White Paper reviews facts of photoluminescent exit signs.

Press Release Summary:



Produced by NEMA's Emergency Lighting Section, LSD 46-2009 Photoluminescent Exit Signage-Factual Review describes concerns regarding marketing and application recommendations common to photoluminescent exit signage in US/Canada. It seeks to edify potential users about drawbacks and realities of installing, retrofitting with, and relying upon this type of emergency equipment. Specifically, paper reviews potentially erroneous claims for signage, safety/test methods, and energy consumption.



Original Press Release:



NEMA Publishes LSD 46-2009 Photoluminescent Exit Signage-Factual Review



ROSSLYN, Va., -The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published LSD 46-2009 Photoluminescent Exit Signage-Factual Review.

This new white paper, produced by NEMA's Emergency Lighting Section, describes concerns regarding the marketing and application recommendations common to photoluminescent exit signage in the U.S. and Canada. The section seeks to educate potential users as to the drawbacks and realities of installing, retrofitting with, and relying upon this type of emergency equipment.

"As an industry, we are very concerned about potentially misleading advertising claims about the installation, operation, and performance of photoluminescent exit signage," said Eric Bailey, chairman of the Emergency Lighting Section, and senior mechanical and CAD systems engineer at Philips Lighting, BU Professional Luminaires. "Since these products are intended for use in emergencies, we find it imperative to open this discussion so that end users and inspectors can have the information necessary to effectively meet their safety needs and existing life safety regulations."

LSD 46 reviews potentially erroneous claims for the signage, such as those that mention "no electricity consumption," "no maintenance," and "exit signs illuminate for hours without charging." Additional topics include safety, test methods for luminance levels, energy consumption, and enforceability in the field.

LSD 46 may be downloaded at no charge by visiting www.nema.org/stds/lsd46.cfm.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association's Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

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