Stairs & Halls That Glow in the Dark

How Photoluminescence Works

• Glow-in-the-dark materials absorb light energy. When dimness or darkness falls, the materials begin to release the absorbed energy, which results in glowing. Because the process is automatic, the Photoluminescent Safety Association points out that this glow-in-the-dark lighting is fail-safe and doesn't require batteries, back-up power or functional light bulbs. This is especially important on stairways and in hallways since darkened stairs are a hazard and hallways are exit routes in emergencies. According to FacilitiesNet, when fully charged most photoluminescent pigments glow for a minimum of eight hours, gradually dimming as time passes.

Uses

• Besides preventing accidents by glowing in poorly lit halls and stairs, photoluminescent material can be a godsend in an emergency. The glow can be seen through smoke, and so can serve as a guide out in the case of a fire. Meanwhile, stairs outfitted with photoluminescent strips are still navigable in a power outage.

Common Locations

• Glow-in-the-dark halls and stairways can be increasingly found in high rises, where it can save lives. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that World Trade Center survivors most commonly relied on photoluminescent markings on stairs to find their way out of the buildings. Most often, photoluminescent areas are evacuation routes. The practice is well-established in the corridors of ships and planes. Hospitals and hotels are also likely places to find photoluminescent hallways and stairs.

Materials

• Glow-in-the-dark paint is available, mainly for use in non-residential settings. Photoluminescent strips are common, and often adhered to the edges of stair treads, the perimeter of doors and landings and on handrails. Glow-in-the-dark light switches placed on both ends of a hallway or at both the top and bottom of stairs are a handy safety precaution. Also available are entire aluminum sheets treated to be photoluminescent. The sheets are versatile and can be used as floors, ceilings and stair coverings.

Codes

• Local municipalities often adopt codes mandating the use of glow-in-the-dark markings after tragedies, as was the case in California and New Jersey after fires in 1985 and 1984, respectively. New York City adopted standards in 2004 in response to 9/11, requiring all office buildings over 75 feet tall to use glow-in-the-dark materials to highlight corridors and stairwells leading out of buildings. The 2009 International Building Code mandates that exit paths through halls and stairs be marked in all non-residential buildings over 75 feet high.