Amendment to Regulations for Internally Lighted Exit Signs

Bulletin (Update) - September 2004

INTERNALLY LIGHTED EXIT SIGNS

Regulations amending Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) have recently been approved under which dealers of internally lighted exit signs that are imported or shipped interprovincially for sale or lease in Canada must comply with the minimum energy performance standard referenced in the Regulations.

BACKGROUND

The most recent Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard for exit signs (CAN/CSA C860-01) was published in 2001.

This standard contains voluntary minimum performance standards of 22 watts for signs 120 V or less, and 27 watts for signs greater than 120 V. These levels were harmonized with the National Building Code of Canada. The standard also addresses the visibility performance of the exit sign.

Technical criteria for ENERGY STAR^® qualified exit signs are in effect in the United States and require 5 watts (W) per face.

These criteria have applied to ENERGY STAR in Canada as well. To meet them typically requires that LED technology be employed. Current studies have projected that in five years 70 percent of the exit signs sold in Canada will meet the ENERGY STAR criteria.

When in effect, the new Regulation will supersede these standards and criteria for prescribed product shipped interprovincially or imported into Canada.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Regulations apply to internally lighted exit signs. For the purposes of the Regulations, an internally lighted exit sign is defined as a device used to identify the most direct path of egress for emergency purposes using a legend and optional directional indicator(s). This includes exit signs defined as

1. Type 1 - an internally lighted exit sign that is permanently connected to a single source of power (usually AC).
2. Type 2 - an internally lighted exit sign that is permanently connected to a normal source of power (usually AC) and a separate external source of power (usually DC) that is activated upon failure of the normal power supply. It also includes exit signs supplied as a component of a combination emergency lighting unit consisting of an exit sign and/or battery pack with attached emergency lamps
3. Type 3 - an internally lighted exit sign that is permanently connected to a single external source of power (usually AC) and an internal DC power supply. The internal power supply may consist of an automatic load-control device, storage battery and means for charging the battery.

However, for the purpose of the Regulations, internally lighted exit signs do not include exit signs that are

1. flashing
2. photoluminescent
3. radioluminescent

ENERGY PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURE

The CSA standard CAN/CSA C860-01, Performance of Internally Lighted Exit Signs, is the approved test procedure for exit signs prescribed under the amendment.

The standard can be ordered from

MINIMUM ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (MEPS)

The actual power consumed by an exit sign shall be not greater than 5 W per legend.

Type 3 signs are allowed 5 W in addition to the 5 W per legend.

Legend is defined as the word displayed on an exit sign, specifically "EXIT" or "SORTIE."

Note: Sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2 from CAN/CSA C860-01, which specify different minimum energy performance standards, do not apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE

The energy efficiency standard for internally lighted exit signs comes into effect on November 1, 2004.

All exit signs subject to the Regulations as described in this document that are manufactured after November 1, 2004, will be required to meet the stated efficiency levels.

LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

No labeling requirements are being introduced at this time.

VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The same verification requirements that apply to other products regulated under the Energy Efficiency Act apply to internally lighted exit signs.

Internally lighted exit signs subject to the Regulations must carry a verification mark indicating that the energy performance of the product has been verified. The verification mark is the mark of a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited certification organization that administers an energy performance verification program for this product. This organization must also be recognized by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). NRCan also accepts labels issued by a province indicating that the product meets the provincial energy efficiency levels as a verification mark, providing that the provincial level is equivalent to or exceeds the federally regulated level.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

An energy efficiency report for products subject to this Regulation will be required to be submitted to NRCan prior to its first importation or interprovincial shipment and must include the following information:

• The product name (i.e. Internally Lighted Exit Sign)
• The manufacturer's identification
• The model number
• The input voltage (V)
• The frequency (Hz)
• Total current (A)
• Number of legends
• Total power demand (W)
• Total harmonic distortion for units >10 W
• Power factor (specify if lagging or leading) for units >10 W
• The name of the organization or province that carried out the verification and authorized the verification mark that will appear on the product

The dealer must submit this report to the Minister of National Resources Canada before the product is imported into Canada or traded interprovincially for the first time. A reporting form is available from NRCan - see contact information at the end of the document.

IMPORTING REQUIREMENTS

A dealer who is importing these products into Canada must include the following information on the customs release document:

• The type of product
• The model number
• The brand name
• The name and address of the dealer importing the product
• The purpose for which the product is being imported (i.e. for sale or lease in Canada without modification; for sale or lease in Canada after modification to comply with energy efficiency standards; or for use as a component in a product being exported from Canada)

COMPLIANCE

To enforce the Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations), NRCan engages in a number of activities including:

• Border monitoring of import activity relating to shipments of regulated products.
• Monitoring dealers of regulated products to ensure compliance with their obligations under the Regulations such as:
  1. ensuring that the products meet the minimum energy performance standard;
  2. ensuring that the products bear an energy efficiency verification mark;
  3. ensuring that an energy efficiency report is submitted to NRCan for all regulated product models available on the Canadian market before they are imported into Canada; and
  4. ensuring that required information is submitted to the Canada Border Service Agency (formerly Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) at the time of importation.
• Investigating tips and complaints from the public on non-compliant products.
• Testing product for compliance.

Dealers have expressed concerns that after November 1, 2004, some shipments of non-compliant products that were manufactured after that date may continue to appear in the Canadian market. NRCan is prepared to increase its monitoring activities for the period for which the "manufactured after November 1 2004" condition is in effect in order to ensure a level playing field for all dealers in compliant product.

Dealers who choose to import exit signs manufactured before November 1, 2004, will be required to demonstrate to NRCan that the product was manufactured prior to the effective date of the Regulations for the product.

NRCan proposes to repeal the November 1, 2004 date in a future amendment, which will ensure that all exit signs, regardless of the date of manufacture, will be subject to the new Regulations.

For more information, contact the Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada:
Email
Website: oee.nrcan.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 947-5286