Photoluminescent life safety coatings.
Glow-in-the-dark egress markings that charge under ambient light and remain visible for 90+ minutes in total darkness — meeting IBC, NFPA 101, and NYC Local Law 26 requirements without ongoing electricity costs.
Egress visibility when the power goes out.
Photoluminescent coatings absorb ambient light during normal operations and emit that stored energy as a visible glow when the lights go out. Unlike battery-powered emergency lighting, there's nothing to maintain, replace, or fail.
Building codes in several jurisdictions — including New York City's Local Law 26 and NFPA 101 — require photoluminescent egress path markings in high-rise stairwells and exit routes. Colorado's IBC-based code is increasingly adopting these requirements as well.
Preferred Painting applies UL-listed photoluminescent systems to any substrate: concrete, drywall, masonry, metal, or existing painted surfaces. We document every application for your compliance file.
Where photoluminescent coatings are required
Any space where occupants may need to navigate to an exit during a power failure or smoke condition.
Stairwell Egress
Step edges, landings, handrails, and door frames in enclosed stairwells — the most common code-required application in mid-rise and high-rise buildings.
Exit Path Markings
Corridor floor stripes, wall-base running markings, and door hardware identification along designated egress routes throughout your facility.
Exit Sign Backgrounds
Photoluminescent backing panels for exit signage, compliant with NFPA 101 and visible even when a standard illuminated sign loses power.
Safety Equipment Stations
Fire extinguisher cabinets, AED stations, first-aid locations, and emergency shutoffs — marking critical equipment that must be found in the dark.
High-Rise Stairwells
Multi-floor applications per Local Law 26 and similar requirements — we document every floor and provide photometric verification for your inspector.
Parking Structures
Low-light parking garages benefit from photoluminescent floor markings, column stripes, and pedestrian path delineation even when emergency lighting is on.
Assessment, application, and documentation.
Egress Path Assessment
We walk your building, identify all required egress paths, and mark the surfaces to be coated. We cross-reference your local code requirements and document the scope in writing before any work begins.
Surface Prep & Application
Proper cleaning and primer application ensures maximum adhesion and performance. We apply UL-listed systems to specified thickness using tape masking for clean, code-compliant edges.
Inspection & Documentation
We provide a compliance package: photographic record of every marked surface, product data sheets, and a signed completion certificate. Ready for your AHJ inspection.
"In a smoke-filled stairwell, occupants may not be able to see emergency lighting mounted above their heads. Floor-level photoluminescent markings guide people out even when they're crawling beneath a smoke layer."NFPA Life Safety Code Handbook, Section 7.10
Code-compliant. Documented. Inspection-ready.
Most assessments complete in one site visit. We'll scope the work, price it in writing, and have you inspection-ready without disrupting building operations.