La. Admin. Code tit. 73 § III-301

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 8, August 20, 2024

Section III-301 - Minimum Standards for Reflective Sign Sheeting

A. Reflective sheeting shall be one of the following types as specified on the plans and complying with ASTM D 4956 except as modified herein. The sheeting shall be an approved product listed in Q PL 13.

1. Type I. A medium-intensity retroreflective sheeting referred to as "engineering grade" and typically enclosed lens glass-bead sheeting.

2. Type II. A medium-high-intensity retroreflective sheeting sometimes referred to as "super engineering grade" and typically enclosed lens glass-bead sheeting.

3. Type III. A high-intensity retroreflective sheeting, that is typically encapsulated glass-bead retroreflective material.

4. Type VI. An elastomeric-high-intensity retro-reflective sheeting without adhesive. This sheeting is typically a vinyl microprismatic retroreflective material.

5. DOTD Type VII (Fluorescent Orange). A super-intensity retroreflective sheeting, that is typically an unmetallized microprismatic retroreflective element material.

6. Type IX. A very high-intensity retroreflective sheeting having highest retroreflectivity at short distances as determined by the R_A values at 1 ° observation angle. This sheeting is typically an unmetallized microprismatic retroreflective element material.

B. Adhesive Classes. The adhesive required for retroreflective sheeting shall be Class 1 (pressure sensitive) or Class 2 (heat activated) as specified in ASTM D 4956.

C. Identification Marks. Type II sheeting shall be distinguished by integral identification marks that cannot be removed or affected by physical or chemical methods without causing damage to the sheeting. The markings shall be inconspicuously placed on 12-inch (300-mm) centers and shall be visible from a distance of not more than 3 feet (1.0m).

D. Alternate Sheeting Type. DOTD Type VII (Fluorescent Orange). Minimum Coefficients of Retroreflection shall be as specified in Table 1015-1. Luminance factors and color requirements shall be as specified in Table 1015-2.

Table 1015-1 Coefficients of Retroreflection for DOTD Type VII (Fluorescent Orange) Sheeting1
Observation Angle, degrees	Entrance Angle, degrees	Fluorescent Orange
0.2 0.2 0.5 0.5	-4 +30 -4 +30	180 90 72 36

¹Minimum Coefficient of Retroreflection (R_A) (cd lx^-1m^-2)

Table 1015-2 Fluorescent Orange Color Specification Limits (Daytime)
Color	1		2		3		4		Luminance Factor, min.
	x	y	x	y	x	y	x	y	Y%
Fluor. Orange	0.583	0.416	0.535	0.400	0.595	0.351	0.645	0.355	25
(The four pairs of chromaticity coordinates determine the acceptable color in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System measured with Standard Illuminant D65.)

E. Accelerated Weathering. Reflective sheeting, when processed, applied and cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations shall perform in accordance with the accelerated weathering standards in Table 1015-3.

Table 1015-3 Accelerated Weathering Standards2
Type	Retroreflectivity1				Colorfastness3
	Orange		All Colors, except Orange		Orange	All Colors, except Orange
I	Not used		2 years	504	Not used	2 Years
II	1 Year	655	Not used		1 Year	3 Years
III	1 Year	806	3 Years	806	1 Year	3 Years
III (for drums)	1 Year	806	1 Year	806	1 Year	1 Year
VI	1/2 Year	507	1/2 Year	507	1/2 Year	1/2 Year
DOTD Type VII (Fluor. Orange)	1 Year	808	Not Used		1 Year	Not used
IX	Not used		3 Years	809	Not used	3 Years

¹Percent retained retroreflectivity of referenced table after the outdoor test exposure time specified.

²At an angle of 45 ° from the horizontal and facing south in accordance with ASTM G7.

³Colors shall conform to the color specification limits of ASTM D4956 and Table 1015-2 herein after the outdoor test exposure time specified.

⁴ASTM D4956, Table 4.

⁵ASTM D4956, Table 6.

⁶ASTM D4956, Table 7.

⁷ASTM D4956, Table 12.

⁸Table 1015-1.

⁹ASTM D4956, Table 3.

F. Performance. Reflective sheeting for signs, when processed, applied and cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations shall perform outdoors in accordance with the performance standards in Table 1015-4.

Table 1015-4 Reflective Sheeting Performance Standards
Type	Retroreflectivity 1 -- Durability2				Colorfastness 3
	Orange		All Colors, except Orange
I	Not used		7 years	504	3 Years
II	3 Years	655	Not used		3 Years
III	3 Years	806	10 Years	806	3 Years
DOTD Type VII (Fluor. Orange	3 Years	807	Not Used		3 Years
IX	Not used		7 Years	808	3 Years

¹Percent retained retroreflectivity of referenced table after installation and the field exposure time specified.

²All sheeting shall maintain its structural integrity, adhesion and functionality after installation and the field exposure time specified.

³All colors shall conform to the color specification limits of ASTM D4956 and Table 1015-2 herein after installation and the field exposure time specified.

⁴ASTM D4956, Table 4.

⁵ASTM D4956, Table 6.

⁶ASTM D4956, Table 7.

⁷Table 1015-1.

⁸ASTM D4956, Table 3.

G. Temporary Signs, Barricades, Channelizing Devices, Drums and Cones. Reflective sheeting for temporary signs, barricades and channelizing devices, shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4956, Type III except that the initial sequence of temporary advanced warning construction signs used on the mainline of freeways and expressways shall meet the requirements of DOTD Type VII (Fluorescent Orange).

1. Reflective sheeting for vertical panels shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4956, Type III.

2. Reflective sheeting for drums shall be a minimum of 6 inches (150 mm) wide and shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4956, Type III, and the Supplementary Requirement S2 for Reboundable Sheeting as specified in ASTM D 4956. Reflective sheeting for traffic cone collars shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4956, Type VI.

H. Sheeting Guaranty. The contractor shall provide the department with a guaranty from the sheeting manufacturer stating that if the retroreflective sheeting fails to comply with the performance requirements of this Subsection, the sheeting manufacturer shall do the following:

Table 1015-5 Manufacturer's Guaranty-Reflective Sheeting
Type	Manufacturer shall restore the sign face in its field location to its original effectiveness at no cost to the department if failure occurs during the time period1 specified below.		Manufacturer shall replace the sheeting required to restore the sign face to is original effectiveness at no cost to the department if failure occurs during the time period1 specified below.
	Orange	All Colors, except Orange	All Colors, except Orange
I	Not used	<5 years	5-7 years
II	<3 years	<5 years	5-10 years
III	<3 years	<7 years	7-10 years
DOTD Type VII (Fluor. Orange)	<3 years	Not used	Not used
IX	Not used	<5 years	5-10 years

¹From the date of sign installation.

1. Replacement sheeting for sign faces, material, and labor shall carry the unexpired guaranty of the sheeting for which it replaces.

2. The sign fabricator shall be responsible for dating all signs with the month and year of fabrication at the time of sign fabrication. This date shall constitute the start of the guaranty obligation period.

La. Admin. Code tit. 73, § III-301

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Weights, Measures and Standards, LR 24:703 (April 1998), amended LR 26:357 (February 2000), LR 30:502 (March 2004).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 48:35.