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We all understand the basic concepts behind emergency evacuations – an emergency occurs, and people need to exit the building as quickly and safely as possible. But beyond the instinct for rushing toward the exits signs, and the need to provide those exits, what do we need to know about how a building’s occupants are kept safe in a crisis? It starts with the word “egress”. Because many are not familiar with the term, it will be helpful to define it here: simply put, the word “egress” refers to an unbroken, unobstructed pathway from a building or structure that leads to an open place. More than just the exit itself, an egress path is made up of three important parts: the exit access, the exit, and, finally, the exit discharge. To have a proper egress path, there must first be in place a proper egress plan, which includes mapping a facility’s emergency evacuation routes. It’s critical, when an emergency occurs, that this “map to safety” is quickly understood and easily navigated—and that’s where the proper signage and lighting come in.

The right signs and reliable emergency lighting can spell the difference between a situation that is quickly and safely resolved, and one that ends in what could have been a preventable tragedy. When visibility is compromised by smoke or a power outage and every second counts for getting all of a building’s occupants to safety, there can’t be any waiting for the lights to come back on. That’s why immediately visible emergency lighting is mandatory for egress—both for the emergency exits themselves, and for the paths the lead to these emergency exits. Emergency exit signs with arrows that immediately light up when visibility is otherwise lost prevent panic in these situations. Following exit signs with directional arrows, the building’s occupants can remain calm knowing they’re on their way to a safe exit. A glow-in-the-dark exit arrow is extremely reassuring when everything else is in confusion.

The National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 101 states that clearly readable exit signs (with lettering that is minimum of 4” in height) are required to mark all exits and all admittances to exits. If you choose photoluminescent signs, it’s good to know that OSHA, the IBC, and NFPA 101 do allow such signage, provided that the photoluminescent signs you use are suitably listed. Sometimes the measures that save lives are actually extremely simple, like a glowing exit sign with an arrow that leads you out of harm’s way when you might otherwise be too frightened to find your way out. And what really matters is having those measures in place well before they’re needed. With a solid plan already implemented, and a well-lit egress path ready to go if and when it’s needed, everyone can enjoy a lot more day-to-day peace of mind.

The truth is, most people want to do their best. We want to stay healthy and to help keep others healthy, too. Businesses want to reopen, but they also want to protect the public. That said, we are in a time of great uncertainty, and as businesses reopen in many areas, we may not know exactly how we’re expected to exist in public spaces. Add to that the fact that guidelines will vary for various types of businesses - from gyms, to salons, to restaurants, to name just a few examples - and it’s understandable that people will want and need reminders of how to behave while interacting with their community. The unprecedented situation in which we have found ourselves has highlighted the importance of certain essentials (notably, toilet paper) and has, due largely to the new social distancing guidelines, created new safety priorities. Navigating retail during COVID-19 can easily create a lot of anxiety and uncertainty – not just to due concerns over the spread of infection, but how to behave in a way that is responsible.

So, while it’s true that most people want to do the right thing, something as simple and necessary as going to the grocery store during COVID-19 while properly social distancing is an entirely new concept, both to shoppers and to retailers trying to ensure their stores are safe place to shop. This is where simple measures such a vinyl floor decals and vinyl wall graphics have become so vital and helpful to everyone trying to do their best in this current crisis. Most people, given the chance to understand exactly what’s expected of them, are perfectly happy to follow safety guidelines. It’s one thing to explain to customers that they should maintain a distance of six feet apart while waiting in line, which can be hard to estimate, but actually employing floor graphics made of vinyl showing the six foot distance really helps eliminate the confusion and provide helpful guidance.

Office wall graphics can also be helpful, reminding employees of the habits they can cultivate to ensure viruses will not be easily spread. 3D floor graphics are an attention-grabbing form of floor graphics, ensuring social distancing reminders and guidelines are highly visible to the public. These are highly useful as businesses start to reopen and foot traffic increases in public spaces. Quality commercial wall graphics will be needed in virtually every business and public space that reopens as well. Businesses will want to choose wall graphics that are easily read, as well as easily and securely adhered, ensuring all guidelines remain in the forefront of public visibility for their particular business. It’s easy to lean on lifelong habits and easy to forget exactly what we should be doing and where we should be doing it in these uncertain times. This is why visual reminders are so very helpful in times of crisis.

What is a UL 924 exit sign? Set apart from signs of lesser quality, a UL 924 sign is a sign that meets the essential safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories for emergency lighting and power equipment safety. The standard for safe equipment of many types, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) performs testing on emergency lights and exits signs – including all-important emergency exit signs, which are essential in a crisis situation or in the event of an emergency evacuation. Dedicated to ensuring life-saving measures work when they’re most needed, UL delivers their certifications only to equipment that meets their criteria for visibility, functionality, and reliability. This is why, if you’re in need of an important sign such as an emergency exit only sign, you’ll want to ensure that your chosen sign is described as “UL Listed”. It may also be noted that the exit only sign you’re considering meets UL-924 standards. This isn’t simply a throwaway “extra feature” – it’s vital.  True UL emergency lights are up to (or even go beyond) Underwriter's Laboratories’ strict safety criteria. And UL’s standards are to be counted upon, as Underwriters Laboratories is considered North America’s most reliable not-for-profit testing and compliance agency.

What kind of equipment is subject to UL 924 testing? The UL 924 label encompasses items that function using fewer than 600 volts. Exit signage is contained in this category, as well as equipment designed to provide emergency illumination and power if AC power fails. With fire safety in mind, UL performs flammability testing, certifying that parts do not melt, and making sure they won’t provide added fuel in the event of a fire, thus increasing safety risks instead of alleviating them. What kinds of qualities do UL 924 exit signs possess that make them so important in an emergency? Having gone through thorough testing, a certified UL 924 sign boasts a visibility rating of 100 feet minimum. This means that a UL 924-listed exit sign remains readable, even from 100 or more feet away, and even in completely dark conditions. If the sign is electrical, the inner battery backup system, designed to provide the power needed to light the sign if power is lost, also undergoes careful testing by UL. To qualify as meeting standards, these batteries are required to deliver a minimum of 1.5 hours of operating time in a power crisis.

Keep in mind, while UL 924 exit signs are the best you can buy, it remains the owner’s responsibility to safeguard their own equipment, making sure all emergency gear gets appropriate maintenance and regular inspection. So be sure you understand what it takes to keep your UL 924 equipment working correctly. Moreover, if you’re looking to make the switch to a green exit sign, it’s good to know that glow-in-the-dark (also called photoluminescent) exit signs that are UL-924 listed are suitable for usage as an alternative to UL-listed an electrical emergency exit sign.

If you own and operate a gym, rent apartments, or manage a hotel, you understand how important it is to keep your patrons safe. After all, these are places where customers and guests expect to relax, enjoy, and unwind in a safe, clean, comfortable environment. For example, in the course of common activities such as bathing or spending time poolside, your guests will encounter many slipping hazards. They count on the foresight of those managing the facilities to help prevent them from getting injured from an unexpected fall. So, as a business owner prioritizing your customers’ health, comfort, and safety, what can you do - aside from the appropriate signage warning of slippery surfaces? What other solutions can you put in place to ensure you’re providing the best, safest experience for those using your facilities? The answer is simple and effective: you need to create a safe amount of friction on slippery surfaces by using an anti-slip bath mat, pool mat, and gym mat where needed.

You can greatly reduce the chance of falling accidents on slippery surfaces or areas that tend to get wet with a non-slip bath mat or a non-skid shower mat featuring fine-grade, non-slip vinyl tread. But, before you buy, remember to do your research before purchasing safety solutions for your facility. Like all products, not all anti-slip mats are made of equally good quality. It always pays off in the long term to invest in the best anti-slip shower mat and best non-slip bath mat you can afford, especially because this is where it comes down to safety. You need a dependable anti-slip shower mat designed to prevent slips and falls, and non-slip shower mats that will hold up over time, stay in place, and perform well for the long term. Beyond its reliability, the great thing about a quality non-skid bath mat made with fine-grade, non-slip vinyl tread is that it is non-abrasive, and therefore comfortable on guests’ bare feet. Comfort underfoot is especially important for anti-slip bath mats and anti-slip pool mats.

With peel-and-stick application and simple, peel-away removal, anti-slip bath mats are easy to install and simple to replace. Perfect for applications near pools, saunas, showers, tubs, and exercise equipment, choose from a variety of dimensions of anti-slip mat to suit your needs, and select from a clear mat or a variety of common colors to match your surfaces. For the well-being of your patrons, be sure the anti-slip mats you choose for your hotel, gym, spa, or apartment building are made with antimicrobial materials so mats stay cleaner in a damp environment. You should also confirm that your chosen anti-slip bath mats meet Prop 65, ADA, and OSHA standards. Knowing you’re preventing common types of accidents before they happen will give you extra peace of mind, and - over time - help gain customer loyalty and trust.

The need for an emergency evacuation can happen in the blink of an eye. Therefore, it can’t be overstated just how vital it is to have trustworthy indoor safety signage in place to indicate your emergency egress path. In your retail space, it’s your responsibility to put your customers first, and this includes making sure you have the proper measures ready to help keep your store’s occupants safe in case of emergency. In the event of a blackout or a fire that causes a smoke-filled atmosphere, it can be very difficult for the building’s occupants to see their way to the nearest emergency exit sign. This is why you need a dependable safety signage solution.

Helping customers understand exactly what they need to do when the lights go out, and making sure they understand the best way leave the building quickly is so important, because, when confusion happens in an emergency, panic can quickly set in. Keeping people calm truly can prevent many accidents and tragedies. Thankfully, a photoluminescent, wall-mounted green exit sign will ensure visibility in dark or hazy conditions, helping get customers to the safety exit as quickly as possible. And the best part is, no electricity is required for glow-in-the-dark exit signs. The ideal solution for instant, dependable visibility, this type of exit sign works by absorbing ambient light—and with the power of this stored light, you have an immediately illuminated exit only sign when it’s most important.

There are a variety of egress signs you can select from for clearly illuminating your retail store’s emergency egress pathway. You can choose a running man exit sign with an arrow to guide people to the exit doors, helping occupants to easily follow the proper pathway for safe egress. Immediately visible when the lights go out without the needed for any kind of electricity, you can rely on a photoluminescent exit sign. Powered by the absorption of fluorescent, metal halide, or mercury vapor light, photoluminescent material is the fundamentally safe, energy-free, recyclable, and overall ecologically-friendly choice for dependable visibility – whether that’s due to power failure, or low-lit, dark, or smoky situations.

Remember that a good quality photoluminescent emergency exit only sign will continue to deliver the strong, brilliantly-glowing visibility so important for lighting your egress pathways for decades to come. When putting in place your egress path marking system, be safety-minded first, making sure the signs you choose are IBC/IFC compliant. In addition to the appropriate exit sign or signs, it’s also important for eliminating confusion to mark areas that aren’t exits. For these areas, you can choose a photoluminescent “Not an Exit” sign to keep people from flocking to doors that do not lead to a safe exit.

The entire idea behind going to a gym is to increase one’s wellbeing. Some patrons go strictly for health and fitness, some to enjoy the social aspects of a fun fitness class, and some just want to lose a few pounds and gain some confidence. Regardless of the specific reasons, people expect to leave the gym feeling better than when they walked in, and they keep returning as those benefits show themselves over time. The last thing anyone wants is to be taken out of commission by an unexpected slip, trip, or fall - or to end up in the emergency room from a gym equipment-related injury that could have been prevented by simply using anti slip-treads and non-slip tape throughout your facility.

Those who manage or own gyms and health clubs must consider it a special concern to keep clientele safe, healthy, and protected from injury as they work out, shower, or navigate the gym floor or fitness studio. After all, when someone chooses to swim, train, or lift weights in the facilities you run, the environment you’ve created for them is your responsibility – and it must be made as safe as you can make it. Some accidents or injuries are out of your control, such as when someone chooses to misuse equipment or lift more than they can physically handle; nonetheless, considering potential safety risks and focusing on what you can control (such as applying clear anti-slip tape on your machines) can go a long way toward creating an amazing, lower-risk experience for your clients.

Firstly, it’s a good idea to simply look around you with fresh eyes, and pay careful attention. We can get so caught up in the day-to-day busyness of running a business that we can miss the obvious. So simply slow down, do a thorough lookover of your own space, carefully examine each piece of gear, equipment, and every machine, pinpointing potential areas of concern. When you do this, it’s important to include showers, changing rooms, saunas, tanning beds, childcare areas, and employees-only spaces as well. You’ll probably find that a lot of potential problems are easy to fix with measures like anti-slip tape, non-skid stair treads, proper signage, and clearly-displayed guidelines and instructions. When shopping for non-slip grip tape for your equipment or other areas, remember that a variety of sizes and types are available, whether you’re looking for 3m anti slip tape or other dimensions to meet your needs.

Talk to your trainers, instructors, and staff about any changes you implement so they can reinforce your efforts. Does your gym have stairs that don’t yet have an application of anti-slip grip tape? They can become slippery as sweaty patrons traverse them. Be sure slipping hazards are minimized with grip tape for stairs, non-slip stair treads, and clearly-marked steps. (The stair tread grip tape and anti-slip stair treads you choose should be made to meet rigorous safety requirements.) Moreover, beyond implementing safety measures and regularly inspecting equipment, remember the vital importance of excellent hygiene standards. A distinct challenge in gyms, where people come into close contact with many surfaces and where dampness from showers, pools, saunas, and sweat abounds, keeping things clean and sanitary takes continual determination. Be sure you’re training your employees to take special care to keep your gym clean and sanitary.

There is a common human reaction when a fire emergency occurs: in their natural fear response, people become fueled by adrenaline as they hurry to find the quickest possible way to escape from the impending danger. This results all too often in a mad, fearful rush to find the closest emergency exit sign. This becomes a major safety concern when the quickest, safest way out isn’t properly indicated. If exit routes and emergency exit only sign aren’t made to be obvious and easily visible when large numbers of occupants need to exit a building in a quick and orderly fashion, widespread confusion is the natural consequence. And when people are caught in a confused crowd and become uncertain of the path out of danger, panic may result. It’s vital to prevent panicking in an emergency, because panicking can quickly make an already unsafe situation far more dangerous than it needs to be. This is why it’s essential in a building's fire safety plan is that there is a photoluminescent egress path marking system, as well as glow-in-the-dark exit signs. When these vital measures are in place, injuries - and even worse tragedies - are preventable.

Made to illuminate stairs, raised areas, and guardrails, as well as potential impediments in hazy, low-visibility environments, photoluminescent markings undoubtedly help save lives. Not necessitating the aid of electricity, a photoluminescent exit only sign and egress path marking system isn’t dependent upon an emergency backup system for it to light up when it’s needed. Free of the need to be specially maintained, this kind of luminescence is made through the ability to absorb and store visible light, allowing photoluminescent markings leading to exits signs to glow in the dark. This is so important because it can quickly become very difficult, if not impossible, to see clearly in a burning building. A photoluminescent egress path marking system and proper exit signs are so essential not just because of fire, but because of smoke. Smoke proliferates rapidly in the event of a fire, which quickly results in confusion and greatly decreased visibility for the people trapped inside. A photoluminescent egress path and exit signs within a building create constant visual pathways for safe evacuation – and they glow not just hours, but even up to two days.

Particularly essential in dim, smoke-filled passages and areas with stairs (the places with the greatest risk of accidents), easily visible exit sign markings and egress path marking systems in the midst of heavy smoke can help frightened occupants stay calm as they make their way to evacuate safely through the proper exits. Using an unbroken stripe along each horizontal edge on every step of a staircase, for example, the use of photoluminescent egress path markings not only greatly decreases the potential for slipping, falling, and other accidents on dark stairs, the aid of photoluminescence also reduces the inherent stress and emotional trauma associated with the event of a fire emergency as occupants are desperately trying to locate the nearest green exit sign. A key component for the fire safety plan of any structure, photoluminescent egress path marking systems and exit signs make it possible for occupants to follow the safest route out of danger, even in low visibility situations.

It stands to reason that most accidents occur where we spend most of our time. So, given the amount of hours many people spend in an office environment doing their daily jobs, it’s imperative that all proper safety precautions are observed to keep them safe. Here are six simple yet essential ways you can keep your employees safer and happier at work.

1. Provide better lighting – affecting everything from productivity and concentration to general safety, the right lighting makes a bigger difference than you might think. Even when employees don’t consciously notice the difference, eye strain will set in and more accidents and mistakes will occur. There are simple ways to improve the lighting in the workplace that will make a big difference, such as letting in as much natural light as possible, replacing bulbs as needed, using energy-efficient lighting solutions, and rearranging the space to allow better access to areas near windows and other well-lit areas.

2. Install glow-in-the-dark exit signs—even for those very familiar with their daily environment, an emergency situation can generate disorientation and panic. Aside from the stress created by an emergency evacuation, darkness from a blackout or a smoke-filled environment can make it impossible to locate that once-familiar green exit sign. This why an emergency exit sign using photoluminescent technology for your office’s emergency egress route is an absolute must. Able to function from the power of absorbed light, an emergency exit only sign made of photoluminescent material glows immediately when the lights go out or visibility is compromised. Use the right exit only sign to get your employees to the correct exit and out of the building quickly.

3. Organize electrical cords—messy cords can cause visual and mental stress, not to mention create dangerous tripping hazards. Invest in quality floor cord covers with a low profile for a smooth walking surface that won’t be an accident waiting to happen. Easy to install, this product will protect the many cords associated with office items while reducing the risk of tripping.

4. Use proper storage – messes create an environment where accidents are more likely. Everything from drawers that don’t close properly, to loose papers, to items placed unexpectedly in walkways are accidents in the making. Invest in sturdy storage solutions and organize your workspace. You’ll notice a difference in safety, stress levels, and work efficiency.

5. Make hand sanitizer accessible—unfortunately, not everyone stays home when they are contagious, and offices are one of the places where germs can spread most rapidly. One of the ways common viruses are spread is when hands make contact with a contaminated surface, then a person touches their face. Thus, keeping hands clean is an excellent preventative. Employees are far more likely to make use of germ-killing measures if hand sanitizer is abundant and easily accessible around the office. This simple effort will cut back on sick time and lost productivity.

6. Apply non-slip mats—slippery surfaces are a common source of accidents, especially in office bathrooms, kitchens, and stairwells. A simple, easy way to prevent falls on slippery surfaces is to adhere non-slip mats wherever the surface does not provide adequate friction.

We know a thing or two about skateboarding at Jessup Manufacturing. Specifically how to help boarders prevent a nasty slip and fall with the use of Jessup’s Griptape. We also know skateboarding is an extreme action sport that often gets misclassified as street sport geared towards rebellious, baggy-pants wearing young boys. However, the more you understand this sport, the more you will realize just how much hard work and structure goes into the art of skateboarding. You’ll also begin to realize it is much more mainstream then you know- hence the USA Skateboarding joining the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as of June 2018 and now being responsible for the selection, training, and fielding of U.S. national teams that compete in the Olympic Games and other sanctioned team events. With the new addition of skateboarding to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, no one is certain how the games will play out, but we are looking forward to watching the screen to find out. From how the athletes were picked to be on the USA team, to what to expect and how they are judged— we are giving you insight on the top things to know about skateboarding going into Tokyo Olympics 2020.

How was the USA Olympic Skateboarding Team picked (and who are they)?

Back in March, 16 men and women were announced to join the first-ever skateboarding national team. USA Skateboarding— the U.S. governing body for skateboarding— partnered with Toyota and Nike to create this team. The 16 skaters named made the national team based on performance in international level events throughout the previous year.

The team consists of 8 male and 8 female competitors, and they will all be split evenly between the park and street events during qualifying for Tokyo 2020. However, they still need to qualify through their Street League or Park Series rankings so there are still no guarantees any of these skaters will compete at the Olympics. On top of that, only a maximum of 12 American athletes can qualify for the Olympics so expect the list below to be adjusted slightly come June 2020.

The Qualifying 16 Skateboarders Include:                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Men's Street: Chris Joslin, Louie Lopez, Nyjah Huston & Jagger Eaton                                                                                                                                                                                 

Men's Park: Zion Wright, Alex Sorgente, Tom Schaar & Tristan Rennie                                                                                                                                                                               

Women's Street: Lacey Baker, Alexis Sablone, Jenn Soto & Mariah Duran                                                                                                                                                                         

Women's Park: Jordyn Barratt, Nicole Hause, Bryce Wettstein & Brighton Zeuner

What should you expect in the 2020 Olympic skateboarding competition?                                                                                                                       

Skateboarding has numerous disciplines within it, but the 2020 Olympic Games have chosen to focus on two of them—street and park skateboarding.

• Street skateboarding is held on a course that is similar to (no surprise) a street. Curbs, benches, stairs with handrails and varying slope heights will take over the space for skateboarding to compete in. The street skateboarders love to get air in order to flip in their sets, so expect to see a lot of “ollies” (a trick where the rider and board leap into the air without the use of the rider's hands) and skateboard deck flips (when done well and with a quality skateboard deck grip tape, these flips make it seem like the boarder’s feet are attached to the deck of the board). Street skaters will show off deck slides and trunk grinds (the trunk is the parts connecting the wheels and bearings to the deck of the skateboard) right on the street courses curbs and handrails.
• Park skateboarding: For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that will be using a hollowed-out course featuring a series of complicated curves – some resembling large dishes and dome-shaped bowls for their park competition. Competitors in park skateboarding are looking to get massive height, mid-air suspension, and speed. Viewers can also expect skateboarders to showcase their skills in maneuvering the deck of the skateboard. Skateboard grip tape is also an important piece of the puzzle for these skateboarders because without it their feet can easily shift which can cause a slip and fall accident.

The Olympic skateboarders will compete in Tokyo’s Aomi Urban Sports Venue for both street and park skateboarding. The competition will take place throughout the entire duration of the Olympic Games, from July 24 to August 9, 2020.

How are the skateboarders being judged in the Olympics?

Judges for skateboarding will score the athletes on a number of different factors based around speed, difficulty, originality, timing, stability and the overall flow of the performance. Specifically, the ability to suspend in mid-air is one of the most important skills judges look out for throughout the entire skateboarding competitions.

In street skateboarding, each competitor performs individually and utilizes each section to demonstrate a range of skills, or ‘tricks’. Skilled riders make difficult tricks like ollies, parallels and other dynamic, multi-dimensional flips appear easy, but they all require a high level of technique. Judging takes into account such factors as the degree of difficulty of the tricks, height, speed, originality, execution and the composition of moves, in order to award an overall mark.

The park course contains large “bowls” with steep curves from the center outward, offering the upper part of the incline either vertical or almost vertical. Skateboarders are judged on a variety of items, including their immense heights achieved by climbing the curves and difficulty of their mid-air tricks.

Skateboarders will be able to vary their tricks more in the park when the kicker ramp is used, which allows them to gain height. Difficulty and originality points depends on a variety of factors, including:

1. If and how they change their stance on the board
2. Whether the rider is grabbing the deck of their skateboard with a hand when performing mid-air tricks
3. Which part of the skateboard deck is grabbed?
4. Which hand is used to grab the deck and the posture of the rider while grabbing the deck?
5. Mid-air deck and/or body rotations

Another key part in judging both street and park is the rider's stance. The usual stance is called the ‘main stance’, but when a  rider adjusts the position of the front leg during competition, this is known as the ‘switch stance’. Judges will award marks for tricks performed with the main stance, but those performed with the switch stance will get higher marks as the degree of difficulty is increased.

What are potential injuries skateboarders face during a run?

Since its inception back in the 1940’s, skateboarding has taken on the reputation as being a dangerous sport. In fact, it comes in at #8 on the most-injury prone sports list. In 2015, 125,145 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms after being injured skateboarding. More than half of those injured were ages 14 to 24, and about one-third were between the ages of 5 and 14, according to Injury Facts 2017, the annual statistical report on unintentional injuries produced by the National Safety Council. Wrists, knees, and elbows are common areas for riders to get breaks or sprains, especially when proper safety is not followed. And although falling never stops being part of the sport, when proper safety tips and gear is taken on by riders you can prevent a lot of these common injuries. Our top three tips to prevent skateboarding injury are:

1. Always wear safety gear: Even the most experienced riders (i.e.: Olympic skateboarders), will be the first to tell you that having safety gear is of the utmost importance. Get yourself slip resistance closed-toe shoes, a skateboarding helmet, properly fitted knee and wrist pads (at minimum) and skateboarding gloves are also available to help reduce the impact of falls (and you will fall!).
2. Do a board check before going out: No matter if this is your first or 500th time out on your board, never stop checking it before you go. Make sure the board you purchase is fit for your age and riding type. Boards for freestyle will be designed differently from those of speed skateboarding. Before heading out, make sure all the nuts and bolts are tightened and your skateboard grip tape is still in good working order.
3. Practice falls and fall smart: As we mentioned, you will fall no matter how experienced you are in skateboarding. It’s just part of the sport (and gravity!). If you have the right safety gear on and a properly made board, you have won half the battle. The other half is to actually practice falling safely. Skateboarders have common fall methods like falling, bailing and slamming. By working on how to fall on your knees you can help soften the blow (because you will have your knee pads on). When you practice rolling out of a fall you will also be able to distribute the force of the fall which can help in preventing additional injuries.

It has been great to see skateboarding evolve over the years and finally make its way to the Olympics in 2020. Nothing is ever the same from one skateboarding run to another, so it always makes for entertaining performances.

We can’t wait to watch Team USA compete in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 this upcoming summer!

Wet location exit signs require a specific design and must meet certain requirements from various authorities, including state and local codes, in order to be approved for use. That is because these signs could get wet from condensation from things such as an air conditioning unit, or saturated from rainfall, snow, or other elements. Obviously, these exit signs cannot rely on a power source that is derived from a cable or outlet. This means one of the main requirements for wet location exit signs is to be either battery operated or able to store ambient light as energy for later use. Previously, this could be an extremely expensive investment for building owners to implement, but as exit signs have evolved, so have the options and costs.

Locations Requiring Wet Location Exit Signs

Wet location exit signs and egress systems are required for any indoor or outdoor location that can produce condensation or become wet from weather or other elements (such as spray from hoses). Depending on your state or city, they may be required in places you wouldn’t normally consider, so it is important to review your specific location’s rules and regulations to make sure you comply and don’t get hit with a fine. A wet location is generally defined as an interior or exterior location in which water or other liquids may drip, splash or flow on or against the exit sign.

Here is a list of some of the top locations that require wet location exit signs:   

Open Air Decks or Patios | Uncovered Porches | Outdoor Dining Areas | Exterior Walls | Water Vessels | Shower Enclosures                   

Locations that often get overlooked are indoor locations in which sprinkler systems could hit the exit signage during a fire. Be sure to review your building requirements and sprinkler systems to see if wet location exit signs are required. It could end up being a very costly mistake to have an electrical exit sign in place when sprinkler systems go off or the signs accidentally get sprayed with water!

Complying With Wet Location Exit Sign Requirements

The world of exit safety signage is massive. Consider all the locations you find an exit sign in that could be hit by the elements of wet weather or any other liquid or condensation. From parts of hotels, parking garages, cruise ships, and dining establishments… you get the idea. As the exit sign and safety industry continues to evolve, the regulating authorities including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), International Building Code and International Fire Code and the way these products are engineered and installed has offered change for the better and new options to the market.

That means that complying with wet location exit sign requirements no longer needs to be a headache or strain on the bottom line. Even in New York City, which upholds some of the strictest guidelines for exit sign and egress systems, you can now find plenty of cost-effective options to choose from to meet wet location exit sign requirements. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent product safety certification organization that tests exit signs and gives them a rating. Reviewing the UL listing can help you choose the most appropriate exit signs for your needs, from dry to damp or wet locations. Besides ensuring the UL listing is UL 924 listed, some other indications you will also want to make sure the exit sign upholds to meet wet location regulations include:

• Exit sign provides illumination without electricity or outlets required.                                               
• Exit sign is listed specifically for wet locations.       
• Exit sign meets state, local, and other regulating authorities' requirements.                                 
• Exit sign must be clear of decorations, equipment which may impair visibility to means of an exit.
• Signs marking exits should have the word "Exit" in legible letters no smaller than six inches high and 8-inch letters apply in some boroughs of New York and the city of Chicago. 

Additional guidance regarding wet location exit sign requirements is provided by reviewing the various regulating authorities' codes. For example, within the 2015 edition of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code section 7.10, it states numerous requirements to be aware of when choosing a wet location exit sign. One of these requirements is that externally illuminated signs require a level of illumination of not less than five foot-candles (54 lux) at the illuminated surface and a contrast ratio of not less than five-tenths (found in NFPA 2015 edition, Life Safety Code, section 7.10.6.3).

Wet Location Exit Sign Technology

Photoluminescent technology, fluorescent and LED light technology are all options for wet locations in need of exit signs or egress systems. Jessup Manufacturing offers an indoor/outdoor photoluminescent exit sign that can be used in wet locations—Glo Brite® PM 100.  This photoluminescent exit sign is designed to be applied to any location, including wet or damp locations or areas exposed to harsh elements and temperature changes. Photoluminescent technology has specifically increased in popularity for exit signage and egress systems throughout the past couple of decades and for very good reason.

Photoluminescent technology has been used for decades across the pond in Europe and started to become more widely used in the United States after the 1993 World Trade Towers truck bombing. In fact, given its impact in the 9/11 tragedy and other unrelated incidents, New York City passed New York Law 26 in 2004, which mandated the use of this technology in all buildings more than 72 feet high. The International Building Code and International Fire Code were also updated in 2005 to require the use of photoluminescent technology in new and existing high-rise buildings. 

Photoluminescent exit signs also provide an immediate return on investment – a fact that competing wet location exit sign and egress products cannot promise.  Photoluminescent exit signs contain phosphor, which consists of rare earth elements that are found in mixed geological deposits throughout the world. Phosphor particles can absorb, store, and then emit light at a later time whenever they are exposed to light. Long-persistence phosphor (LPP) is an emerging subset of this, which can emit light for a much longer period of time, acting like a sponge by absorbing and holding the light energy, slowly releasing it to provide illumination over an extended period of time. These phosphors can be added to ink, dye, paint, coatings, and plastics to create low-maintenance, no-hassle safety solutions- including wet location exit signs and egress systems. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, photoluminescent exit signs are the most energy-efficient exit signs available on the market today.

Another bonus of using photoluminescent technology for your wet location exit sign option is that this type of exit is extremely simple to install, maintain, and obviously requires zero electricity to operate- making them suitable for even the wettest of locations. This means you will not incur the additional labor and electrical costs associated with the installation of other exit signs and you can be worry-free about the safety of your guests. With no bulbs to replace with photoluminescent exit signs, once installed they are easily maintained for 25+ years. This increased reliability protects against potential life safety hazards even beyond being wet that could result due to the lack of maintenance for electric exit signs.

If your business has some outdoor or indoor component that has the potential to become wet, a waterproof wet location emergency exit sign is essential and required by law. Remember to review your specific city and state rules and regulations to make sure you comply fully and meet the proper requirements. To recap, some of our quick tips for wet location emergency exit signs are:

-Any location that can get hit with liquid needs a wet location emergency exit sign… and don’t forget sprinkler systems!

-Choose a wet location emergency exit sign that is UL 924 listed specifically for wet locations.

-Make sure it meets all building code requirements and that it meets or exceeds safety standards set by the International Fire Code and the International Building Code.

Consider photoluminescent emergency exit signs for wet locations (such as the Glo Brite® PM 100) as they are rated by almost every safety and hazard prevention organization as the best method of implementing safety signs available on the market at the present time.