Description: High- and low-level exit signs are important life safety equipment regulated by the California Building Code, California State Fire Marshal, Underwriter Laboratories and Energy Star. Electricity powered exit signs that use incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs burn 10 to 40 watts of power. Because they are not energy efficient, they are rarely used. Nearly all modern exit signs use one of the following technologies:
- Photoluminescent: Uses glow-in-the-dark technology. These signs absorb nearby light and then glow during an emergency blackout condition. Though units do not consume power, they must be placed near an artificial light source that is illuminated while the area is occupied, otherwise the sign will not glow properly.
- Electroluminescent: Contain a thin layer of phosphor-impregnated material that produces light when voltage is applied. These units typically consume 0.25 to 0.5 watts of power.
- LED: Most popular technology, using 6 to 10 LED lamps that consume 2.5 to 5 watts.
- Tritium or nuclear: Glow from the radioactive decay of hydrogen to helium. They appear dim in normal conditions but effectively glow during emergencies.
Systems Addressed: Energy Efficiency
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How to read smart meters
