Carbon footprint comparison of photoluminescent vs. electric emergency exit signs through life cycle assessment

Emergency exit signage is essential for occupant safety during building evacuations, yet its environmental performance is rarely quantified. This study presents a comparative cradle‑to‑grave life cycle assessment (LCA) of six widely used emergency exit sign technologies: three photoluminescent (PLM), two electric, and one hybrid electric‑photoluminescent. Using SimaPro® with the Ecoinvent database, we quantify global warming potential (GWP), energy use, and end‑of‑life impacts for a functional unit of one compliant exit sign in service per year. Results show that PLM signs generally achieve substantially lower GWP than electric signs due to minimal operational energy, long service life, and favorable end‑of‑life pathways. Aluminum‑based PLM signs perform best, with 0.22 kg CO₂‑eq per year (SF1250 ALU, Scenario 1). Electric signs range between 1.79–3.67 kg CO₂‑eq per year, and the hybrid sign achieves 1.33 kg CO₂‑eq per year. We discuss the sensitivity of PLM charging to ambient lighting, occupancy, and visibility tradeoffs. Findings align with the EU Green Deal and UN SDGs by promoting low‑impact safety systems in buildings.