7.5 Additions and Alterations

§141.0(a)1, §141.0(b)2H

All new signs, regardless of whether they are installed in conjunction with an indoor or outdoor addition or alteration to a building or outdoor lighting system, must meet the requirements for newly installed equipment, as required by §110.9, §130.0, §130.3 and §140.8.

7.5.1    Sign Alterations

§141.0(b)2M

Existing indoor and outdoor internally illuminated and externally illuminated signs that are altered as specified by §141.0(b)2M are required to meet the requirements of §140.8. Altered components of existing indoor and outdoor internally and externally illuminated signs must also meet the requirements of §130.0.

These requirements (either Maximum Allowed or Compliant Alternate Lighting Sources) are triggered by alterations to existing internally or externally illuminated signs when any of the following occurs as result of the alteration, as specified in §141.0(b)2M:

•      The connected lighting power is increased.

•      More than 50 percent of the ballasts are replaced and rewired.

•      The sign is relocated to a different location on the same site or on a different site.

The requirements for signs are not triggered when just the lamps are replaced, the sign face is replaced or the ballasts are replaced (without rewiring).

Sign ballast rewiring that triggers the alterations requirements generally involves rewiring from parallel to series or vice versa, or when a ballast(s) is relocated within the same sign requiring relocating the wires. This does not include routine in-place ballast replacements.

 

Example 7-7

Question

We are replacing 60 percent of the ballasts in a sign. Must we replace the remaining ballasts in the sign in order to comply with the Energy Standards?

Answer

It depends. If more than 50 percent of the ballasts are being replaced, and the replacement involves rewiring the ballasts, then the requirements of §140.8 apply to the whole sign. If more than 50 percent of the ballasts are being replaced during regular maintenance, and the ballasts are not being rewired, then the sign is not required to meet the Energy Standards requirements. However, when existing wiring will allow the direct replacement of a magnetic ballast with a high efficiency high frequency electronic fluorescent ballast, even though the Energy Standards do not require the electronic ballast, the sign owner is encouraged to replace the magnetic ballasts with an electronic ballast.

Example 7-8

Question

I have a strip mall full of signs. Must I immediately bring all of these signs into  compliance even if I’m not going to alter them?

Description: K

Answer

No, only those signs in which at least 50 percent of the ballasts are replaced and rewired, or those signs that are moved to a new location (on the same property or different property) must comply with the sign lighting energy requirements. Also, all newly installed signs must also comply with the sign lighting energy requirements.