While having emergency lights emerge from door panels
when needed keeps them out of the way, lighting profession-
als like Decker also value the ability to camouflage them as
well.
With both of the units, the flat panel doors lay flush with the
trim and mounting surface, and exterior trim can be painted
or wall-papered to match any color or decor so as to blend in
with the architecture.
Because these emergency lights are fully self-contained and
can be recessed into walls or ceilings, they are virtually invis-
ible during normal lighting conditions, and thus eliminate un-
sightly, surface mounted emergency lights and battery packs.
“When the Isolite products are fully recessed and the panels
are painted or wallpapered to match their surroundings, you
really cannot see them unless you are specifically looking,”
says Decker.
According to Decker, the design and engineering team utilized
this approach for emergency lighting in the themed, Camp
Jurassic caves at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando.
“We used a Genie product, and it was painted out so you really
couldn’t see it unless you were looking for it,” he says. “It
maintained the integrity of the aesthetics.”
While this approach can enhance the aesthetics of new builds
and retrofits, it is particularly helpful in preserving the “look
and feel” of historic buildings, which still must accommodate
life safety and security needs, as well as update building sys-
tems appropriately.
Such implementation strikes a balance between retaining
original building features and accommodating new technolo-
gies and equipment.
In fact, the Mini, which can wall mount with a total depth of
3.5”, is also well suited for shallow plenum applications, the
narrow space between the structural ceiling and drop-down
ceiling used for HVAC air circulation.
The company also offers recessed LED emergency lighting
mounted 18” above the floor. The product directs light to the
floor to more effectively illuminate the path of egress than
traditional ceiling or wall mounted emergency lights.
“Lighting the path of egress from a lower vantage point makes
sense in situations where there is a fire because all the smoke
rises and [if it were higher] it could block some of the light,”
says Decker.
With such new tools to make emergency lighting less conspic-
uous, building design professionals can now preserve elegant,
architectural quality aesthetics while meeting emergency
lighting and life safety codes.
“Wherever aesthetics are valued, concealing emergency light-
ing should be an option,” concludes Decker.
For more information, contact Isolite at 31 Waterloo Avenue,
Berwyn, PA 19312; call 800-888-5483; or visit them on the
web at www.isolite.com •