How is the Science Behind Designing Ecoglo Exit Signs for Aging Populations?

Going up and down the stairs is a part of our everyday life, whether going to work, at home or even out enjoying a sporting event or concert. For the elderly population, however, descending a flight of stairs can present a real and imminent challenge.

Over the last several decades, the majority of western countries have reported the leading cause of accidental death of elderly persons is attributed to falls going down the stairs.

The design standards of stairs have been reconsidered again and again to lower the rate of accidental falls.

Standards for Accessible Design and TWSI installation are based upon scientific studies, and in 2014 Bradford University published the definitive research on improving step safety in the journal “Experimental Gerontology.” This study built on three previous studies, all finding vision is a major role in successful stair negation. As we know, visual impairment becomes increasingly likely as we all age.

The Challenges

Locating the tread edge may be particularly problematic for older adults when the lighting levels are low, or the step covering is patterned, becoming especially difficult for those with visual impairments.

The Solution — Ecoglo Exit Signs

The research showed that to counter problems associated with poor vision, a visually contrasting permanent nonslip edge should be placed across the full width of each step-tread to help delineate the tread edge from the rest of the tread. In addition, they found a solid contrasting color is perceived best while stripes could disorient some with visual disability.

Additionally, they discovered setting the contrast stripe at the edge of the step, rather than 30mm back, improved foot clearance, reducing slips and falls.

The Outcome

ISO and CSA incorporated this knowledge in creating their standards for Accessible Design, which all Canadian Building Codes now specify.

Ecoglo exit signs and contrast strips are designed to meet the ISO and CSA standards for step-edges. The E series incorporates an Ecoglo photoluminescent strip that provides luminous step edge marking in blackout conditions exceeding the ULC 572 and ULC590 standards, also specified in Canadian Building Codes. Photoluminescent path marking is required in high-rise evacuation routes in many jurisdictions, and the Ecoglo E series provides compliance for both accessibility and safe emergency egress.