Safe Speed Forums

I get easily confused between sign face types.

But a recent scheme shows using internally illuminated Gantry signs?

What is the best sign face category for this.

i always get confused between the use of Microprismatic and retroreflective?

Anyone help please!

Dear Mr Crickmay,
EN 12899-1: 2001 AND BS 8408: 2005.
INCORRECT USE OF MICROPRISMATIC MATERIALS.
The HA has prepared [and issued to the Technical Project Board for comment] a draft Interim Advice Note for the Performance specification for traffic signs and related products. You have a copy of those draft documents.
Following a meeting with traffic signs industry trade bodies, sign sheeting manufacturers and others on 18 June, to discuss specification, testing and certification of signs, there is a need to clarify certain matters. For the avoidance of doubt, the following statement (italicised text) has been issued to HA Regional Signs Officers:
(a) If glass bead material is specified (in accordance with EN 12899-1: 2001) then the traffic sign shall be manufactured from glass bead sheeting and the tests shall be in accordance with EN 12899-1: 2001. In this situation, glass bead signs have been specified, so delivery of microprismatic signs is unacceptable to the HA.
(b) If microprismatic material is specified (in accordance with BS 8408: 2005) then the traffic sign shall be manufactured from microprismatic sheeting and the tests shall be in accordance with BS 8408: 2005. In this situation, microprismatic signs have been specified, so delivery of microprismatic signs is acceptable to the
HA
(c) Glass bead sheeting shall not be specified or tested in accordance with BS 8408. Microprismatic sheeting shall not be specified or tested in accordance with EN 12899-1: 2001. This is to ensure compliance with the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the relevant EN and BS documents.
All manufacturers and suppliers of sign sheeting materials and the traffic signs industry trade bodies (ARTSM and LASMA) have been advised by HA that they should not be stating to customers that their microprismatic sheeting or microprismatic signs comply with the test requirements of EN 12899-1: 2001. To do so would be an infringement of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and would be an incorrect use of European and British standards.
EN 12899-1:2001 is the European standard for glass bead materials ONLY. Therefore it is unacceptable to the HA to:
(1) specify microprismatic signs in accordance with EN 12899-1:2001; or
(2) specify glass bead signs in accordance with EN 12899-1 and then accept delivery of microprismatic signs.
The reasons are simple. There are many different types of microprismatic materials. If the appropriate microprismatic material is not correctly specified by the purchaser in accordance with BS 8408, at the time of placing the order, then the supplier could then deliver a microprismatic material sign which is inappropriate.
Another situation is where a microprismatic material has been specified in accordance with EN 12899-1: 2001, resulting in the supplier delivering a microprismatic material sign which is inappropriate, claiming that it exceeds the requirements of EN 12899-1.
Therefore, there is a high risk, in some situations, that the microprismatic material supplied is unsuitable for the intended sign location, meaning that the sign is not fit for purpose, with the resulting health and safety risks to road users.
The intention is to publish an Interim Advice Note containing the Performance Specification for traffic signs and related products, in due course.
Yours sincerely,
ALAN PICKETT
Divisional Director
SSR Safety Appraisal and Technology Division
E-mail : alan.pickett@highways.gsi.gov.uk
HA.
m:\word\letter\ssr ap EN 12899-1 2001 Thurs 28 06 07.doc
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I get easily confused between sign face types.

But a recent scheme shows using internally illuminated Gantry signs?

What is the best sign face category for this.

i always get confused between the use of Microprismatic and retroreflective?

Anyone help please!