Egress Path Marking

Photoluminescent marking for the exit path. It charges under the building's normal lighting and stays visible when that lighting fails, so it needs no power, no wiring and no batteries.

Where it is required

IBC and IFC Section 1025 call for luminous egress path markings in high-rise buildings, meaning an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, in Groups A, B, E, I-1, M and R-1. The marking goes in interior exit stairways, interior exit ramps and exit passageways. Whether a particular building is covered, and under which code edition, is a question for the authority having jurisdiction. Photoluminescent egress systems sets out what a marked stairway includes.

New York City

New York City accepts only egress marking approved by the Department of Buildings' Material and Equipment Acceptance division, and Reference Standard RS 6-1 wants the MEA number and Brightness Rating printed on each piece. The MEA printed tape on this page carries that printing. Nothing else here does.

Listings

Section 1025.4 accepts material listed to UL 1994 or tested to a modified ASTM E2072, so a UL listing is one route rather than a requirement. Specifiers writing a spec section for this work often ask for a slip resistance listing on step edges as well. Check the listings stated on each product rather than assuming the category carries them.