Photoluminescent Materials Make Illuminating Systems Green and Affordable

Regardless of your company's field of activity, every business must rely on a safe and efficient entrance and exit plan. In order to develop such a strategy, an owner who is interested in the safety of his employees should invest in lighting, signage, barriers/guard rails crosswalks and safety markings.

For the individuals and companies that consider the sources of light crucial for their business strategy, there is one other item which can make their position notable, even in the absence of light.

“Glow in the dark” materials were introduced on the market to provide a safer, more reliable and, not to mention, earth-friendly solution to your company's needs.

When chemistry has started joining efforts with physics, scientists were able to take credit for developing photoluminescent technologies.

The main ingredient in such projects are phosphors, that contain rare elements which can be found worldwide, in geological deposits.

Science has expanded phosphor's range of benefits. Chemists can add ink, paint or dye to these materials. As a result, items developed out of those products have the capacity to charge themselves by absorbing light energy .

After a while, the devices are able to store and later on, provide light.

The main flaw of phosphors is that the products don't have the natural ability of functioning for a long time. Therefore, scientists felt free to intervene by modifying phosphor properties in their laboratories.

Researchers are now able to improve items, according to the customers' needs, in terms of color, brightness or time of functioning.

In 2009, the International Building Code and International Fire Code started applying the new developed technology to designing and improving high-rise buildings.

These new products have the ability to increase the level of safety for several fields of activity.

“Photoluminescent materials for safety and egress have been on the rise since 9/11. In fact, these phosphor-based products performed so well at the twin towers marking stairwells and exits that in 2005, New York passed New York Local Law 26 (LL26), a revision to the standard building code that mandates the use of phosphor-based photoluminescent technology for the purpose of safety and egress in all buildings over 75 feet high,” said Rob Jessup, president of Jessup Manufacturing.

Products improved throughout this process can turn out to be significantly important in crisis. For example, in 2006, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) found itself in a dangerous low light/no light situation in tunnels.

After experiencing such an episode, the organization decided to apply the benefits of phosphor-based photoluminescent paint to its new strategy of upgrading subway safety.

Despite the fact that phosphor-based products have an essential role in passengers' safety, they are also in favor of the environment.

Due to their chemical structure, such items are earth-friendly, since they are not made out of radioactive materials or toxic metals. Such materials would damage the environment and the health of the people who use them.

The list of advantages doesn't end here. Potential clients should be aware of the fact that adding photoluminescent products to their illuminating systems is not only a green choice, it is also a decision that could help them save a great deal of money.

Changing the lighting infrastructure can cost up to $1-3 million plus annual maintenance. A much cheaper alternative would be to improve the existing lighting system using photoluminescent products.

Such an upgrade would only take $200,000 out of your company's pockets.