UL, an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization, working with the California Energy Commission (CEC) and sign industry representatives, including Roy Flahive from CNP Signs & Graphics, has developed a program for sign manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with the energy conservation requirements within Title 24, of the California Energy Commission’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

CNP Signs & Graphics is currently one of only six companies nationwide to utilize these new building standard certifications. “A sign that costs less for our customers to maintain will always be a win for our company as well,” says Bob McCarter, Vice President of CNP Signs & Graphics. “Verified certification from UL is a great way to show our commitment to producing green signs for this growing market.”

The CEC adopted sign lighting regulations on January 1, 2010. The requirements for signs can be found in the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Title 24, Part 6, Section 148 of the California Code of Regulations.

The published sign lighting standards address both indoor and outdoor signs, and include mandatory automatic control requirements for all illuminated signs. In addition, the standards set limits on installed lighting power for internally and externally illuminated signs. There are two alternate methods to comply with the 2008 sign lighting standards.

• Watts per square foot – sets maximum power per sign area

• Specific Technology – uses only energy efficient lighting technologies

UL48 sign manufacturers now have the option to apply the UL Energy Verified Mark to signs that demonstrate compliance to one of the lighting power alternatives described above in lieu of having a licensed contractor perform the evaluation on each sign. The UL Safety Mark and the UL Energy Verified Mark will always appear together on signs covered under this new program.