When architects specify photoluminescent egress products and when building owners select materials for code compliance, the conversation typically centers on UL listings and IBC requirements. ASTM standards receive less attention — but they should not. ASTM E2072 and ASTM E2073 define the technical foundation that photoluminescent safety markings must meet to perform reliably in an emergency. Understanding what these standards require, how they relate to other code requirements, and why they matter for product selection is essential for anyone involved in specifying, purchasing, or inspecting photoluminescent egress systems.
American Permalight® has been involved in the development and application of photoluminescent safety standards for nearly four decades, including active participation in standards development through organizations such as ASTM, ICC, and UL. This article explains what E2072 and E2073 actually measure and why those measurements matter in practice.
The Role of ASTM in Photoluminescent Safety
ASTM International is one of the world’s leading standards development organizations, producing technical standards for materials, products, and systems across virtually every industry. In the photoluminescent safety space, ASTM develops the test methods and material specifications that define what a compliant product must actually be able to do — not just what it must look like or how it must be labeled.
The IBC and IFC reference ASTM E2072 directly as one of the acceptable standards for photoluminescent egress path markings. This means ASTM compliance is not a supplementary consideration — for many projects, it is a code requirement embedded in the building and fire codes themselves.
ASTM E2072: The Material Specification Standard
ASTM E2072, titled Standard Specification for Photoluminescent Safety Markings, establishes the minimum performance requirements that photoluminescent materials must meet to be considered suitable for safety marking applications. It covers luminance output, durability, and the conditions under which performance must be demonstrated.
The core of E2072 is its luminance requirements. The standard specifies minimum luminance levels at defined time intervals following the removal of the charging light source — essentially, how brightly the material must glow and for how long after the lights go out. These requirements are structured around the realities of emergency evacuation: a material that glows intensely for two minutes but fades to invisibility before occupants can safely exit a high-rise stairwell does not meet the functional purpose of the standard.
E2072 also addresses the charging conditions under which performance must be demonstrated. Photoluminescent materials require exposure to a light source to charge — and the standard specifies the intensity and duration of that charging exposure used during testing. This matters because a product tested under optimal charging conditions but deployed in a building with inadequate ambient lighting may not perform as expected in an actual emergency. Products compliant with E2072 have demonstrated performance under defined, reproducible conditions that reflect realistic building environments.
Durability requirements are also addressed. Photoluminescent materials used in egress applications are subject to foot traffic, cleaning, humidity, and other environmental stressors. E2072 includes requirements for resistance to these conditions, ensuring that products maintain their performance characteristics over time rather than degrading before they are needed.
ASTM E2073: The Test Method Standard
Where E2072 defines what a photoluminescent material must achieve, ASTM E2073 — titled Standard Test Method for Photopic Luminance of Photoluminescent (Phosphorescent) Markings — defines precisely how luminance is measured. This distinction matters because a performance standard is only as meaningful as the test method used to verify compliance with it.
E2073 specifies the equipment, measurement geometry, charging protocol, and environmental conditions that must be used when measuring the luminance output of photoluminescent materials. By standardizing the measurement methodology, E2073 ensures that luminance values reported by different laboratories and different manufacturers are comparable — a critical requirement for meaningful product evaluation and specification.
For architects and specifiers, the practical implication of E2073 is straightforward: when a manufacturer provides luminance data for a photoluminescent product, that data should be generated using the E2073 test method to be meaningful. Data produced under different conditions or using different measurement approaches cannot be reliably compared against E2072 performance requirements or against competing products.
How ASTM Standards Relate to UL Listings and IBC Requirements
ASTM E2072 and UL 1994 are complementary rather than duplicative. UL 1994 is a product listing standard that evaluates complete photoluminescent egress path marking systems — including their construction, installation, and system-level performance. ASTM E2072 is a material specification standard that establishes minimum performance requirements for the photoluminescent material itself.
The IBC gives code officials and specifiers flexibility by referencing both UL 1994 and ASTM E2072 as acceptable compliance pathways for egress path markings. In practice, products that carry UL 1994 listing have undergone a comprehensive evaluation that incorporates ASTM performance criteria, making them the most thoroughly verified option available. Products that meet ASTM E2072 without UL 1994 listing have demonstrated material-level compliance but have not been evaluated at the system level.
For high-rise buildings subject to IBC Section 1025 requirements, specifying UL 1994-listed products that also comply with ASTM E2072 provides the strongest compliance documentation and the most defensible position in the event of an inspection challenge or liability question.
Why Material Performance Standards Matter in Practice
It is tempting to treat photoluminescent compliance as a checkbox exercise — select products with the right listings, install them in the required locations, and move on. But the purpose of ASTM E2072 and E2073 is to ensure that photoluminescent markings actually function when they are most needed: in a smoke-filled stairwell, during a power outage, with occupants who may be disoriented and moving quickly.
A product that technically carries a photoluminescent designation but does not meet E2072 luminance requirements may be nearly invisible by the time an evacuation reaches its most critical phase. The consequences of that failure are not abstract — they are measured in whether occupants can find the exit.
American Permalight® supplies photoluminescent egress products that meet and exceed ASTM E2072 and E2073 requirements, UL 1994 listing criteria, and IBC/IFC code mandates. Our team can provide full product documentation, luminance performance data, and specification support to help ensure your project meets every applicable standard. Contact American Permalight® at (310) 891-0924 to discuss your project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASTM E2072 compliance required by the IBC, or is it optional?
The IBC references ASTM E2072 as one of the acceptable compliance standards for photoluminescent egress path markings in high-rise buildings. Whether E2072 or UL 1994 is required depends on the edition of the IBC adopted in your jurisdiction and the specific products being specified. In many cases, specifying UL 1994-listed products satisfies the IBC requirement while also incorporating ASTM material performance criteria, providing the most comprehensive compliance documentation.
Can I use ASTM E2072 luminance data from a manufacturer’s literature to verify code compliance?
Manufacturer-provided luminance data is a useful starting point, but it is only meaningful if it was generated using the ASTM E2073 test method under the specified charging conditions. Data produced under different conditions may not be comparable to E2072 requirements or to other products. When evaluating products for code-compliance specification, request test reports that identify the specific test method and conditions used.
How often do ASTM standards for photoluminescent markings get updated?
ASTM standards are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis through a consensus process involving industry stakeholders, code officials, manufacturers, and safety professionals. American Permalight® actively participates in standards development through ASTM and other organizations, which means our product specifications and compliance guidance reflect current requirements rather than outdated editions. Contact our team to confirm that your project specifications reference the most current applicable standard versions.