| Having an established emergency exit plan is the | | | | system is an egress monitoring system. |
| first important step in protecting lives in the event | | | | This is comprised of a system that monitors both |
| of an accident or disaster. An effective | | | | the exit and entries of an individual into a building. |
| emergency egress system, or exit strategy can | | | | This can help identify persons who have already |
| consist of many different components. The most | | | | exited during an emergency and who may still be |
| familiar of these is the implementation of exit | | | | in the facility. This head count aides emergency |
| signs in nearly every public building. However, with | | | | workers in assuring them that the building is clear |
| ever increasing amount of new building codes, | | | | of people. Such a system greatly improves the |
| many building owners are now required to do | | | | evacuation and response time, especially in larger |
| more than just exit signs. Although, even exit | | | | facilities. It is also believed to help identify persons |
| signs have progressed to photo luminescent signs | | | | in the event of a total emergency. |
| which require no outside source of electrical | | | | Both the use of glow tape and monitoring |
| power, including batteries. New egress systems | | | | systems greatly improve the safety of many, |
| help ensure public safety and some of them are | | | | those with a visual handicap may still suffer. |
| very inexpensive. | | | | Because a person who is visually impaired can not |
| In 2006 a new law, Local Law 26, went into | | | | see glow tape or exit signs, they are of little use |
| effect in New York City. The legislature made it | | | | to them unless they are with a sighted person. |
| mandatory for all buildings over 75 feet tall or | | | | Therefore, the development of an auditory |
| approximately 8 stories high, to install photo | | | | emergency egress system is now underway by a |
| luminescent signs and low level egress pathway | | | | few companies. One such system would transmit |
| markings. The use of glow tape has helped to | | | | information such as the distance to the exit door, |
| accomplish this daunting task for NYC and has | | | | what obstacles may person may meet, step by |
| become relevant for any emergency egress | | | | step directions to get out of the building and even |
| system. | | | | to help orientate them to their location outside of |
| The glow tape uses photo luminescent technology | | | | the building. This type system would utilize already |
| to store light energy during the day so that it | | | | installed exit signs to transmit the audible signals. |
| glows at a dim level at night or during an | | | | Also in development is an egress system which |
| emergency. This tape is generally installed in | | | | uses a series of short small noises to allow a |
| stairways and hallways to help direct people to a | | | | visually impaired person to follow the sound to a |
| safe exit. On stairways, it can be installed on the | | | | safe exit. |
| banister and on each step of the stairs. This | | | | Regardless of whether a facility uses glow tape |
| marks the steps to help insure people will not | | | | or a more advanced monitoring system, it is clear |
| miss a step and fall down. Hallways are generally | | | | that emergency egress systems will continue to |
| marked with glow tape that has arrows that | | | | evolve and improve to provide enhanced exit |
| direct the public to the exit doors. | | | | strategies. |
| Another form of an advanced, emergency egress | | | | |