ISA efforts improve a key requirement for the UL 48 Standard

[Erik Sine]

Came across this snippet.

ISA efforts improve a key requirement for the UL 48 Standard

ISA has successfully influenced the modification of a proposed requirement for the UL 48 Standard which otherwise would have presented a significant obstacle for electric-sign manufacturers.

At the UL 48 Standards Technical Panel meetings held on Feb. 23 and 24, ISA members serving on the panel raised objections because the proposed revision would have prohibited sign manufacturers from installing wiring inside flexible metal conduit prior to painting. In effect, therefore, this language would prohibit factory pre-wiring of many electric signs.

In response to objections by ISA panel members, however, UL has agreed to revise this requirement to incorporate the following conditions:

Flexible metal conduit may be painted under the following conditions, all of which must apply:

• All painted flexible metal conduit must be WITHIN the sign body.

• The flexible metal conduit must have been completely installed PRIOR to painting.

• Painted flexible metal conduit cannot be used as the sole grounding/bonding path in a sign.

Sometimes I don't understand U.L.

[Guest Signtiffic]

Sometimes I don't understand U.L.

I rarely understand why they proceed down certain paths. Chalk one up for the ISA reps.

[Erik Sine]

Chalk one up for the ISA reps.

Agreed

A UL guy did tell me the decision makers over at UL are very bored in these slow times and their in their offices making themselves by conjuring up useless policy

[UFB Fabrication]

I spent 2 hours today with a UL rep that was laying out what should be coming out the end of this month. Sign shops will basically have 3 choices of how they will deal with follow up inspections. I dont know many shops that will pick option 1 most will pick option 2 and some of the really big guys will likely go with option 3. I am thinking this as it is now wont effect use much except for more documentation and paperwork. We pretty much meet everything else. I did express my concern with shops getting out of UL vs getting in for cost and other reasons. To me it looks like the days of a 1 or 2 man shop being able to be listed and compete are gonna be tough. The good things is that with the new procedures also come some clarification. We will see.