NCC Compliance – Exit Signs

On 1 May 2014, E4.8 of the NCC was amended to include photoluminescent exit signs.

There are strict performance requirements specified to ensure the PL signs will meet all the requirements of the BCA.

If you’re not sure if Ecoglo signs are right for your project, please read through our ‘Exit Signs’ FAQs.

E4.8 requires 100 lux illumination on the signs whenever they need to be charged ready for possible emergency use. If you aren’t sure whether the existing illumination (from daylight or electrical lighting) will provide the 100 lux, there are a number of ways to check this out.

  • See System Design > Lighting Models – these show typical lighting scenarios with the calculated illumination where the exit signs would typically be;
  • Use your own lighting model, using DIALux or similar, to measure the illumination on site;
  • Discuss your specific project with Ecoglo.

If you want to use Ecoglo signs but there isn’t 100 lux illumination where the signs need to be, you can do this with one of our ‘Performance Solutions’ to meet EP4.2. Check out the Technical Justification for Ecoglo Photoluminescent Signs document (see download below) for more information. Ecoglo can review your project and provide performance solution documentation if appropriate. Contact us for details.

NCC Technical Documents

E4.8 Flowchart – How to check if an Ecoglo sign will meet E4.8

E4 Compliance Checklist

E4.8 Maintenance Checklist for Signs

Technical Justification for Signs

Summary of Luminance Testing

Luminance of Different Grades of PLM

FAQs

Do Ecoglo photoluminescent signs comply with National Construction Code (NCC) 2019?
YES. The fail-safe operation and cost-effectiveness of photoluminescent signs was recognised in May 2014 by being included in the NCC, and the photoluminescent sign specification, E4.8, was created to offer options, other than solely electrical, to designers and facility managers.
Ecoglo’s technical team are fully conversant with the requirements of NCC 2019 and always ensure their designs are compliant.
Why has the use of photoluminescent signs been disparaged by some?
There has been a lot of false and misleading information made available by those who have vested interests in other technologies which are battling to compete with Ecoglo photoluminescent signs.

The benefits of using Ecoglo photoluminescent signs are hard to ignore.

  • Meet NCC Part E4 requirements
  • Reduce construction costs
  • Easy to install
  • Sustainable
  • Life cycle savings
  • No maintenance
  • No ongoing testing required
  • No spare parts to replace or dispose of
  • 30 year warranty (indoors)
  • Fully supported by our technical team
How much do they cost?
Most signs are under $70.00 (trade price) + GST, but double sided signs and signs that need to be seen from over 16 metres cost more. If brackets are required to mount signs from a ceiling or wall, the cost is approximately $10 more.
Do they need an electrical light installed near them?
No. Ecoglo’s technical team can design the installation to make use of the existing light in the building.
How long do they last?
A minimum of 30 years when installed indoors before there would be any measurable change in performance.
What maintenance is required?
Make sure they are cleaned of dust or dirt build up.
NCC 2019 Spec. E4.8 Exit Signs requires that they be illuminated with a minimum of 100 lux to make sure they are charged ready for an emergency. What if there isn’t 100 lux where the sign needs to be?
Ecoglo signs are designed to work in most normal lighting situations. Ecoglo’s professional engineer can design a Performance Solution to meet NCC Part E4 in most situations. Contact Ecoglo for details.
How reliable are they?
They have no moving parts or components that will need replacing. As long as they are installed where there are normal indoor light levels, and they are kept reasonably clean, and not physically damaged, they will be visible in an emergency for the time required to meet E4.8 for at least 30 years.
Where are they made?
They are manufactured on our own premises in New Zealand using a patented process developed by Ecoglo over 20 years ago.
Where can they be used?
Ideal places are in buildings that are normally occupied when the signs may need to be used, such as classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, retail spaces, factories, and warehouses. In these places if the space becomes dark, the occupier will turn on a light, making sure that the sign remains well charged. Ecoglo Exit signs can also be used in spaces that aren’t normally occupied (such as corridors linking rooms and stairwells), but there needs to be a management process for making sure that the signs are always sufficiently charged when someone may need to use them. Contact Ecoglo for more details.
Who can install them?
Anyone who knows how to put a screw into a wall, and knows where the exit signs need to be installed to meet the NCC.
What are their environmental credentials?
They are made in a factory that uses electricity (from a supplier committed to sustainable electricity production) as its only energy source. The factory creates no commercial liquid effluent, and negligible air emissions. The signs have no replaceable parts which would need to be disposed of, and no cadmium, mercury or radioactive material. They normally don’t require any electricity to be used to keep them charged. They have an extremely long life, and if for any reason they need to be disposed of, they can be included with other aluminium products for aluminium recycling.
Can they be used outdoors?
Yes, they are designed to meet the rigours of long term outdoor exposure in our harsh Southern Hemisphere environment. No matter what the weather, they can meet the requirements of NCC Part E4 several hours after sunset, or 24/7 when the distance they need to be seen from is no more than half their rated viewing distance. Contact Ecoglo for specific details.