Viking Electronics ARS-DLB100 Blue Left-Arrow Area of Refuge Directional Sign
Overview
The Viking Electronics ARS-DLB100 is a left-arrow directional sign built specifically for Area of Refuge (AoR) applications — the code-required wayfinding markers placed next to exit doors that do not have an adjacent area of refuge. At 12 inches wide by 4 inches tall, it delivers the horizontal sightline coverage that building codes demand in stairwells and egress corridors without occupying excessive wall real estate. This sign is part of Viking's Viking Electronics ARS Series of compliant area-of-refuge signage, and it pairs directly with instructional signs and right-arrow variants to build out a complete code-compliant AoR sign package on any floor.
If you are specifying signage for a new commercial build or an ADA/IBC retrofit, the ARS-DLB100 (often searched as ARS DLB100) covers the directional half of the requirement: it tells occupants which direction to move; the companion instructional sign covers the communication-system instructions. Get both pieces right and the floor plan satisfies the multi-code mandate in a single product family.
Key Features
- IBC, ADA, NFPA, and ICC Compliance: This sign is engineered to meet the International Building Code, Americans with Disabilities Act, National Fire Protection Association, and International Code Council requirements simultaneously. That matters because AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) inspectors often cross-reference all four during final occupancy — a sign that satisfies only one standard can trigger a correction notice and delay a certificate of occupancy.
- Blue PMS 294 ABS Construction: The Pantone 294 blue is the standardized color specified in IBC and ICC for area-of-refuge identification. Using off-spec blue is a common compliance failure during inspection. ABS plastic holds color uniformity across temperature cycling and UV exposure better than painted metal alternatives, so the sign stays code-color throughout the building's service life.
- Engraved White Text with Matte (Non-Glare) Finish: The white text is engraved into the blue substrate — not printed or applied as a decal — so it cannot peel, fade, or be obscured by cleaning. The matte finish eliminates specular reflection, which is critical in egress corridors where emergency lighting at low angles would otherwise create hot spots that wash out the directional arrow.
- 12" × 4" × 0.062" Slim Profile: The 12-inch horizontal by 4-inch vertical format matches the aspect ratio required by IBC for directional signage, while the 0.062-inch thickness keeps the mounting footprint minimal. In finished stairwell enclosures with limited wall depth near door frames, this slim form factor simplifies installation and avoids conflict with door hardware clearances.
- 3.2 oz Lightweight ABS Body: At 3.2 ounces, the sign installs with standard drywall anchors or adhesive foam tape without pulling hardware. Lightweight construction also simplifies large-scale deployments across multi-story buildings where installers are mounting dozens of signs in a single day.
- Up to 175°F Operating Temperature: Fire egress routes can see elevated ambient temperatures during an emergency. The 175°F rated ABS substrate ensures the sign remains legible and structurally intact at temperatures well above normal occupied-space ranges — a material property that cheaper PVC signs do not consistently meet.
- Double-Sided Foam Tape Mounting: The sign ships with 0.032-inch thick double-sided foam tape, enabling direct-to-wall installation without drilling in finished spaces. This is particularly useful in occupied buildings undergoing ADA retrofits where minimizing wall penetration is a priority.
Integration and Compatibility
The ARS-DLB100 is the left-arrow directional variant in Viking's area of refuge sign line. It is designed to be installed alongside the ARS-DRB100 (right-arrow) and ARS-IB100 (instructional sign with raised braille and two-way communication instructions) to build a fully code-compliant AoR system at each designated refuge point. For projects requiring a complete life safety signage package, specifying all three sign types from the same family ensures color, finish, and compliance documentation are consistent across the submittal.
Architects and life safety consultants coordinating with two-way emergency communication systems should note that the directional sign alone does not satisfy the full AoR communication requirement — it must be paired with the appropriate Viking instructional sign and a code-compliant call station to close out the AoR station completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What building codes does the ARS-DLB100 comply with?
A: The ARS-DLB100 meets IBC (International Building Code), ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), NFPA, and ICC requirements for area-of-refuge directional signage.
Q: Where exactly is the ARS-DLB100 installed?
A: This sign is placed next to exit doors that do not have an adjacent area of refuge, directing building occupants toward the nearest refuge location. It is not the instructional sign — it is the directional arrow component of the AoR sign set.
Q: What are the dimensions and weight of the ARS-DLB100?
A: The sign measures 12 inches wide by 4 inches tall by 0.062 inches thick and weighs 3.2 ounces.
Q: How is the ARS-DLB100 mounted?
A: The sign uses 0.032-inch thick double-sided foam tape for direct-to-wall installation, requiring no drilling in most finished wall applications.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the ARS-DLB100?
A: The ABS substrate is rated to withstand temperatures up to 175°F, making it suitable for egress routes that may experience elevated heat during emergency conditions.
Q: Does the ARS-DLB100 satisfy the full Area of Refuge signage requirement on its own?
A: No. This sign covers only the directional (left-arrow) component. A complete code-compliant AoR station also requires an instructional sign (such as the ARS-IB100) and a two-way communication device at the refuge point.
The ARS-DLB100 is a straightforward compliance component, but I've seen projects fail final inspection because the specifier treated the directional sign as a checkbox item and missed the multi-code layering. This sign satisfies IBC, ADA, NFPA, and ICC simultaneously — that four-standard coverage matters when your AHJ pulls the code reference that the GC didn't plan for. The 12-inch-wide by 4-inch-tall format is not arbitrary; it matches the aspect ratio mandate in IBC Section 1009, and substituting a non-conforming size sign is one of the more common punchlist items I see on large commercial occupancies.
Technical Highlights:
- PMS 294 Blue ABS: Pantone 294 is the standardized AoR identification color under IBC/ICC — the engraved construction means the color relationship between substrate and text is permanent, not subject to label delamination or repainting over the sign's life in the building.
- 175°F Temperature Rating: ABS at this rating holds dimensional stability and legibility at temperatures an egress corridor can reach before suppression activates. PVC alternatives rated to 140°F or lower introduce a failure mode in the exact conditions where the sign needs to perform.
- 0.062" Profile with Foam-Tape Mounting: The combination of slim body and included double-sided foam means no anchor drilling in finished gypsum board walls — relevant in occupied ADA retrofit projects where wall penetration triggers additional patching and painting scope.
Deployment Considerations:
- The ARS-DLB100 is the left-arrow directional only — pair it with the ARS-DRB100 on opposite egress routes and the ARS-IB100 instructional sign at each refuge point; submitting just the directional sign to the AHJ will not close out the AoR station.
- At 3.2 ounces and foam-tape mounting, surface prep matters: dusty or painted-over concrete block walls in stairwells will reduce adhesive bond strength over time — mechanical anchoring is a better choice in those substrates even though the sign doesn't ship with hardware for it.
For a multi-story commercial or healthcare occupancy going through IBC/ADA compliance documentation, the ARS-DLB100 combined with the matching instructional and right-arrow signs from the same Viking ARS family gives the architect a single-family submittal package with consistent compliance documentation — which simplifies the permit set significantly compared to mixing sign vendors across the floor plan.
