Leading the way with Greener Signage: ASI

GreenBuilg.com Article
Leading the way with Greener Signage: ASI

Posted September 23, 2010 8:10 AM by Alex Wilson
Related Categories: Alex's Cool Product of the Week

ASI offers interior signs made from renewable and recycled materials and exterior signs with PV lighting. Photo: ASI. Click on image to enlarge

Clear signage can help us find our way, it can inform us, and--in a green building--it can highlight environmental features. That signage can also, itself, make a statement about the environment.

ASI is one of the industry innovators sign fabrication, and nowhere is that innovation more apparent than in its green product lines. The company offers three distinct lines of environmentally friendly signs: the ASI Solar Series, InTac Eco, and Terra.

The ASI Solar Series is designed for exterior applications where self-contained internal illumination is desired. Integral photovoltaic (PV) modules and self-contained lead-acid batteries power these signs with no need for trenching or wiring. Aluminum housings, LED lighting, interchangeable face panels, acrylic lettering, and zero operating costs are among the features. The company claims that full nighttime illumination will be provided for up to eight days without sunlight.

ASI Solar exterior signs use LED lighting and integral PV modules and battery storage. Photo: ASI. Click on image to enlarge

InTac Eco is a line of interior signs that combine Greenguard-certified materials, low-VOC paints, and a large color palette to choose from. These signs are made from renewable biopolymer, wood, or paper. Eco Plant is a compostable, bio-based plastic (biopolymer) derived from non-food agricultural crops; it is available in thicknesses of 1/32" and 1/16" (0.79 and 1.6 mm), has a maximum service temperature of 104°F (40°C), comes in a matte-white finish and can be painted or receive digitally printed graphics. Eco Wood is a wood-fiber material that is available in 1/4" (6.4 mm) thickness and 12 standard colors, but cannot be painted or receive digitally printed graphics; it carries Greenguard Children & Schools certification. Eco Paper is a paper-wood composite that is available in nine colors and thicknesses of 1/8" and 1/4" (3.2 and 6.4 mm); it carries Greenguard Children & Schools and FSC certifications and can receive digitally printed graphics.

ASI InTac Eco interior signs are made from a renewable bioplastic. Photo: ASI. Click on image to enlarge

Terra signs, also for interior use, are made from 3form ecoresin™, a 40% pre-consumer-recycled co-polyester material that can be specified with embedded sustainably harvested plant materials. Available ADA-Ready® with tactile letters or Braille in thicknesses of 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8" (1.6, 3.2, 6.4, and 9.5 mm), Terra signs carry SCS certification for recycled content and Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certification. Select Terra patterns use Fair Trade materials sourced by 3form from Third World countries in which farmers are paid a fair wage for their crops or Full Circle materials developed in collaboration with skilled artisans in Third World countries. 15 "standard" colors and patterns are available for the base material, with 18 colors for tactile lettering as well as custom options. Terra's Fair Trade materials include Tiger Thatch, Bear Grass and Bear Grass Lite; Full Circle materials include Banana Fiber and Fossil Leaf.

With all of these sign options, a variety of standard styles and sizes are available, along with custom options.

ASI Terra interior signs use 3form ecoresin, which is a 40% recycled polyester with embedded plant materials. Photo: ASI. Click on image to enlarge

ASI maintains environmentally responsible manufacturing practices throughout their operations, including use of recycled materials whenever possible, minimizing waste, responsibly managing water, and reducing use of chemicals in production. Founded in 1965, ASI is represented in 40 U.S. cities and has global partners in 35 countries. "Green" is heavily featured on the company website.

In highlighting the green features of your buildings--as well as other signage needs--why not use signs that embody those green features?

For more information:

ASI
Dallas, Texas
800-274-7732 (patches through to local affiliate)
www.asisignage.com

See more on this product in the GreenSpec Guide

Alex Wilson is the executive editor of Environmental Building News and founder of BuildingGreen, LLC. In addition to this product-of-the week blog, he writes the weekly Energy Solutions blog. To keep up with his latest articles and musings, you can sign up for his Twitter feeds. .

New listing on BuildingGreen.com

On 3.10.10 Nova Polymers and Vista Systems were added to GreenSpec under Signage - CSI Section 10 14 00 on BuildingGreen.com.

Nova's listing highlights the non-toxic, biodegradable characteristics of the photopolymer along with the the recycled content used as the base substrate in the NovAcryl products.

Vista's Modular Curved Frame Technology (MCFT) is highlighted for the way the aluminum sign system is manufactured along with all the benefits that goes along with the modular aspects of the system.

For more information visit BuildingGreen.com.

Plastic Lumber Signage

Last summer my wife and I decided it was time to replace our deck. We wanted to use plastic lumber which has many benefits over traditional wood decking. With 2 little kids and several animals in our lives, using a material that has not been chemically treated and incorporates recycled materials was a perfect fit.

While doing a search on plastic lumber I came across a company in Akron, Ohio called The Plastic Lumber Company. These guys make traditional things like park benches and such. They also have a complete line of modular exterior sign systems using plastic lumber including custom architectural signage.

The Plastic Lumber company offers a variety of products with many standard colors to choice from. They build routed, digital and modular solutions with a unique environmental spin. CLICK HERE for more info on The Plastic Lumber Company.

Custom Routed Sign75" x 120"
Designed for City of Holland, Michigan (1995)

by M.C. Smith Associates and Architectural Group, Inc.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Custom Routed Sign56" x 112"
Designed by the City of Barberton, Ohio (1996)

by GPD Associates

Akron Ohio

Wayfinding: Acorn ECO Sign Solutions

Acorn Sign Graphics in Richmond, VA has developed a series of Eco-Friendly sign solutions. The Acorn Eco Series was designed using environmentally friendly materials and fabricating processes while meeting the intended purpose of a wayfinding solution. The following principals were used:

- Modular Components
- Eco-Friendly Substrates
- Recycle-Able Content and Components
- Minimum Use of Adhesive and Paints

Example: ae02 Series (third sign from the left)

Longevity
Over the lifespan of a building, there are typically multiple design changes to the buildings interior elements and signage. The AcornEco ae02 sign system was designed with components that meet the typical design lifecycle. NovAcryl-ECR photopolymer panels were used to create the tactile portion of the sign which has a life span of 5-10 years. All other components including the mounting system, aluminum pucks/strips and ¾” Bamboo back plate meet or exceed the 5-10 year lifecycle.

Air Quality
This sign system incorporates materials that do not outgas high levels of VOC once installed in a buildings interior. Color was applied to the tactile images with Low VOC Heat Transfer Foil. There are no adhesives used in the system.

Disposability
The amount of waste produced in the fabrication of the sign system and its components including the photopolymer panel is minimal. The effluent from the photopolymer is 100% bio-degradable.

Recycle-Ability
The NovAcryl-ECR photopolymer panel incorporates 3forms EcoResin which has 40% post consumer recycled content and can be recycled after its use in this system in multiple ways; through 3forms Reclaim recycling program; or recycled through other plastic supplier recycling programs. The aluminum puck/strip can be sent to a recycling facility to be up-cycled or they can be re-purposed by the fabricator.

Energy Efficiency
The AcornEco ae02 system incorporates low energy materials, like Bamboo for the back plate and a photopolymer / PETG base for the tactile element. Although the aluminum pieces incorporated have many advantages on the recycle-ability front, aluminum as a whole can be considered a high energy material due to the high temperatures required to manufacturer and recycle the raw material.

Architectural Drawings

Acorn Eco ae01

Acorn Eco ae02

Acorn Eco ae03

ASI Modulex introduces Terra

Terra ADA-Ready™ signs unite image and style to meet all of the needs of sustainable building environments. Terra is made from ecoresin™, a 40% post-industrial recycled content, non-off-gassing material. Terra’s nearly endless patterns and color options combine to provide aesthetic appeal for sustainable buildings, while meeting ADA guidelines and a Class 1/A fire rating.

Product Features

- 15 standard materials available for "quick ship" purposes
- 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8" thicknesses available on select materials
- Endless non-standard material options through layering and graphic applications
- 40% post-industrial recycled material bonded to a 1/32" clear, high-resolution polyester photopolymer
- Material production process uses plain tap water and its effluent is 100% biodegradable which can be disposed of in any public waste disposal system
- GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified™ and Scientific Certification Systems certified for recycled content
- Class A or B flammability and smoke spread rating
- Class A achieved with usage in facilities with a fire suppression system

Finishes & Graphics

- Standard Material Options: Tiger Thatch, Mega Cirque Silver, Bloom Tangerine, Ion Green Tea, Fossil Leaf, Linea Ivory, Banana Fiber Light, Mari Seamless, Bear Grass, Bear Grass Lite, Pure Copper, Pure Red, Black, Eiderdown, Melody
- 18 Standard Tactile Paint Colors: White, Black, Green, Dark Cream, Light Gray, Dark Green, Light Beige, Medium Gray, Medium Blue, Brushed Gold, Dark Gray, Dark Blue, Brushed Silver, Burgundy, Deep Navy, Yellow, Red, and Dark Brown
- Custom colors available

CLICK HERE to Download Product Profile and CSI Specs