New signs guidance launched

Traffic signs trade body ARTSM has produced new guidance for anyone looking to buy traffic signs to ensure they comply with current legislation and get the right product for the job.

The guidance contains the following checklist for sign specifiers:

Have you included all the following in your order or specification?

1. The sign is to comply with BS EN 12899:2007 and its National Annex.
2. From 1 July 2013, that the sign be CE marked.
3. For trunk roads, the sign manufacturer must be certified to NHSS 9A.
4. The overall dimensions of the sign face.
5. Preferably a drawing of the sign face, either in colour or clearly labelled to indicate colours.
For a standard sign from TSRGD the diagram number, together with any optional text or
other permitted variation required may be sufficient. Do not forget to specify if the sign
should be reversed, for example, or the wording changed from that illustrated in TSRGD.
6. The type of any electrical illumination needed.
7. The class of sign face material (indicating what grade of retroreflectivity is required).
8. Any particular sign face substrate to be used.
9. The number, type and length of posts required, whether they need to be passively safe,
and their finish.
10. The mounting height of the sign and spacing of the posts (information needed to correctly
stiffen the sign face even if the posts are to be provided by others).
11. The wind load class or pressure the sign needs to withstand.