The electroluminescent system and is located on walls at waist height so that children, wheel-chair users and adults can reach it - a must for all escape route marking. And because it does not rely on conventional visual signage, it conforms to the Disability Discrimination Act.

The system takes its power from the mains power supply which trickle charges its battery. Upon mains power failure or detection of smoke, the system becomes activated and a line of light is emitted for in excess of three hours. In tests conducted at the Building Research Establishment in conjunction with the University of Reading Research Group for Built Environments, this system was found to improve evacuation speeds by as much as 40% over conventional emergency lighting and gave people more confidence in finding their way out of a building.

The electroluminescent system has a very thin profile which can be mounted in a dado rail carrier when a more aesthetic appearance is required. The tactile indicators identify the location of the nearest emergency exit, giving visually impaired and blind people more confidence in finding their way out of a building in an emergency evacuation. Because the system does not rely on conventional signage, it conforms to the Disability Discrimination Act and will also be of benefit to normal sighted people in smoky or dark conditions when disorientation might take hold.

If you are a Building Manager and responsible for the safe evacuation of all building users, including those who might be visually impaired or blind, you have now found a fire safety product which allows blind and visually impaired people to take more responsibility for themselves.
Not only does this system provide an effective evacuation measure for visually disabled people, it also demonstrates a clear commitment to the health and safety of all building users.

For buildings, the system comprises of four basic elements:
This comprises of four basic elements:

The electroluminescent system, unlike the photoluminescent system is not available as a modular system. The system is built from design drawings and on-site visits and is shipped in kit form, ready to be bonded to the walls. All electrical connections and mitres are made ready, to reduce on-site time and installation costs.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Electroluminescent lamps (EL lamps) are devices which convert electrical energy into light or luminescence; the term luminescence is generally associated with solids that generate light. In the case of electroluminescence, an electric field (voltage) is applied to a thin phosphor layer to produce light. The typical lamp consists of light emitting phosphor sandwiched between two conductive electrodes (one of the electrodes is optically clear allowing light to escape). As an AC voltage is applied to the electrodes, the electric field causes the phosphor to rapidly charge and discharge, resulting in the emission of light during each cycle. Since the number of light pulses depends on the magnitude of applied voltage, the brightness of EL lamps can generally be controlled by varying the operating voltage and frequency.

The nominal voltage and frequency for EL lamp are 115 Volts and 400 Hertz (Hz). These values originated from the initial aircraft use of EL lamps and represent the standard voltage and frequency in aircraft. However, EL lamp operation is not tied to these values. Varying the lamp voltage or frequency will change the lamp brightness. For example, increasing the voltage increases lamp brightness, whereas increasing the frequency will also increase lamp brightness. However, increasing voltage and frequency, whilst giving a higher output will reduce lamp life.

Unlike filament or fluorescent lamps, EL lamps do not catastrophically or abruptly fail. Instead the lamp brightness will gradually decrease over long periods of use, the phosphor itself will gradually lose its efficiency over time and the lamp brightness will gradually decrease. To allow for this degradation, we consider the maximum effective brightness to be 25% of the initial output available.

The light output of a lamp can be measured in terms of radiometric or photometric quantities. Radiometric quantities measure the total light output power of the lamp, regardless of wavelength. However, the human eye does not sense all wavelengths. Therefore, EL lamp brightness, or luminance, is usually specified in terms of photometric units, which account for the eyes' sensitivity. Values of luminance are usually given in units of Candela/m2 [Cd/m2].

Activation Time
Power failure instantly activates a relay within the control unit turning on the wayguidance power system immediately in the area local to mains failure. The system has its own battery supply which allows it to stay illuminated for in excess of three hours.

Minimum Luminance
Typical luminance on the floor 1 metre in from the wall is 0.5 lux.

Uniformity of Luminance
The nature of the design provides uniform luminance along its length. Extra luminance is provided by means of additional electroluminescent strip outlining the fire exit door.

System Monitoring and Evaluation
The control system comprises L.E.D. lamps indicating:

1. Battery state
2. Mains present
3. Battery output
4. Output fault

Construction
Construction complies with BSEN60598-2-22 and external components are self-extinguishing within 30 seconds.

Operation
The system is a non-maintained system which is to say the emergency lighting system is not normally energised. An automatic monitoring and switching system exists to switch on the emergency lighting if the normal supply is interrupted.

By the nature of its construction, the emergency lighting system is separately mounted.

Category
The battery duration exceeds 3 hours, however it may be classified as NM/3.

Marking
The battery voltages and frequencies are clearly marked. The inside cover of the control unit provides information regarding lamp replacement and battery requirements.

Batteries
The battery is a lead acid standby type, typically encountered in security and lighting systems.

Electromagnetic Compatibility
This system is designed and installed to cause no electromagnetic interference and is compliant with EMC directive 89/336/EEC.

Control Panel Components

Status Indicators

The panel has LED indicators evidencing: o Mains Present o Battery in use o Battery Low Warning o Output Fault

Mechanical Construction:

Carrier Extrusion – UPVC
Overlays - Self-extinguishing polycarbonate

Installation

Installation of this system should be undertaken generally in compliance with the current issue of BS7671 with regard to good practice. The installer must also review local statutory requirements and comply therewith. Where trunking is used, it may be metallic or non-metallic.

The wiring from the normal supply to the charger/control unit is a fixed installation, not employing plugs or sockets. The isolator switch is marked ‘ESCAPE LIGHTING’. It is this isolator in the main power panel which is used for simulating failure.

The battery size is configured to provide sufficient power to drive the system for at least four hours. Effective battery life is in excess of three years but is of course activation cycle/duration dependant.