposed to light to charge. Install them where normal lighting is on during working hours.
Order Your Signs Today
Express Print makes SABS-style safety signs on ABS, aluminium, Chromadek, Correx and photoluminescent vinyl, in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Tell us the sign codes and sizes and we will quote you.
