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When was the last time you took a look at the language you use on the signs for your construction sites? If it’s been more than a year or two, it might be time to get a professional sign shop to look over your materials and make sure you’re in compliance with federal, state, and local sign requirements for construction sites. These requirements can be quite specific depending on the site location, who’s paying for the project, and the type of project. Some projects will require certain lettering, language graphics, sizes, placement, and lighting. A good sign shop can design an attractive sign that meets all those requirements and more. Federal Signage Requirements for Construction Sites Are you a Utah contractor bidding for or working on construction jobs for the United States Government? If so, you have a lot of company. According to the site Recovery.gov, Utah received more than $2.2 billion in Recovery Act funding. Infrastructure projects account for about $411 million, of which $298 million went to transportation projects. While most of these funds went to renovate state agencies and local school districts, one construction firm received $20.5 million to work on six US Department of Energy projects. Other states and U.S. territories also received stimulus funding. Other federally funded projects have their own signage criteria. Contractors who build federal facilities must follow General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines. This includes providing official signs of defined sizes that display the GSA logo, are placed in a prominent location, and are mounted a certain distance off the ground. The signs must display certain information, including: • The building will serve the People of the United States • The name of the building • Information about GSA, including the Administrator’s name, the name of the Commissioner of the agency the building is for, and the name of the agency Regional Administrator Lettering, graphic style, and format should be “compatible with the architectural character of the building.” Signs on sites for new buildings should list the name of the architect and the general contractor (you). Repair or alteration projects should specify the engineers who worked on major systems. Is the project using Federal Government or Recovery Act funds? Certain logos may need to be displayed as well. State and City Rules for Construction Signs Some states and cities have their own construction signage rules and regulations. For example, Menlo Park, Utah, requires signs to be posted at each entrance of a construction site that advise what hours construction activities can exceed the city’s noise limits. Signs must have black lettering on a white background and be at least five feet off the ground. Construction contractors are also expected to provide, place, and maintain safety and warning signs to protect work site and adjacent public areas. Examples include hard hat advisories, construction flagging ahead, and several types of cautionary/danger advisories. Think beyond regulations and consider how your sign might interfere with movement around it. In 2012, a bicyclist in Utah County was fatally injured when she clipped a construction sign placed in a bike lane and was spun down a rocky hill. This type of tragic incident might be avoided in the future with advice from an experienced sign shop. For all types of signage including construction signs in Utah, the author recommends you visit Schmidt Signs & Graphics. Sources: Recovery.gov. “State/Territory Summary-Utah.” Web. 9/18/2013. http://www.recovery.gov/Transparency/RecoveryData/Pages/RecipientReportedDataMap.aspx?stateCode=UT&PROJSTATUS=NPC&AWARDTYPE=CGL# General Services Administration. “Facilities Standards-Site Signage.” Web. 8/7/2013. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101249
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