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Firefighters Test Glow- Enhanced Safety Products

Advanced Technology Glow in the Dark Helps Reduce Disorientation and Enable Firefighters to Reach Victims and Injured Crew Nearly 30% Faster

(Brea, CA) – In a recent live fire simulation, more than a dozen firefighters tested the effectiveness of safety products enhanced with state of the art glow-in-the-dark (photoluminescent) technology. The glow-enhanced products provided a valuable light source in a completely dark and smoky environment enabling firefighters to reach a victim and injured crewmember about 30% faster.

The test was conducted at the North Net Fire Training Center in Anaheim, Calif. and timed by US Calibration of Irvine, Calif. For the test, firefighters completed two scenarios where they were timed as they ascended the stairs of a completely dark and smoke-filled building to reach a civilian victim and then again to reach a downed firefighter. Then firefighters repeated the scenarios with photoluminescent egress markings in the building and using photoluminescent-enhanced tools and turnout gear. Using the photoluminescent material that provided a failsafe light source, the firefighters reached the victim and downed firefighter more than 30% faster.

In addition to the expedited rescue, firefighters benefited from the internal light source of the photoluminescent products that kept them from being disorientated.
“The photoluminescent material adds a critical element of safety to an unknown situation. Other than people, we do not know what waits for us inside a burning structure, and if we can have a fail-safe light source that won’t melt, or have the batteries die, then we can move faster and safer,” said Captain Dave Hudson of the Riverside Fire Authority, who lead the test.

“Another safety element that the photoluminescence provides,” added Hudson, “is a visual accountability of crewmembers. When a crewmember’s turnout gear has photoluminscent markings or he or she is carrying a tool with a photoluminescent-enhanced handle or has on a glowing helmet band, then I can quickly see where they are and account for them as we move through the fire.”

Firefighters have been turning to Brea, Calif.-based GlowZone to add photoluminescent technology to their personal protection equipment and gear for several years. The photoluminescence turns tools and equipment into brightly glowing sources of light without using batteries or electricity. GlowZone’s photoluminescent material absorbs light and in the dark, emits the light energy as glow. GlowZone products are sold through partners including MN8 Products, Jessop, Balco and others.

These products were recently tested in a live fire environment to determine the empirical effectiveness that photoluminescent technology increases safety in a dangerous environment by improving visualization and decreasing disorientation.
Disorientation in a fire environment was named as the main cause of firefighter death in a 2003 study that reviewed firefighter fatalities from 1979 – 2001. In 100% of the cases firefighters became disoriented.

Photoluminescent technology has been used as a safety measure in buildings for many years. Self-illuminating floor signs, stair nosings and other emergency egress and way guidance products have been used in New York City buildings since the 9/11 Commission recognized photoluminescent-enhanced way guidance systems as playing a valuable role in helping occupants quickly evacuate buildings following the terrorist attacks. The use of photoluminescent-enhanced way guidance systems in buildings over 75 feet is now a law in the City of New York. Known as Local Law 26.

About GlowZone
A recognized global industry leader in photoluminescent technology, GlowZone’s years of research, development and manufacturing has led the company to develop and commercialize significant advances in photoluminescent technology.

GlowZone is Worldwide