SUN - ULC-ORD-C924-02, Photoluminescent and Self-Luminous Exit Signs
Effective March 22, 2017
Standard Information
ULC/ORD-C924-02 has been superseded by CAN/ULC-S572-10
Standard Number:
ULC/ORD-C924-02
Standard Name:
Photoluminescent and Self-Luminous Exit Signs
Standard Edition and Issue Date:
1st Edition Dated October 2002
Effective Date of New/Revised Requirements
Effective Date: March 22, 2017
Impact, Overview, Fees and Action Required
Impact Statement: A review of all Listing Reports is necessary to determine which products comply with new/revised requirements and which products will require re-evaluation. NOTE: Effective immediately, this revised standard will be exclusively used for evaluation of new products unless the Applicant requests in writing that current requirements be used along with their understanding that their listings will be withdrawn on Effective Date noted above, unless the product is found to comply with new/revised requirements.
Overview of Changes: CAN/ULC-S572–10 supersedes ULC/ORD-C924-02. Specific details of new/revised requirements are found in table below.
If the applicable requirements noted in the table are not described in your report(s), these requirements will need to be confirmed as met and added to your report(s) such as markings, instructions, test results, etc. (as required).
Fees: So that production of products bearing the Listing Mark will not be interrupted, between now and the Effective Date, a quote will be issued for the Applicant to work with their local Intertek Lab to determine the necessary test program, sampling requirement and needed construction details and/or updated marking/instruction details.
Client Action Required:
Information – To assist our Engineer with review of your Listing Reports, please submit technical information in response to the new/revised paragraphs noted in the attached or explain why these new/revised requirements do not apply to your product (s).
Current Listings Not Active? – Please immediately identify any current Listing Reports or products that are no longer active and should be removed from our records. We will do this at no charge as long as Intertek is notified in writing prior to the review of your reports.
Description of New/Revised Technical Requirements
| Clause | Verdict | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Info | Scope |
| 1.4 | Info | Clause deleted; These requirements do not cover low-level path marking and lighting systems. Such equipment is covered by UL 1994, Standard for Low Level Path Marking and Lighting Systems. |
| 4 | Info | EXIT SIGNS |
| 4.1.3 | New clause added; A graphical symbol exit sign shall conform to Subsection 4.2.2, Graphical Symbol Exit Signs. (All exit signs that use graphical symbols will need to be reviewed and described) | |
| 4.1.4 | New clause added; The colour scheme of a graphical symbol exit sign shall be in accordance with ISO 3864-1, Graphical symbols, – Safety Colours and Safety Signs – Part 1: Design principles for safety signs in workplaces and public areas. (All exit signs that use graphical symbols will need to be reviewed and described) | |
| 4.2 | Info | EXIT SIGN LEGEND TYPES |
| 4.2.1 | Info | Text Based Exit Signs |
| 4.2.1.3 | New clause added; The overall sign height and width shall be such that an area of sign background exists, of minimum dimension no less than the required inter-character spacing, between the edges of the legend and directional indicators, if any, and the outside border or frame of the sign. (All Exit signs will need to be reviewed. If the listing report already had these minimum dimensions identified then they will only need to be checked, if the report does not indicate the dimensions, then one example of each different legend type. This may involve additional testing and samples if the current construction does not comply with the spacing requirements) | |
| 4.2.2 | Info | Graphical Symbol Exit Signs |
| 4.2.2.1 | New clause added; Graphical symbols for exit signs shall be in accordance with ISO 7010, Graphical Symbols Safety Colours and Safety Signs – Safety Signs Used in Workplaces and Public Areas, E001, E002, E005, E006. The minimum overall height of the graphical symbol shall be 150 mm (6 in). The proportions of the graphical symbol shall be as indicated in Figures 3 to 6. (All exit signs that use graphical symbols will need to be reviewed and described) | |
| 4.3.2 | Info | Exit Sign Observation Visibility Test |
| 4.3.2.3 | Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown A Two identical samples with a directional indicator on each side of the legend, both pointing out; B One sample with a directional indicator on each side of the legend, both pointing out; and one sample with a directional indicator on each side of the legend, both pointing in; or C Two samples with a directional indicator on the right side of the legend, one pointing in and the other pointing out; plus two samples with a directional indicator on the left side of the legend, one pointing in and the other pointing out. Exit sign samples representative of production, shall be subjected to the following tests, where (A) and (B) apply to text, and (C) applies to graphical symbols: A To evaluate directional indicators for text based signs, four sample sets of two identical signs configured as follows: i. Set 1 – directional indicator on the right, pointing right (out) ii. Set 2 – directional indicator on the right, pointing left (in) iii. Set 3 – directional indicator on the left, pointing left (out) iv Set 4 – directional indicator on the left, pointing right (in) B To evaluate a text legend, two sample sets of three identical signs each configured with between 10–15 % of the legend different between the two sets. For the legend “EXIT”, the lower horizontal element of the “E” and the lower right portion of the “X” shall be masked (so that the letters appear similar to “F” and “Y”). For other text legends, visual elements of comparable size and significance shall be altered to distinguish between the two sample sets. C To evaluate a graphical symbol (pictogram), two sample sets of three identical signs each configured with between 10–15 % of a non-background visual element different between the two sets. (This is additional information for graphical symbol type signs, but would not affect EXIT word type signs) | |
| 4.3.3 | Contrast Measurement Test | |
| 4.3.3.1 | New clause added; If required to determine compliance with Sub-clause 4.1.4(A), a sample sign shall be mounted where subject to 323 lx (30 ft-c) illumination evenly imposed on the sign face. The reflected luminance from the sign face shall be measured at ten locations each on the legend and on the background, with the measurement points evenly distributed across each area. If directional indicators are provided, two measurements are to be made on each directional indicator. Background measurement points shall include two each above, below, to the right, to the left, and between the letters of the legend. Measurements shall be in accordance with Clause 4.3.3.2. (Only needed if directed from 4.1.4(A)) | |
| 4.4 | New section added; IMPACT TEST | |
| 4.4.1 | Each of three samples of an exit sign intended for floor proximity installation and marked per
Clause 4.7.1.5 shall be subjected to a single impact at any point on the face of the sign. If
the manufacturer so elects, a single sample may be used for more than one of the three
impacts. The points selected are to be such that the impacts produce the most adverse
results. The samples are to be mounted or otherwise restrained in a manner representative
of the most unfavorable condition of intended installation. The impact is to be produced by a
solid, smooth steel sphere, 50.8 mm (2 in) in diameter and weighing 0.54 kg (1.18 lbs). The
steel sphere is to be suspended by a cord and swung as a pendulum, dropping through the
vertical distance necessary to cause it to strike the surface with the required impact. The
impact force is to be 6.8 N•m (5 ft-lbs). The results of the Impact Test are acceptable if there
is no cracking, breakage, or detachment of the sign face, lens or diffuser, and no breakage of
the means of support or mounting. The sample shall remain functional. In a self-luminous
exit sign, any cracking of the glow tubes (containers of the radioactive material) is not
acceptable. (only needed for signs intended for floor proximity mounting that are not also US listed) | |
| 4.7 | Info | EXIT SIGN MARKINGS |
| 4.7.1.2 | New clause added; Self-luminous exit signs shall be plainly and permanently marked where the marking will be visible after installation with their date of replacement based on the half-life of the contained radioactive material. (New marking required, no samples required) | |
| 4.7.1.6 | New clause added; An exit sign found to comply with Subsection 4.4, Impact Test, is permitted to be marked where visible during and after installation with the following wording: “Suitable for floor proximity installation.” | |
| 5 | Info | PHOTOLUMINESCENT EXIT SIGNS |
| 5.4 | Info | PERFORMANCE |
| 5.4.2.3 | New section added; Ultraviolet Exposure | |
| 5.4.2.3.1 | Photoluminescent exit signs intended for outdoor wet locations shall be subjected to the
ultraviolet light exposure test conditions of CSA C22.2 No. 0.17, Evaluation of Properties of
Polymeric Materials, instead of Subsection 5.4.2.2, Humidity Exposure. (This test is considered equivalent to UL 746C testing, so units also listed for US need no additional testing) | |
| 5.4.2.3.2 | Upon removal from the ultraviolet exposure chamber, the samples shall be stored in a dark environment of standard atmosphere and room temperature for a minimum of 24 h prior to initiation of Subsection 5.4.3, Visibility Tests. | |
| 5.5 | Info | MARKINGS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS |
| 5.5.5 | All photoluminescent exit signs shall be provided with installation instructions that include the
following two statements verbatim: “CAUTION: EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION SOURCE REQUIRED” << ATTENTION: SOURCE LUMINEUSE EXTERNE REQUISE >> and “SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS” << CONSERVER LA FICHE D’INSTRUCTION POUR LES INSPECTIONS EN SÉCURITÉ INCENDIE >> (Needs to be added to each report) | |
| 5.5.7 | New clause added; Exit signs subjected to Subsection 4.3.2, Exit Sign Observation Visibility Test, after being in complete darkness for less than 120 min shall be marked with the following statement: “NOTICE – Max Operating Time ____ Minutes”. The blank shall contain “90” or “60” or “30” in accordance with the time at which the sign was found to comply with the requirements. The marking shall be visible after installation and in letters of minimum 3.2 mm (0.125 in) height. The marking shall be permanent in accordance with Sub-clauses 4.7.1.4 (A) through (D). (This is different than US standard, so each report will need to be updated with this additional marking specifying the time.) | |
| 6 | New section added; PATH MARKING SYSTEMS This new section includes installation, performance, testing, and markings requirements for Path Marking Systems (see standard for section details). |
CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: This Table and column "Verdict" can be used in determining how your current or future production is or will be in compliance with new/revised requirements.