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When buying a traffic sign, customers are often confused about which size to choose, how exactly to install it and what is needed to install it. Here is a short summary to help you make your choice.

SIGN SIZES

The signs are divided into four groups according to size:

0 group	- very small
Group I	- small
Group II	- averages
Group III	- big

The size of the mark is determined according to the conditions in the table below.

Larger signs can be used instead of smaller ones if necessary.

Note 1: In places where there is a local restriction, in special cases, signs with the size range of the section preceding and following the restricted road section (e.g. crossing lane or road crossing) may be used.
Note 2: Signs 42, 686 and 687 on the safety islands should be installed one size smaller.
Note 3: At speeds between 90 and 110 km/h, install Group III signs above the carriageway.
Note 4: When using VMS signs, they must be one size up.

 CLASSES

Traffic signs shall be made on a rigid base covered with reflective sheeting. The glass-ball films are classified according to the light reflection coefficient into classes RA1, RA2 and RA3. A higher number indicates a higher light reflectance value of the film material.

In simpler language, the following can then be taken into account when choosing a film class:

• Normal signs, in town, village, car park are of RA1 light-reflecting class.
• On roads, in dangerous areas, crossings, level crossings, etc., the RA2 film class is used.
• At the roadside, on larger signs further away from the road, an RA3 class signpost is used. An example of the difference between film classes:   

TRAFFIC SIGN OPTIONS 

 Traffic signs are divided into permanent and temporary signs. 

Temporary signs are used, for example, when road works are being carried out. These signs are lower than the permanent ones and usually have a yellow background. Temporary signs are made of durable PVC plastic. They are lightweight and weatherproof, making them easy to transport, install and store. They are installed using special plastic poles and are fixed to portable bases.

Permanent signs are produced on zinc or aluminium sheets. When choosing the material, it can be noted that signs produced on aluminium sheets do not rust and therefore last longer. Therefore, we recommend that you consider where the sign will be located in the future - if there is a risk that a car could, for example, scratch and damage the sign, we recommend that you order signs made of aluminium sheet for such locations for durability reasons.

Mounted on an existing post (as an additional plate) or using hot-dip galvanised steel tubes and foundations to anchor the sign to the ground.

REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION

The installation of a traffic sign requires different accessories, the choice of which depends on the type of sign. Depending on this, further choices should be made. 

In a nutshell, the breakdown could be:

• Each permanent sign would require 2 brackets for installation. Otherwise, the sign may remain flat.
• If the sign is to be mounted double-sided (2 signs back to back), then 2 double-sided clamps should be chosen, per sign.
• To install a permanent sign with a foundation, a locking ring should be selected to help secure the post to the foundation. 

 
Find everything you need to order road signs here.

Temporary traffic management products here.



WHERE TO INSTALL?

Now that everything you need has been selected, you need to work out where you can put a sign.

For this purpose, there is a STANDARD EVS 613:2001/A1:2008, which speaks precisely about the distance and height etc. of the sign installation. The following extracts are from this standard.

• Signs are placed in such a way that they are not damaged by vehicles and do not obstruct pedestrians or cyclists.
• The information provided by the signs must be visible and legible in white and in darkness to the road user for whom it is intended.
• The sign must be removed when the reason for the imposition ceases to exist. In the event of a short-term traffic diversion, the sign may be covered.
• Signs are generally placed to the right of the road. However, if it appears that the sign may at any moment be hidden from the driver, an additional sign may be placed on the emergency lane, on the safety island, above the road, or, if there are not more than two lanes in the opposite direction, to the left of the road.

ASULAS

• The distance from the outer edge of the roadway should be between 0.5 m and 2.0 m, and between 0.5 m and 5.0 m for larger signs 621, 622, 623b, 623c, 63, 64 and 671a. Distance of the roadside edge of a roadside sign from the edge of the carriageway, if there is a roadside kerb.
• The height at which the sign is placed, i.e. the height of the lower edge of the lower sign (excluding the plaque) above the pavement surface, shall be as follows, unless otherwise specified in this Standard: 2,0 m to 4,0 m for a roadside sign in a settlement.
• For road works, depending on local conditions, the sign may be placed closer to the roadway: the sign post may be on the outer edge of the road embankment.

OUTSIDE THE SETTLEMENT

• Outside the built-up area, the sign may be placed further away, but the distance between the edge of the sign and the edge of the carriageway must not exceed 8,0 m, or 12,0 m in the case of larger signs 621, 622, 623b, 623c, 63, 64 and 671a.
• The height at which the sign is placed, i.e. the height of the lower edge of the lower sign (excluding the plaque) above the pavement surface, shall be as follows, unless otherwise specified in this standard: 1,5 m to 2,2 m outside built-up areas.

 THE HEIGHT AT WHICH THE SIGN IS INSTALLED

• The height at which the sign is placed, i.e. the height of the lower edge of the lower sign (excluding the plaque) above the pavement surface, shall be as follows, unless otherwise specified in this Standard:2,0 m to 4,0 m for roadside signs in built-up areas, 1,5 m to 2,2 m for signs outside built-up areas.
• at least 0,6 m on the mark placed on the safety island;
• at least 0,6 m on a temporary sign (with a movable base).
• 5,0 m to 6,0 m for a sign placed over a carriageway and a road embankment (a sign placed on the side of a road structure may be less than 5 m but not less than the height of the bottom of the road structure).
• The height of the bottom edge of a sign (including a plaque) placed on a post above a footway or footpath and on a footway, footpath and public transport platform shall be at least 2,2 m, and the height of a sign (including a plaque) placed on a cycle path shall be at least 2,5 m above the surface of the post.
• Warning, priority, prohibition and obligation signs and boards at least 0.2 m high temporarily placed on the road (with a movable base) in the event of emergency work, work of a mobile nature and changes of location of workplaces on the road during the working day.
• The distance between the signs and the overhead power line must be at least 2 m.

Everything you need can be found in our e-shop: GOSAFE.EE

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