used with mobile nav - no delete

Blog

Press Release: Encompass Sign Systems Announces The World's First Thermoformed Photoluminescent Life Safety Sign Solution

 

Encompass melded the properties of photoluminescence with their tactile thermoforming technology to yield a high-bright, ultra-durable, 0-energy consuming, ADA photoluminescence safety sign solution.

Golden Valley, MN – Encompass Sign Systems, Inc. announced today the development of LUMA-press, a tactile thermoformed, photoluminescent ADA sign family to meet the requests of its sign partners and end users who must adhere to Fire Codes in many jurisdictions that now require photoluminescent ADA signage in egress locations and exit stairwells.  While photoluminescent ADA signs have existed for some time, the designers at Encompass tested multiple combinations of the two technologies before discovering a blend that registers 5NIT, almost twice the required luminance levels by the NFPA 101.The LUMA-press photoluminescent ADA signs charge to full strength in 9 seconds, and after absorbing 9 minutes of light will glow for 12 hours in absolute darkness.

A number of vital safety benefits were immediately recognized by Mike White, a retired Captain of the Falmouth Massachusetts Fire Department.  “I’m so glad to see new technologies being combined for safety sake.  The brightness is striking and the rugged durability most certainly would withstand a harsh emergency situation”. Mike was also the Life Safety Code specialist for the city of Portland, Maine and he claims, “This life safety signage is the best I’ve seen in my years of 30+ years of service.”

Designed for the new MGM Hotel & Casino in Maryland, 418 LUMA-press signs were thermoformed to achieve a vandal-resistant surface for use in stairwells and other unmonitored locations. Through this new compression molding process, the raised graphics and braille cannot be separated from the surface because they are integral to the base material and are not applied like other ADA sign processes.  In 2016 Kroger, the third largest retailer in North America replaced its electrical Exit signage with photoluminescent signage and estimates saving $6 million over 15 years, while reducing its carbon footprint by 50 million pounds.  

“The LUMA-press sign family is consistent with our goal of helping our sign partners across the U.S. solve their client’s stated needs through the unique application of our new-age, tactile thermoforming technology,” said Phil Quattrocchi, President of Encompass Sign Systems. We’re absolutely delighted to see the durability of our compression molded ADA products being leveraged to increase the safety of public environments”.

Encompass Sign is a member at ISA, SEGD, and ARTS. To learn more about our partnerships, processes and company visit us on Twitter and Facebook.  

For more info on Encompass Sign Systems;

Contact: Sales for more information (Sales@EncompassSign.com

Encompass Sign Systems
Ph: 855-672-2201
www.EncompassSign.com   sales@EncompassSign.com

About Encompass:

Encompass Sign Systems enables the integration of tactile thermoformed ADA compliant signage with European-based extruded Directional & Wayfinding Systems. This combination of rare components yields a cohesive wayfinding system for facility projects of scope while streamlining the architectural and design challenges around integrating such a holistic solution. The ease with which architects and designers can specify an integrated pre-engineered wayfinding solution has led to rapid adoption of Encompass products. Encompass is one of only 23 thermoform sign-makers worldwide and is a wholesale only provider to sign shops and designers throughout North America.

 

thermoformed signs, Encompass Sign NewsEncompassEncompass Sign SystemsLUMA-press, photoluminescent signage, glow in the dark signs, ADA signs, unique ADA signsComment

A Gold Timex to Photopolymer ADA Signage!

Thanks for your service to industry for the last 25 years. Photopolymer signs have been the predominant choice of designers for tactile ADA signage for a quarter of a century. Thankfully, at the inception of ADA legislation in the late 80’s and early 90’s photopolymer signs provided a standard process and uniform look for ADA signage. 

Without photopolymer ADA signs, designers in the 90’s would have chosen sub-standard, ineffective and random sign designs for their building environments. 

Before Beanie Babies, the World Wide Web, and before anyone understood the importance of branding…. photopolymer signs made it easier to outfit a building with ADA signs.  Even after the Japanese tsunami forced core prices to double, photopolymer signs remained the only good choice for designers. Thankfully, new technology has finally evolved. 

Thermoformed ADA signs give designers the creative latitude and durability that designers need to meet their client’s branding needs, at an appealing price point.  It’s no surprise that according to Dodge Analytics, “Thermoformed ADA signs” saw an increase of 237% in Specifications in 2016. Thermoformed signs are now universally acknowledged in Specs as an “approved equal” to photopolymer signs and that’s a big win for ADA thermoforming manufacturers. Those who really know about the differences between photopolymer ADA signs and thermoformed ADA signs are knocking clients off their feet with new ideas never available until now.

Photopolymer signs are still plenty viable.  There are over 3,000 sign-makers that still maintain their relationship with the two surviving raw material photopolymer providers. Machinery needed to produce these signs still exists and is almost free to get started; it’s the raw photopolymer material price increases to watch out for...  While Father Time and new technology may have caught up to photopolymers signs, their contribution and service to the industry over the last 25 years certainly must be treasured!   

To learn how to use this new thermoforming ADA technology and provide your design team a new design tool belt, durability and scalable branding offering, follow this link http://www.encompasssign.com/gallery/ or simply contact us 855-672-2201

Adam Halverson, Chief Strategist : adamh@encompasssign.com

About Encompass Sign Systems

Encompass Sign Systems specializes in thermoformed tactile signs and leading-edge directional and wayfinding systems. We provide designers and architects with highly scalable wholesale signage that have limitless branding capabilities and unsurpassed durability.