Chapter 3 — Specific Requirements for Various Types of Signs

3.1 Electric Signs

3.1.1 Materials

Materials for the construction of electric signs shall be noncombustible except as provided in Sec 2.2.2 3.1.2 Location Electric signs in colour erected at a height lower than two stories or 6 m above the pavement shall be provided with suitable screen to avoid confusion with traffic signals. No sign in red, amber or green colours shall be erected within a horizontal distance of 10 m from any traffic signal.

3.1.3 Installation

All electric signs including the electrical equipment in connection with the sign shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1 Part 8 of this Code.

3.1.4 Illumination

Electric signs shall not be of such intense illumination as to cause inconvenience or disturbance to residents of adjacent buildings or to the drivers on road.

3.1.5 Operational Hours

The operational hours of electric signs will be restricted (as referred in Sec 2.6 Chapter 2 of this Part)

3.2 Ground Sign

3.2.1 Material

All ground signs over 6 m in total height shall be constructed of noncombustible materials meeting the requirements of this Code, or of approved plastics as defined in Sec 2.2.5 Chapter 2 of this Part. Materials used for the construction of ground sign supporting structures may be treated timber, masonry, concrete or corrosion resistant metal.

3.2.2 Height

The height of ground signs excluding the lighting reflectors shall be limited to 9 m.

3.2.3 Design

The design and construction of ground signs shall conform to the requirements of Part 6 and Part 7 of this Code. All ground signs shall have a firm support and shall be anchored to the ground.

3.2.4 Clearance

All ground signs shall be provided with a clearance height of 0.6 m from the ground. The intervening space may be filled with open lattice work. Under no circumstance shall any ground sign obstruct or interfere with entrance or exit of a building.

3.2.5 Visual Obstruction

All ground signs must be sited in a manner so that they don't pose any visual obstruction to the traffic signs or to any emergency signs (e.g. hospital entry)

3.3 Roof Signs

3.3.1 Material

All roof signs including the frames shall be constructed of noncombustible materials except as provided in Sec 2.2.2 Chapter 2 of this Part.

3.3.2 Design

Design and construction of roof signs shall conform to the requirements of Part 6 and Part 7 of this Code. Roof signs shall be properly secured and anchored to the building and the building shall be designed to avoid overstress due to the sign.

3.3.3 Clearance

Roof signs shall not prevent free passage from one part of the roof to the other. Such passages shall be not less than 1 m wide and 1.25 m high.

3.3.4 Projection

No roof sign shall project beyond the roof in any directions.

3.4 Projecting Signs

3.4.1 Material

All projecting signs and their supporting frames shall be of noncombustible material except as provided in Sec 2.2.2 Chapter 2 of this Part

3.4.2 Design

The supporting frame of projecting signs and the building element to which it is anchored shall be designed to withstand, in addition to dead, live and wind loads calculated in accordance with Part 6 of this Code, appropriate loads due to servicing personnel and equipment.

3.4.3 Height and Clearance

A minimum of 2.5 m clearance from the road surface shall be provided for any projecting sign. The maximum height of a projecting sign shall be 15 m when erected against buildings having a height of more than 8 storey or 36 m. For buildings 5 to 8 stories high but not exceeding 36 m, the height of the projecting signs shall be limited to 12 m. The height of the sign shall be limited to 9 m when attached to a building less than 4 storey or 18 m high.

3.4.4 Projection

Projecting sign or any part of its supporting structures shall not project more than 2 m beyond the building. When such sign faces the street, it shall not project beyond the property line. Projecting sign shall not extend above the eaves of the roof of the building to which it is attached. Projection over public property or alley of projecting signs shall be limited to the values as specified in Sec 1.9 Chapter 1 of this Part.

3.4.5 Attachment

All projecting signs shall be so constructed or attached to the building that movement in any direction is prevented by rods, anchors, brackets, chains etc.

3.4.6 Visual Obstruction

All projection signs must be sited in a manner so that they don't pose any visual obstruction to the traffic signs or to any emergency signs (e.g. hospital entry)

3.5 Fin Signs

3.5.1 Material

Materials for fin sign shall conform to the requirements of Sec 2.2.2 Chapter 2 of this Part.

3.5.2 Design

Design and construction of fin signs shall conform to the requirements of Part 6 and Part 7 of the Code.

3.5.3 Clearance

Fin signs shall not obstruct windows and reduce light and ventilation to such a point as the Code or other regulations prohibit. Such signs and their frames shall not obstruct fire escape, exit and entrance of the building to which they are attached. Projection of fin signs over public property shall conform to the requirements of Sec 1.9 Chapter 1 of this Part.

3.6 Balcony Signs

3.6.1 Materials

Materials for balcony signs shall conform to the requirements of Sec 2.2.2 Chapter 2 of this Part.

3.6.2 Location

Balcony signs shall be placed above eaves of the balcony and shall not project beyond rear of the roof gutter.

3.6.3 Size

The height of a balcony signs shall be limited to 1 m. The hanging balcony sign shall not exceed 2.5 m in length and 50 mm in thickness. For hanging box type signs the maximum allowable depth shall be 200 mm.

3.6.4 Projection

Balcony signs shall not extend beyond the balcony line. Hanging balcony signs shall maintain a clearance height of 2.5 m from the finished ground level. Projection of balcony sign over public property or alley shall be limited to values as specified in Sec 1.9 Chapter 1 of this Part.

3.7 Marquee Signs

3.7.1 Materials

Materials for the construction and erection of marquee signs shall conform to the requirements of Sec 2.2.2 Chapter 2 of this Part.

3.7.2 Size

The height of a marquee sign shall be limited to 2 m. The length of such sign may be equal to the length of the marquee and no projection beyond the full length shall be allowed.

3.7.3 Clearance

A clearance height of at least 2.5 m shall be provided for marquee signs.

3.8 Combination Signs

All combination signs shall meet the general and specific requirements of all the component classes of sign.

3.9 Temporary Signs

3.9.1 Size

The area of a temporary sign shall not ordinarily exceed 10 m2. Temporary signs of a larger area may be erected upon explicit approval of the Authority which shall only be granted, for signs of a duration not exceeding 7 days. Temporary signs made of rigid material shall not exceed 3 m2 in area, nor shall they have a height more than 2 m. Such rigid signs shall be anchored to the ground or a building by a rigid structure.

3.9.2 Duration

Temporary signs shall be removed from the location within 60 days of first erection, unless explicit permission of the Authority for extending this period has been obtained. In no case a temporary sign shall be permitted to be maintained for more than 90 days.

3.9.3 Support

Temporary signs shall be adequately supported and secured in place. No part of the sign shall be permitted to dangle, sway or otherwise become loose or detached. In order to reduce wind resistance on signs made of fabric, adequate perforations shall be provided.

3.9.4 Location

All temporary signs shall be subject to the approval of the Authority and shall be erected in such a place so as not to obstruct any public way, foot path or entrance and exit of any building.

3.9.5 Projection

Temporary cloth sign may extend over public property. A clearance of 6 m shall be maintained when such signs are placed over a public street. Other temporary signs when placed 2.5 m above the ground may project not more than 300 mm over public property or beyond the legal setback line.

3.10 Additional Guidelines for Signs in Urban and Rural Areas

3.10.1 Erecting, maintaining and owning signs in rural areas shall be encouraged so as to create awareness, dissemination of information and to boost economic status of the rural population.

3.10.2 The tolerance criteria for the permission granted towards putting up any signs for any urban area shall be as given in Sections 3.10.2.1 to 3.10.2.4.

3.10.2.1 Small towns

The traffic hazards in small towns are few and the defacement due to excessive advertising signs has not occurred. Therefore, orderly development of signs may enliven the town environment and boost the economy. The tolerance here may be high. The following guidelines may be followed for signage : ADVERTISING SIGN Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign, sky sign and temporary sign are permissible. DIRECTIONAL SIGN Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign and temporary sign are permissible while sky sign is not permissible. INFORMATIONAL Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign SIGN and temporary sign are permissible while sky sign is not permissible. IDENTIFICATION Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign SIGN and temporary sign are permissible while sky sign is not permissible. REGULATORY SIGN Electric sign, ground sign, illuminated sign and temporary sign are permissible while building sign and sky sign are not permissible.

3.10.2.2 Medium (District level) towns

The traffic hazards in medium towns are few and the defacement due to excessive
advertising signs has not occurred. Proper design, erection and maintenance of the signs
shall be encouraged. The following guidelines may be followed for signage :
 ADVERTISING SIGN           Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign,
                            sky sign and temporary sign are permissible.
 DIRECTIONAL SIGN           Electric sign, ground sign, illuminated sign are permissible
                            while building sign, sky sign and temporary sign are not
                            permissible.
 INFORMATIONAL              Electric sign, ground sign, illuminated sign, and temporary
 SIGN                       sign are permissible while building sign and sky sign are not
                            permissible.
 IDENTIFICATION             Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign
 SIGN                       and temporary sign are permissible while sky sign is not
                            permissible.
 REGULATORY SIGN            Electric sign, ground sign, illuminated sign and temporary
                            sign are permissible while building sign and sky sign are not
                            permissible.

3.10.2.3 Large (Divisional level) cities

Accident risks due to density and complexity of traffic in large cities is high. Unplanned advertisements may add more risk to this situation. Defacement of buildings, roads and urban spaces due to advertisements has to be controlled. Therefore, the permissivity and tolerance for erecting signs is very low. The following guidelines may be followed for signage:

ADVERTISING SIGN Electric sign, ground sign, illuminated sign and sky sign are permissible while building sign and temporary sign are not permissible.

DIRECTIONAL SIGN Ground sign, illuminated sign are permissible while electric sign, building sign, sky sign and temporary sign are not permissible.

INFORMATIONAL              Ground sign, illuminated sign, building sign and temporary
SIGN                       sign are permissible while electric sign and sky sign are not
                           permissible.

IDENTIFICATION             Electric sign, ground sign, building sign, illuminated sign
SIGN                       and temporary sign are permissible while sky sign is not
                           permissible.

REGULATORY SIGN Ground sign, illuminated sign and temporary sign are permissible while electric sign, building sign and sky sign are not permissible.

3.10.2.4 Mega and metro cities

The traffic hazards in mega and metro cities are many and the defacement due to excessive advertising signs has marred the urban environment. The density of population is very high and the danger of greater loss of life due to disasters is self-evident. Therefore, the permissivity for erecting signs is very low and no tolerance exists for law breakers. The following guidelines may be followed for signage :

ADVERTISING SIGN Electric sign, ground sign, illuminated sign and sky sign are permissible while building sign and temporary sign are not permissible.

DIRECTIONAL SIGN Ground sign, illuminated sign are permissible while electric sign, building sign, sky sign and temporary sign are not permissible.

INFORMATIONAL             Ground sign, illuminated sign and temporary sign are
SIGN                      permissible while electric sign, building sign and sky sign
                          are not permissible.

IDENTIFICATION            Electric sign, ground 8 sign, building sign, illuminated sign
SIGN                      and temporary sign are permissible while sky sign is not
                          permissible.

REGULATORY SIGN Ground sign, illuminated sign and temporary sign are permissible while electric sign, building sign and sky sign are not permissible.

3.11 Environmental Graphics and Graphics for Universal Accessibility for

Cityscape

3.11.1 The urban environment may be susceptible to confusion and chaos due to improper graphics, hoardings and advertisements. Therefore, the signage should be installed following requisite guidelines keeping the functional, safety and aesthetic aspects in view. The scale of the project should also be considered for implementing signage design. In urban design/planning projects and landscape projects on a large scale, the following criteria should be followed for signs and outdoor display structures :

(a) The aesthetic and harmonious development of the visual environment.

(b) Signage for the handicapped at all grade changes, entry points to buildings and public conveniences and facilities. Braille strips used should be displayed not above 1.5 m height for the benefit of the visually impaired at all important nodes, entrances and routes, Ramps for the people on wheelchair should be highlighted with the appropriate international sign of the wheelchair. These signs are needed to be lighted adequately even at night time.

(c) Environmental graphics should be creatively designed to cater to the basic function of information, identity and way finding, with the objective of improvement of urban-scape.

(d) Safety aspects.

(e) Protection of trees and other vegetation from harm due to signs.

3.11.2 For People with disabilities or any kind of impairment all signs and symbols shall comply with the guidelines of Sec D.26 of Appendix D of Part 3.