Self Powered Lighting Solutions: Photoluminescent Vs. Tritium Exit Signs

Today, a company’s choice in exit signs includes self powered tritium and photoluminescent signs. As electricity-free exit lighting, both signs are superior to incandescent, compact fluorescent, and LED signs in terms of cost and durability. But how do they compare to each other? To find out, it helps to examine why electricity-free signs are sought as a solution to electrical ones. From utility power to self sustaining There are several reasons to replace electric signage with non-electric signage. For most companies, replacing electric signage with a self powered lighting solution involves the following concerns: evacuation safety, cost savings, and environmental impact. Below, we examine photoluminescent and tritium signage in light of these concerns. Evacuation safety How exit signage performs during emergencies can determine whether evacuations run smoothly, or result in injuries and casualties. Electrical signs are undependable during emergencies for two reasons: their backup batteries could fail, and they have breakable parts. Explosions, falling debris, and structural shock could cause electrical signage to fail. Improper maintenance is another failure factor. Conversely, Tritium and photoluminescent signs cannot malfunction due to failed power sources, breakable parts, or lack of maintenance. Powered by shockproof Tritium capsules and rigid, photoluminescent material, they can withstand explosions, falling debris, and structural shock. Concerning evacuation safety, Tritium and photoluminescent signs are roughly equal. However, because the possibility exists for Tritium capsules to rupture, releasing radioactive material, photoluminescent signage is the best self powered lighting solution in terms of overall safety. Cost savings An electric sign can cost thousands of dollars in electricity and maintenance over its lifetime, while self luminous exit signs cost nothing to operate. Tritium signs ultimately cost more than luminescent ones. When their lifespan is over, the radioactive capsules that power a Tritium sign require a $75 disposal fee per sign (which could be waived if you agree to buy more Tritium signs).  When a luminescent sign fulfills its lifespan, it can be placed in a recycling bin. As an example of how much a company can save by replacing electrical signage with luminescent signage, research shows that replacing 100 incandescent signs with photoluminescent signs can save over $3,500 a year in energy costs alone. Environmental impact Electrical signage is bad for the environment because it encourages carbon emission. Because they use no electricity, tritium and photoluminescent signage do not encourage carbon emission. However, tritium signage poses a different problem: it contains radioactive material that could end up in a landfill. Green companies always choose photoluminescent signage over tritium signage. GloBrite has the photoluminescent signage you need At GloBrite, we know that exit signage impacts fire safety, evacuation safety, the finances of building owners, and the environment. That is why we offer photoluminescent exit signage powered by our patented GloBrite technology—the best self powered lighting solution on the exit sign market. If your building has electrical exit signage and you need to replace it, call us today to learn more about how photoluminescent signage can benefit your unique building.