Before You Order
Preparing to Order ELMs
Emergency Location Markers (ELMs) are geo-location signs that provide coordinates for Emergency Responders, so the coordinates collected need to be as accurate as possible. To collect coordinates, follow the procedures found in Step 4 of the Install Planning Steps this site and prepare to submit for manufacture using the ELM geolocation input spreadsheet available for download at the same step.
Once the ELM location information has been collected, ELMs can be ordered. The first decision in this process is the size and style of the ELM that will be most appropriate for your needs. The ELM Products page this site shows the wide variety of ELM types and sizes that are available. As an example, below find three versions of the traditional aluminum sign type ELM.
| 6" x 9" | The 6"x9" sign size was specifically designed based on focus group research that indicated smaller signs minimize 'sign pollution' along trails for walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and other human-powered activities and recreational spaces. |
| 9" x 12" | The 9"x12" size is complies with federal specifications for motorized off-road vehicle trails, such as ATV trails, snowmobile trails and dirt bike trails. |
| 12" x 12" | The 12"x12" size is designed to meet Department of Natural Resources standards in Minnesota and many other states for outbuildings, warming houses and trailheads. |
Project Size Determination
Once the final ELM final style and size decision is made, the ordering process is different depending on the quantity of signs being ordered. Generally, a project will operate under one of two models:
Each of these circumstances is handled differently as described below.
Ordering ELMs - Small Project
Small projects are normally in the range of 10 ELMs or less and are usually do-it-yourself projects. In this instance, location information that has been collected can be taken to a local sign shop where each ELM is produced using a labor intensive process. Other characteristics of small projects include:
- The project manager will be solely responsible for ensuring the ELM location information is correct when submitted,
- There is no guaranty the sign shop will produce the ELM correctly,
- Price per ELM will be on the high end of the ELM price range,
- Warranty on the product produced will be a function of the shop remaining in business, and
- Facility maintenance personnel, volunteer labor or similar will be responsible for installing the ELMs.
Given that small projects typically do not involve a substantial amount of money, the risks above are generally considered acceptable.
To assist with production, find below a graphic which shows the layout of an ELM and the corresponding location of where data from the collection spreadsheet would print on an ELM. ELM font is Highway Gothic, sign color is Traffic Control Blue, and Easting and Northing coordinates align in the center of the respective 1/4 vertical space regardless of numeral width.
- Grid Zone Designation (e.g., 15T)
- 100 km Square ID (e.g., VK)
- Easting Coordinate Numbers (e.g., 8998)
- Northing Coordinate Numbers (e.g., 5988)
Ordering ELMs - Large Project
Projects which require the production of more than 10 ELMs are considered to be large projects because they almost always require the manufacture of project ELMs at a major U.S. sign production facility. These types of companies are typically reluctant to do small quantity manufacturing or deal with organizations which do not have variable print production expertise (each ELM is printed differently).
Normally, there are two different large project scenarios:
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- Major Large Project - An order of this type usually starts as a Request For Proposals (RFP) to produce and install 100s, perhaps 1000s of ELMs in a major area like all trails in a county, or a regional park system. The contractor winning the RFP will then typically hire an ELM Distributor to manage ELM production, while the contractor will do everything else such as planning the system and installing the ELMs.
- Minor Large Project - An order of this type usually comes from entities that don't think they need to use a contractor, but don't want to manage the ELM production process. Organizations of this type tend to be counties, cities and clubs that are looking for ELMs in multiples of 10 up to 100 to do one park or a part of a trail system. After a coordination call, the ELM project manager submits the ELM location sheet and the initial steps of the ELM production process get underway. Services can normally be purchased from an ELM Distributor using a purchase order or credit card.
Some additional points of awareness for this scenario are as follows:
- The distributor will be responsible for ensuring the ELM location information is correct when it is submitted for printing. To do this, a reputable distributor will provide the customer with a GPX, KML or a similar map file so the customer's planned locations for ELMs can be visually checked against the locations that will be submitted for production. Past history indicates this is an essential step for ensuring a large volume of ELMs are not printed incorrectly.
- The distributor will guaranty that the sign manufacturing process will produce the customer's ELMs correctly.
- Price per ELM will be on the low end of the ELM price range because automated mass production techniques will be used to produce the project ELMs.
- Warranty on the product will be backed by the distributor, manufacturer and parts supplier.
- Installation will be as provided for by contract.
Given large projects typically involve substantial amounts of money, the use of approved ELM service providers is highly recommended.
Questions?
Still scratching your head about how to order ELMs? We LOVE to answer questions! So send us an email at info@usngstore.org, or call us at: 877-876-4356 (877-USNGELM). If for some reason you should miss us, please provide your phone number, email address and the best time for us to contact you. We'll do our best to help you out.