Bad weather warning: two hurt as sign falls
When two people were hurt in Times Square, New York, last month when part of a sign fell down, it seems a pertinent moment to remind sign-makers everywhere that with the weather turning increasingly for the worse, it is vital signs are fixed securely.
Monday, 01 Dec 2014 14:11 GMT
Bad sign: people were injured during an incident in New York when part of a sign collapsed above the M and M store. Pic: New York Post
The British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) issue guidelines for sign-makers on their website offering this advice about the law and sign-makers including the terms that are served in section 4 (Service Life) contained in BS559:2009 which specifies that unless it is written into a contract signs must last 10 years. With high winds, storms, vandals, and heavy rain or snow that means they must be extremely robust.
The Authorities and the BSGA are looking at ways of including standards of maintenance practices and procedures within the BS and EN standards codes”
The BSGA says: “Just as vitally important as all the above is the question of maintenance of signs once they are in place. Are you aware that both you and your customer have a legal responsibility to arrange for the maintenance and upkeep of signs that come under Planning Regulations? The Authorities and the BSGA are looking at ways of including standards of maintenance practices and procedures within the BS and EN standards codes. The point is that a sign company’s responsibilities for a sign does not necessarily end upon payment of the invoice by the customer as proven in recent HSE cases and we now have the opportunity of putting that right and giving BSGA Members a ‘knowledgeable edge’ over their less informed competition.
“Then there is the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) for which the implementation date is now set for 2014. However, by virtue of Building Regulations much of EN1090-1 is already a requirement. When CE marking is ratified for EN1090-1 then manufacturers require their Factory Production Control system (FPC) to be independently assessed and certified by a national notified body. Finally, these new codes will come under criminal law rather than civil law and will carry greater penalties (custodial sentences not just fines) for non-compliance.”
When the sign fell in Times Square, two people below were injured, but it could have been worse. For the sign-maker and installer the consequences could be catastrophic financially if they are found to be at fault. Litigation could easily lead to the firm’s demise and huge fiscal penalties to the owners.
Earlier this year Tim Andrews of Hollywood Monster in Birmingham warned of the dangers of maintenance when a sign fell down across the A38 in the city during a storm, while last year a sign fell on a woman shopping in Falmouth nearly killing her following high winds.
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