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GRADES of REFLECTIVE SHEETINGS


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Although most Sign Shops often use less expensive sheetings made by other manufacturers,

WE ONLY USE 3MTM REFLECTIVE SHEETINGS for EVERY sign we make

because they have the longest warranty and we believe it is the BEST. 

 

ENGINEER GRADE / COMMERCIAL GRADE  (EG)

  • 3M Engineer Grade Series 3200, ASTM D4956 Type I, 7 year 3M materials warranty (Discontinued by 3M April 2008; available while supplies last), or
  • 3M Commercial Grade Series,3200T, ASTM D4956 Type I (new, replacement product; basically the same except very limited 3M warranty)
  • Least Reflective and narrowest viewing angle (headlights almost have to be perfectly perpendicular to sign surface)
  • Least Durable
  • Least Expensive
  • Good choice for parking signs
  • NOT approved by most State DOT and local Jurisdictions for use on Public Property
  • Recent laws further limit the use of EG nation-wide. 
  • Much confusion and false information exists concerning the new DOT regulations.  Please see the additional info at the end of this page.
  • 1 Year ARA Signs Workmanship and Materials Warranty on the entire sign

 

HIGH INTENSITY (PRISMATIC) GRADE (HI)

  • 3M High Intensity Prismatic Series 3930.  Meets ASTM D4956 Type III and Type IV Specifications.  3M’s Best High Intensity sheeting; far superior to 3M and other Manufacturer’s  “non-prismatic” Type III High Intensity Beaded sheeting
  • Reflects about 5 times more light than EG and at a much wider angle
  • Much more Durable than EG; 10 year 3M materials warranty
  • 3M further guarantees that signs made with HI Prismatic will, after 10 years, still retain 80% of its original reflectivity, meaning that a 10 year old HI sign will reflect about 4 times more light than a new EG sign
  • Modestly priced
  • Excellent choice for parking signs
  • Required by many States and Highway Departments for traffic signs unless Diamond Grade is required
  • High Intensity Prismatic Orange is NOT always approved for use in Highway Construction Zones for Temporary Traffic Control signs; Diamond Grade Fluorescent Orange (below) is more reflective and noticeable and is usually required.
  • 2 Year ARA Signs Workmanship and Materials Warranty on the entire sign

 

DIAMOND GRADE (CUBED) (DG3)

  • 3M Diamond Grade Cubed (DG3) Series 4000, “full cubed”, 100% efficient optical elements.  Exceeds ASTM D4956 proposed Type XI Specifications.  3M’s newest and best DG sheeting; superior to 3M’s “original” DG “VIP” Type IX sheeting.
  • Most reflective; reflects about 10 times more light than EG and at a very wide angle
  • Slightly more durable than HI; 12 year 3M materials warranty except F-Y-G
  • Fluorescent Yellow-Green (DG3 F-Y-G) #4083 is reserved for school, pedestrian crossing and similar signs and carries a 3M 10 year materials warranty
  • Highest price
  • “Overkill” for most parking signs on private property, shopping centers etc.
  • Required by most States for ALL or MOST highway and traffic signs
  • 3 Year ARA Signs Workmanship and Materials Warranty on the entire sign

 

DIAMOND GRADE FLUORESCENT ORANGE (DG F-O)

  • 3M DG Fluorescent Orange #3924S, meets ASTM D4956-04 Type VII, VIII and IX specifications, 3 Year 3M materials warranty
  • Highway Construction “Work Zone Sheeting” for Temporary Traffic Control (TTC)
  • Required by most State DOTs and Highway Departments
  • 1 Year ARA Signs Workmanship and Materials Warranty on the entire sign

 

 

Like sign SIZES, the required GRADE of REFLECTIVE SHEETING for all signs installed on public property and many signs on some types of private property (parking lots, shopping centers, subdivisions etc.) is determined by the Local Jurisdiction.

 

CONTACT YOUR STATE DOT, LOCAL HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT or CITY / COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR THE REQUIRED GRADE.

 

 

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NEW REGULATIONS REGARDING SIGN REFLECTIVITY

 

Developed by 3MTM in the early 1950’s, the days of Engineer Grade (EG) reflective sheeting are indeed now numbered, but claims by other Sign Companies that EG is “Prohibited” and that you MUST upgrade to more reflective sheeting are

half-truths or completely false.

 

NEW REGULATIONS SUMMARY

  • President Bush signed into Law 23 CFR Part 655, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT, and became effective January 22, 2008.

 

  • This law affects ALL States, counties and cities, the District of Columbia and all U.S. Possessions and Territories (Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.)

 

  • With a few exceptions, below, it affects all “…traffic signs on all roads open to public travel.”  Even before passage of this law, most states have long since interpreted this to include certain private property including parking lots, shopping centers, private residential subdivisions  etc.

 

      Currently exempted (but to be included in upcoming FHWA revisions expected soon) are:

    • Parking, Standing and Stopping signs (R7 and R8 series)
    • Walking, Hitchhiking and Crossing signs (R9 series, R10-1 thru R10-4b)
    • Adopt-A-Highway signs
    • All signs with blue or brown backgrounds (Park and Recreations signs, etc.)
    • Bikeway signs that are intended for exclusive use by bicyclists or pedestrians
    • Certain other signs with white backgrounds

 

  • ALL State DOTs and local Highway Agencies MUST implement a 4, 7 and 10 year plan, starting on 1/22/08, which includes the REPLACEMENT OF ALL SIGNS within the scope of this law and future revisions that DO NOT MEET THE NEW MINIMUM RETRO-REFLECTIVITY LEVELS

 

  • Grades of Reflective Sheeting that do NOT meet the new minimums include:
    • Type I: commonly called “Engineer Grade” or “Commercial Grade”
    • Type II: commonly called “Super Engineer Grade”
    • Type III: commonly called “High Intensity Beaded” *

 

* High Intensity: ARA Signs only uses 3M “High Intensity Prismatic” reflective sheeting the exceeds Type III and Type IV specification and DOES exceed the new Minimum Retro-Reflectivity Levels)

 

HOW THE NEW LAW EFFECTS YOUR SIGN PURCHASING DECISIONS

  • Most states, counties and cities: Roads open to Public Travel
    • The use of Engineer Grade or Commercial Grade Types I and II and High Intensity Beaded Type III was ALREADY PROHIBITED prior to the passage of this law, therefore no change
    • Eventually all older EXISTING signs that do NOT meet the new minimum retro-reflectivity levels must be REPLACED

 

  • Few remaining states, counties and cities: Roads open to Public Travel
    • Until DOT or Highway Agencies regulations at the Local level change, purchasing and installing EG and High Intensity Type III signs is still approved
    • HOWEVER… since all new and existing signs in these states must also eventually be REPLACED, regardless if it is currently legal to do so, it is probably financially UNWISE to purchase new signs with low reflectivity since they will have to be replaced long before the end of their useful life.

 

  • Private Commercial Property (shopping centers, parking lots etc) and Private Residential Subdivisions
    • Most states, counties and cities have long ago determined that these properties, although privately owned, are “open to public travel” and therefore MUST also follow the same requirements for public roads.  Signs that do NOT meet minimum retro-reflectivity standards are NOT permitted by state law or local ordinances in these states.
    • Other states, counties and cities that currently allow lower reflectivity standards are expected to revise all laws and ordinances shortly
    • Even if it is currently legal in your area to purchase and install new signs made with EG Type I and II or High Intensity Beaded Type III sheeting, it is probably UNWISE to do so because:
      • Financial reasons: “Grandfather Clauses” will expire long before these signs reach the end of their useful life and will have to be replaced prematurely with signs that meet the new minimum retro-reflectivity standards
      • Liability reasons (accidents):  Countless lawsuits have been won because the guilty party claimed that the sign was unreadable because it was not reflective enough and did not meet the national standards. 
      • Legal reasons:  Parking signs which impose a fine and/or towing, if made using High Intensity Prismatic Type IV sheeting, tend to disprove “I didn’t see it” claims in court.

 

  • Other Private Property, including Residential
    •  Regardless if local ordinances do not apply to your property, it is often UNWISE to purchase some types of new signs (such as “Stop” signs, speed limit, most “Danger” and “Warning” signs etc.) with low reflectivity sheeting for safety, legal and liability reasons.

 

HISTORY BEHIND THE NEW REGULATIONS

  • First introduced by 3M in the early 1950’s, Engineer Grade (EG) was vastly superior to the painted signs used prior. 
  • Improvements, including “Super Engineer Grade”, Type II and “High Intensity Beaded” Type III (developed by 3M in the early 1970’s) followed.
  • Driving conditions, of course, have changed dramatically since 1950
    • Considerably faster highway speeds
    • More drivers
    • More elderly drivers and those with failing eyesight
    • Headlight technology (newer, highly directional headlights, although they do a better job of illuminating the road directly ahead of the driver, do not cast as much light to the side and up where traffic signs are located)
  • The sign reflectivity language in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCH), however, has virtually remained unchanged for over 50 years.
  • There is no dispute that signs made with higher grades of reflective sheeting dramatically reduce the amount of accidents; numerous studies have proven this
  • Nevertheless, some U.S Senators and Representatives and other lawmakers, especially in states and counties with sparse population or with lower family incomes and therefore relatively low state and county revenue, have, for years, objected to the proposed changes for higher reflectivity standards due to the cost.
  • After considerable debate, agreement in Congress was finally reached.  Like most legislation (when was the last time 2 or more lawmakers in the same room agreed to anything?), many proposed clauses were deleted, but the types of signs omitted are expected to be included in the near future.
  • OUR COMMENTARY:  Engineer Grade reflective sheeting has enjoyed a long and rich history in this country, having saved countless lives compared to the painted signs used prior to 1950. 

Significant changes in traffic behavior and conditions have, however, made it necessary to adopt higher standards for signs.  Like most industrialized nations that have long since adopted similar laws, we feel the time is right to require traffic signs nation-wide with higher reflectivity in the interest of public safety.


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