Understanding the Importance of Running Man Exit Sign

Having clear and visible signage to guide people to safety is critical in emergencies. This is especially true when visibility is low due to smoke, darkness, or other chaotic conditions. For this very reason, emergency exit signs have become the global standard for exit signage in public buildings and spaces.

With a distinctive 'running man' pictograph and illuminated arrows, these photoluminescent signs enhance emergency exit routes' visibility even in the worst conditions. This blog explores what running man exit signs are, why they are vital for safety, what makes them effective, and critical regulations.

What is a Running Man Exit Sign?

A running man exit sign refers to a specific style of emergency exit sign that features the following elements:

• A graphic of a running human figure representing a person evacuating. This 'running man' pictograph is internationally recognized as indicating an emergency exit.
• Illuminated arrows pointing left, right, or down to indicate the direction of the nearest exit/evacuation route.
• The signs are photoluminescent, meaning they glow in the dark without electricity. The signs absorb and store light, emitting a bright green glow when ambient light is low.

This combination of the running man, arrows, and photoluminescent technology is designed to make emergency exits visible and identifiable, even in worst-case scenarios like smoke-filled rooms, power failures, or poor lighting.

Why are Running Man Exit Signs Important for Safety?

Running man exit signs provide the following essential safety functions that make them indispensable:

• Enhanced Visibility: The high-performance photoluminescent materials emit a bright glow in all conditions, making the sign visible from long distances, even in dark and smoky environments.
• Intuitive Identification: The graphical symbol of the running man leaping toward a door is universally understood as indicating an emergency exit. This allows swift interpretation without the need for language.
• Directional Cues: The inclusion of arrows points to the location of the nearest exit, preventing confusion about which way to go.
• Independence from Power: As self-luminous signs, they remain fully functional during power outages when other types of illuminated exit signs would fail. This ensures continuous visibility.
• Durability: Made from durable materials, running man signs withstand the abuse, weathering, heat, and direct flames, remaining in place and glowing through emergencies to guide evacuation.
• Compliance with Codes: Running man exit signs adhere to international emergency sign standards and building/fire codes, satisfying legal requirements for safety.

How Do Photoluminescent Running Man Signs Work?

Running man exit signs rely on patented photoluminescent coatings that have unique properties:

1. Absorbing Light: The photoluminescent material absorbs and stores ambient light from regular indoor lighting, natural daylight, or any other light source. This charge up the luminescent properties.
2. Re-emitting Light: In darkness or meager light, the photoluminescent coating releases the stored light as a sustained green glow for hours without electricity.
3. Lasting Illumination: After 60 minutes of charging, these signs can emit a bright glow continuously for 70+ hours in complete darkness. The longer they are charged by light, the longer they emit light.
4. Withstanding Abuse: The robust materials protect against damage, heat, direct flames, smoke, and other emergency conditions while glowing reliably.

Advantages of Running Man Signs

Photoluminescent running man exit signs offer several inherent advantages over traditional electrically illuminated exit signs:

• No wiring or electricity needed - Reduces installation, energy, and maintenance costs
• 100% reliability in emergencies - Glows in blackouts when other signs would fail
• Highly durable and long-lasting - Made to withstand decades of continuous use
• Eco-friendly - No energy usage or batteries needed
• Easy installation - Can be installed by facility staff without special skills
• Meets international codes - Satisfies legal requirements for emergency lighting
• Universally understood pictograph - Requires no language to interpret

Running Man Sign Specifications

To serve their safety purpose, running man signs must meet stringent international standards on features like visibility, durability, illumination, and photoluminescent performance

Some key specifications include:

• Made of non-toxic photoluminescent coatings and durable materials
• Exceeds brightness standards for exit signs per building codes
• Visible from at least 50 feet away after 60 minutes of charging
• Remains continuously illuminated for a minimum of 90 minutes in pitch darkness
• Withstands exposure to harsh weather, flames, smoke, and damage without deterioration
• Materials and production certified not to contain hazardous substances
• Meets quality standards like ISO 3864 and ISO 16069 for emergency signage
• Carries safety certifications like UL and CE

Photoluminescent Exit Sign Regulations in Canada

In Canada, legislation like the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and provincial codes mandate proper exit signs to facilitate evacuation:

• The NBC requires exits to be marked and visible.
• The NBC references CSA standards for luminance, visibility distance, and durability requirements.
• Provincial laws like the Ontario Building Code (OBC) also regulate exit sign specifications.

ULC-S572 standard:

The ULC-S572 standard lays out stringent criteria in Canada for performing photoluminescent and self-luminous exit signs. Running man exit signs must be certified to this standard for legal compliance.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 'running man' symbol on exit signs?

The universally recognized running man symbolically indicates a person escaping and quickly guides building occupants to locate the closest emergency exit.

Why are running man exit signs photoluminescent?

Photoluminescent properties allow running man signs to glow brightly and illuminate exit routes even during power failures when other illuminated exit signs would be ineffective.

What are the key specifications running man signs must meet?

Some key specifications include high luminosity, long glow duration, visibility range, smoke resistance, and durability against extreme conditions. They must also meet legal standards in a region.

Do running man signs require electricity to work?

No, running man signs are entirely self-powered by photoluminescent materials that absorb ambient light. No wiring or power connection is needed, so they remain effective during blackouts.

Where are running man exit signs required?

International building codes and safety laws mandate running man exit signs installed in emergency exits and evacuation routes in public buildings and spaces like offices, malls, theaters, hotels, transit hubs, etc.

Tactile Solution's Running Man Exit Signs

During emergencies, seconds matter in evacuating swiftly and safely. Photoluminescent emergency exit signs are specifically engineered to maximize the visibility of exits when it matters most. Their intuitive pictograph, illuminated arrows, and bright glow intuitively guide occupants to safety even in the harshest conditions. By investing in code-compliant running man exit signs, facility managers and contractors can fulfill their duty of care while aligning with international safety standards.

As Canada's premier accessibility solutions provider, Tactile Solution Canada supplies rigorously tested, CSA, and NBC-compliant running man exit signs to create code-conforming emergency wayfinding.

Their UL-certified Ecoglo running man exit signs offer guaranteed visibility, intuitive guidance, and unmatched reliability in emergencies and blackouts.