Ecoglo(R) Photoluminescent Safety Products Meet the Specifications of the 2009 International Fire Code

    Ecoglo's UL924 Exit Signs, save on energy costs and offer a 'green'
    alternative to electrically-powered exit signs

TORONTO, Nov. 26 /CNW/ -- More and more Canadian public buildings are being upgraded for accessibility, fire safety and energy efficiency. Facility Managers are on the lookout for products that are reliable, durable, cost-effective and 'green'.

    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091126/NY17575)

And increasingly, they are beating a path to Ecoglo, the latest in photoluminescent safety products for fire emergency egress.

The movement to photoluminescence in North America began in 2004 when New York City, acting on recommendations from its World Trade Center Building Code Task Force, adopted Local Law 26 that requires photoluminescent systems in all buildings over 75 feet high. The New York law mandates retroactive installation of non-electrical emergency egress signs and markings in all high-rise buildings.

In addition, effective January, 2009 the International Code Council (ICC) also revised the International Fire Code (IFC) to require photoluminescent exit signs that meet UL 924 standard for brightness performance and photoluminescent egress path markings on stairs, handrails, landings and exit doors in new and existing public buildings of 75 feet that meet UL1994 standard for brightness standards .

Recently the Toronto Community Housing Services replaced all of the 63 electrically-powered exit signs with Ecoglo UL 924 exit signs and retrofitted all of the emergency exit stairways with Ecoglo UL 1994 stair nosings, handrail strips and guidance strips.

"I am very excited to see the stair nosings installed. I am sure that the new look of these stairs and their functionality will be such a great and positive addition and fantastic accessibility improvement in our building and also a great example to others." said Elizabeth Jassem, Accessibility Coordinator, Asset Planning and Investment Unit, Toronto Community Housing.

The installation of the UL924 exit signs will pay for themselves in two years and the energy-savings will lower the operating costs of this 7 story office building.

"The principles behind Ecoglo's patented photoluminescent lighting technology are really very simple," Murray said. "The active photoluminescent element contains crystals in a pigment that absorb natural or artificial light and then re-emit the light to quickly guide people to safety under any light conditions. Ecoglo doesn't require any additional power source."

Ecoglo's patented application process embeds the pigment in a clear, durable polymer that ensures maximum glow efficiency. The photoluminescent strips quickly become fully charged within 60 minutes, depending on the light source, and emit a steady green glow that will continue to glow for up to 100 hours in the event of a power outage until all the absorbed energy is exhausted.

Instead of using additional electricity, Ecoglo emits a glow after absorbing any type of light. Ecoglo serves as a reliable lighting source in the event that backup generators also fail during a power outage.

In addition to being highly effective, durable and cost-effective, photoluminescent products are proven to be environmentally safe and friendly. "Our customers definitely favor 'green' building materials, and more and more local codes require 'green' buildings," Murray said.

Photoluminescent products help to conserve valuable resources because they do not consume any additional electricity; instead, they harvest nature's sunlight or reuse existing electrical light. And the materials are non-toxic, non-radioactive and are made with recycled aluminum.

"And at the end of their useful life, they can be sent to a recycling facility for recovery of the aluminum," Murray added.

The company's systems currently are installed in stadiums, arenas, performing art centers and movie theatres in Canada and the United States. Canadian projects include the Markham Theatre, the Toronto Center for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Eaton Center, 60 and 77 Bloor St., TD Center and First Canadian Place and Harborfront Centre. Internationally Ecoglo has been installed in numerous locations in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.ecoglo.ca.

For further information: David Murray, +1-416-885-2486 (cell), dmurray@ecoglo.ca; Trade Contact: Richard Pudwell, +1-416-616-3559 (cell), rpudwell@ecoglo.ca, www.ecoglo.ca Web Site: http://www.ecoglo.ca