If the lighting fails during a fire or power cut, any guidance that relies on light fails too. Smoke collects under the ceiling first – exactly where conventional escape signs are mounted. Long-afterglow safety way guidance systems therefore start at floor level: they store ambient light and release it again over several hours. Combined with a slip-resistant surface, this creates a marking that, in an emergency, guides people and keeps them on their feet.

How long-afterglow materials work

Pigments based on strontium aluminate absorb and store light – without electricity, without radioactivity, without parts requiring maintenance.
Once the lighting is switched off, they release the stored energy as a visible glow.
The process can be repeated any number of times; the materials recharge under any normal lighting.
Luminance drops quickly at first and then levels off – what matters is the residual value after 10 and after 60 minutes.
Sufficient charging is a prerequisite: areas that are permanently dark need a different solution.

A photoluminescent system is only as good as its charging. Before selection, you should therefore always clarify how brightly and for how long the area is lit during normal operation.

Products and designs

Photoluminescent anti-slip tapes: combine slip resistance and guidance in one covering – ideal for stair treads and ramps on escape routes.
Floor guidance strips: continuous strips along the direction of escape, also as double strips to mark the route.
Step edge marking: marks every single step and prevents missteps in the stairwell.
Directional arrows and escape signs: prefabricated symbols for floor mounting, supplementing wall-mounted signs.
Obstacle and hazard marking: marks doors, columns, narrow points and handrails.
Photoluminescent handrail tapes: guide the hand along the route; see also anti-slip handrail protection.
Combination with reflective elements: reflective parts additionally take effect as soon as a light source such as a torch shines on them.

Why the marking should be on the floor

Smoke rises; the layer close to the floor remains visible for longest.
In stressful situations, people orient themselves by continuous lines, not by individual signs.
A floor marking also works when people are moving crouched or crawling.
The escape route can be followed without gaps – with no jumps between individual signs.
Steps, edges and changes of direction can be marked exactly where they become a risk.

Standards and regulations

DIN 67510 – long-afterglow pigments and products: measurement of luminance and classification.
DIN EN ISO 16069 – safety way guidance systems, design and arrangement of low-level systems.
ASR A2.3 – escape routes and emergency exits, escape and rescue plan (German Technical Rule for Workplaces).
ASR A1.3 – safety and health protection signs in workplaces.
DIN EN ISO 7010 – standardised safety signs, including escape signs.
German standard DIN 51130 – slip resistance of the coverings used, where they are walked on.
German Model Building Code and special building regulations – further requirements may apply to places of assembly, accommodation establishments and retail premises.

Typical applications

Escape stairwells in industrial, office and residential buildings
Production halls and warehouses with long escape routes
Hotels, places of assembly, cinemas and retail premises
Clinics, care facilities and schools
Underground car parks, multi-storey car parks and underpasses
Ships, offshoreplatforms and port facilities
Tunnels, plant rooms and windowless areas

Planning in five steps

Survey escape routes: record the route, lengths, changes of direction, doors and narrow points.
Check the lighting situation: illuminance and duration of lighting determine the achievable afterglow time.
Specify the system: choose strip width, layout, symbols and the required luminance class.
Coordinate slip resistance: on surfaces that are walked on, the marking must also meet the required slip resistance rating.
Test and document: check effectiveness in darkened conditions and include it in the risk assessment.

Maintenance

Keep markings clean – films of dirt reduce both charging and luminance.
Make sure that the marking is not permanently covered by materials or vehicles.
Replace damaged sections promptly; gaps make the entire guidance system unreliable.
Check function regularly in darkened conditions and document the results.

Conclusion

Photoluminescent escape and rescue route markings work without electricity, without maintenance and precisely when everything else fails. If they are slip-resistant, they perform two tasks at once: they show the way and secure the footing. What matters is a realistic assessment of the lighting conditions, a continuous route without gaps and regular inspection.

Frequently asked questions about photoluminescent escape route marking

Does photoluminescent marking work without electricity?

Yes. The pigments store light from the surroundings and release it again in the dark. Sufficient lighting for charging is a prerequisite.

Can escape route marking also be slip-resistant?

Yes. There are photoluminescent tapes and profiles with a slip-resistant surface. They mark steps and routes while improving sure footing.

Where should the marking be applied?

Close to the floor along escape routes, on step edges, doors and obstacles. The specific planning depends on the escape and rescue concept of your building.

Photoluminescent Escape and Rescue Route Marking