For construction projects it is imperative that site management gives the highest priority to planning safe site evacuation for all foreseeable emergencies, including earthquakes and typhoons which are often experienced in Japan. This is especially important and even more critical for high risk projects involving underground works, such as Tunneling & Pneumatic Caissons. Based on the safety regulation of underground works, a back-up power supply system must be provided during the construction period at all times. Often, fluorescent lamps with re-chargeable batteries are provided for infrequent emergency cases, however these have a questionable useable life span and thus need careful maintenance and periodical replacement. In this paper we focused on using the phosphorescence materials to indicate the evacuation direction. As a result, it was confirmed that the phosphorescence materials were considered useful in reducing panic and facilitating a controlled evacuation in the event of a total black-out due to power failure.
We would like to express the deepest appreciation to the three site provided for experiments from UDK Construction Inc., TAISEI Corporation and Fudo Tetra Cooperation JV, OBAYAHI Corporation and OHKI Corporation JV, and the phosphorescence materials provided by RYOUKO Co., Ltd and ARISE Corporation.