See How Installation Of Demarcation Lines In Accordance With Safety Policies Elevates Egress Safety

By Author: L.Steven Sanders
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Luminous striping within buildings allows occupants to better find their way to exits during emergency situations with little to no visibility. Even with the very best evacuation plan, things may go wrong. Backup lights might go out or possibly smoke can cut down visibility. By installing demarcation lines according to IBC and IFC policies, these occupants may exit the structure safely. For the process to be totally effective, striping also needs to be applied to the parameter of each exit door and obstacle within the hallway or landing area. When corridors are not marked, occupants have a increased possibility of entering the wrong door or running straight into obstacles in the evacuation. IBC and IFC rules advise that solid, continuous stripes between one and 2 inches in width be applied to these areas for greater safety. Disruptions between striping should never exceed four inches.

Proper Use of Demarcation Lines for Corridors, Obstacles, and Doors

Demarcation lines could be the difference between a safe exit and major injuries. It is important to install these defined lines correctly as well as in the ...
... appropriate places. The IBC and IFC regulations permit floor and wall-mounted lines to be used for marking landing areas. Floor lines have to be only four inches from the wall and then extend two inches within the installed stripe on the landings edge. Luminous stripes must cross the front side of every door apart from exit doors.

Wall-mounted lines must be installed four inches or less from the floor. Set them up vertically towards the floor when being placed to show the tops as well as bottoms of stairs. They need to be 2 inches or less away from steps or landing edges when placed on a wall and then shift to the floor line for a properly outlined landing area perimeter. Whenever doors won't be used as an emergency escape, put up striping over the door facing it vertically so that it meets a floor line as you're looking at the door.

Obstructions which might be hazardous must also be designated using luminous striping. Some examples are objects that have a height below 6 feet and 7 inches or which stick out four or five inches into the exit path. A stripe with alternating luminous and black portions needs to outline the obstacle. Minimal height areas and standpipes are typical obstacles found in a building. Do not position the outline over important information or indicators.

Doorway hardware is additionally required to be noticeable by luminous striping either behind, next to, or on the door's hardware. Doors with panic bars require striping across the entire bar. Exit doors require continuous luminous solid striping along their sides and tops. If there is not sufficient doorframe space, the striping must be placed on the wall near the frame.

The placement of luminous striping has to be consistent for every exit. When these lines aren't present, the risk of injury during an emergency situation is significantly higher. The IBC and IFC regulations for luminous markings aren't an effective alternative to a great evacuation plan. Their purpose is to guide during very low visibility emergency situations for increased tenant safety.

While conducting research for this article, I learned about High Rise Egress Path Markings and egress safety signs at www.globritesystem.com