4. APTA SS-PS-004-99, Rev. 1 Standard for Low-Location Exit Path ...

Introduction
4.1
APTA SS-PS-004-99, Rev. 1
Edited 4-1-04
(This introduction is not a part of APTA SS-PS-004-99, Rev. 1, Standard for Low-
Location Exit Path Marking.)
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
were 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 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 established minimum standards for 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 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 standard establishes requirements for LLEPM which will provide visual guidance
for emergency rail car evacuation when smoke conditions obscure overhead emergency
lighting or when failure of the emergency lighting system has occurred
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-002-98, Rev 2, Standard for Emergency Signage for
Egress/Access of Passenger Rail Equipment 1 , 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.
Volume VI - Passenger System