DE20105825U1 - Escape control system - Google Patents

Description

LONGLITE TECHNOLOGIES AG ' LLOllOGbb

CH-4142 Muenchenstein

Escape guidance system

The invention relates to an escape guidance system in which luminescent strips are applied to a carrier.

Escape route markings or escape guidance systems are well known and are provided or even required in many facilities open to the public. In the event of danger, e.g. in the event of a fire, they are intended to show people the quickest possible route out of the danger zone. In particular, in locations without daylight, such as underground car parks, basements and heating systems with their entrances and exits to buildings, the markings must remain visible even if the artificial lighting fails. Mains- or battery-operated emergency lighting for markings, which is used in many places, does not offer the necessary safety because it requires consistent maintenance. They are generally prone to breakdowns, only provide spot lighting, are difficult to see when smoke forms in the event of a fire and burn up at higher temperatures. In addition, the risk of sparks in the event of a fire is considerable.

It is known to apply paint systems that contain luminescent pigments to carrier surfaces. Such paint systems can be applied either directly to the surfaces of the building or to the surface of specially provided carriers, e.g. carrier plates. PVC or aluminum are the preferred materials for such carrier plates. Zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate are used as pigments in a luminescent paint system. These pigments are activated or excited by daylight or artificial light; they store the absorbed light energy and release it again after a delay. This afterglow is also generally referred to as phosphorescence. For escape route markings, the DIN standard requires

67510 an afterluminance of at least 3 mcd/m ² for one hour after activation (mcd = millicandela).

Photoluminescent escape guidance systems are also well known and are required on ships by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). The IMO requires that escape guidance systems that just meet DIN standard 67510 but do not significantly exceed it must have a minimum width of the photoluminescent surface of 7.5 cm. For escape guidance systems that significantly exceed DIN standard 67510 in terms of photoluminescence, the width of the photoluminescent surface of this escape guidance system can be reduced according to a fixed formula, but this width should not normally be less than 5 cm.

Several recent disasters have shown that escape route markings are essential and that well-thought-out escape guidance systems, especially in large buildings or complexes that are open to the public, could in many cases be the last resort for those fleeing, if they were available. The escape guidance system would have to guide people in distress safely out of the danger zone even in the event of a total power failure and, in particular, in the event of a fire breaking out with smoke. It is therefore to be expected that in some countries, especially in Germany, a law or regulation will come into force sooner or later that will require an escape guidance system in certain categories of buildings.

Existing escape route markings and escape guidance systems generally do not meet the requirements mentioned. Often, even in long corridors, relatively small signs or boards are only placed at certain points, indicating an emergency exit and are electrically illuminated or illuminated. In the event of danger, or for people who may have panicked, they do not provide continuous and therefore reliable guidance out of the danger zone, and are difficult to see, particularly when smoke is developing; since their lighting is dependent on electricity, they can

•♦ ·

They may no longer perform their function in the event of a power failure.

Other existing escape route markings or escape guidance systems are also generally rather unaesthetic, as they essentially consist of a yellow tape, which is usually attached to a plastic or aluminum carrier material about 20 cm above the skirting board. In many locations, such as in corridors of hotels or office buildings, but also in bank branches, insurance buildings, etc., aesthetics also play an important role alongside safety and are a decisive factor in the selection.

Recently developed escape routes that use aluminum as a support material may look a little more attractive and valuable than those based on plastic, but they are not pretty either. They also have significant disadvantages when it comes to installation and are very expensive. The tape glued to the support can come off over time, which affects both the function and the aesthetics. After installation, cleaning the rooms equipped with such an aluminum escape route system is made more difficult by the fact that, due to the nature of the aluminum profiles, dirt accumulates under them and is difficult to remove.

The aim of the present invention is to create an escape guidance system that meets the highest requirements in terms of efficiency and safety, as well as aesthetics. It should ensure safe, continuous guidance out of the danger zone even in the event of a total power failure or impaired visibility. In addition, installation should be significantly easier and production and installation should be significantly more cost-effective than with escape guidance systems made of aluminum, for example.

According to the invention, this is achieved by integrating the luminescent strips into wooden skirting boards that form the joint between the wall and the floor of a room.

cover. This makes it possible to use an existing building element as a support, which also makes it possible to install an uninterrupted escape guidance system, possibly interrupted by doors or niches, etc., and to do so in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

The luminescent strips can be glued, screwed or nailed onto the wooden skirting boards.

Preferably, however, the wooden skirting boards have a recess on their visible side into which the luminescent strips are inserted.

The thickness of the luminescent strips can be equal to the depth of the recess, so that the surface of the strips is flush with the surface of the areas of the wooden skirting boards bordering the recess and forms a closed surface.

According to one embodiment, the luminescent strips can be glued into the recess. This method of attaching the luminescent strips is very cost-effective, and yet the risk of them coming off over time, e.g. due to wiping contact, is much lower than with known systems. The strips can also be screwed or nailed into the recess.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recess extends over the entire length of the wooden skirting board and the width of the recess is exactly the same as the width of the luminescent strips; the luminescent strips can thus be inserted between the steps bordering the recess on both sides and are held there by a kind of clamping effect. It is also possible to easily remove or replace the strips at a later date if necessary.

Preferably, the recess extending over the entire length of the wooden skirting board can be fixed to the edges bordering it on both sides.

The steps have undercuts into which the luminescent strips are inserted. This means that the strips are held even more securely in the recess without the need for special fastening such as gluing, screwing or nailing. This makes the actual assembly and any subsequent replacement of the strips, if necessary or only desired, easier; this can save time and money.

Installation can be made easier if the luminescent strips are clipped into the undercuts of the steps bordering the recess instead of being pushed in.

However, it is also possible to nail or screw the luminescent strips into the recess.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the visible surface of the wooden skirting board provided with the luminescent strips can run parallel to its rear surface facing the wall.

Preferably, the visible surface of the wooden skirting board provided with the luminescent strips is at an angle to its rear surface; the luminescent strips are thus more visible as an escape guidance system and the activation of the pigments causing the luminescent effect by artificial or daylight is also more effective due to the normal angle of incidence for the light.

The angle formed by the visible surface and the rear surface of the wooden skirting board should preferably not be greater than 25°; however, this measure represents a compromise and is adopted more for aesthetic reasons, it is therefore not mandatory; from a purely technical point of view, an angle of 45° would be optimal.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show

Fig. 1 shows a view into a corridor equipped with an escape guidance system according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a wooden skirting board as part of an escape guidance system according to the invention, looking towards the back of the wooden skirting board,

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a wooden skirting board as part of an escape guidance system according to the invention, looking towards the visible side of the wooden skirting board,

Fig. 4 a cross section through a luminescent strip,

Fig. 5, 6 and 7 each show a cross section through a wooden skirting board with integrated luminescent strip according to different embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a view into a corridor of a building which is equipped with an escape guidance system according to the invention. (Wooden) skirting boards 1, which are already provided in many places where wall and floor meet, have until now primarily served the purpose of concealing this transition and any supply cables, mainly electrical, laid behind them. According to Fig. 1, these wooden skirting boards 1 have luminescent strips 2 integrated therein, which are coated on their visible side with a paint system containing at least one luminescent pigment. In addition, these luminescent strips 2 can be provided with markings 3 or pictograms; in the case shown, arrows were chosen as an example, which continuously indicate the direction of escape in the event of danger (see also Fig. 3). These markings 3 can themselves be luminescent. However, they can also stand out from the otherwise luminescent strip 2 by means of a non-luminescent contrasting color.

The luminescent strips 2 integrated into the skirting boards 1, possibly with directional markings 3, thus form a continuous escape guidance system by which fleeing persons can be guided out of a danger zone without interruption and by the shortest route.

According to the simplest embodiment, the luminescent strips 2 can be glued, screwed or nailed directly onto the existing visible surface of the wooden skirting boards 1. In this way, the escape guidance system can also be installed very easily and quickly at a later date.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 2 and 3; the perspective view of a wooden skirting board 1 is shown from its rear side (Fig. 2) and from its front or visible side (Fig. 3). The abutting surface 4 of the wooden skirting board 1 visible in the figures shows that it has a recess 5 along its front or visible side into which the luminescent strip 2 is embedded. The width of the recess 5 is equal to the width of the luminescent strips 2. The strips 2 can thus be pushed into the recess 5 from the side, preferably before the wooden skirting boards 1 are installed along the wall. However, it is also possible to insert or clip them into the recess 5 from the front side, and this can also be done after the wooden skirting boards 1 have been installed if this is preferred. In this way, for example, inconsistencies at the abutting points of the individual skirting boards 1 can be avoided or concealed. The luminescent strips 2 are generally held sufficiently securely in the recess 5 between the steps 6 (see also Fig. 5). They can then be easily removed or replaced if necessary. They can also be additionally secured in the recess 5 by gluing, screwing or nailing. On their back, the wooden skirting boards 1 have a further recess 7 in the known manner, which is used for their assembly and in which, for example, electrical cables can be laid.

Fig. 4 shows a cross section through a luminescent strip 2. These luminescent strips 2 are constructed in at least two layers, preferably three layers, and they consist of a carrier layer 21, on which a bright white underlayer 22 is preferably applied, which is then coated with a color layer 23 containing at least one luminescent pigment which creates the luminescent effect,

which is reinforced by the bright white undercoat. This color layer 23 with the luminescent pigment can be coated with a highly transparent protective varnish.

Fig. 5 to 7 each show a cross-section through a wooden skirting board 1 with integrated luminescent strip 2 in different embodiments.

According to Fig. 5, the width of the luminescent strip 2 is equal to the width of the recess 5, so that it fits exactly between the steps 6 and is held therein by this fit. In addition, the height of the luminescent strip 2 corresponds exactly to the depth of the recess 5, so that the luminescent strip 2 forms a closed surface with the edge areas 8 of the skirting board 1. The risk of the strips 2 being accidentally detached from the recess 5 by contact, for example as a result of repeated cleaning measures, is very low, since they do not offer any surface to attack due to the flush finish. The visible surface of the skirting board 1 with the integrated luminescent strip 2 runs parallel to its rear side.

The embodiment according to Fig. 6 differs from that according to Fig. 5 in that the steps 6 of the recess 5 are provided with undercuts 9 into which the luminescent strip 2 engages with its edges. This holds the strip 2 even more securely in place and cannot under any circumstances come loose unintentionally.

According to both Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the visible surface of the skirting board 1 runs parallel to the rear side. Fig. 7 shows a modification of the embodiment according to Fig. 6, in which the visible surface of the skirting board 1 with the luminescent strip 2 is at an angle to the rear side; in the example shown, this angle is 15°. The resulting slope of the visible surface makes the luminescent strip 2 more visible to people in an emergency, and the angle of incidence for the daylight or artificial light that activates the luminescent pigment of the strip 2 is also more favorable. Purely technically speaking

From a technical point of view, an angle of 45° between the visible surface and the back would be optimal. For more aesthetic reasons, an angle between 0° and 25° is preferred. According to Fig. 7, the steps 6 of the recess 5 are also provided with undercuts for holding the luminescent strips 2. Of course, a slanted visible surface can also be used together with a luminescent strip that is flush with the edge areas 8 of the skirting board, as shown in Fig. 5.

The invention has been described above using some embodiments as examples, but further modifications are possible without departing from the actual inventive concept.

Reference symbolii

1 (wooden) skirting board

2 luminescent strips, luminescent strips

3 markings

4 Impact surface

5 Recess

6 levels

7 Recess

8 Edge area

9 Undercut

21 Carrier layer

22 Underclass

23 Pigment color layer

Claims (12)

1. Escape guidance system in which luminescent strips are applied to a support, characterized in that the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are integrated into wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) which cover the joint between the wall and the floor of a room. 2. Escape guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are glued, screwed or nailed onto wooden skirting boards ( 1 ). 3. Escape guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) have a recess ( 5 ) on their visible side into which the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are inserted. 4. Escape guidance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickness of the luminescent strips ( 2 ) is equal to the depth of the recess ( 5 ) and the surface of the strips ( 2 ) is flush with the surface of the edge regions ( 8 ) of the wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) delimiting the recess ( 5 ). 5. Escape guidance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are glued into the recess ( 5 ). 6. Escape guidance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess ( 5 ) extends over the entire length of the wooden skirting board ( 1 ) and the width of this recess ( 5 ) is exactly equal to the width of the luminescent strips ( 2 ) and the strips ( 2 ) are inserted between the steps ( 6 ) delimiting the recess ( 5 ) on both sides. 7. Escape guidance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess ( 5 ) extends over the entire length of the wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) and the steps ( 6 ) delimiting the recess ( 5 ) on both sides have undercuts ( 9 ) into which the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are inserted. 8. Escape guidance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the steps ( 6 ) delimiting the recess ( 5 ) on both sides have undercuts ( 9 ) into which the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are clipped. 9. Escape guidance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the luminescent strips ( 2 ) are glued, nailed or screwed into the recess ( 5 ). 10. Escape guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the visible surface of the wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) runs parallel to their rear surface. 11. Escape guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the visible surface of the wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) is at an angle to their rear surface. 12. Escape guidance system according to claim 11, characterized in that the angle formed by the visible surface and the rear surface of the wooden skirting boards ( 1 ) is not greater than 25°.