DEECA’s leadership and action to address climate change, decrease carbon in the economy and decrease energy usage has driven their decision to address the hidden costs of failure and maintenance burdens of traditional exit signs. With 200 signs commissioned and installed so far, they’ve made a significant stride towards addressing these problems. 

Exit Signs are often overlooked as a significant hidden cost in building management, with traditional electric, battery-reliant signs contributing heavily to ongoing maintenance expenses. The necessity for regular testing and monitoring of these systems can lead to substantial labour and operational costs.  

DEECA has been looking for a solution to address the problems they were experiencing including the burden of maintaining unreliable exit signs that made their facilities less safe and non-compliant. The dependency on batteries meant frequent replacements and an ever-present potential for failure, which not only compromised safety but also incurred additional expenses and carbon emissions. 

Electric and battery-reliant exit signs demand continuous energy consumption and involve rigorous compliance testing to ensure they function correctly in emergencies.

This includes mandatory 90-minute tests, which are both time-consuming and costly. The frequent failures of traditional exit signs led to the need for regular replacements and increased the risk of non-compliance with safety regulations, adding to the operational burden.

DEECA’s prioritisation of local, sustainable solutions that grow Victoria’s Circular Economy also meant they were looking for local solutions to demonstrate how to reduce the environmental impact of construction.

We developed a solution using Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs that increase product life cycles and address all of DEECA’s problems with traditional exit signs.

DEECA commenced a rollout of Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs in 2021 to simplify ongoing maintenance, eliminating the need for regular 90-minute tests and offering reliability that traditional systems cannot match. To date 200 of these exit signs have been installed in more than 6 DEECA workplaces and buildings across Victoria.

With no reliance on batteries or extensive electrical infrastructure, and no costly monitoring systems, these signs ensure consistent performance and longevity.  

This trusted and longstanding technology provides Harvey Norman with peace of mind, knowing that the signs won’t fail or need replacing in the near future. By enhancing safety for workers and shoppers, Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs deliver a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for Harvey Norman’s building management needs. 

The implementation of Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs has yielded impressive results for DEECA. The most significant benefit has been an 87% reduction in electricity usage linked to mandatory exit signs, dramatically lowering operational costs and a decrease in energy usage and therefore a decrease in carbon in the economy.  

This decrease in energy usage directly correlates with a substantial decrease in carbon emissions, with 128 tonnes of carbon saved over 16 years as a result of the new exit signs. Such a notable decrease in carbon footprint aligns with DEECA’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. 

In addition to the impressive energy savings, the switch to Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs will reduce 1,600kg of electronic waste over the same period. Traditional battery-reliant systems often require frequent replacements, contributing to e-waste and environmental degradation and risks for waste recovery and landfill operations.  

By eliminating the need for batteries and reducing the frequency of replacements, Smarterlite’s signs help DEECA demonstrate how to reduce the environmental impact of construction.

This comprehensive approach not only enhances safety and reliability but also supports DEECA’s broader goals of sustainable waste management and promoting local, sustainable products. 

• Reduced Lifetime Costs: From construction and installation to the operation of the Environmental Exit Signs, DEECA has embraced this solution to improve financial sustainability and increase product life cycles. 
  
  They’s experienced a significant reduction in lifetime costs, as Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs have a Service Life of 16 Years (compared to up to 4 years for traditional exit signs).
  
  Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs also simplify maintenance, eliminating the need for regular 90-minute tests and ensuring long-term reliability without frequent replacements. 

• Contribution to ESG Targets: The reduction in emissions and electronic waste directly supports DEECA’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. By saving 128 tonnes of carbon and avoiding 1,600 kg of e-waste over 26 years, DEECA is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable waste management. 
• Enhanced Safety for Customers and Staff: The reliability and durability of Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs ensures safer environments for both customers and staff in DEECA buildings around Victoria. With no risk of sudden failures or frequent maintenance disruptions, the signs provide peace of mind and a higher standard of safety throughout their workplaces and other buildings, ensuring people get home safely every day.