Coloured flashing lights to mark emergency exits - Experiences from evacuation experiments

Abstract

Three evacuation experiments were performed to investigate how emergency exits should be designed. In the first two experiments coloured flashing lights and strobe lights at emergency exits were tested and compared to a standard emergency exit design. In the third experiment green, blue, orange and red lights were compared to determine which colour was the most appropriate for use in emergencies. Results of the studies show that flashing lights and strobe lights, compared to the standard emergency exit design, increase the use of emergency exits. Furthermore, it is recommended that green lights should be used at emergency exits. Copyright © 2005 International Association for Fire Safety Science.