Improving Codes and Safety Requirements within Sign Industry
Electrical safety and compliance are top priorities for many businesses involved in the sign and visual communications industry. That’s just one of the reasons why ISA representatives attended the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) First Draft Meetings held in Hilton Head, SC, on January 12-14, 2015. The purpose of these meetings was for the Code panel to consider and vote on revisions to the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC). As an ongoing effort, ISA and its Electrical Codes and Standards Subcommittee have submitted a number of recommendations for the 2017 NEC and corresponding to NEC Article 600: Electric Signs and Outline Lighting.
Some key areas of focus in the current cycle include:
- ISA’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety for sign electricians/technicians;
- Integrating new requirements facilitating the development of modern electric-sign technologies ;
- Improving the clarity and usability of the Code for sign companies and local authorities having jurisdiction.
- During the current cycle, ISA submitted public Inputs related to the locations of disconnecting means for electric signs and warning markings intended to bolster electrical safety for sign technicians.
- ISA also proposed the creation of a new section in the Code (NEC 600.34: Photovoltaic Powered Sign Illumination Systems) which incorporates requirements for solar-powered, electric signs.
- Additionally, ISA proposed various changes that aim to improve utilization of the NEC with regard to Class 2 sign illumination systems commonly used in connection with LED sign lighting.
The development process for the Code has now moved into the comment period, during which formal responses to the code-making panels’ actions may be submitted. The public comment period extends until August 21, 2015, for paper submittals and until September 25, 2015, for electronic/online submittals. For more information, please contact ISA’s Bill Dundas.
