APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2 Standard for Emergency Signage for ...

APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
2. APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Standard for Emergency Signage for
Egress/Access of Passenger Rail
Equipment
Originally Approved June 15, 1998
Revision 2 Approved October 30, 2002
APTA PRESS Task Force
Authorized March 17, 1999
Revision 2 Authorized January 11, 2003
APTA Commuter Rail Executive Committee
Abstract: This standard contains minimum requirements for the physical
characteristics, informational content, and placement of emergency signs and markings
for passenger rail car egress/access points on both the interior and exterior of said
equipment.
Keywords: instructions, luminescent, markings, photoluminescent (PL), retro-reflective,
signs
Copyright © 2002 by
The American Public Transportation Association
1666 K Street, N. W.
Washington, DC, 20006, USA
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval
system or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
The American Public Transportation Association.
2.0
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Introduction
2.1
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
(This introduction is not a part of APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2, Standard for Emergency
Signage for Egress/Access of Passenger Rail Equipment.)
Review of past passenger rail accidents involving passenger and train crew emergency
evacuation has indicated that both passengers and emergency responders lacked sufficient
information necessary for expedient emergency egress and access due to the absence of
clear markings and instructions. The lack of adequate signage in conjunction with lighting
system failures and/or low levels of illumination during these accidents was cited as a
cause for confusion and as a contributing factor to the injuries and casualties that resulted.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made the following recommendation
to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in National Transportation Safety Board
Recommendation to Federal Railroad Administration, FRA R-97-17 1 after investigation
of a recent passenger train accident:
Issue interim standards for the use of luminescent material, retroreflective
material, or both to mark all interior and exterior emergency exits in all passenger
cars as soon as possible and incorporate the interim standards into minimum car
standards.
FRA issued a final rule revising existing glazing Standards contained in 49 CFR Part 223
and establishing minimum standards for passenger train emergency preparedness (See 49
CFR Part 239). The FRA regulations require that minimum levels of emergency lighting
be provided near doors and along the aisles be for new cars. In addition, for both new and
existing cars, the interior location of each passenger car emergency door used for
emergency egress must be marked and be conspicuously visible by the use of lighting
and/or luminescent marking. Each door control release mechanism must be marked on
the interior and exterior with clearly visible and legible instructions. The interior location
of emergency exit windows must also be clearly visible by the use of luminescent
material and instructions for their use must be also be provided. If exterior window
access points are provided to emergency responders, clear and conspicuous markings and
instructions must be provided.
This emergency signage standard specifies the minimum visual information necessary for
use by passengers and train crew members to exit and for emergency responders to access
the car under various types of extreme emergency situations that require the last-resort
measure of car evacuation.
This standard, taken together with the American Public Transportation Association
(APTA) APTA SS-E-013-99, Standard for Emergency Lighting System Design for
Passenger Cars, and APTA SS PS-004-98, Rev 1, Standard for Low-Location Exit Path
Marking, provides a systems approach to locate, reach, and operate emergency exits to
ensure the safe evacuation of passengers and crewmembers in the event of an emergency.
Railroads and car builders should carefully consider the options available to meet
emergency evacuation requirements presented in these three standards.
1 For references in Italics, see Section 2 of this standard.
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
This revision of the standard includes a Table of Contents, reorganized scope, and two 49
CRF references. The headings and related text information formerly in section 4 have
been renumbered under two separate major headings: 4. General system requirements
and 5. Design requirements, and the remaining major headings renumbered accordingly.
(This reorganization is consistent with the reorganization of those similar sections in the
related APTA SS-PS-004-99, Rev.1, Standard for Low-Location Exit Path Marking.)
In addition, a bibliography was added, and three other new annexes were added to
provide railroads with extensive guidance for ensuring that the signage material required
by this standard provides the minimum brightness specified herein.
2.2
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Participants
2.3
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) greatly appreciates the
contributions of the following individual(s), who provided the primary effort in the
drafting of the Standard for Emergency Signage for Egress/Access of Passenger Rail
Equipment:
Ralph Dolinger Al Pucci
In addition, APTA would like to thank the following members from the Volpe Center for
their extensive technical research and assistance in the preparation of this document,
specifically:
Stephanie Markos J.K. Pollard
At the time that this standard was completed, the Passenger Rail Equipment Safety
Standards (PRESS) Passenger Systems Committee included the following members:
Bill Lydon, Chair
Dave Brooks Susan Madigan
Ralph Dolinger Stephanie Markos
Robert Gagne Jim Michel
Bret A. George Brenda Moscoso
Doug Karan Scott Ornstein
John Kopke J. K. Pollard
Eric Kosty Al Pucci
Billy Lopez Jack Reidy
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Contents
2.4
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
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1. Overview .................................................................................................................................. 2.5
1.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................. 2.5
1.2 Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 2.5
2. References ................................................................................................................................ 2.5
3. Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms................................................................................ 2.6
3.1 Definitions......................................................................................................................... 2.6
3.2 Abbreviations and acronyms ............................................................................................. 2.8
4. General systems requirements.................................................................................................. 2.9
4.1 Visual and instruction requirements.................................................................................. 2.9
4.2 Identity and recognition requirements............................................................................... 2.9
4.3 Letter size requirements .................................................................................................... 2.9
4.4 Multilingual sign requirements ......................................................................................... 2.9
5. Design requirements............................................................................................................... 2.10
5.1 Interior rail car exit sign design....................................................................................... 2.10
5.2 Interior exit sign color and contrast requirements........................................................... 2.10
5.3 Interior door exit and emergency exit window locator sign material requirements........ 2.10
5.4 Exterior vehicle access sign design................................................................................. 2.12
6. Material safety........................................................................................................................ 2.13
7. System reliability.................................................................................................................... 2.13
8. Operating conditions .............................................................................................................. 2.13
9. Maintenance ........................................................................................................................... 2.13
Annex A (informative) Bibliography......................................................................................... 2.15
Annex B (informative) Passive HPPL signage luminance lab test and criteria......................... 2.16
Annex C(informative) Test laboratories .................................................................................... 2.17
C.1 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ................................................... 2.17
C.2 Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL).................................................................................... 2.17
C.3 Deutsche Industrie Norm (DIN) ..................................................................................... 2.18
Annex D (informative) Passive HPPL signage field test and criteria........................................ 2.19
D.1 Technical considerations ................................................................................................ 2.19
D.2 Verification of compliance options ................................................................................ 2.19
D.3 Alternatives to increase light output............................................................................... 2.22
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Standard for Emergency Signage for
Egress/Access of Passenger Rail Equipment
1. Overview
The standard for passenger rail car emergency signage is divided into two categories:
1.1 Scope
1. Interior exit signs;
2. Exterior access signs.
This standard shall apply to all new and remanufactured passenger and crew carrying
equipment effective July 1, 1999. Existing equipment signage shall be grandfathered and
shall be required to comply when replacing existing stock of signage materials.
EXCEPTION--Equipment that fails to meet the minimum emergency light level
requirements established in APTA-SS-E-013-99, Standard for Emergency Lighting System
Design for Passenger Rail Cars shall be in compliance with the standard no later than
July 1, 2002.
This standard for emergency signage contains requirements for the selection of the
physical characteristics, informational content, and placement of emergency markings,
signage and instructions.
This standard will assist railroads in following the requirements of 49 CFR, Sections
223.9; 238.113; 238.235; and 239.107.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this emergency signage standard is to identify the minimum criteria for all
exit/access signs and establish consistency to enable passengers and train crews to safely
egress the rail car during an emergency situation that warrants immediate rail car or train
evacuation. This system shall also provide the minimum criteria for signs to enable
emergency responders to identify and operate emergency access points.
2. References
This standard shall be used in conjunction with the following publications. When the
following publications are superceded by an approved revision, the revision shall apply.
APTA RP-C&S-001-98, Recommended Practice for Passenger Equipment Roof
Emergency Access.
2.5
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
APTA SS-C&S-012-02, Standard for Passenger Car Door Systems for New and Rebuilt
Passenger Cars.
APTA SS-E-013-99, Standard for Emergency Lighting System Design for Passenger
Cars.
APTA SS-I&M-005-98, Rev. 2, Passenger Compartment Periodic Inspection and
Maintenance.
APTA SS-I&M-007-98, Rev. 1, Standard for Passenger Car Exterior Periodic Inspection
and Maintenance.
APTA SS-I&M-008-98, Rev. 1, Electrical Periodic Inspection and Maintenance.
APTA-SS-PS-001-98, Standard for Passenger Railroad Emergency Communications.
APTA SS-PS-003-98, Standard for Emergency Evacuation Units for Passenger Rail Cars.
APTA SS-PS-004-98, Rev.1, Standard for Low Location Exit Path Marking Systems.
ASTM E-810-03, Standard Test Method for SIA of Retroreflective Sheeting.
ASTM E-2073-02, Standard Test Method for Photopic Luminance of Photoluminescent
(Phosphorescent) Markings.
49 CFR 223, Safety Glazing Standard.
49 CFR, Part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards.
49 CFR 239, Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.
FRA, Emergency Order Number 20, Notices 1 and 2.
National Transportation Safety Board Recommendation to Federal Railroad
Administration, FRA R-97-17.
3. Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:
3.1.1 active illumination: Illumination that is generated by electrical energy.
3.1.2 candela: unit of luminous intensity in both SI and English measurement systems.
One candela is one lumen per steradian (lm/sr). It is almost exactly equal to the obsolete
unit called the candle.
3.1.3 electroluminescent (EL): Luminescence resulting from the application of an
alternating electrical current to phosphor.
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
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3.1.4 emergency exit locator signs: Conspicuously marked emergency marking/signage
used to identify and/or direct passengers to the nearest emergency exit location.
3.1.5 emergency signage: Textual and graphic messages designed to assist passengers
and crew in exiting a rail car in an emergency and to assist emergency responders in
gaining access to rail cars from the exterior.
3.1.6 externally illuminated: The light source is contained outside the device, legend, or
path to be illuminated. The light source is typically fluorescent, incandescent or a
dedicated fluorescent or incandescent source.
3.1.7 high performance photoluminescent material (HPPL): A material that is
capable of emitting fluorescent and/or phosphorescent light at a high rate and for an
extended period of time after absorption of light radiation from an external source by the
process of photon excitement.
NOTE--Following a charge of 5 foot-candles for one hour, the measured value of light emitted shall be a
minimum of not less than 7.5 milli-candela per square meter (7.5 mcd/m2 ) 1.5 hours after removal of the
charging source (see Annexes B-D).
3.1.8 icon: A sign or representation that stands for an object by virtue of a resemblance
or analogy to it.
3.1.9 illuminance: The amount of light (luminous flux) falling on a specific area or
surface. English units are foot-candles (fc) or lumens per sq. foot (Lm/ft 2 ). International
units (SI) are lumen per sq. meter (Lm/m 2 ) or lux (lx).
3.1.10 internally illuminated: The light source is contained inside the device or legend
that is illuminated. The light source is typically incandescent, fluorescent,
electroluminescent, light emitting diodes (LED) or self-illuminating.
3.1.11 luminance: The amount of light reflected from an area or surface or the amount
of light emitted from a surface, e.g., electroluminescent or LED material. English units
are foot-lamberts (fl). International (SI) units are candela per square meter (cd/ m 2 ) and
milli-candela per square meter (mcd/m 2 ). (1 fl = 3.426 cd/m 2 or 3426 mcd/ m 2. )
3.1.12 luminescence: The emission of light other than incandescent, as in
phosphorescence or fluorescence by processes that derive energy from essentially nonthermal
sources through excitation by radiation.
3.1.13 luminance contrast: Refers to the relationship or difference between the object
and its immediate background, defined by the ratio:
L1-L2 Where: L1 = luminance of background
L1 L2 = luminance of the object in question
(e.g., lettering, pictograph, symbol)
3.1.14 marking: A visible notice, sign, symbol, line or trace.
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3.1.15 passive illumination: Illumination that is generated without the use of electrical
energy.
3.1.16 pictograms/pictographs: A pictorial sign or symbol.
NOTE--Both words share the same meaning. For the purposes of this standard, the term “pictogram” will
be used.
3.1.17 photoluminescent (PL) material: Having the property of emitting light that
continues for a length of time after excitation by visible or invisible light has been
removed (i.e., self-illuminating).
3.1.18 reflectance factor: The ratio of the luminous flux reflected by a surface to the
luminous flux it receives.
3.1.19 remanufactured equipment: A car that has been structurally restored and has
new or rebuilt components at a cost of 60% or more of vehicle replacement costs to
extend its service life.
3.1.20 retroreflective material: A material that is capable of reflecting light rays back
to the light source.
3.1.21 sign: A display board, poster or placard using text and/or graphics to convey
information or direction.
3.1.22 symbol: A letter, figure or other character or mark or any combination thereof
used for designating something else.
3.1.23 useful field of view (UFOV): Useful field of view refers to the sensory,
perceptual and attentional processes that address the ability to attend to one’s
surroundings, detect information and identify that which demands action. In terms of
behavior, UFOV includes that information which can be extracted from a glance.
3.2 Abbreviations and acronyms
APTA American Public Transportation Association
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DIN Deutsche Industrie Norm
FRA Federal Railroad Administration
HPPL High performance photoluminescent material
LED Light emitting diodes
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
PL Photoluminescent
SIA Specific intensity per unit area
UFOV Useful field of view
UL Underwriters’ Laboratories
2.8
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4. General systems requirements
4.1 Visual and instruction requirements
2.9
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
All emergency exit and access signs shall contain brief and quickly understandable
information, with consideration for useful field of view (UFOV). That is, all emergency
exit/access signage systems shall enable passengers, crewmembers and emergency
responders to make positive visual identification of exit/access points without undue
hesitation, delay, or confusion. The sign shall utilize to the maximum extent possible
standardized information symbols, icons, graphics and pictograms, as well as
standardized color, contrast, content and placement of emergency signage.
4.2 Identity and recognition requirements
All interior emergency exit signs and emergency exit locator signs shall be clearly
distinguishable from a minimum distance of 5 feet under the minimum general
emergency light illumination levels as specified in APTA SS-E-013-99 Standard for
Emergency Lighting System Design for Passenger Cars. The emergency exit locator signs
shall be located in the proximity of each emergency exit and shall work in conjunction
with the emergency exit sign. The location of the sign, directional arrow or wording shall
guide the passenger to the emergency exit route.
4.3 Letter size requirements
The letter characters on emergency exit/access and exit locator signs intended to be read
by the general public shall have a minimum character height using upper cases letters of:
• 1 inch letters on emergency exit window locator signs;
• 1½ inches on door exit signs.
In addition, the characters shall have the following characteristics:
a) A width-to-height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1;
b) A stroke-to-width ratio between 1:4 and 1:6 (i.e., the width of the lines which are
combined to produce a letter);
c) Spacing between letters of a minimum of 1/16 the height of the upper case letters.
NOTE 1--These requirements are not intended for application to instructional signage.
NOTE 2--Raised letter characters may be utilized.
4.4 Multilingual sign requirements
Emergency exit signage shall be in English. However, when property-specific
determinations are made or are otherwise mandated by local, state or municipal
regulations, signage shall be written in designated language(s) in addition to English.
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5. Design requirements
5.1 Interior rail car exit sign design
2.10
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
Emergency exit and evacuation information placed within the interior of the car body
shall as a minimum, consist of the following:
• Door exit signs
• Manual door control signs
• Emergency window exit signs
• Emergency exit locator signs
• Emergency window exit instruction signs
5.2 Interior exit sign color and contrast requirements
Lettering and graphics utilized on interior emergency exit signage shall be designed to
achieve a luminance contrast ratio of not less than .5, as measured by a color-corrected
photometer.
The recommended color contrast choice for all replacement signage is red
lettering/graphics on a white PL background preferably with a matte finish.
Applications whereby electroluminescent emergency signage is employed shall utilize
lighter colored, illuminated lettering on a red background.
For dual mode signs, the color and contrast requirements for electroluminescent signage
shall apply.
5.3 Interior door exit and emergency exit window locator sign material
requirements
Interior emergency exit signs shall be constructed of passive high performance
photoluminescent (HPPL) marking material or active electrically illuminated materials.
Cars using HPPL materials for emergency signage must have an ambient light source,
natural and/or artificial, sufficient to provide a charge to the HPPL system prior to the
loss of the main lighting power systems. Annexes B and C provide the lab and field tests
that could be used to demonstrate that the signage meets the criteria for light output of 7.5
milli-candela (mcd/m 2 ) after 1.5 hours.
Applications whereby electrically illuminated emergency signage is employed shall
provide evenly illuminated letters that have a minimum luminance value of 1000 mcd/m 2
as measured at the active areas based upon a sampling average of ten or more
measurements per car with all ambient light obscured, measured 1.5 hours after all
normal lighting has ceased operating.
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5.3.1 Door exit signs
2.11
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
All interior doors intended for emergency egress shall be identified with “EXIT” signs.
Power doors shall include operational instructions for opening. The signs shall be
horizontally centered upon the door or door glazing or in the immediate proximity. The
center border of the sign shall be located 66" from the floor, when feasible as determined
by the physical door design, to approximate eye-level recognition when standing.
Illuminated door exit signs shall be utilized on all new and remanufactured rail cars.
These signs must be internally illuminated or externally illuminated. Backup power must
be provided by a source other than the railcar’s normal electrical system. Alternatively, a
constantly illuminated light fixture positioned to maintain the charge of a sign composed
of HPPL material may be used.
5.3.2 Door locator signs
When interior doors intended for emergency egress are visible to all seated/standing
passengers and crewmembers, door exit signs will suffice as door locator signs. However,
if doors intended for emergency egress are not within sight of all seated passengers (e.g.,
visibly blocked by a bulkhead or divider that prevents facing or rear vision along the car
length), locator signs must allow passengers and crewmembers to identify and locate the
route to each emergency door. The locator signs may consist of brief verbiage, graphic
arrows or symbols that maybe placed on bulkheads, dividers, seat pedestals, armrests,
luggage racks, ceilings, etc., to direct passengers towards the nearest door for emergency
egress.
5.3.3 Manual door control signs
All interior doors intended for emergency egress that have release mechanisms that must
be accessed at a separate location, shall have “Manual Door Control” signs which provide
pictorial diagrams and/or instruction for access and operation. The sign should be placed
at the door control or at an appropriate location in its immediate proximity. Manual door
control locator signs shall be used to direct passengers/crewmembers to the location of
the manual door control signs/instructions.
5.3.4 Emergency window exit locator signs
Conspicuously marked emergency markings/signage directing passengers/crewmembers
to the nearest emergency window exit locations shall be required. The signage shall
consist of the words “EMERGENCY EXIT.” This signage may take the form of:
• Graphic wall markings
• Markings/signage on light fixtures located above the emergency exit windows
• Markings/signage located at seat pedestals
One sign may serve more than one emergency window exit if the sign can readily identify
each such exit.
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If all of the side windows installed in the rail vehicle are emergency exits, exit window
locator signs are not required.
5.3.5 Emergency window exit instruction signs
All interior emergency window exits shall be marked with signage, located on or
adjacent to the window, which provides pictorial diagrams and instructions for opening
emergency exit windows.
Each emergency exit window equipped with a pull handle shall be identified with
“EMERGENCY EXIT PULL-HANDLE” markings; either as an integral part of the
handle markings or with instructions/illustrations applied as a decal.
Locations that are space limited, such as the emergency window pull handle, as well as
supplemental operating instructions, shall have the characters as large as feasible for the
allotted space.
5.4 Exterior vehicle access sign design
5.4.1 Exterior access sign color and contrast requirements
Exterior emergency access signs shall be constructed of retroreflective material that
conforms to the specifications for Type I as specified in ASTM D 4956-01, Standard
Specification for Reflective Sheeting for Traffic Control 2 . This material shall be measured
in accordance with ASTM E-810-03, Standard Test Method for SIA (specific intensity per
unit area) of Retroreflective Sheeting. The SIA dimensions in English units are candelas
per foot-candle square foot (cd/fc ft 2 ). SIA is equivalent to the coefficient of
retroreflection. The observation shall be 0.2 degrees and the entrance angle shall be -4
degrees for both the lettering and the background sign materials.
A light background color should be used for the signs along with dark lettering, providing
a luminance contrast ratio of 0.5 or lighter (e.g., red letters on a white or yellow
background).
5.4.2 Exterior access sign material requirements
Signs, which utilize protective coatings or other materials for the enhancement of sign
durability, must meet above-referenced standards for retroreflectivity.
5.4.3 Door access signs
All doors that may be utilized for entry shall be identified with emergency access signs,
including operational instructions for opening placed on or immediately adjacent to the
door on the car body. In the event that a door does not function with an integral release
mechanism the instructions shall indicate the location of the exterior manual door control.
Cars equipped with manual doors shall have operating instructions for opening either as
part of the access sign or as another sign.
2 For references in Italics, see Section 2.
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5.4.4 Door control signs
2.13
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
All exterior doors intended for emergency access which have non-integral release
mechanisms located away from the doors, shall have manual door control signs, placed at
the location of these controls, which provide instructions for emergency operation.
5.4.5 Emergency side window access location and removal instruction
signs
All emergency access side windows that can be removed from the exterior shall be
identified with exterior “emergency access” window signs, which also provide pictorial
diagrams and/or instructions for their removal. Signs shall be placed at the bottom of each
such window, on each window, or adjacent to each window, utilizing arrows to clearly
designate window location for cars, which have only certain side windows designated for
exterior removal.
Cars that have all side windows designed to function as emergency exits do not require
individual signs with removal instructions for each window location. However, at a
minimum, identification signs are required for each window and redundant removal
instruction signs are required at the mid-point as well as the “A” and “B” ends of the
railcar. This applies to both sides of the car body.
6. Material safety
Materials used in the manufacture of emergency sign products shall not contain
radioactive or toxic materials.
7. System reliability
All emergency signage systems shall be designed so that the signs shall not be rendered
indistinguishable due to the failure of any single material segment or any single light
fixture or battery.
8. Operating conditions
All emergency signage systems shall be designed to operate without failure under the
conditions typically found in passenger rail equipment. These conditions shall include
expected mechanical vibrations and shock, electromagnetic interference and other criteria
as identified in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 238, Passenger Equipment
Safety Standards 3 .
9. Maintenance
All emergency signage systems shall be visually inspected during the daily inspection to
determine that the system is present. If broken or missing components of the signage
system are detected, that shall be noted in accordance with railroad and the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) defect reporting procedures.
3 For references in Italics, see Section 2.
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A periodic inspection shall be made of interior emergency signage in compliance with the
requirements in APTA SS-I&M-005-98, Rev. 2, Passenger Compartment Periodic
Inspection and Maintenance, for passive marking systems and as applicable, with APTA-
SS-I&M-008-98, Rev. 1, Electrical Periodic Inspection and Maintenance.
A periodic inspection shall be made of the exterior emergency signage in compliance
with the requirements of APTA SS-I&M-007-98, Rev 1 Standard for Passenger Car
Exterior Periodic Inspection and Maintenance.
Record keeping shall be in accordance with railroad and FRA defect reporting
procedures.
The luminance or illuminance as appropriate, of all emergency sign components shall be
tested at least once every five years, testing a representative sampling of rail passenger
cars of the same age and design to achieve a 95% confidence level (guidance is described
in Annex C). Components shall be replaced if the tested values are less then the minimum
values stated herein.
2.14
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Annex A (informative)
Bibliography
2.15
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
[B1] ASTM E 2030-99, Guide for Recommended Uses of Photoluminescent
Safety Markings.
[B2] ASTM E 2072-03, Standard Specification for Photoluminescent
(Phosphorescent) Safety Markings.
[B3] Deutsche Industrie Norm (DIN) 67510, Parts 1-4: German Standard:
Phosphorescent Pigments and Products, January 1992.
[B4] DOT-FRA-ORD-93-24, Federal Railroad Administration/Volpe Center,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Recommended Emergency Preparedness
Guidelines for Passenger Trains, December 1993.
[B5] Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), Handbook Reference and
Applications, Chapter 33: Emergency, Safety and Security Lighting, 1993.
[B6] MIL Std 1472E, Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard Human
Engineering, Section 5.5: Labeling, 31 October 1996.
[B7] NBS Technical Note 11-80, National Bureau of Standards, Size of Letters
Required for Visibility as a Function of Viewing Distance and Observer Visual
Acuity, July 1983.
[B8] NFPA 70, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), National
Electrical Code.
[B9] NFPA 101, Life Safety Code: Chapter 5, Means of Egress, Subsection 7-8:
Illumination of Means of Egress, 2000.
[B10] UL 924 Standard for Safety for Emergency Lighting and Power
Equipment—Second Edition—Dated January 28, 1997—including revision as of
July 11, 2001.
[B11] UL 1994 Standard for Safety for Low Level Path Marking and Lighting
Systems, Second Edition dated January 28, 1997, including revision as of July 11,
2001.
[B12] U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, Commuter
Rail Cars and Systems Technical Assistance Manual, Oct. 1992.
[B13] 14 CFR Part 25, Airworthiness Standards, Transport Category Airplanes:
Subpart D, Design and Construction, Subsection 25.811: Emergency Exit Marking.
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Annex B (Informative)
2.16
APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
Edited 4-1-04
Passive HPPL signage luminance lab test and criteria
The manufacturer/supplier shall provide test reports that the passive HPPL signage
material in the configuration to be used in the railcar (including any protective covering
or layer to be used in actual installation), meets the luminance level of 7.5 mcd/m 2 , 1.5
hours after removal of normal and emergency power, when tested according to the
provisions of ASTM E 2073-02 Standard Test Method for Photopic Luminance of
Photoluminescent (Phosphorescent) Markings (www.astm.org) with the following three
modifications:
1) Section 8.3—Activation: Activate the HPPL material with a fluorescent lamp of
40W or less and a color temperature of 4100K that provides 5 fc of illumination
as measured on the material surface. The activation period will be for 60 minutes.
2) Section 8.4—Luminance: Measure the photopic luminance of all specimens of the
HPPL material with a luminance meter as described in 5.2 after 1.5 hours +10s.
3) Section 9.1.12—The test report will include a luminance measurement after 1.5
hours.
At present, the only instruments commercially available known to be satisfactory for such
measurements are:
• DR-2000, Gamma Scientific (see www.gamma-sci.com);
• B510 photometer, LMT of Berlin (see www.lmt-berlin.de);
• ERP-105, Hagner Instruments AB (see www.hagnerphotoins.u-net.com);
• P-9710 Plus Contact Luminance Detector (under development), Gigahertz Optik
(see www.gigahertz-optik.de/en/).
NOTE--Other manufacturers may be developing appropriate instruments.
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Annex C (informative)
Test laboratories
C.1 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
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The following test laboratories can perform the ASTM E 2073 test as modified in Annex B.
Hoffman Engineering Corporation
8 Riverbend Drive
P.O. Box 4430
Stamford, CT 06907-0430
Tel: 203-425-8900
Fax: 203-425-8910
Contact: Jim Delancy
www.HoffmanEngineering.com
Gamma Scientific
8581 Aero Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
Tel 858-279-8034
Fax 858-576-9286
Contact: Eric Nelson
www.gamma-sci.com
Gigahertz Optik
5 Perry Way
Newburyport, MA 01950-4009
Tel: 978-462-1818
Fax: 978-462-3677
www.gigahertz-optik.com
Maritime Associates Inc.
PO Box 1788
Crystal Bay, NV 89402
Tel: 775-832-2422
Fax: 775-832-2424
Contact: Mr. John Allen
www.marinesigns.com
C.2 Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL)
Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) has issued UL 924 Standard for the Safety of Emergency
Lighting and Power Equipment [B10] 4 . UL 924 includes requirements for lighting, exit
signs and fixtures, and battery power supplies for buildings in accordance with
ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code [B8] and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code [B9].
4 The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex A
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
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The NFPA Life Safety Code and UL 924 requirements now reflect the recent acceptance
of PL signs for use in buildings.
While this APTA signage standard contains requirements consistent with the general
concepts of UL 924, the UL tests and performance criteria are not appropriate to evaluate
rail passenger car emergency signage.
UL staff have indicated their interest in developing a testing and listing protocol to
evaluate active and passive emergency signs used in rail passenger cars, based on the
provisions contained in Annexes B and D of this APTA standard.
C.3 Deutsche Industrie Norm (DIN)
DIN 67510, German Standard: Phosphorescent Pigments and Products [B3] is currently
being revised to allow for extrapolation of luminance values for any time period, e.g. 90
minutes, based on data collected at only 10, 30 and 60 minutes (values subject to change).
Extrapolation reduces testing time and costs. Future instruments may be offered for sale
with the extrapolation function built in and provide the advantage of conducting
measurements in less time at less cost. Accordingly, ASTM E 2073-02 (see Annex B),
which is based on DIN 67510, may be revised. The procedures detailed in Annex D.2.2
above may also be revised.
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Annex D (informative)
Passive HPPL signage field test and criteria
D.1 Technical considerations
There are three variables that affect the visibility of the HPPL signs:
a) Illuminance charging levels provided by ambient light;
b) Amount of time that the sign is exposed to light;
c) Type of activating light source.
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An illumination level of 5 foot-candles (fc) has been shown to provide adequate charging
light for HPPL material to meet the criterion of 7.5 mcd/m 2 in rail passenger cars, 1.5
hours after normal power is removed. Adequate light for HPPL charging to meet the 7.5
mcd/m 2 criterion is generally available at all locations, except directly under the seats or
if there are overhangs or other obstructions that block light from reaching the signs.
Another variable is the available HPPL charging time. To meet the 7.5 mcd/m 2 criterion,
the adequate charging time at 5 fc would be at least 30 minutes from dark storage to
departure. Most HPPL materials reach saturation at about 30 minutes. The standard time
for the test procedure is set at 60 minutes to make certain that all samples have become
saturated and to make the results less sensitive to small errors in the timing of
measurements. While 5 fc provides adequate charging light with cool-white fluorescent
lighting, warm-white fluorescent or incandescent lights are less effective at charging. If
warm-white fluorescent or incandescent fixtures are used, the minimum actual charging
level may need to be increased 20 to 50 per cent respectively to ensure that the charging
level and time for HPPL signs is adequate.
As a general rule, if the value of the ambient illuminance level (fc) at the location where
the product is installed, multiplied by the number of minutes of exposure to a light source
(natural or artificial), exceeds 150, then the charge is adequate.
In addition, some samples of HPPL material may be more efficient than others at
absorbing an ambient light charge, thus actual charging times may differ. However, it
should also be noted that for the same charging time (but in locations where the
illuminance on the surface of the HPPL signs is higher for the same amount of time; e.g.,
20 fc for 60 minutes), the sign luminance may be only be increased by 25%.
Finally, proper placement must avoid damage from cleaning.
D.2 Verification of compliance options
Compliance with this standard is ultimately the responsibility of the railroad. One of the
following two options described below should be followed by the railroad and HPPL
material manufacturer/supplier to verify that signs, as installed in their final configuration
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APTA SS-PS-002-98, Rev. 2
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and location, meet the minimum luminance criterion of 7.5 mcd/m 2 , 1.5 hours after the
removal of normal and emergency lighting.
D.2.1 Illuminance
To confirm that emergency signs are installed in locations that receive adequate charging,
illuminance measurements shall be taken on the surface of the material as installed in all
locations (including any protective layer or cover) with an illuminance meter. Two
suggested instruments that can be used to conduct the measurements are the Minolta T-10
or the Extech 401036. (Others are available from Hagner Instruments, Gigahertz Optik,
and LMT-Berlin.) All offer serial data outputs for logging measurements directly to a
computer. The charging source shall consist of the actual light fixtures used in the car. If
light diffusers are used on the fluorescent light fixtures, the measurements shall be made
with the light diffusers in place. The minimum illuminance value measured directly on
the surface of the sign shall be 5 fc.
D.2.2 Luminance
It is not expected that railroads will themselves conduct luminance measurements of the
HPPL signage products installed in their cars due to the technical complexity of
measuring the luminance performance. However, this option may be used by the signage
manufacturer/supplier, in cooperation with the railroad, to confirm that the HPPL signs as
installed in their final configuration and location, meet the minimum 7.5 mcd/m 2 , 1.5
hours after normal power is removed, and that the signs are actually visible from 5 feet
away after 1.5 hours under emergency lighting conditions, as required by Section 4.1.2 of
this standard.
When a car to be tested arrives:
a) Immediately place strips of gaffer’s tape or other opaque tape (duct tape cannot be
used because it transmits too much light) on each installed sign. These tape strips
must prevent any ambient light from charging the signage.
b) Wait at least 48 hours to begin testing. See items m) and n) below for correction
factors.
c) Prior to testing, the temperature of car interior must be stabilized in the normal
operating range, 77 +/- 5°F. (Cars stored outside in cold weather are likely to
show seriously degraded performance if they are tested before being warmed to
normal temperatures).
d) Begin the test by making the car interior completely dark. This may be done by
placing the car in a dark area of the shop (car wash, etc.), working out-of-doors at
night, or by masking all windows and doors with heavy paper. Close all doors.
Make sure no other personnel will attempt to enter the car during the test
procedure.
e) Turn on normal interior lighting, make sure all fixtures are operating, and wait 20
minutes to insure that all tubes have reached stable operating temperatures.
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f) Start stopwatch and go through car quickly removing opaque tape.
g) Be sure that emergency lighting circuits are disabled.
h) Exactly 60 minutes after tape was removed, shut off all lighting.
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i) Exactly 90 minutes later (stopwatch reads 2 hours, 30 minutes), take luminance
readings on the surface of the signs by using a luminance meter as described in
Annex B at each location previously covered by the opaque tape. This procedure
requires a two-person team: one to place the detector and call out readings, the
other to write them down on a data sheet. Both persons must be equipped with
small red-filtered flashlights to see what they are doing. (Red light does not charge
PL materials). The measurements should be made in the same order that the tape
was removed so they are all made 2 hours and 30 minutes, +/- 10 seconds after the
moment of tape removal. With practice, the measurements can be completed in
less than three minutes.
j) If the period that the sign samples were covered by opaque tape was four days or
longer and the HPPL materials are wider than the detector aperture of 1.38 inches
(35 mm), no adjustments to the data are necessary. If each of the signs exceeds 7.5
mcd/m 2 , the car has passed. If the signs do not meet the 7.5 mcd/m 2 , then the
steps described in B.3 should be followed.
k) If the dimensions of the HPPL area of the signs to be measured are less than the
luminance sensor aperture: 1.97 inches (50 mm) or 1.38 inches (35 mm), a special
plate should be ordered with a diameter slightly less than the width of the strips.
The luminance meter manufacturer will supply a correction factor for this plate.
Each reading must be multiplied by this correction factor.
l) Alternatively, a correction factor can be determined for a standard aperture by
calculating the ratio of its area to that of the area of HPPL material within the
aperture. The equation for this trigonometric calculation is found in several
standard handbooks, and Volpe staff will supply values on request for any given
HPPL material width. For example, a HPPL sample of a 1.3 inches (33 mm)
width requires a correction factor of 1.016 for a 35-mm aperture. These correction
factors assume that the detector is precisely centered on the material when the
measurements are taken. Hence, it is better to order a special aperture plate so that
it is easy to center the detector on the material.
m) The minimum darkness period to condition the signs is 48 hours. If the period
during which the samples are covered by opaque tape is less than four days, an
additional correction is required. Subtract the values in the following table from
the measured luminance value:
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Example:
Covered period Correction value
(mcd/m 2)
48 to 72 hours 0.2
72 to 96 hours 0.1
Greater than 96 hours 0
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The purpose of this correction is to compensate for the small amount of residual charge
that may remain in the HPPL signs from before the time they were covered with opaque
gaffer’s tape.
n) If the HPPL signs do not meet the 7.5 mcd/m 2 and/or are not visible at the end
of the 90 minute period, alternative corrective actions must be taken to
increase light output.
D.3 Alternatives to increase light output
If during the rail car interior field tests, the performance of the HPPL sign material fails to
meet the criteria of illuminance of 5 fc using normal lighting or luminance of 7.5 mcd/m2
after normal power is removed for 1.5 hours as measured directly on the material surface,
there are several alternative actions that can be taken to increase the HPPL light output
levels:
a) All of the light fixtures near the test samples should be checked to ensure proper
working order.
b) Light fixtures must be clean and the diffusers not yellowed with age. Old, dirty
fixtures have been measured with less than half the light output of clean ones with
new diffusers.
c) Fluorescent tubes should be checked to ensure they are not near the ends of their
service lives, where light output drops significantly.
d) Incandescent lamps and warm white fluorescent tubes should be replaced with
cool white fluorescent tubes.
e) Existing fluorescent tubes should be replaced with those of recent design that
provide 10-15% more light for the same wattage rating and double the service life.
f) If the luminance performance criteria cannot be met after taking any of the above
actions, the field tested HPPL materials must be replaced with HPPL materials
that demonstrate greater performance than the lab test minimum criteria of 7.5
mcd/m 2 1.5 hours after normal power is removed. Some HPPL materials can meet
the performance criteria using a charging light of less than two fc.
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