BSGA helps to set a new industry standard

A new, revised and updated edition of BS559, the British Standard for Signage, has just been published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) thanks largely to the efforts of the BSGA, the industry"s principal trade association.

This is the seventh edition of the Standard, which was first introduced in 1934 and last updated in 1998. Since then, there have been a number of significant developments in signmaking technology and it was for this reason that the BSGA applied to the BSI for a review of the Standard.

The review process started in early 2008 and, over a period of months, members of the BSGA"s Technical Committee, together with other industry representatives, worked with the BSI to revise and update the content of the Standard. Final approval of the new edition was given in August 2009, following a period of public consultation and peer review over the summer.

Several parts of the Standard have been expanded to include more detailed descriptions and specifications. In addition, new sections covering the use of LEDs, windload calculations and sign foundation construction have been added. There is also a new Annex covering the use and application of vinyl sheet material.

In a number of sections, notes have been added. These include guidance on the minimisation of stray light or ‘light pollution", together with, in the final section, comments on the recycling and recovery of materials.

BS559 is now more detailed than earlier versions and, with the inclusion of several new sections, it will be a valuable aid to signmakers, designers, specifiers and others in the industry.

The Technical Committee of the BSGA is currently working to update the Association"s Technical Guideline K4.1: ‘A guide to British Standard BS559". When published this will be available for BSGA members to download from the BSGA web site.

Copies of the Standard BS559: 2009 ‘Specification for the design and production of signs for publicity, decorative and general purposes", can be purchased from the BSI Shop on its web site www.bsigroup.com/shop

For further information visit: www.bsga.co.uk.

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