There’s nothing more frustrating than being told you’re wrong—when you know you’re right. That has happened a few times recently when sign companies installing channel letter signs failed an electrical inspection.
Here’s what’s behind the error: Changes when new UL 48 rules took effect on July 1 have not gotten to all electrical inspectors (or AHJs – Authorities Having Jurisdiction). So what’s at issue? UL 48 changed the definition of “Section Sign” and the ways they are UL labeled. A “Section Sign” is now defined as “A sign shipped as subassemblies that requires other than Class 2 field-wiring between the subassemblies to complete the overall sign.”
Previously, UL rules stated that each section of a channel letter sign must be marked with a label. Every piece of the sign was labeled as it left the factory. Upon field assembly and installation, that sign might have nine or 10 labels visible, with one on every letter.
The new UL rules say that this same sign could be labeled as a UL “Electric Sign” with the mark placed on the raceway or enclosure that contains the power supply. The individual letters (field-wired with only Class 2 wiring) are considered part of a single multi-housing sign.
In short, individual letters are no longer required to be labeled separately with the “UL Electric Sign Section” listing mark that was previously visible on channel letters.
Inspectors may still be looking for the visible UL mark on each channel letter, which means that these projects are being unnecessarily delayed. UL’s Code Authority Newsletter explained the changes in the October issue, but more needs to be done.
ISA is also reaching out to the community of electrical inspectors so that they have a greater understanding of these latest developments. In October, an ISA representative exhibited at the Southeast section meeting of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) and met with many area electrical inspectors to provide them with information on this issue. But needless to say, more work and communication is needed.
It may take time for more AHJs to fully understand this change, so what should a sign company do if their sign is marked according to the new definition, but an inspector incorrectly fails it? You can provide your AHJ with a copy of our ISA member alert on the UL Labeling update or suggest that your AHJ checks with their UL contacts to verify the information that ISA has provided.
In the meantime, ISA will continue to spread the word to electrical inspectors and work with the UL-Sign Industry Business Panel to resolve issues facing our industry and contribute to proposed changes to UL procedures.
For additional guidance or for future technical codes & standards assistance, contact ISA’s Kenny Peskin at [email protected].
