What is a self luminous exit sign?
Self-luminous exit signs, which are powered by tritium gas, are a popular non-electrical, code compliant alternative to electrical LED exit signs. Completely self-illuminating, these exit signs do not need electricity to produce light.
How do self luminous exit signs work?
A self-luminous exit sign is a non-electrical product that uses radioactive tritium gas to produce light. These electrons excite the phosphor, causing the glass tubes to continuously emit light. A self-luminous sign is a generally licensed (GL) device because it contains radioactive material.
What makes exit signs glow?
Many exit signs contain tritium. Tritium is a naturally-occurring radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is often used to light up a sign without batteries or electricity. Tritium exit signs will glow without electricity or batteries for more than 10 years.
How do I find my emergency exit sign?
How do I test them? Most emergency lights or exit signs have a small “push to test” button somewhere on the casing. You can push and hold this button for thirty seconds to test the bulbs and battery. This works ok if you have a small number of devices that can be easily reached.
How much do exit signs cost?
On average, incandescent exit signs cost about $25 per sign. LED exit signs tend to cost about $57, and photoluminescent exit signs cost about $70, on average.
How do you dispose of tritium exit signs?
Tritium EXIT signs must NOT be disposed of as normal trash. To dispose of a sign properly, a general licensee must transfer the sign to a specific licensee—such as a manufacturer, distributor, licensed radioactive waste broker or licensed low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.
Why are exit signs clear on both sides?
The reason for this is simple: the word EXIT will read backwards on the back side of the sign. To combat this, you insert an opaque lens between the two sides of the panel. Another interesting aspect ordering double sided signs is the arrows.
Why is selling tritium illegal?
Tritium does not in itself emit light but excites phosphors, thereby generating light. Due to U.S. regulations regarding radioactive substances, all of the above items can be legally sold in the U.S., as the manufacturers of such products require special licensing in order to integrate tritium into their products.
What color do exit signs have to be?
In the United States, exit signs can have either red or green lettering, but traditionally have been red. Many states or cities have enacted building codes which specify the sign color. For example, in Baltimore, Salt Lake City, and Portland, Oregon, green is required.
How often should exit signs be checked?
You are required by law to test your exit and emergency lighting regularly. According to NFPA 101 Life Safety Codes, Emergency Lighting Units should be tested monthly for 30 seconds, and annually for 90 minutes.
How are exit signs transparent?
Sometimes the lenses are mirrored but seem transparent. This is due to the viewing angle below which helps create an optical illusion one which makes you think that you are seeing through the panel, to the area behind the sign, when actually what you are seeing is the reflection of the ceiling in front of the sign.
Can a self luminous exit sign be used?
Single-face self-luminous exit signs with red background are totally self-contained exit signs that don’t require electricity or an external light source for continuous illumination. Use these two-sided signs in damp, wet, explosion proof, and extreme temperature applications. Tamperproof sign design is easy to install, no wiring required.
Is there a photoluminescent exit sign on Amazon?
Photoluminescent Exit Sign Green Framed Flag/Ceiling Mount Double Sided. UL 924 Code Approved. . . . Only 10 left in stock – order soon. . . Only 2 left in stock – order soon. . . .
Where is the tritium in self luminous exit signs?
The Tritium within our self luminous exit signs is sealed within shatterproof glass tubes and housed within polycarbonate casing which is impact resistant and tamper resistant. With different frame and face color choices, we have a sign that will look attractive in any interior.