An article from the Defence Magazine "On Target"
Title: Way Out Evacuation Systems Providing Safer Solutions to RAN with "LUMINK™" Technology
An innovative small Australian company is raising the level of safety aboard Royal Australian Navy vessels by providing an effective and safer evacuation signage based on a revolutionary luminous technology called LUMINK.
LUMINK technology uses the world's best 'LumiNova' crystals to absorb Ultra-Violet light energy from any UV light emitting external source. In sunlight, which presents the best possible exposure, the crystals will saturate within a period of 10 to 20 seconds. When the external light source is removed, the energy contained within the crystals is slowly released and will illuminate the sign or material in which it is based.
Way Out Evacuation Systems Pty Ltd, an SME based in Victoria, has successfully developed and employed this technology by coating them on an aluminium base and integrating them as exit, escape and arrow signage in the RAN Collins Class submarines and is currently involved in the signage upgrade of the ANZAC Frigates.
Owner and Managing Director of Way Out Evacuations, Mr Neil McInnes, said, "What is so unique about these signs is that they glow in the dark without the need of a power source because of the luminous nature of the material. Previous evacuation signs were PVC based and used reflective light or had to be attached to a power source to provide illumination in order to be effective.
From left to right: Roy Lilley, Executive Director ISO, Neil McInnes and Peter Yates, ISO Senior Consultant.
Our products are fitted in submarines and vessels, which generally have low lighting conditions; the crystals can be powered by whatever low light is at hand and even in an environment as low as 6 lux (lux being the level of measurement brightness), which is more than adequate for recharging. To put that into perspective, a normal office environment will have an approximate reading of 140 lux. Even being charged at 6 lux, the luminous signs exceed the International Maritime Organisation requirements by 3½ times."
"In an emergency situation with power failure, smoke and fire, people tend to crawl on their hands and knees for the exit and will hopefully be in a position to see our signs. It doesn't need power and can operate up to 12 hours or more without a recharge of UV light. This would be an advantage for crews looking for survivors."
Defence spokesperson, Mr Tony Aird said that the products engineered by Way Out Evacuations is an example of the ingenuity of Australian SMEs in developing and exploiting a new technology for both Defence and commercial purposes.
"These new signs will raise the level of safety in RAN ships because of the uniqueness of the LUMINK technology and the fact that luminous aluminium signs have a much higher combustion temperature than plastic and do not have toxic fumes."
The company utilises local sub-contractors to install the products. According to Mr McInnes, this means that the company can adapt easily to meet client needs and there are also more resources to invest in research and development to continually improve upon their range of products.
The company produces a range of luminous products for Defence and also for commercial markets. This includes luminous paint; luminous safety jackets, luminous and non-luminous stair nosings (anti-slip stair nosings for interior and exterior applications), and the unique non-powered luminous "ship low location lighting system" - fitted to the Spirit of Tasmania to assist passengers and crew escape to muster stations in the event of a fire or black-out situations.
"We are also expanding into global markets. As part of an Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN) tour I was recently on-board the Canadian Navy ship called the HMAS Calgary. I noted that the safety evacuation standards employed by our own Australian Navy were, in some cases, more effective and modern than other Navies."
Neil McInnes has been working closely with the Industrial Supplies Office on many projects including the ANZAC Frigates and has developed many products with the assistance of Peter Yates, Senior Consultant with ISO Victoria.
The role of the ISO is to promote Australian industry through import replacement and opportunities for participation on overseas projects. The company performs a technical role providing purchasers with a free sourcing service to identify Australian manufacturers capable of supplying those items that would otherwise be imported.
For further information, please contact Managing Director, Mr Neil McInnes on (03) 9593 2019 or email
