High-Quality Glow-in-the-Dark Egress Marking Tapes: Heskins H8152 vs H8154

In critical situations like power outages or emergency evacuations, glow-in-the-dark egress marking tapes can literally be lifesavers. Heskins offers two high-quality photoluminescent egress tapes, H8152 (Premium Grade) and H8154 (Super Grade), which are engineered to clearly mark escape routes, stairways, doors, and hazards even when the lights go out. In this post, we’ll explore the key technical specifications of both products, their differences, compliance with safety regulations, durability in low-light conditions, and the wide range of applications across industries – all to help you choose the right solution for your safety needs.

Key Technical Specifications

Both H8152 and H8154 egress tapes are designed for outstanding performance and reliability. Below are their key technical features and properties:

• Material & Construction: Made from a durable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) base film impregnated with long-life photoluminescent pigments. The tapes do not contain any toxic or radioactive substances – the glow is achieved by safe phosphorescent compounds that charge under ambient light and re-emit light in darkness. This means the tape can be “recharged” indefinitely by natural or artificial light and will not run out of power or require batteries.

• Adhesive Type: Backed with a high-tack pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) for permanent application. Heskins uses a heavy coat-weight adhesive that creates a strong, waterproof bond to most clean, dry surfaces. Each roll comes with a protective release liner – you simply peel and stick. (On very porous surfaces like unsealed wood, concrete, or stone, using a primer is recommended to ensure maximum adhesion.)

• Dimensions: Both tapes are available in a range of sizes to suit different needs. Standard roll widths range from 15 mm (0.59”) up to 1220 mm (48”), and lengths up to 50 m (164 feet). This flexibility allows usage from narrow strips along stair edges to large sheets for wide-area signage. The tape’s overall thickness is about 0.35–0.37 mm, with the Premium grade being slightly thicker due to a higher pigment load.

• Colour & Appearance: In normal lighting, the tape is a greenish-yellow colour (unobtrusive against most surfaces). When the lights go out, it immediately emits a bright green luminescent glow. The glow colour is a vivid neon green, which the human eye is highly sensitive to in low light, ensuring maximum visibility. (A hazard-striped version is also available, alternating photoluminescent and black stripes, for marking of obstacles or edges with added contrast.)

• Glow Performance: These tapes provide exceptionally long afterglow performance. H8152 and H8154 are formulated to meet high photoluminescent standards (DIN 67510 / ISO 17398 classifications and PSPA performance classes). In practical terms, H8152 can glow visibly for 8–10 hours on a full charge, whereas H8154 glows for 4–6 hours. The emitted luminance is highest immediately after the lights go out and gradually diminishes, but both grades stay above the darkness visibility threshold for many hours.

• Environmental Durability: Heskins egress tapes are built to withstand typical indoor environmental conditions. They are operational in a wide temperature range from about -30 °C up to +90 °C (−22 °F to 194 °F) without performance loss, allowing use in unheated warehouses or hot factory floors. The PET construction is moisture-resistant and UV-stable for interior applications. Properly applied, the tapes have a long service life and require minimal maintenance—occasional cleaning to remove dust will keep them performing optimally.

Photoluminescent Performance and Glow Duration

One of the most critical considerations for any glow-in-the-dark egress marker is how bright it glows and for how long. Both H8152 and H8154 use advanced strontium aluminate–based photoluminescent pigments that charge quickly and shine intensely. Their performance far exceeds basic code requirements for emergency egress markings. According to ASTM E2072 standards (for photoluminescent safety markings), a material must emit at least 30 mcd/m² after 10 minutes in darkness and 4.4 mcd/m² after 60 minutes. Heskins high-quality tapes easily surpass these benchmarks:

• H8152 Premium Grade: This is the highest performing tape. After proper “charging” from light, H8152 has an initial luminance over 220 mcd/m² at 10 minutes, and about 27 mcd/m² at 60 minutes– extremely bright by photoluminescent standards. In total darkness, it takes approximately 1800 minutes (30 hours) for H8152’s glow to decay to the human visibility threshold of 0.32 mcd/m². In other words, under full charge it can remain at least marginally visible for well over a full day! Practically, the useful glow (the time it remains clearly visible to occupants’ eyes) is around 8–10 hours or more, which covers even the longest overnight power outage scenarios. This premium tape meets or exceeds PSPA Class C performance – a category for very high afterglow materials – giving an extra margin of safety for critical environments.

• H8154 Super Grade: The “super” grade offers slightly lower photoluminescent performance, but still very robust. It has a somewhat lower initial brightness and will decay to 0.32 mcd/m² in about 450 minutes (≈7.5 hours). This corresponds to roughly 4–6 hours of strong, eyes-visible glow in darkness after full charge. H8154 still far exceeds the ASTM E2072 minimums (it easily outputs more than 30 mcd/m² at 10 minutes and 4.4 mcd/m² at 60 minutes). In classification terms, it delivers Class A or B level photoluminescent performance, which is more than sufficient for most standard safety requirements (many building codes require only 90 minutes to 2 hours of visibility for egress path markings).

The difference in glow duration between the two grades is due to the concentration and type of photoluminescent pigment in the tape. H8152’s formulation contains a higher grade pigment that both glows brighter initially and for longer, whereas H8154 uses a slightly lower grade pigment with a shorter afterglow period. Importantly, neither tape requires any electrical power – a few minutes of exposure to ambient light (whether sunlight or indoor lighting) “charges” the tape, and it will release that energy as a glow when it’s dark. The tapes can recharge infinitely cycle after cycle, maintaining their performance over many years of use.

H8152 (Premium) vs H8154 (Super): Key Differences and Selection

Heskins provides both grades to give customers a choice based on performance needs and budget. Here’s a summary of the differences between H8152 and H8154 and why you might choose one over the other:

• Afterglow Duration & Brightness: Premium H8152 is the top performer, offering roughly 4x longer glow time than Super H8154 under the same charge conditions. If your application demands maximum longevity (for example, in large facilities where evacuation could be prolonged, or if you want the tape to remain visible until power is restored), H8152 is the ideal choice. H8152’s higher initial brightness can also make a difference in the first few minutes of an evacuation, shining extremely bright when occupants are disoriented. H8154, on the other hand, still provides a very reliable glow for several hours – more than enough for typical building evacuation timelines or short-term outages – but will dim sooner than H8152.

• Material Thickness: H8152 is about 0.37 mm thick vs. 0.35 mm for H8154. This slight difference is due to the additional photoluminescent material in the premium grade. In practice, both tapes look and feel similar – thin, flexible strips that conform to surfaces – but the premium has a marginally thicker glow layer. The thicker pigment layer of H8152 contributes to its extended glow time.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Because of its higher pigment load and performance, H8152 typically comes at a premium price compared to H8154. Heskins offers these two tiers so that customers “only spend what you need to” for your required glow performance. If your risk assessment or local codes demand the highest photoluminescent class, the premium grade is worth the investment. However, if standard compliance and solid performance are all you need, the super grade can be a more economical solution while still exceeding safety requirements. In many cases, H8154 will do the job effectively at lower cost, especially for smaller buildings or backup markings.

• Compliance Level: Both tapes meet international safety standards, but H8152’s performance aligns with the highest egress safety classifications (able to meet stringent requirements like NYC local laws or ISO Class C/D levels), whereas H8154 comfortably meets base code compliance (OSHA, NFPA, IBC/IFC requirements for luminous egress path markings). We’ll discuss regulations in more detail next, but essentially if you anticipate very strict inspections or want an extra safety margin, lean toward H8152.

• Use Cases: You might deploy the two grades differently. For instance, in a facility, you could use H8152 on critical routes (main hallways, stairwells, primary exits where you want maximum visibility) and use H8154 on less critical areas (secondary corridors, rooms with emergency lighting backup, etc.) to optimize cost. Both grades are available in the same size formatsand colours, so they can be mixed seamlessly – visually, no one will notice a difference, only the performance varies over time.

Other than the above points, H8152 and H8154 share the same adhesive, base material, daytime colour, and installation method. Both are non-toxic, non-electric safety solutions. Your choice ultimately comes down to the level of luminance duration you require and budget considerations.

Compliance with Safety and Egress Regulations

Using photoluminescent egress marking tape isn’t just a safety best-practice – in many cases, it’s mandated by codes or standards. Heskins H8152 and H8154 tapes are designed to help facilities comply with stringent egress safety regulations in various regions and industries:

• Building Codes & Fire Codes: Many modern building codes (such as the International Building Code and International Fire Code, and local derivatives) require luminous egress path markings in stairwells and exit pathways of high-occupancy buildings and high-rises. These tapes meet the performance criteria outlined in standards like ASTM E2072 for photoluminescent markings. As noted earlier, both grades far exceed the ASTM minimum luminance levels at 10 and 60 minutes, which means they provide ample safety margin in meeting code requirements for visibility. For example, even the H8154 super grade, with ~7 hours to fade-out, wildly surpasses the 90-minute visibility requirement found in many fire safety codes.

• OSHA and Workplace Regulations: In industrial and occupational settings, OSHA regulations require emergency egress markings to ensure workers can find exits, stairs, and safety equipment in power loss situations. Heskins glow-in-the-dark tape is ideally suited to satisfy these rules. They can highlight exit doorframes, evacuation routes on factory floors, and equipment like fire extinguishers or alarm stations. Because the tapes are self-adhesive and high-visibility, they make it easy for employers to retrofit older facilities to meet current safety standards without costly electrical signage. During safety inspections, photoluminescent egress markings like Heskins tapes signal a pro-active safety culture and help demonstrate compliance with OSHA 1910 standards for exit route marking.

• Standards and Certifications: Heskins high-quality egress tapes have been tested to relevant standards such as DIN 67510 (the German standard for phosphorescent material classification) and BS 8493 (UK standard for measuring Light Reflectance Values) to ensure they perform as claimed. While H8152/54 may not carry a specific UL 1994 listing (UL’s standard for luminous egress path markers) in their marketing literature, their performance characteristics align with UL 1994 requirements in terms of luminance and burn time. The materials are also flame-retardant and self-extinguishing, as required for interior finish materials in exits. Additionally, the tapes are free of hazardous substances (RoHS compliant) and have no radioactive additives, meaning they “do not breach any state, federal or international standards” for toxic material content.

• Safety Signage Integration: These tapes can be used in conjunction with other safety signage (like glow-in-dark exit signs or floor arrows) to form a complete luminous egress path marking system. Doing so can help meet comprehensive safety guidelines such as NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and NFPA 170 for signage, which increasingly reference photoluminescent markings as an accepted technology. Heskins tapes have been successfully implemented in buildings to fulfill local fire department codes (for example, NYC Local Law 26 which mandates photoluminescent exit path markings in stairwells of high-rise office buildings).

In summary, whether it’s a manufacturing plant under OSHA oversight or a public building under fire marshal inspection, H8152 and H8154 provide a code-compliant solution. They not only help you pass inspections but, more importantly, enhance the actual safety of occupants during an emergency.

Durability and Performance in Low-Light Conditions

Heskins H8152 and H8154 tapes are built for durability and reliability, but it’s important to use them appropriately to maximize their lifespan:

• Intended Environments: These tapes are primarily intended for indoor use (or sheltered outdoor areas) where they are not exposed to continuous UV or harsh weather. The photoluminescent pigment is encapsulated in the PET plastic, protecting it from moisture or abrasion to some extent, but excessive UV exposure over years could slowly degrade the glow (as with any photoluminescent material). In most indoor scenarios – offices, hospitals, factories, etc. – the environment is perfect for these tapes and they will last for many years maintaining good performance.

• Wear and Foot Traffic: Importantly, egress marking tapes are designed for marking walls, doors, and floor edges, not for use as floor covering in high-traffic areas. The smooth photoluminescent surface can be worn down by constant foot or equipment traffic. Heskins explicitly recommends applying these tapes on areas “not exposed to foot traffic”, since heavy abrasion would quickly degrade the glowing surface. For example, you can safely put them on baseboards, wall trims, around door frames, on handrails, or along the sides of stair steps, but you wouldn’t stick a photoluminescent tape on the center of a floor aisle where people walk directly (for floor applications, Heskins offers anti-slip photoluminescent tapes that have abrasive tops designed for walking). By confining usage to low-wear surfaces, the egress tapes will retain their photoluminescent coating and clarity for a long time. Many installations report negligible wear even after 5+ years on walls or rarely-touched surfaces.

• Adhesion and Cleaning: Once applied, the aggressive acrylic adhesive forms a strong bond that can last indefinitely under normal conditions. The tape is water-resistant and won’t peel off due to humidity or minor spills. It’s also resistant to common cleaning agents, so you can mop floors or wipe down surfaces near the tape without worry. If applied on a clean, smooth surface, you can expect the tape to stay in place without curling or detaching. In the event you ever need to remove or reposition it, the tape can be peeled off, but very old applications may leave some residue (which can be cleaned with adhesive remover). Temperature swings from cold to hot do not significantly affect the adhesion or the glow – the tape remains stable and functional across the -30 to 90 °C range.

• Lifespan of Glow Pigment: The photoluminescent pigment used has an essentially unlimited recharge lifespan. Unlike battery-backed lights that have a fixed runtime or tritium signs that dim after some years, these tapes can keep recharging and glowing for decades. The pigment does not “wear out” from repeated charging. As long as the material is intact and not obscured by dirt, it will continue to perform. Heskins uses high-quality strontium aluminate doped pigments that have extremely long chemical stability. Practically, you can expect the tapes to provide useful glow for 15+ years; any minor reduction in performance would likely be due to surface aging or severe environmental exposure rather than pigment exhaustion.

• Maintenance: The tapes require minimal maintenance. Facility staff should ensure that the tapes are not painted over, covered, or excessively dirty. A simple wipe with a damp cloth can be done during routine cleaning to remove dust that might accumulate (dust could dim the perceived brightness by covering the glowing surface). Avoid abrasive scrubbing which could scratch the tape; gentle cleaning is sufficient. If a section of tape gets damaged, it’s easy to cut a new piece and replace that section.

In low-light and emergency conditions, these tapes truly shine (literally). They immediately activate in darkness to emit a strong glow, even in environments filled with smoke or haze where normal lighting might struggle. The green luminescence is highly effective in smoky conditions common in fires, as it cuts through with a distinct colour. The durable construction means that even if building occupants brush against them or there’s vibration (in industrial settings), the tapes remain firmly in place and effective. Overall, H8152 and H8154 tapes are a reliable, low-maintenance safety feature – install them once and they stand ready to guide people to safety for years to come.

Applications Across Multiple Industries

One of the great advantages of Heskins glow-in-the-dark egress tapes is their versatility. Virtually any environment that might go dark unexpectedly can benefit from these high-visibility markings. Here are some examples of applications across various industries and settings:

• Manufacturing & Warehousing: Industrial facilities often have large floor areas, complex machinery, and racking – in a blackout, these become hazardous mazes. Photoluminescent tapes can outline evacuation routes on factory floors, mark the perimeter of equipment or storage racks, and identify safe pathways for workers to follow. For instance, applying tape along wall baseboards or along the lower edge of machinery can lead employees to exits during a power loss. They are also useful to mark low-hanging pipes or beams – a strip of glow tape on a low overhead obstacle in a warehouse will warn forklift drivers or staff, preventing head injuries in the dark. Warehouses can use the tapes on loading dock edges, stair railings, and around emergency exits to comply with OSHA egress marking rules and reduce accident risk

• Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and nursing homes cannot afford chaos during an outage – patients and staff need clear guidance to exits and backup systems. Heskins H8152/H8154 tapes can mark corridor walls, door frames, and handrails in hospitals so that even if backup generators fail, there is a continuous glow delineating the way out. They are also useful to outline critical equipment or breaker panels. Being non-toxic and having a clean appearance (neutral pale colour in light), they are suitable for clinical environments. For example, a hospital might put photoluminescent tape around door frame perimeters of emergency exits and stairwell doors, as well as on the stairs themselves (on the vertical riser or side of steps) to meet NFPA and Joint Commission standards for emergency preparedness. In a healthcare setting where people may be on life support or mobility-impaired, these tapes add an extra layer of safety to ensure everyone can be guided to safety with minimal confusion.

• Transportation Hubs (Airports, Train/Bus Stations): Transportation facilities often have crowded conditions and complex layouts. In an emergency evacuation or simply a nighttime power cut, photoluminescent marking tapes can guide crowds to exits or safe areas. Airport terminals can use these along aisles leading to emergency exits or on jet bridge edges; train and subway stations frequently install glow-in-the-dark strips on platform edges and along tunnel walkways for evacuations. Even on vehicles – some passenger trains and ships use photoluminescent tape to mark escape routes (though specialized marine-grade products are used at sea). For public transportation buildings, Heskins tapes provide a quick retrofit solution to enhance egress markings without needing to rewire or add electrical signage. They are also useful in parking garages or tunnels, to mark walls or curbs directing vehicles and people when the normal lighting fails.

• Commercial & Public Buildings: Office buildings, schools, shopping malls, theaters, hotels – virtually any public occupancy can leverage these tapes. Modern building codes often require luminous egress path marking in high rises and windowless venues. For example, in a theater or auditorium, glow tape can mark the aisles, steps, and exits in a way that is subtle under lights but highly visible when the house lights are off (they are commonly used in cinemas for just this reason). Schools and universities can line their hallway baseboards with photoluminescent tape to ensure even if an emergency occurs during a night class, students can find exits. In offices and hotels, the tapes can complement emergency lighting by outlining doorways, stairs, and even door hardware – a small piece on a door handle can make it easier to find and turn in pitch black conditions. Facility managers in public buildings appreciate that these tapes improve safety without detracting from aesthetics (since they’re not noticeable until needed).

• Warehousing & Logistics: In addition to manufacturing settings, warehouses and distribution centers benefit greatly from glow-in-dark safety marking. They often have large open spaces where exit signs might be far apart. Photoluminescent floor marking tape can create a continuous line to the nearest exit. They are also excellent for marking steps on ladders or staircases in back-of-house areas, or the edges of loading docks so that in low light workers don’t misstep. Being able to see the outline of pathways and hazards even if all lights fail can prevent injuries and damage to goods.

• Other Specialty Uses: The applications are endless. Power plants and server rooms use these tapes to mark equipment rows and exits so technicians can escape during power failures. Museums and historic buildings (where running new electrical conduit for exit signs might be difficult or undesirable) can use photoluminescent markings as a non-intrusive safety upgrade. Cruise ships and marine vessels have used similar tapes in corridors (marine versions often have additional certifications for saltwater environments). Even in residential buildings, property managers sometimes add glow tape in basements or stairwells to assist residents in emergencies.

It’s worth noting that both H8152 and H8154 tapes are flexible in application – they can be cut to length or even shape (arrows, strips, etc.). This means a creative safety officer can adapt them to many scenarios: e.g., cutting arrow shapes to stick on the floor pointing toward exits, or creating glowing outlines around fire alarm pull stations so they can be found in the dark. Heskins tapes adhere to metal, painted drywall, wood, plastic and more, so they truly can be used across the spectrum of industries mentioned. The ability to simply peel-and-stick these markers makes them a convenient solution for upgrading safety in an existing facility with minimal downtime.

Benefits of Using Heskins Egress Tapes for Safety & Compliance

In summary, Heskins H8152 and H8154 high-quality egress glow tapes offer a range of benefits that instill confidence in their effectiveness and the quality of your safety program:

• Enhanced Life Safety: These tapes provide unfailingly visible escape route markings when normal lighting is not available. In a crisis – whether a fire, power outage, or other emergency – they help prevent panic by clearly delineating where people should go. Occupants can quickly identify exits, stairs, and safe pathways by the glowing strips, reducing disorientation and evacuation time. This can directly save lives and reduce injuries during evacuations.

• Regulatory Compliance: By installing photoluminescent egress markings, you are aligning with the latest safety regulations and standards. H8152/54 tapes ensure you exceed the minimum requirements set by OSHA and building codes for egress visibility. This not only avoids potential fines or violations but also demonstrates due diligence. Insurers and auditors will also look favorably on facilities that have taken this extra step for risk mitigation

• No Power Needed – Reliability: Unlike emergency lights that rely on electricity or batteries, these glow tapes are a passive safety system. They will work whenever it’s dark, automatically. There’s no chance of bulb failure or battery depletion at the wrong time. As long as the area gets ambient light regularly (which is usually the case during normal use), the tapes are always “charged” and on standby. This reliability is invaluable for critical situations – essentially, there’s one less thing to worry about in your emergency preparedness, since photoluminescent markings can’t “fail” due to power loss (their whole purpose is to cover that exact scenario).

• Durability and Low Maintenance: Heskins egress tapes are built to last with industrial-grade materials (tough PET film and strong adhesive). Once installed, they require virtually no maintenance aside from occasional cleaning. There are no bulbs to replace, no batteries to check, and the product itself can last many years. They handle a wide range of temperatures and environments, so whether it’s a cold storage warehouse or a hot machine room, the tape keeps working. Over the lifetime of a building, this makes them a very cost-effective solution compared to electrical systems that incur ongoing testing and replacement costs.

• Quick and Easy Installation: Applying the tape is straightforward and does not require specialized labor. Facility staff or a handyman can install it by peeling off the backing and firmly pressing the tape onto the desired surface. Curved or angled surfaces are no problem due to the tape’s flexibility. This ease of installation means you can upgrade safety markings with minimal disruption to operations – no need to shut down power, drill holes, or run wires. Even large facilities can be outfitted with photoluminescent path markings in a short time frame. If facility layouts change, the tape can often be removed and new lines applied without major cost.

• Versatility of Use: As illustrated above, the same product caters to multiple scenarios – from highlighting a single step to outlining an entire emergency exit path. You can cut the tape to custom lengths or shapes, combine it with other signage, or use different widths for different purposes. This flexibility ensures that one product line (H8152/8154) can solve many safety marking challenges across your site. Additionally, the availability of two grades means you can choose a tailored performance level and cost for each area (use premium grade where you need ultra-long glow, and standard grade elsewhere), all while maintaining a consistent look and quality.

• Professional Appearance: Heskins tapes have a neat, professional look. In normal conditions, the tape’s pale yellow-green colour is not visually distracting, and the tape lies flat and smooth. It won’t create a tripping hazard or snag. When glowing, it emits a solid, uniform colour. This conveys a sense of quality – occupants will notice that the building has clearly marked glowing pathways and feel more secure. Unlike some cheaper glow products that might patchily glow or peel at the edges, Heskins products are known for their high manufacturing quality, giving facility managers confidence that once applied, the tapes will perform as expected long-term.

In conclusion, Heskins H8152 and H8154 High-Quality Egress Glow-in-the-Dark Tapes are a powerful addition to any safety toolkit. They merge advanced photoluminescent technology with practical, robust design. Whether you manage an industrial plant, a hospital, a high-rise office, or any environment where safe evacuation is a priority, these tapes can elevate your safety infrastructure with relatively little effort. By clearly highlighting exits and hazards in the darkest of conditions,you protect your personnel and visitors when it matters most. Investing in these glow-in-the-dark marking tapes is not just about ticking a compliance checkbox – it’s about demonstrating a commitment to safety and preparedness. With Heskins’ reputation and the technical capabilities of the H8152 and H8154 tapes, you can be confident in the product quality and performance, day in and day out.