STG Aerospace is lobbying the European Aviation Safety Agency and US Federal Aviation Administration to review regulations governing the use of photoluminescent (PL) floorpath markings in airliners to ensure the technology is installed and operated correctly.
The UK company’s SafTGlo range is the dominant product in the market.
PL strips do not require an electrical power supply and so are cheaper to install and maintain, but airlines must ensure the strips are adequately “charged” before flight by exposing them to ambient light in the cabin.
Before a long night flight, the charging time can be more than 30min, during which passengers cannot be permitted to board the aircraft because they may cause sections of the strips to be obscured.
STG technical director Sean O’Kell says despite the “clear guidance” the company provides, there is evidence that some operators are “misinterpreting” the requirements and failing to allow the strips to charge properly, or have even redesigned their cabins so that seats overhang sections of the strips. Failure to charge the full length of the strips could lead to confusion during an emergency evacuation.
“We’re just trying to get best practice implemented throughout the world,” says O’Kell.
Source: Airline Business
