Emergency Light Fixtures

Historical Moment: The 2001 Tokyo Parlor Fire

A mah-jongg parlor exploded in the early hours on the morning of September 1, killing 44 people in “The Sleepless Castle,” a garish area of all-night gambling and sex shops in downtown Tokyo.

The explosion occurred at about 1 a.m. when an employee of the Ikkyu mah-jongg parlor opened the door of the establishment. Mah-jongg is a popular table game in much of East Asia and sometimes involves gambling.

The explosion happened at an hour when Tokyo’s most famous red-light district is heavily packed with revelers. Witnesses said they heard a loud bang and saw smoke billowing from the building, which houses several other clubs and restaurants.

It was unclear how many people were inside the mah-jongg parlor where the blast occurred on the third floor of the four-story building. Some people fled to the roof where they were plucked off to safety.

Emergency crews quickly cordoned off the area as hundreds of onlookers crowded around. The fire was put out after about five hours. The explosion tore open a hole measuring 6 inches by 5 feet in the side of the building, whose tenants include a casino and an adult club advertised with gaudy red-and-pink signs on the front.

For years, Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district has been the center of the city’s mizu shobai, or sex entertainment industry. The area’s narrow streets are crowded with small bars, restaurants, strip clubs, massage parlors and gambling establishments.

One man who works near the site of the disaster said, “There are many old buildings that aren’t properly maintained, it’s inevitable.”

The fire occurred on Tokyo’s annual disaster preparation day, when the self-defense force, fire department and police performed huge drills aimed at readiness for earthquakes.

It’s impossible to avoid every calamity or accident, but prevention and safety are our top concerns. UDEC Emergency Lighting provides quality lighting when you need it most. Emergency lighting and exit signs are about saving lives.

UDEC’s Featured Product: Emergency Light Fixtures: Compact with Remote Capability - Plain Vanilla Choice

UDEC Corp. offers powerful, safe, unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting and exit signs.

UDEC: LIGHTING THE WAY TO SAFETY
Historical Moment: 1986 Pesticide Warehouse Fire

An early morning fire Maple Leaf Farm Supplies Limited pesticide warehouse situated on Main Street, Canning, Nova Scotia. A large variety and quantity of agricultural products including pesticides, herbicides, fumigants, and fertilizers were stored in the building along with seed grains, seed and table potatoes, propane cylinders and miscellaneous farm machinery.

The pesticides were stored in a variety of metal, plastic and paper containers. A large number of propane cylinders and two of gaseous methyl bromide were also present; the contents of the latter were not released during the fire.

An estimated 1.2 million litres of water was used during firefighting operations. The water, contaminated from the pesticides at the fire’s site, passed over adjacent residential properties and into a farmer’s pond, eventually finding its way into the Habitant River via drainage ditches and storm drains.

Vegetation and large numbers of worms were killed in the path of the water: fish and invertebrates died in a local farmer’s pond as well as downstream in the Habitant River. A trench was dug to intercept contaminated runoff and wash water during the cleanup phase; however, this trench was constructed after the bulk of fire-fighting water had left the site.

Municipal and Kings County officials were promptly advised, and they invoked the County Emergency Response Plan, which had been thoroughly tested only days before the fire. By 0300 hours, an evacuation of local residents by firefighters and the RCM Police was underway, including a senior citizens home that was situated very close to the fire site.

Following the evacuation, access to the entire area was restricted to those involved in responding to the incident. Residents living closest to the fire site were not permitted to return to their homes for six days

A potentially hazardous and deadly situation was adverted because of implemented safety equipment and procedures being correctly tested and used.

It’s impossible to avoid every calamity or accident, but prevention and safety are our top concerns. UDEC Emergency Lighting provides quality lighting when you need it most.

UDEC’s Featured Product: Udec Classic Systems Central Power: Open Reflector Type Area Light

The UDEC Open Reflector Type Area Light provides evenly distributed illumination for energy conservation, night/security and emergency lighting.
Emergency light fixtures and exit signs are about saving lives. UDEC Corp. offers powerful, safe, unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting and exit signs.

UDEC: LIGHTING THE WAY TO SAFETY
Historical Moment: The 1977 Beverly Hills Supper Club Tragedy

The Beverly Hills Supper Club in Northern Kentucky is one of the United States deadliest nightclub fires where 167 persons died and over 130 were injured on May 28, 1977.

On a warm Memorial Day weekend in Southgate, Kentucky, a fire broke out at the crowded Beverly Hills Supper Club, once called the “Showplace of the Nation”. More than 3000 patrons, along with the 182 employees, were there that weekend.

The fire broke out about 9 p.m. in an unoccupied reception room. Two waitresses looking for tray jacks found the room filled with dense smoke hanging near the ceiling and notified management immediately.

Management instantly called for emergency help and the first fire engine arrived within three minute, already being in the area. However, the fire spread so rapidly that a full evacuation of the sprawling, crowded building was not possible.

The fire roared down a corridor and exploded into the Cabaret Room, where the evening’s scheduled headliner act was just beginning. Although the act was interrupted by the warnings of a teenage bellboy, who witnessed the fire’s onset, some patrons still hesitated thinking that it was part of the act. Later, bodies of six patrons were found still sitting upright in their seats.

What caused the fire remains inconclusive, but the factor most often cited is aluminum wiring. The majority of the deaths are blamed on poorly marked exits, flammable carpeting, and seat cushions that emitted toxic fumes when burned.

It soon became evident that the nightclub’s owners had no comprehension of the need to have code-compliant wiring or non-flammable materials used in the construction and decoration. A lack of a sprinkler system and audible automatic fire alarms added to the dangerous conditions.

Although these basic safety standards were required by law, they had not been installed nor were enforced by the local fire department. The club’s owners claimed to be unaware that it did not meet fire code requirements.

Emergency lighting and exit signs are about saving lives. UDEC Corp. offers powerful, safe, unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting and exit signs.
UDEC’s Featured Product: Emergency Lighting Fixtures Accessories: LED Retrofit Kits

Hardwire Units Kits come complete with mounting bracket & double face tap.
For 120V or 277V applications; 2.8 Watts per kit.

Emergency light fixtures and exit signs are about saving lives. UDEC Corp. offers powerful, safe, unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting and exit signs.

UDEC: LIGHTING THE WAY TO SAFETY
Historical Moment: Emergency Light Fixtures and the 2004 Bangladesh Factory Stampede

A fire alarm started a stampede that killed six women in a Bangladeshi clothing factory on May 3, 2004.

The women were crushed to death when hundreds of people rushed for the exits during the fire alarm. The fire, caused by a transformer exploding, was soon put out, but caused workers to panic and jam firewalls.

One worker stated that “trying to get out was terrifying; no one really knew what to do.” At least 35 people were also injured in the stampede in the six-story building in Dhaka’s Mirpur district.

Accidents in Bangladeshi clothing factories used to be commonplace until a few years ago, but with the introduction of new safety measures the situation has improved immensely.

Bangladesh earns around $5 billion a year in clothing exports. The industry employs nearly two million workers, most of whom are women.

It’s impossible to avoid every calamity or accident, but prevention and safety are our top concerns. UDEC Emergency Lighting provides quality lighting when you need it most.

UDEC’s Featured Product: Emergency Light Fixtures: Dual Beveled Integral Incandescent Heads
Completely self-contained; fully automatic operation; compact low-profile design in neutral finish.

Emergency light fixtures and exit signs are about saving lives. UDEC Corp. offers powerful, safe, unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting and exit signs.

UDEC: LIGHTING THE WAY TO SAFETY
Historical Moment: Coney Island’s Dreamland Fire

On May 27, 1911 at two in the morning, opening day for Coney’s new Dreamland Hell Gate Attraction was only a few hours away. Several lights bulbs burst, buckets of tar were accidentally tipped over, and Hell Gate exploded into flames.
 
The fire spread quickly to the rest of the park, but fortunately for the fire companies at the scene, the wind’s direction calmed the fire that had the potential to destroy the rest of the park.
 
All of Dreamland was destroyed, along with Coney Island icons like Thompson’s Scenic Railway, and the Iron Tower.  Dreamland’s lathe & plaster structures were so flammable that it caused the Dreamland tower fire to be exceptionally bright. People in Manhattan could see the tower fire during a period where the city’s buildings averaged only ten stories tall. 

It is believed that William H. Reynold’s greed was the undoing of the park. He set down Dreamland so fast that the city did not have time to pull up their fire hydrants. The firemen reported serious issues of low pressure, assumed to have been caused by the dozens of hydrants leaking water amongst the ruins. 

It’s impossible to avoid every calamity or accident, but prevention and safety are our top concerns. UDEC Emergency
lighting provides quality lighting when you need it most. 

UDEC’s Featured Product: Light Fixtures: Incandescent Emergency Light Fixture with Battery Backup

• Universal Voltage of 80 VAC up to 300VAC; ceiling or wall mount; Two adjustable; halogen; glare-free light heads; Rechargeable; maintenance-free;  replaceable 6-volt; 4.5-ah lead calcium battery provides 90 minute of emergency operation; Push button test switch and charge rate indicator included; White injection molded thermoplastic housing; Unit snaps together for easy installation. Quick wire connection; UL listed for damp location; UL 924; NFPA and NEC approvals; Warranty; Email or call for quantity discounts.

(Incandescent Emergency Light Fixture w/ Battery Backup & Remote Control Test
Remote Control Option: Conduct testing for 30 seconds or 90 minutes by selecting the test time on the remote control.)

Emergency lighting and exit signs are about saving lives. UDEC Corp. offers powerful and unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting and exit signs.

UDEC: LIGHTING THE WAY TO SAFETY
Historical Moment:  Our Lady of the Angels School Fire

Our Lady of the Angels was an elementary school  in Chicago, Illinois, that ranged from kindergarten through eight grades. Shortly before classes dismissed on December 1, 1958, a fire began in the basement of the north wing where ignition took place in a cardboard trash barrel and smoldered undetected for estimated 10 to 30 minutes.

By the time the fire was noted, thick, suffocating smoke, extreme heat, and superheated gases filled the stairwells and main corridor. For 329 children and 5 teaching nuns, who become trapped on the second floor, the only means of escape was to jump from their windows to the concrete and crushed rock 25 feet below.
 
The school legally had complied with municipal and state fire codes of 1958, but the codes did not address hazards that became fatal in this fire. The only fire escape was near one end of the north wing, but to reach it required passing through the main corridor, which was impassable.

There was no direct alarm connection to the fire department, no heat detectors, no heavy-duty fire doors, no fire sprinklers and smoke detectors were not yet commercially available.

There were two unmarked fire alarm switches in the entire school, and they were in the south wing. There were four fire extinguishers in the north wing; each mounted seven feet off the floor, out of reach for many adults and virtually all of the children.

92 pupils and 3 nuns lost their lives when smoke, heat, and fire cut off their normal means of escape through corridors and stairways. Many perished when jumping from second-floor windows and another 100 were seriously injured.

It’s impossible to avoid every calamity or accident, but prevention and safety are our top concerns. UDEC Emergency Lighting provides quality lighting when you need it most. 

UDEC’s Product Feature: Emergency Light Fixtures: Explosion Proof Emergency Light

Lamp compartment is factory sealed from wiring chamber, eliminating on-the-job sealing. Inspection hole provides easily accessible splice space. There is nothing to hold while splicing to line. Set screw to stem keeps fixture from turning during relamping. Optional exit sign fits over explosion-proof light. 

Emergency lighting and exit signs are about saving lives. UDEC Corp. offers powerful and unique solutions and 40 years of experience of emergency lighting.          

When a person decides to buy a house, there are certain aspects they pay extra attention to. But the other areas are left to the care of the contractor and we assume everything has been taken of. While checking for electrical work, it is also important to check if Emergency Lighting  was designed into the house. This also applies to office buildings, for we might never need to use it, but it is always safe to have them installed. This will prevent any undue accident and will also protect the lives of the people within the building at times of power failure.

Incase of buildings where there are multiple floors, it is very essential to have good quality Emergency Lighting system installed. This will be come in handy at times when there is power outage and also act as a back up lighting incase of other emergencies. This will give time for the owners to get the main power problem sorted out without any disruption to normal work. Emergency lighting is there to ensure that the lives of people living or working are taken care, side by side giving them the confidence that they are in a safe environment.

An auxiliary power supply has become an inherent feature of every new building being constructed. Not only does this ensure timely back up of power, it is a good way of preserving important data. At times this kind of power is also not reliable as the battery’s life might run out unexpectedly. This is why most computer companies and hospitals choose to opt for the high tech emergency light fixtures. This comes in handy when certain machines have to be running round the clock and by taking such precautionary measures of installing one of these fixtures, any unforeseen contingencies can be avoided.

Many options are available while buying an emergency light fixture. It largely depends on the existing power system and size of the place. All of those available in the market can be easily installed and operated by anyone. The batteries are no longer cumbersome and these days, halogen bulbs are used to increase efficiency and brightness. Periodical maintenance and checking of the fixtures will ensure it works well for years to come. Make sure to clean the unit and lenses to enjoy maximum benefit. It’s also important to place these lights in easily accessible locations around the building.

In life, there are a lot of things we take for granted but one thing we must never assume is we are safe. One never knows where danger might be lurking and necessary measures need to be taken at least in places where safety measures will save lives. Not just the public utility offices but also every building that has multiple storeys and sees the flurry of people visiting or living in it. Some the latest kinds of Exit signs that are found in the market are using LED and these use AC power to work. These are said to consume lesser energy and work for longer hours than the regular Light emitting diodes. With an estimated lifespan of over ten years, these signs are the safest bet when thinking of evacuation of buildings in case of fire or other mishaps.

These Exit signs have lighting through the whole casing and so the brightness of light emitted is consistent. But these come in either black or white coloring with bright text and arrows on either side pointing towards the way out. Extremely light weight and at affordable prices, these signs are used in places where the cases of hazards is more.

In today’s world where people are busy scurrying about their daily activities, the only thing they stop for is when getting in and out of a vehicle or building. At times of emergency, this is what they want to do in the shortest time possible. To save themselves and rescue others is what it’s all about. This is the reason why Exit signs were created.  Which by the way, are now found as part of the interior in every building complex big and small.

Not only do the Exit signs help people find their way in case of trouble, it also acts as a guiding hand when power is down as they normally glow in the dark. Red in color and in bold, they direct people towards a way out giving them the reassurance that help is on hand. The signs are made using a kind of polycarbonate material since these are shock and vandal resistant and cannot be tampered with. It can be safely placed near the entrances as well without fear of getting destroyed or damaged. Sometimes these signs have an additional light fixture attached to it which acts as emergency lighting in case of black outs.