BIG BEAM Emergency Systems, Inc. was established in 1938 as U-C Lite Manufacturing Company in Chicago. The firm was a manufacturer of powerful, heavy duty, battery-operated hand lanterns used on the largest fire department vehicles of that era. The lanterns became identified among the smoke eaters as a “big beam” of light. The name was trademarked in 1939. The outstanding performance and U.S.-built all-steel durability of BIG BEAM hand lamps were called-up in World War II. Thousands of Americans and Allies on land, in the air and on the seas relied on rugged BIG BEAM lanterns, from the desolate beaches of the Western Pacific to the pockmarked battle grounds of Germany. Some of the lanterns sneaked home in duffle bags and their veteran owners sought replacements when they donned civvies and settled down to the production lines and farms and offices of peacetime America.
The company became the pioneer in the emergency lighting industry when fire officials foresaw a need for fire prevention measures after the 1942 fire at Boston’s Cocoanut Grove Night Club where 492 patrons perished. In 1946, the Model 801 Automatic-Turn On portable lantern was developed. Originally it was classified as “auxiliary” lighting, but ultimately became the first true emergency lighting unit, demanded by fire officials and city, state and federal officials throughout the U.S. and the world.
Today, BIG BEAM continues manufacturing an extensive line of battery powered industrial hand lamps and lanterns as well as a line of commercial and industrial rechargeable emergency lights and exit signs.
BIG BEAM is well known for the quality of its fully automatic rechargeable emergency lights. Models are available from the economical commercial design and light industrial units using maintenance-free batteries, to the advanced heavy duty models that use refillable lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries. Most units are available in 6 or 12 volt DC, with higher voltages being available on a custom basis.
A BIG BEAM exclusive, offered as an option on many of the emergency lights, is remote control testing. This feature, called “Quik-Chek” uses a radio frequency signal from a hand held transmitter to check the emergency light by cutting off the incoming AC power – thereby simulating a power outage, and allowing the end-user to check the emergency lights without climbing a ladder.
The BIG BEAM line of exits includes plastic, steel, die-cast and edge-lit models available in LED, incandescent, fluorescent, photo luminescent and tritium gas.
BIG BEAM’s in house capabilities offer unparalleled flexibility to create custom designed products to satisfy those uncommon, extraordinary requests. Whether it’s something as simple as a custom color, or a more complex solution that’s needed, BIG BEAM is ready to devote all its resources to helping the customer.
BIG BEAM sells central lighting inverter systems which provide true uninterruptible power. The Lifelight Series offers a Mini-UPS with a 500 to 3000 VA range, standard UPS with a 3 to 18 kVA range and a three-phase system with a range of 15 to 50 kVA. These models are also available with options for voltage and/or frequency inputs and outputs, protection for both the unit and the load, warning lights and alarms and diagnostic subsystems.
BIG BEAM also offers a Lifetime Warranty on a majority of the products offered. “We are so confident in the quality of our products, should one ever fail to meet your performance expectations, call us at 815-459-6143 to arrange for a no-charge factory repair or replacement of your product.” This warranty statement is unprecedented. You will not find it offered by any other emergency lighting manufacturer.
BIG BEAM installations encompass virtually every type of industry including: Agriculture, Automotive, Commercial Offices, Electrical Power Generation and Distribution, Emergency Services, Entertainment, Food Processing, Healthcare, Institutional, Law Enforcement, Manufacturing, Marine, Mining, Municipalities, Natural Gas, Petroleum, Railroads, Recreation, Retail and Security.
An impressive list of nationally and internationally recognized companies trust their safety to BIG BEAM products including: Ace Hardware, Amtrak, Daimler Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Freeport Mining, Maytag, NationsBank, Pillsbury, Proctor & Gamble, Sear Roebuck & Co., Taco Bell, True Serve, U.S. Government and Embassies, U.S. Gypsum and Walgreens.
