Wooster Products’ NITEGLOW® anti-slip photoluminescent technology provides an illuminated pathway in a darkened environment while enhancing the footing, making them ideal for exit pathways. This product combines bright, long-lasting photoluminescent epoxy filler with nearly hard diamond aluminum oxide crystals to provide a glow-in-the-dark surface with a high Coefficient of Friction (COF), that is uniform throughout the product. Ideal for new construction as well as retrofit interior stair applications, Wooster NITEGLOW products maintain a high COF for sure footing, even when wet. Available on many Wooster Products, including stair treads, nosing, and anti-slip tape, NITEGLOW® meets NYC Local Law 26, 2024 IBC, and 2024 IFC code compliance. It is ideal for exit path markings, steps and leading edge of landings when finding pathways in the dark is a necessity.  

Non-slip nosings on stairways have been required in building codes for decades to protect pedestrians by reducing trips, slips, and falls. The glow-in-the-dark component was added into the codes to improve egress safety and was implemented from lessons learned after the World Trade Center attacks. The International Building Code (IBC) requires photoluminescent egress pathway markings in high-rise buildings and those with certain occupancies including A, B, E, I, M, and R-1. Current standards require that the products meet ASTM E 2072 or UL1994. Wooster Products is unique because they add photoluminescent epoxy filler in with the aluminum oxide crystals that provide the anti-slip capabilities; others merely add a photoluminescent strip ahead of the non-slip tread. Adding photoluminescent epoxy filler to the nearly diamond hard aluminum oxide crystals results in a product with a uniform COF throughout the component, as opposed to a glow-in-the-dark strip that has a markedly lower COF. The enhanced COF translates directly to surer footing, even when the steps (or the shoes walking on them) are wet. The product also includes an initial embed with wood insert that is sacrificed during construction; the final NITEGLOW insert is then installed to present pristine finish for final inspection.

Imagine a darkened environment where multiple people are descending the stairs, in a heightened state of anxiety. Where are they most likely to step? In a stairwell lit only by the photoluminescent properties of a safety nosing, a person is more likely to place a foot onto the section that is illuminated, i.e., the portion that they can see. The same is true for handrails, they will grab onto the portion of the handrails that they can see – those containing the photoluminescent tape.

The addition of water, perhaps from an engaged sprinkler system, further reduces the traction in these systems, and adds to the stress level of those hurrying down the stairs. A single person stumbling or slipping as they try to evacuate will certainly slow the pace of those behind them, possibly to disastrous consequences. These are only a few reasons why the non-slip properties of nosings should be strongly considered when investigating options for emergency egress stairs for new buildings and for retrofitting existing structures.

Wooster Products
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