Before choosing a supplier of safety signs it is essential to have some knowledge of the risks, the legislations and the standards of best practices for safety signs.
When the lights go out, ours go on.™
Solutions
The year 2000 brought photoluminescent systems to the forefront for emergency light and escape path marking. JALITE Photoluminescent systems offer the unique solution to failsafe emergency light and emergency exit signs under any formal risk assessment.
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Why choose Jalite ?
A British family owned company with the highest standards and quality in photoluminescent fire safety signs. We pride ourselves on providing you as our valued authorised distributor with continued support for you and your customers. Our customer services team are only a phone call or email away to advise you and assist you.
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Trust
- Established in 1983
- Family-owned
- Made in Britain
- Fast delivery and lead times
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Service
- UK based customer services team
- Technical support for BSI and ISO info.
- Marketing and Literature resources
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Conformance
- 40 years of knowledge of Standards
- In house research and development
- Quality fire safety signs
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Performance
- Market leading photoluminescent material
- Class C+ luminance performance
- Rigid and vinyl photoluminescent material
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Compliance
- BS EN ISO 7010:2020
- BS 5499-4:2013
- BS ISO 3864-1:2011
- DIN 67 510 Part 1:2020
Lives depend on how you do your job! Let's do it right and save lives together ! Great solutions for your product needs and outstanding service for all our distributors, your success is our success!
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Learn about safety
JALITE are committed to keeping our customers informed with all the pertinent news and updates to Legislation, British and International Standards, guidance, special offers and much more. Find these updates below.
Latest articles
Celebrating 40 Years of Safety
The Journey of JALITE PLC In the ever-evolving landscape of life safety, one name stands out as a beacon of trust and reliability - JALITE PLC. As we celebrate an impressive 40-year journey marked by a steadfast commitment to safety and innovation, JALITE has solidified its position as the go-to supplier for photoluminescent signs. Let's reflect on this remarkable journey and discover why JALITE is your preferred partner in safety. The Inception of Excellence Our story began with a commitment to excellence and safety innovation. Founded in 1971 as part of the Swiss company Decofim S.A., JALITE quickly gained recognition for our dedication to enhancing safety through harnessing and developing photoluminescent technology. The Birth of JALITE PLC in 1983 The rise of JALITE coincided with a clear timeline of tragedies in the 1980s that shaped the culture of fire safety whilst at work, stressing the need for photoluminescent products as a secondary source of emergency lighting. Unfortunately, the incidents repeatedly occurred within offshore environments, such as the Piper Alpha oil rig catastrophe, since named the world’s worst offshore disaster, as 167 men lost their lives whilst at work. The disasters rightly initiated discussions about health and safety in our global communities; with guidance for mitigating risks of injury, harm, or death for people whilst at work and beyond. In essence the tragedies highlighted the need for reformed health and safety requirements and guidance, including signing systems and Safety Way Guidance Systems. JALITE was at hand to accommodate this need for radical change within health and safety. John Creak's Vision and Dedication In 1999, John Creak became the proud owner of JALITE PLC and took on the role of CEO. His background in chemistry, business, and marketing uniquely positioned him to lead the company into the international arena. John was not only an adept leader but also a hands-on innovator. He worked tirelessly in the lab, perfecting photometric pigments and materials used in JALITE products including our fire safety signs and other low location lighting systems. John pushed the boundaries of what photoluminescent safety technology could achieve; the result was the creation of JALITE AAA photoluminescent market leading material. JALITE AAA the pioneer of new industry Standard The creation of JALITE AAA photoluminescence was a key milestone in our journey. John’s innovation set a new industry benchmark for performance, that was unmatched and decades ahead of the rest of the industry. JALITE AAA photoluminescent class C+ material, has always been 3 times the optical brightness of other photoluminescent material since John created it. JALITE AAA photoluminescent products are always class C+ minimum, both effective and the best performing in low-light or dark conditions. The pursuit of excellence and quality in safety became a hallmark of the JALITE mission. Setting Safety Standards John's dedication to safety extended beyond just the laboratory and JALITE. He actively engaged in setting safety requirements through organisations like BSI (British Standards Institution) and PSPA (Photoluminescent Safety Products Association), further solidifying our role as an Industry leader in safety and innovation. Jim Creak: A Partner in Safety John Creak made a strategic decision to enlist the support of his identical twin brother, Jim Creak, in the journey to elevate JALITE success. Many of you in the UK have had the privilege of a personal connection with Jim. With a rich background in sales and marketing, Jim skilfully cultivated relationships, elevating JALITE brands’ presence across the UK. His regular provision of technical expertise and quality assurances for JALITE products ensured customer satisfaction, allowing John the flexibility to explore global markets and expand our international footprint while providing invaluable strategic direction and innovation. Jim's unwavering dedication to the company closely paralleled his brother's commitment to safety and cutting-edge advancements. In 2022, Jim Creak left for a well-deserved retirement. However, his connection to the company and his passion for safety never waned. Jim now supports the new management through his consultancy work, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of safety professionals. A Family Legacy Tragically, John Creak passed away in 2021, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of dedication to safety. His vision and passion for JALITE was passed on to his family, and with the support of the dedicated staff, together with Hayley Bishop and Steve Perry, Nicholas Creak has assumed the role of CEO. Nicholas is committed to continuing his father's legacy by providing outstanding products, maintaining a high level of service, and upholding the tradition of producing quality safety solutions in the UK. Together we will ensure that JALITE legacy continues to grow, lighting the way for a safer more secure world. Conclusion As we celebrate 40 years of safety, our journey is a testament to the power of innovation, unwavering dedication, and a commitment to setting the highest safety standards. From our founding in 1983 to our position as a global leader today, JALITE has consistently illuminated the path to safety, saving lives all around the world. When you choose JALITE as your partner in safety, you're choosing four decades of excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication. Trust in JALITE – your beacon of safety.
Why do fire alarm call points need covers
JALITE fire safety signs are integral to mitigating risks of injury, harm, or death to occupants, as well as to public and private property. This is true in all lighting conditions, as JALITE signs reinforce safety messages to occupants in all lighting conditions, including in smoke filled areas during an emergency. JALITE fire safety signs are installed alongside life saving equipment such as fire alarm call points to help occupants locate this vital equipment. What are Fire Alarm Call Points?: Fire alarm call points, also knowns as manual call points, are key to allowing occupants to evacuate during an emergency. This firefighting equipment are installed in many public spaces, including shops, hotels restaurants, offices, and other public spaces to allow the public and staff members to trigger the overall fire alarm system of a building. The easy access to fire alarm call points, is the very thing that pose a risk to other occupants with costs to businesses and time for fire and rescue services adding to further disruption. With this in mind, BS 5839-1 was the Standard introduced to bring significant change, with guidance that states call points should be fitted with a protective cover to reduce false alarms. The revision of BS 5839-1 specifically states that "All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible elements”. Whilst the standard does not specifically refer to existing call points, retro fits are available for most industry standard call points. This new change should help prevent accidental activation from impact and should force users of the fire alarm system to lift the cover before activation, thereby adding an extra action to the process of pressing the alarm. The solution to the risk: We want to protect firefighting equipment such as the fire alarm call points, but we want to equally to ensure that this vital equipment can be easily and quickly accessed when needed most. When a fire breaks out, the last thing we want is confusion from a visitor or member of the public, who is confused about how to access the fire alarm call point. This ultimately causes delay, and therefore a possible risk to people and property. JALITE photoluminescent ‘lift cover to operate fire alarm’, fire safety signs are your solution for potential delay, and mitigating risks of injury, harm, or worst-case death to building occupants. JALITE photoluminescent ‘lift cover to operate fire alarm’ signals to occupants how they can access the fire alarm call point, as well as how to activate the vital equipment. Our JALITE photoluminescent ‘lift cover to operate fire alarm’ fire safety signs are characterised by firefighting red colours and square shape, as per the Standard BS ISO 3864- 1:2011. JALITE photoluminescent ‘lift cover to operate fire alarm’ fire safety signs are also designed according to BS EN ISO 7010:2020; the fire alarm call point graphical symbol of the finger, and the flame determinant. JALITE photoluminescent ‘lift cover to operate fire alarm’ fire safety signs, are available in two sizes as standard including (D) 150 x 200mm, and (Y) 100 x 150mm. Code: 6131D Size: 150 x 200mm Code: 6131Y Size: 100 x 150mm Have assurance that JALITE photoluminescent fire safety signs, are your solution to keeping occupants safe, and able to evacuate from the building even in conditions of low visibility.
Guidance for Signs & Notices
Fire Safety Signs and Notices Legislation requires the Duty Holder (in a workplace, normally the employer) to carry out a formal risk assessment to determine the need for fire safety signs. The requirements for the characteristics of fire safety signs and notices are encompassed within the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and the guidance in relevant British Standards. Fire Exit and Escape Route Signs The legislation requires all duty holders to ensure that the means of escape is effectively located and the route to a place of relative safety be clearly identified. Where the building manager, facilities manager/duty holder requires specific guidance to achieve this, a competent person should be consulted. Guidance on the application and siting of means of escape signs is given in BS 5499 Part 4. The following key elements of escape route signing will influence effective evacuation: Illumination: All escape route signs should be adequately illuminated to ensure they are conspicuous and legible within the environment. All escape route signs should be visible under power loss conditions. It may be appropriate in some premises that a maintained light source is provided or the same objective can be achieved with a photoluminescent escape route sign. Sign Height (Graphical Symbol Height): All escape route signs are required to be observed from a distance, this distance alongside the illumination will determine the observation distance of the escape route sign. Full guidance can be found in BS 5499 Part 4. However, a simple guide for an externally illuminated sign at 100 lux will give an observation distance of 22 metres for a sign height of 130mm (z=170). Direction of Egress and Escape: From any point within a building it is important that people have immediate sight of an escape route. If they do not or doubt may exist, an escape route sign or series of signs is likely to be necessary. The use of directional arrows within escape route signs are standardised to ensure that egress is intuitive and efficient. Priority for escape route signs should be given to the shortest route to safety. Progress forward from here (indicating direction of travel) Progress forward and through from here; when sign is sited above a door (indicating direction of travel) Progress forward and up from here (indicating change of level) Progress to the right from here (indicating direction of travel) Progress down from here (indicating change of level) Progress to the left from here (indicating direction of travel) Progress down to the right (indicating change of level) Progress down to the left (indicating change of level) Progress up to the right (indicating change of level) Progress forward and across to the right from here when suspended within an open area Progress to the left from here (indicating direction of travel) Progress forward and across to the left from here when suspended within an open area Figure 1 - BS5499-4 Directional meaning of escape route sign(s) The series of escape route signs within the designated means of escape should be positioned to progress the person to a place of safety. An escape route sign should be positioned at every change of direction, every change of level and at any decision point within the escape route. Mounting Height: Escape route signs should be sited at 2.0m from the floor when positioned above doors or where suspended from the ceiling and at 1.7m from the floor when positioned on walls. As people progress along an escape route, the next escape route sign within the series should be in a predictable position following on from its predecessor in the series of escape route signs. Other Fire Safety Signs and Notices Legislation requires that all people are provided with relevant fire safety information such as the location and operation of panic hardware, door opening devices and emergency security override equipment. Legislation requires appropriate identification and location to all building occupants to ensure effective evacuation. The same applies for people with special needs who may require assistance to locate designated safe areas as part of their Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). All life safety equipment and designated areas should be appropriately signed. Figure 2 - Typical emergency evacuation area/equipment sign(s) A key element of effective evacuation is the detection of fire and manual activation of alarm call points. Legislation requires the duty holder to ensure building occupants can identify and locate this equipment. It is also a requirement that building occupants know the procedure to adopt in the event of fire and alarm activation, the display of appropriate notices, in clear and precise format is recommended to support good fire safety management and formal training. Figure - 3 - Fire alarm call point sign, fire action notice(s) & Fire extinguisher identification notice. Legislation requires that, where necessary, fire fighting equipment be indicated by signs. Figure 4 - BS EN ISO 7010 Fire fighting equipment sign(s) & Fire safety notice(s) The Duty Holder has an obligation to provide people with information that is essential for their protection. The provision of this information is recommended by government guidance on both building regulations and fire safety legislation. Figure 5 - Mandatory fire safety instruction notice(s) Further signs that may be required depending on the type and use of the premises. Activity, process or practice may require the identification and location of hazards that particularly affect the risk matrix. It may also be prudent that an indication of risk control is displayed where this measure is critical to management of risk. This process will complement the formal risk assessment and the identified significant findings. The measures will form part of the fire safety manual and risk reduction management. Figure 6 - Management of risk - Risk/prohibitive action combination sign(s) There are important changes that now require duty holders to audit and review the fire safety signs within their buildings. This audit and review should ensure conformance to BS EN ISO 7010 for graphical symbols that have excellent comprehension credentials. Fire Safety signs should be reviewed periodically to ensure they continue to support the fire safety strategy for the premises. When purchasing the supply and installation of fire safety signs the user should specify that the products and the position and location of the signs and notices comply with ISO 7010 and BS 5499 part 4 and BS 5499 part 10.
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About us
JALITE has been in business since 1983 with the brand JALITE and we are proud to be the pioneers of all the main applications for photoluminescent 'See in the Dark' safety products.
Over 109 countries
Jalite products have been developed and supplied to over 100 countries in the world and often with safety messages in the local language or with dual language.