CA2119798A1 - Low-level emergency exit signage system - Google Patents
Low-level emergency exit signage systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2119798A1 CA2119798A1 CA002119798A CA2119798A CA2119798A1 CA 2119798 A1 CA2119798 A1 CA 2119798A1 CA 002119798 A CA002119798 A CA 002119798A CA 2119798 A CA2119798 A CA 2119798A CA 2119798 A1 CA2119798 A1 CA 2119798A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- indicating
- exit
- signs
- sign
- door
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
- G09F7/16—Letters, numerals, or other symbols adapted for permanent fixing to a support
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
- G09F19/22—Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
Abstract
An improved method of identifying emergency exits in public buildings in the event of fire, power failure, or similar emgency. The signs are affixed to the lower portion of exit doors and corridors leading thereto which are more visible than conventional overhead signs, due to the rise of smoke and pooling near the ceiling in a fire. The signs are of retro-reflective material which returns light to a light source, such as a flashlight, and the colours utilized are morevisible to the human eye than conventional red exit signs.
Description
211~79~
Title: LOW-LEVEL EMERGENCY EXIT SIGNAGE SYSTEM
Inventor: James A. Hanna FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to non-illuminated emergency signage and the placement locations of such signage.
BACKGROUND
In many buildings, the location of exits is indicated by exit signs mounted high up on walls or suspended from ceilings. Traditional exit signs are illuminated and contain the word "EXIT" in red.
Fires and other emergencies are often accompanied by power failures which may reduce the effectiveness of a conventional illuminated exit sign.
Furthermore, smoke rises in a fire, which tends to obscure high-level exit signs, particularly where building occupants are crouching low to avoid the smoke.
Also the red colour of existing exit signs can be lost in the colour of the flames.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved method for directing building occupants to building exits.
The method comprises affixing direction indicating signs indicating the direction of building exits to the lower part of surfaces on which direction indication isdesirable to enhance the visibility of the signs to occupants searching for an exit under circumstances in which the occupant's field of view is directed downwardly or along a floor.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1-6 each depict different signs for use with the method of the present invention; and Figs. 7-10 show the signs of Figs 1-6 mounted according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In an emergency situation, where a building is to be evacuated and there is a loss of power and possibly a fire, conventional illuminated high-level exit signs tend to be obscured. Under such circumstances, building occupants may be 5 crouched near the floor to avoid smoke and may be using flashlights to illuminate their way. In either case, an evacuee's attention will be focused downwardly toward or along the floor in front of them.
To enhance identification of exits and the direction of the exits, according to the present invention direction indicating signs indicating the direction or 10 location of building exits are affixed to the lower part of suitable building surfaces such as walls or doors. The visibility of the signs may be further enhanced by manufacturing the signs from a retro-reflective material, which optically returns light toward its source. In this manner, the signs will reflect brilliantly whether an evacuee is walking erect, as in a power failure, or crouching low as during a15 fire. The signs can also assist firefighters and other rescuers unfamiliar with the building's physical layout.
The visibility of the signs may be further enhanced by putting the information to be conveyed by the sign in white over a green background. This has several advantages. One advantage is that the colour green is significantly 20 more identifiable in low-light conditions than the colour red. Furthermore, green customarily identifies a safety or "go-ahead" condition, whereas red is conventionally a colour of danger, not safety and can be lost in the colours of flames. Also, in the case of hospitals, green represents the uniform hospital emergency code for evacuation, "Code Green". Such codes were endorsed for all 25 hospitals in Canada by the Canadian Hospital Association in a policy statement of its Board of Directors dated March 10, 1993. The Uniform Codes were also developed by the inventor.
Reference 20 in Fig.1 generally indicates an exit sign bearing the word "EXIT" in white at reference 22 over a green background 24. An exit sign 20 30 would typically be mounted toward the lower part of a door 80 as shown in Fig. 7, which leads toward the outside of the building. Preferably the sign will be mounted with its lower edge 26 from 9 to 12 inches above the bottom edge of the door to avoid damage from being kicked and from cleaning equipment. The "EXIT" sign 20 includes horizontal bars 28 adjacent the word "EXIT" 22 to ensure35 a distinct appearance in poor lighting if only a portion of the sign is visible.
Fig. 2 shows a sign 30 with the word "STREET" 32 on a green background 34. According to the present invention, such a sign is placed on a stairwell door out of the building. Conventional exit doors from stairwells are often marked "Ground", "Main", or "1", which can have different meanings, particularly for buildings built on a grade. A sign labelled "STREET" leaves no doubts under such circumstances. The "STREET" sign 30 also includes vertical bars 38 adjacentto the word "STREET" 32 to ensure a distinct appearance in poor lighting if onlya portion of the sign is visible.
Fig. 10 shows a "STREET" sign 30 mounted on a step riser 90. The sign 30 is further enhanced by arrows 36 indicating the direction of the street access.
Fig. 3 generally indicates a sign 40 bearing the words "NO EXIT" 42 in white on a red background 44. The "NO EXIT" sign 40 would typically be used in portions of stairwells which lead to locked roof or penthouse doors or the basement as illustrated in Fig. 9 or directly on doors. The "NO EXIT" sign 40 may be placed directly on a step riser 90 as shown in Fig. 9 or adjacent the bottom of a door. The "NO EXlT" sign 40 also includes the international "DO NOT ENTER"
symbol 46 adjacent the words "NO EXIT" 42 to ensure a distinct appearance in poor lighting if only a portion of the sign is visible.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate "trail blazer" signs, generally at references 50, 60and 70. The trail blazer signs 50, 60 and 70 bear the word EXIT respectively at 52, 62 and 72 over respective green backgrounds 54, 64, and 74. The trail blazer signs 50, 60 and 70 also include respective white arrows 56, 66 and 76 over their respective green backgrounds 54, 64, and 74. The trail blazer signs 50, 60 and 70 would be mounted at junction points in corridors to indicate the direction of the nearest exit. No "shafts" appear on the arrows 56, 66, and 76 to reduce confusion in poor light. A trail blazer sign 60 is shown in Fig. 7 affixed to the lower part of a corridor wall with the arrow 66 pointed toward the exit door 80. A trail blazer sign 50 is shown in Fig. 8 opposite an exit door 80 marked with an exit sign 20 having arrows 56 pointing toward the next exit door.
The signs may be adhesive backed and installed by peeling a release sheet from the back face of the sign in the conventional manner and adhering the sign directly to the surface on which the sign is to be affixed. Suitable signs may be manufactured from ScotchliteTM reflective sheeting, engineer grade series 2200/3200, manufactured by 3M Company. The signs may be manufactured either by placing letters cut from white reflective sheeting over a background cut from coloured reflective sheeting or by screen printing the coloured background 211~798 over a sheet of white reflective sheeting. Preferably both the lettering and background are of retro-reflective material to give improved visibility as compared to having only one of the lettering or background of retro-reflective material.
The wording of the signs can be in English, French, Spanish or other languages as desired. The signs should also preferably extend the entire width of the door to delineate the width of the area for egress.
The above detailed description should be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Variations to the specific description may be apparent to persons seeking to apply the present invention while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims set out below.
Title: LOW-LEVEL EMERGENCY EXIT SIGNAGE SYSTEM
Inventor: James A. Hanna FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to non-illuminated emergency signage and the placement locations of such signage.
BACKGROUND
In many buildings, the location of exits is indicated by exit signs mounted high up on walls or suspended from ceilings. Traditional exit signs are illuminated and contain the word "EXIT" in red.
Fires and other emergencies are often accompanied by power failures which may reduce the effectiveness of a conventional illuminated exit sign.
Furthermore, smoke rises in a fire, which tends to obscure high-level exit signs, particularly where building occupants are crouching low to avoid the smoke.
Also the red colour of existing exit signs can be lost in the colour of the flames.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved method for directing building occupants to building exits.
The method comprises affixing direction indicating signs indicating the direction of building exits to the lower part of surfaces on which direction indication isdesirable to enhance the visibility of the signs to occupants searching for an exit under circumstances in which the occupant's field of view is directed downwardly or along a floor.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1-6 each depict different signs for use with the method of the present invention; and Figs. 7-10 show the signs of Figs 1-6 mounted according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In an emergency situation, where a building is to be evacuated and there is a loss of power and possibly a fire, conventional illuminated high-level exit signs tend to be obscured. Under such circumstances, building occupants may be 5 crouched near the floor to avoid smoke and may be using flashlights to illuminate their way. In either case, an evacuee's attention will be focused downwardly toward or along the floor in front of them.
To enhance identification of exits and the direction of the exits, according to the present invention direction indicating signs indicating the direction or 10 location of building exits are affixed to the lower part of suitable building surfaces such as walls or doors. The visibility of the signs may be further enhanced by manufacturing the signs from a retro-reflective material, which optically returns light toward its source. In this manner, the signs will reflect brilliantly whether an evacuee is walking erect, as in a power failure, or crouching low as during a15 fire. The signs can also assist firefighters and other rescuers unfamiliar with the building's physical layout.
The visibility of the signs may be further enhanced by putting the information to be conveyed by the sign in white over a green background. This has several advantages. One advantage is that the colour green is significantly 20 more identifiable in low-light conditions than the colour red. Furthermore, green customarily identifies a safety or "go-ahead" condition, whereas red is conventionally a colour of danger, not safety and can be lost in the colours of flames. Also, in the case of hospitals, green represents the uniform hospital emergency code for evacuation, "Code Green". Such codes were endorsed for all 25 hospitals in Canada by the Canadian Hospital Association in a policy statement of its Board of Directors dated March 10, 1993. The Uniform Codes were also developed by the inventor.
Reference 20 in Fig.1 generally indicates an exit sign bearing the word "EXIT" in white at reference 22 over a green background 24. An exit sign 20 30 would typically be mounted toward the lower part of a door 80 as shown in Fig. 7, which leads toward the outside of the building. Preferably the sign will be mounted with its lower edge 26 from 9 to 12 inches above the bottom edge of the door to avoid damage from being kicked and from cleaning equipment. The "EXIT" sign 20 includes horizontal bars 28 adjacent the word "EXIT" 22 to ensure35 a distinct appearance in poor lighting if only a portion of the sign is visible.
Fig. 2 shows a sign 30 with the word "STREET" 32 on a green background 34. According to the present invention, such a sign is placed on a stairwell door out of the building. Conventional exit doors from stairwells are often marked "Ground", "Main", or "1", which can have different meanings, particularly for buildings built on a grade. A sign labelled "STREET" leaves no doubts under such circumstances. The "STREET" sign 30 also includes vertical bars 38 adjacentto the word "STREET" 32 to ensure a distinct appearance in poor lighting if onlya portion of the sign is visible.
Fig. 10 shows a "STREET" sign 30 mounted on a step riser 90. The sign 30 is further enhanced by arrows 36 indicating the direction of the street access.
Fig. 3 generally indicates a sign 40 bearing the words "NO EXIT" 42 in white on a red background 44. The "NO EXIT" sign 40 would typically be used in portions of stairwells which lead to locked roof or penthouse doors or the basement as illustrated in Fig. 9 or directly on doors. The "NO EXIT" sign 40 may be placed directly on a step riser 90 as shown in Fig. 9 or adjacent the bottom of a door. The "NO EXlT" sign 40 also includes the international "DO NOT ENTER"
symbol 46 adjacent the words "NO EXIT" 42 to ensure a distinct appearance in poor lighting if only a portion of the sign is visible.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate "trail blazer" signs, generally at references 50, 60and 70. The trail blazer signs 50, 60 and 70 bear the word EXIT respectively at 52, 62 and 72 over respective green backgrounds 54, 64, and 74. The trail blazer signs 50, 60 and 70 also include respective white arrows 56, 66 and 76 over their respective green backgrounds 54, 64, and 74. The trail blazer signs 50, 60 and 70 would be mounted at junction points in corridors to indicate the direction of the nearest exit. No "shafts" appear on the arrows 56, 66, and 76 to reduce confusion in poor light. A trail blazer sign 60 is shown in Fig. 7 affixed to the lower part of a corridor wall with the arrow 66 pointed toward the exit door 80. A trail blazer sign 50 is shown in Fig. 8 opposite an exit door 80 marked with an exit sign 20 having arrows 56 pointing toward the next exit door.
The signs may be adhesive backed and installed by peeling a release sheet from the back face of the sign in the conventional manner and adhering the sign directly to the surface on which the sign is to be affixed. Suitable signs may be manufactured from ScotchliteTM reflective sheeting, engineer grade series 2200/3200, manufactured by 3M Company. The signs may be manufactured either by placing letters cut from white reflective sheeting over a background cut from coloured reflective sheeting or by screen printing the coloured background 211~798 over a sheet of white reflective sheeting. Preferably both the lettering and background are of retro-reflective material to give improved visibility as compared to having only one of the lettering or background of retro-reflective material.
The wording of the signs can be in English, French, Spanish or other languages as desired. The signs should also preferably extend the entire width of the door to delineate the width of the area for egress.
The above detailed description should be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Variations to the specific description may be apparent to persons seeking to apply the present invention while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims set out below.
Claims (9)
1. An improved method for directing a building occupant to building exits, said method comprising:
affixing direction indicating signs indicating the direction of building exits to the lower part of surfaces on which direction indication is desirable to enhance visibility of said signs to an occupant searching for an exit under circumstances in which said occupant's field of view is directed downwardly or along a floor.
affixing direction indicating signs indicating the direction of building exits to the lower part of surfaces on which direction indication is desirable to enhance visibility of said signs to an occupant searching for an exit under circumstances in which said occupant's field of view is directed downwardly or along a floor.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said direction indicating signs include at least one of:
a sign affixed to a door indicating "EXIT";
a sign affixed to a wall indicating "EXIT" and having arrows indicating the direction of an exit;
a sign affixed to a door leading to the outside and indicating "STREET";
a sign affixed to a step riser indicating "EXIT" and having arrows indicating the direction of an exit;
a sign affixed to a step riser indicating "STREET" and having arrows indicating the direction of an exit to the outside;
a sign on a non-exiting door indicating "NO EXIT"; and a sign on a stair riser in a stairwell leading away from an outside exiting door indicating "NO EXIT".
a sign affixed to a door indicating "EXIT";
a sign affixed to a wall indicating "EXIT" and having arrows indicating the direction of an exit;
a sign affixed to a door leading to the outside and indicating "STREET";
a sign affixed to a step riser indicating "EXIT" and having arrows indicating the direction of an exit;
a sign affixed to a step riser indicating "STREET" and having arrows indicating the direction of an exit to the outside;
a sign on a non-exiting door indicating "NO EXIT"; and a sign on a stair riser in a stairwell leading away from an outside exiting door indicating "NO EXIT".
3. A method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said direction indicating signs are retro-reflective having green indicators on a white background.
4. A method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said direction indicating signs are affixed with their lower edges from approximately 9 to 12 inches abovean adjacent floor.
5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said direction indicating signs are affixed with their lower edges from approximately 9 to 12 inches above an adjacent floor.
6. A method according to claim 3 wherein said direction indicating signs have a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered by a removable backing sheet.
7. A method according to claim 5 wherein said direction indicating signs have a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered by a removable backing sheet.
8. A door having a sign affixed to one side and toward the lower edge thereof indicating "EXIT".
9. A door in claimed in claim 8 wherein said sign is retro-reflective having white lettering on a green background and is located with its bottom edge from approximately 9 to 12 inches above the lower edge of said door.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002119798A CA2119798A1 (en) | 1994-03-24 | 1994-03-24 | Low-level emergency exit signage system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002119798A CA2119798A1 (en) | 1994-03-24 | 1994-03-24 | Low-level emergency exit signage system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2119798A1 true CA2119798A1 (en) | 1995-09-25 |
Family
ID=4153231
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002119798A Abandoned CA2119798A1 (en) | 1994-03-24 | 1994-03-24 | Low-level emergency exit signage system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2119798A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019231506A1 (en) * | 2018-05-30 | 2019-12-05 | Sargent Manufacturing Company | Locking mechanism with status indicator |
-
1994
- 1994-03-24 CA CA002119798A patent/CA2119798A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019231506A1 (en) * | 2018-05-30 | 2019-12-05 | Sargent Manufacturing Company | Locking mechanism with status indicator |
| US11486163B2 (en) | 2018-05-30 | 2022-11-01 | Sargent Manufacturing Company | Locking mechanism with status indicator |
| US12006729B2 (en) | 2018-05-30 | 2024-06-11 | Sargent Manufacturing Company | Locking mechanism with status indicator |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |