The easiest way to comply with local law 26. A Review of
2 The information provided herein is intended to assist the recipient in becoming more familiar with the subject matter covered. Johnsonite makes no representations or warranties regarding the subject matter or the application or interpretation of the subject matter. Proper consideration of the subject matter and its application to specific factual situations must be discussed in all instances with professional advisors. The information contained herein should not be utilized as a substitute for the full written content within New York City Local Law 26, NYC Building Code. This standard is intended to provide minimum requirements for low-level photoluminescent exit path markings that will aid in the evacuation from buildings, in the event of failure of both the power and backup power to the lighting and illuminated exit signs. The markings covered by this standard are not designed to provide enough light to illuminate a dark egress path, but rather will provide luminescent signs and outlines of the egress path, handrails and stairs, so that occupants can discern these egress path elements in dark conditions. The markings are generally required to be located at a low level in case of smoke and to be readily seen, such as in a crowd situation. The markings are in addition to, and not as a substitute for, any other signage required under the Building Code. MINIMUM CERTIFICATION PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS All photoluminescent products covered by this standard shall be independently tested to certify compliance with the following characteristics in accordance with : Brightness Rating (BR) of 30-7-5 at 10, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively Washability Toxicity Radioactivity Flame Spread If products are represented as UV-resistant, such products must be independently tested to certify compliance with A for UV degradation. APPROVAL Only those products approved by the Department of Buildings Materials Equipment Acceptance Division (MEA) shall be installed. LABELING All approved materials shall be labeled and identifi ed with the model number as well as with MEA# and Brightness Rating, with at least one such identifi cation on each piece of material installed. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT Markings shall be on*: Doors opening to exit or exit passageways Doors opening to corridors, where such corridors act as required exit passageways connecting two vertical exits Doors serving as horizontal exits * Terms are defi ned in the Building Code of the City of New York. DOOR SIGNS Door signs shall be marked with a photoluminescent door sign, the top of which shall be no higher than 18" above the fi nished fl oor. Signs shall be installed on the door itself, or on the wall surface directly adjacent to the door, or both (see fi gures 1 and 2). EXCEPTION In buildings constructed prior to July 1, 2006, the top of the signs may be as high as 26" above the fl oor where necessary. MARKINGS WITHIN EXITS AND EXIT PASSAGEWAYS STEPS The entire horizontal leading edge of each step shall be marked with a solid and continuous stripe of photoluminescent material of 2" maximum to 1" minimum width. The stripe shall extend the full length of the step. The leading edge of the stripe shall be 0" to 1/2" from the leading edge of the step. The stripe shall not overlap the leading edge of the step by more than 1/2" down the vertical face of the step (see fi gure 3).
3 MARKINGS WITHIN EXITS AND EXIT PASSAGEWAYS EXCEPTIONS For buildings constructed prior to July 1, 2006, see fi gures 3 and 4 for alternatives. Refer to section 2.2 of for full specifi cations on these markings. LEADING EDGE OF LANDINGS The leading edge of all landings shall be marked following the same requirements as for steps. The leading edge of each landing shall be marked regardless of the age of the building (see fi gure 5). HANDRAILS All handrails and handrail extensions shall be marked with a solid and continuous stripe of photoluminescent material, a minimum of 1" in width. The stripe shall be placed on the top surface of the handrail for the entire length, including extensions, and shall be continuous as practical (see fi gure 6). EXCEPTION For buildings constructed prior to July 1, 2006, handrails are not required to be marked. FLOOR PERIMETER DEMARCATION LINES Floor perimeter demarcation lines are intended to outline the egress path by providing low-level photoluminescent lines on both sides of the path. The lines shall be a solid and continuous 1" to 2" wide photoluminescent stripe. Demarcation lines shall be located on the fl oor or on the walls, or a combination of the two, as elected by the building owner. Refer to section 2.24 of for full specifi cations on options. (see fi gures 7, 8 and 9). OBSTAES Obstacles that project more than 4" at or below 6'-6" in height into the egress path shall be outlined with material no less than 1" wide comprised of a diagonal pattern of alternating equal bands of photoluminescent material and black. Examples of such obstacles include standpipes, hose cabinets and wall projections (see fi gure 8). DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE Directional signage is required at transfer levels and where egress direction is not clear (see fi gure 11). NOT AN EXIT SIGN Such photoluminescent signs shall be placed on doors that lead to dead ends, e.g., mechanical rooms, storage closets (see fi gure 12). EXCEPTION Buildings constructed prior to July 1, 2006 are exempt from this requirement. DOOR SIGNS A photoluminescent wall-mounted door sign shall be mounted on the wall adjacent to all intermediate and fi nal exit doors (see fi gures 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). DOOR HARDWARE MARKINGS Door handles of all intermediate and fi nal exit doors shall be outlined with no less than 16 square inches of photoluminescent material. This back plate shall be located behind or immediately adjacent to the door handle and/or extensions (see fi gures 13 and 14). DOOR FRAME MARKINGS The top and sides of the door frame of all intermediate and exit doors shall be marked with a solid and continuous 1" to 2" wide stripe of photoluminescent material. Where the door molding does not provide enough fl at surface on which to locate the stripe, the stripe may be located on the wall surrounding the frame (see fi gures 13 and 14).
4 6" Max 6" Max * Vertical centerline of sign centered with door or located in half of door containing latch FIGURE 2. WALL-MOUNTED OPTION (2.1.1.2) Showing various acceptable placements for door signs using the wall-mounted option *26" maximum for existing buildings 2.1.1. Sign centered with door 6" Max 6" Max * FIGURE 1. DOOR-MOUNTED OPTION (2.1.1.1) Showing various acceptable placements for door signs using the door-mounted option *26" maximum for existing buildings 2.1.1. Photoluminescent Stripe 2-1/* Photoluminescent Stripes 0" Max* ** ** FIGURE 3. HORIZONTAL LEADING EDGE OF STEP (2.2.1) ** 2 maximum for existing buildings ** 1 maximum for existing buildings 1/** FIGURE 4. ALTERNATE FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS (2.2.1) ** Minor variations in consistency and uniformity through same exit permitted. ** Consistency and uniformity required. 2" Min return ** 1" Max** Same width as used on steps photoluminesce nescent nt stripe Photoluminescent Stripe As close as practicable; Same dimension as used on steps or 0" Same width as used on steps Section through handrail N.T.S. As close as practicable FIGURE 5. LEADING EDGE OF LANDING (2.2.2) Does not show perimeter demarcation lines. FIGURE 6. HANDRAILS (2.2.3)
5 Handrail marking (2.2.3) Floor-mounted perimeter demarcation line (2.2.4.1) As close as practicable FIGURE 7. PERIMETER DEMARCATION LINES (2.2.4.1) Showing fl oor-mounted option Leading edge of landing (2.2.2) Min 6'-6" above fi nish fl oor Marking of obstacles as per 2.2.5 Floor-mounted demarcation lines Handrail marking (2.2.3) Wall-mounted perimeter demarcation line (2.2.4.2) As close as practicable Marking of obstacles as per 2.2.5 Floor-mounted demarcation lines Min 6'-6" above fi nish fl oor Drops to fl oor-mounted perimeter demarcation line (2.2.4.1) Leading edge of landing (2.2.2) FIGURE 8. PERIMETER DEMARCATION LINES (2.2.4.1) Showing two options at obstacles for fl oor-mounted demarcation lines FIGURE 9. PERIMETER DEMARCATION LINES (2.2.4.1) Showing wall-mounted option at vertical drop to fl oor-mounted line
6 OPTION 1 Across face of door OPTION 2 Transition to fl oor FIGURE 10. PERIMETER DEMARCATION LINES (2.2.1.4.2) Showing wall-mounted option at doors that are not provided with door frame marking 2-3/ 4" Min Progress to the right Progress to the left Progress up and to the right Progress up and to the left Progress down and to the right Progress down and to the left Progress forward Progress down from here FIGURE 11. DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE (2.2.6 AND 2.2.7) FIGURE 12. (2.2.8)
7 Door frame Existing illuminated exit sign as may be required by building code Door frame Existing illuminated exit sign as may be required by building code Photoluminescent stripe as per 2.2.9.3 Photoluminescent stripe as per 2.2.9.3 Door hardware marking as per 2.2.9.2 Door hardware marking as per 2.2.9.2 Door sign as per 2.2.9.1 Door sign as per 2.2.9.1 No perimeter fl oor demarcation line at door No perimeter fl oor demarcation line at door FIGURE 13. INTERMEDIATE EXIT DOOR (2.2.9) Showing door with push bar FIGURE 14. FINAL EXIT DOOR Showing door with handle 1/2 as high as exit 2-3/ 1/2 as high as exit FIGURE 15. FINAL EXIT DOOR SIGNS (2.2.9) Showing various acceptable door signs for fi nal exit doors FIGURE 16. (2.2.6; 2.2.7; 2.3.1) Showing positive and negative options for directional signs FIGURE 17. (2.2.2.1; 2.3.1) Showing positive and negative options for door-mounted door signs