Chapter 26 of New York City Charter outlines the minimum requirements in regards to photoluminescent marking of exit path. This comes in handy to help in organized and quick exit from a building in an event of failure of both the electricity and the power backup. Normally, photoluminescent materials charges when exposed to light. It is therefore a requirement for every building within New York to comply with NYC local law 26.
Among many other requirements, the materials used should emit light enough to provide signs and outlines that can guide the occupants along the path, handrails, stairs and obstacles in dark conditions. Other considerations such as low locations of the marking for visibility in case of smoke or crowd have also to be considered. It is important to understand that requirements are just additions to those already under Building Code and not a replacement of any of them.
In order to comply with NYC local law 26, the photoluminescent to be used should have passed all the standards set by NY Department of Buildings and have a MEA certification number as the evidence for this. MEA is a unit under the department and is responsible in assigning MEA number to the compliant materials in building.
The photoluminescent materials used are also expected to comply to the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) and those of American Disability Act (ADA). One of the OSHA requirements for instance is that stairs in a building are made of slip-free materials; this covers the photoluminescent used on the exit paths like stairways too.
When it comes to durability, the standards consider a lot of friction that markers along the stairways are exposed to. This is largely contributed by frequent cleaning and walking along the stairways system which are the main causes of wear and tear. Other environmental factors such as temperature are some of the factors that contribute to rapid deterioration of these materials. The stairway markers system and other markers are therefore expected to be made of highly durable materials with lifespan of more than 10 years.
The code also requires that the photoluminescent markers are periodically inspected and cleaned. Allowing dirt to accumulate on these markers reduces their effectiveness by a great percentage. Less light will be absorbed hence inadequate charging. This means that in case of a blackout out, little light is emitted and in lower duration. The illumination in such situation may last for less than ten minutes. To avoid this, periodic cleaning and is inspection is part of compliance.
Other than for the code compliance reasons, the chosen photoluminescent stairway marking system should have slip-resistance properties for occupant protection and to minimize the liability that may arise from the slip-and-fall accidents. The resistance should be for both the dry and wet conditions. Water primarily flows through stairs on activation during fire emergencies. If the materials used on stairs are not slip resistant, escape will be very difficult and may increase injuries.
It is therefore important for building owners to ensure that their buildings comply with NYC local law 26 as this is the only way for the building to get the certificate of safety. Such compliance is also to the benefit of the owner as it reduces liabilities in case of accident and increases chances of survival for the building occupants.
Among many other requirements, the materials used should emit light enough to provide signs and outlines that can guide the occupants along the path, handrails, stairs and obstacles in dark conditions. Other considerations such as low locations of the marking for visibility in case of smoke or crowd have also to be considered. It is important to understand that requirements are just additions to those already under Building Code and not a replacement of any of them.
In order to comply with NYC local law 26, the photoluminescent to be used should have passed all the standards set by NY Department of Buildings and have a MEA certification number as the evidence for this. MEA is a unit under the department and is responsible in assigning MEA number to the compliant materials in building.
The photoluminescent materials used are also expected to comply to the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) and those of American Disability Act (ADA). One of the OSHA requirements for instance is that stairs in a building are made of slip-free materials; this covers the photoluminescent used on the exit paths like stairways too.
When it comes to durability, the standards consider a lot of friction that markers along the stairways are exposed to. This is largely contributed by frequent cleaning and walking along the stairways system which are the main causes of wear and tear. Other environmental factors such as temperature are some of the factors that contribute to rapid deterioration of these materials. The stairway markers system and other markers are therefore expected to be made of highly durable materials with lifespan of more than 10 years.
The code also requires that the photoluminescent markers are periodically inspected and cleaned. Allowing dirt to accumulate on these markers reduces their effectiveness by a great percentage. Less light will be absorbed hence inadequate charging. This means that in case of a blackout out, little light is emitted and in lower duration. The illumination in such situation may last for less than ten minutes. To avoid this, periodic cleaning and is inspection is part of compliance.
Other than for the code compliance reasons, the chosen photoluminescent stairway marking system should have slip-resistance properties for occupant protection and to minimize the liability that may arise from the slip-and-fall accidents. The resistance should be for both the dry and wet conditions. Water primarily flows through stairs on activation during fire emergencies. If the materials used on stairs are not slip resistant, escape will be very difficult and may increase injuries.
It is therefore important for building owners to ensure that their buildings comply with NYC local law 26 as this is the only way for the building to get the certificate of safety. Such compliance is also to the benefit of the owner as it reduces liabilities in case of accident and increases chances of survival for the building occupants.
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