Planning
Exterior Signs
Planning an Exterior The development of an effective working exterior sign program requires the
Sign Program coordination of several interlaced criteria.
For an effective exterior sign program you have to take into account to the
following:
1.
Character and configuration of the roadway system.
2.
How do visitors currently drive around the site.
3.
Where do you want visitors to park?
4.
What is the desired path of travel on the roadway system for visitors?
5.
What is the desired path of travel on the roadway system for employees
and deliveries?
6.
Location of buildings on the facility campus in relation to roads, parking
and walkways.
7.
Location of building entrances.
8.
Parking plan for visitors, handicapped and employees.
9.
Weather... like wind and snow.
10.
Location of electricity, its availability and voltage.
11.
Landscaping and the irrigation system.
12.
Adequate light on and around directional signs.
13.
Placement of signs in locations where people are expecting them to be.
14.
Which signs can have permanent messages and which ones need to be
changeable.
These elements help establish the basis of a clear sign program that
communicates and informs in a direct and simple manner.
A sign program for a campus, that works well, is one that has been planned as an
integrated whole. All the way from the main identification sign, directional signs,
building and building entrance identification through to the parking lot signs.
Types of Signs The main identification sign for a
effective a night. Typically this is a less
medical center should be a large
expensive way to obtain an illuminated
scale illuminated sign. This can be an
sign, but the ongoing maintenance will
internally illuminated monolith sign or
be considerably higher as ground based
a masonry wall with letters that are
lights frequently get damaged.
illuminated with floodlights. Urban
facilities main identification sign or
Non-illuminated signs with reflective
letters may be directly on the building
letters will function quite well for
and should be directly illuminated as
secondary signs at night. It is a good
well.
practice to make all the exterior signs
have reflective letters as that will insure
Internally illuminated signs should be
the best possibility of being read
considered for those locations where
regardless of a signs importance.
important information and directions
need to be communicated at night as
Every site has different climate
well as the day. This would typically
conditions that affect an exterior sign
be the main identification sign, the
program. Considerations for snowfall
main directional signs at the entrance
and frost line will have an impact on
to the site and along the primary path
post length and footing depth. For areas
of travel, buildings and entrances that
where there is a lot of snow, the post on
have public activity in the early morning,
signs should be taller so the sign panels
late afternoon and evening.
do not become covered with snow. How
much taller should be evaluated by site
A non-illuminated sign that is
locations typical snow fall.
illuminated with floodlights can be
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02/2005
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