Permalight® at the World Trade Center New York – Then and now

Seven years later, during the 9/11/2001 World Trade Center New York City evacuation, 33% of survivors in WTC Tower I and 17% of survivors in WTC Tower II were aided by the Permalight® photoluminescent safety markings on the steps, landings and handrails: see NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) studies at nist.gov. Based on the NIST findings, the New York City Department of Buildings developed a range of improvements, enforced by Local Law 26 of 2004, which included photoluminescent exit path markings. The City of New York published Reference Standard RS6-1 with detailed specifics as supporting document.

• Download NYC Reference Standard RS6-1 [PDF]

Permalight® products earned several MEA (Material and Equipment Acceptance) Certifications from the NYC Department of Buildings, all for ready-made photoluminescent signs and markings:

• Download MEA Certificate MEA 302-05-M for Tape products
• Download MEA Certificate MEA 303-05-M for Aluminum products

Reference Standard RS6-1 only required 5 mandatory tests. Permalight® MEA-certified products successfully passed six performance tests plus the one optional test: UV-degradation. This further supported the superior material performance of ready-made Permalight® photoluminescent exit path markings. In 2014, Permalight® ready-made photoluminescent exit path markings (wall-mounted perimeter demarcation lines made from Aluminum Strips, Aluminum Signage and plastic Handrail Markings) were installed inside One World Trade Center New York City, again improving life safety inside the WTC emergency staircases. Permalight® – a World Trade Center New York City trusted Technology!