Subcommittee E12.01 on Terminology is responsible for the upkeep of E 284, Standard Terminology of Appearance. The subcommittee is actively managing this standard to provide reliable definitions for terms used in new and revised E12 standards and other documents relating to the description of appearance. Terms relating to perception, gonioappearance, instrument agreement, and fluorescence are of particular interest at present. Special care is being taken to promote agreement with the forthcoming revision of the CIE International Lighting Vocabulary, and cooperation with the new CIE Division 8 on Imaging Technologies is expected to generate additional opportunities for standardizing terminology relating to appearance.
ASTM Subcommittee E12.02 on Spectrophotometry and Colorimetry actively maintains ASTM Practices and TestMethods that reflect the current state of the art in instrumental colorimetric measurement and assessment. The subcommittee embraces absolute standards, instrumentation and measurement methodologies. The contributions of all are welcomed and encouraged.
ASTM Subcommittee E12.03 on Geometry is responsible for geometric aspects of ASTM standards on color andappearance. With respect to appearances, people often say, "It all depends on how you look at it." In this committee, that is not taken figuratively, but quite literally. Many materials have different colors, gloss, luster, sheen, or glitter, depending on the angular conditions of illumination and viewing. For this reason, standard methods of viewing materials and standard methods of measuring physical quantities that correlate with visual observations must specify geometry precisely. The subcommittee standardizes concepts, terminology, and notation for specifying the geometry for viewing and measuring materials and assists other subcommittees with geometric aspects of standardization.
Subcommittee E12.04 on Color and Appearance Analysis is responsible for developing and maintaining standard practices that involve the numerical or mathematical manipulation of color measurement data. These standards include the derivation of tristimulus values, color space coordinates, scales of yellowness, whiteness, and color differences. Much of the research in colorimetry involves the comparison and modeling of the objective measurement of light stimuli with the subjective visual response to those stimuli. As that research is introduced into the public domain, this subcommittee attempts to document and standardize the practical aspects that will improve the communication of color across the design, production and marketing applications. Our standards include E 308 on computing the colors of objects by using the CIE System, E1345 on reducing the variability of color measurement by use of multiple measurements and E 1708 on electronic interchange of color and appearance data.
ASTM subcommittee E12.05 on Fluoresence is actively working to update the existing standard practices and test methods to reflect the current state of the art for the colorimestry of fluorescent materials. There is a major revision of ASTM E 1247 on identifying fluorescence in object-color specimens in progress. The subcommittee is also working on the development of new standards including: a proposed guide to fluorescence and the colorimetry of fluorescent materials that can be used as reference by industry to understand what fluorescence really is and the issues involved in the accurate and reproducible color measurement of these materials, and a proposed method for the measurement of fluorescent materials using the two-monochromator method. The objective of this method is to describe these different procedures now in use which will then serve as a staring point for evaluating the relative accuracy of each method.
Subcommittee E12.06 on Appearance of Displays is responsible for standards that ensure accurate and consistent measurement of information displays. These interests range from standard test methods for obtaining spectroradiometric data to guides to the modeling of display properties and performance. CRTs, flat planel displays, and photographic imaging systems each have special characteristics that challenge users of measurement equipment. The subcommittee finds consensus as to how proper measurements should be made and interpreted.
Subcommittee E12.07 develops and maintains test methods, practices and guides relating to the use of color order systems and determining the notations of colors in respect to various color order systems. Current practices describe the Munsell Color Order System, the Color curve System and the Optical Society of America Uniform Color Scales System.
E12.11 on Visual Methods is concerned with looking at things, judging what we see, and then describing it analytically. This is psychophysics, the systematic, quantitative study of human perceptual response. A major variable is the multiplicity of light sources. Their light is usually modulated by the reflectance or transmittance characteristics of object before it impacts upon our visual system. We are well along toward agreement upon what is best for judging a test (new) source mimics. The color rendering of an existing (old) reference source, a Color Rendering Index.People and objects look better - more appealing, more appetizing - under some sources than others. Is this related to some fundamental aspect of our visual system? Can we develop a systematic approach to this color preference, define an index? People wish to display their products, and themselves, in a favorable manner, without being deceptive. A group is beginning to work on this concept. Join us.
E12.13 Photoluminescent Safety MarkingsSubcommittee E12.13 has developed three standards relating to photoluminescence:
E2030-99 "Guide for Recommended Uses of Photoluminescent Safety Markings" provides installation recommendations in form of descriptions and drawings that help visualize a photoluminescent escape route system in corridors, stair cases, as signage and evacuations plans, and similar safety-related applications.
E2072-00 "Standard Specification for Photoluminescent (Phosphorescent) Safety Markings" sets performance requirements for luminance testing in a laboratory (e.g., at the manufacturer or in a test lab) and on-site (i.e. the installation location). Products that meet or exceed the luminance requirements may be used to provide supplemental markings of escape routes and emergency equipments. Products that do not reach the luminance values indicated are sub-standard glow-in-the-dark grades, not suited for safety applications.
E2073-00 "Standard Test Method for Photopic Luminance of Photoluminescent (Phosphorescent) Markings" describes the procedure for determining the photopic luminance. The measured results then have to be compared to the requirements listed in E2072-00 to find out whether a products meets standard or not.
The efforts of subcommittee E12.13 shall help to avoid confusion between photoluminescent (phosphorescent) safety markings and sub-standard glow-in-the-dark material for toy, novelty and gimmick applications.
This set of documents helps manufacturers, users, architects, designers, code officials and other interested parties test, specify and use true photoluminescent safety markings for life-safety related applications.
For Additional Information Contact:
Marina Batzke
American PERMALIGHT Inc.
2531 W. 237th Street #113
Torrance, CA 90505-5245Phone: 310-891-0924 Fax: 310-891-0996
Modern coating and polymer chemistry and application techniques result in surface and sub-surface appearance phenomena which, individually and in combination, defy adequate specification (or characterization) visually and instrumentally. This limits (hinders) our ability to define and consistently reproduce products of desirable quality, or to analyze and exclude unwanted appearance effects. This is a new committee, in the formation stage, desiring to expand our knowledge of this complex subject and develop visual and instrumental standards based on well founded data. Everyone wishing to contribute is welcome.
The Richard S. Hunter Award- The award was established to honor and recognize those individuals who exemplify the personal and professional characteristics displayed by Mr. Richard Hunter. It is presented to those whose distinguished leadership resulted in outstanding contributions to the Committee, ASTM and industry. His is the highest commendation award by E12.
The Fred W. Billmeyer Jr. Award- This award is presented for outstanding service to Committee E12. This award recognizes the consistent, hard work of an individual that has been responsible for the accomplishments of the Committee in standards development, service to ASTM and the industry.