Shedding Light on Illuminated Sign Issues
In order to help the sign industry stay ahead of the regulatory curve and technological trends when it comes to sign lighting issues, ISA’s David Hickey participated in LIGHTFAIR Conference & Expo, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference April 21-24 in Philadelphia.
Over 500 suppliers to the lighting industry exhibited at the show, and various stakeholders affecting signs, such as ISA members, lighting designers, retailers and “Dark Sky” enthusiasts were also in attendance.
ISA’s sign code team faces proposed sign illumination restrictions across the country, with an increasing number of local officials and communities looking to make signs less bright and more energy efficient. ISA has already established industry recommendations for EMC brightness, developed industry positions on regulatory issues such as internally illuminated signs and shutoff requirements, testified before code bodies such as the International Green Construction Code and ASHRAE on sign lighting issues, and formed a Sign Illumination Subcommittee in order to help educate local officials on these issues – but more needs to be done. ISA’s active presence at 2013 LIGHTFAIR has provided the sign industry with new knowledge and opportunities necessary to protect the ability of sign companies to stay in the business of manufacturing and selling electric signs. For more information, please contact David Hickey.
