Harvey Norman kept facing numerous failures with their old-tech, traditional Exit Signs.

Harvey Norman recognised the hidden costs of failure and maintenance burdens of traditional exit signs and sought a sustainable and reliable national rollout solution to ensure the safety of millions of visitors and its employees. With 350 signs installed so far, they’ve made a significant stride towards addressing their problems.

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

Harvey Norman, with its millions of annual visitors and 10,000 employees across 197 complexes, recognised the importance of putting the safety of visitors and workers first. They were 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. For Harvey Norman, the hidden costs and maintenance of these monitored systems were significant concerns. The frequent failures of traditional systems led to the need for regular replacements and increased the risk of non-compliance with safety regulations, adding to the operational burden in terms of costs but also their staff time when managing sub-contractors.

We developed a solution using Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs that allowed Harvey Norman to address these concerns, Harvey Norman commenced a national rollout of Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs to simplify ongoing maintenance, eliminating the need for regular 90-minute tests and offering reliability that traditional systems cannot match. 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 Harvey Norman. The most significant benefit has been an 81% reduction in electricity usage, dramatically lowering operational costs and contributing to a more sustainable energy profile.

This reduction in energy consumption directly correlates with a substantial decrease in carbon emissions, with 315 tonnes of carbon saved over 16 years as a result of the new exit signs. Such a notable decrease in carbon footprint aligns with Harvey Norman’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

In addition to the impressive energy savings, the switch to Smarterlite’s Environmental Exit Signs has led to a reduction of 361kg of electronic waste over the same period. Traditional battery-reliant systems often require frequent replacements, contributing to e-waste and environmental degradation.

By eliminating the need for batteries and reducing the frequency of replacements, Smarterlite’s signs help Harvey Norman demonstrate how to reduce the environmental impact of construction. This comprehensive approach not only enhances safety and reliability but also supports the company’s broader goals of reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.

• Reduced Lifetime Costs: From construction and installation to the operation of the Environmental Exit Signs, Harvey Norman has embraced this solution to improve financial sustainability and increase product life cycles.
  
  They’s experienced a significant reduction in lifetime costs. 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 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 Harvey Norman’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. By saving 315 tonnes of carbon and avoiding 361kg of e-waste, the company demonstrates its commitment to sustainable waste management.
• Enhanced Safety for Customers and Staff: The reliability and durability of Smarterlite’s exit signs ensure safer environments for both customers and staff. With no risk of sudden failures or frequent maintenance disruptions, the signs provide peace of mind and a higher standard of safety throughout Harvey Norman’s complexes, ensuring people get home safely every day.