BS-EN-12966-1-2005.pdf

BRITISH STANDARD BS EN 12966-1:2005 Road vertical signs Variable message traffic signs Part 1: Product standard The European Standard EN 12966-1:2005 has the status of a British Standard ICS 93.080.30 ? BS EN 12966-1:2005 This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 6 May 2005 © BSI 6 May 2005 ISBN 0 580 45988 8 National foreword This British Standard is the official English language version of EN 12966-1:2005. The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical Committee B/509, Road equipment, to Subcommittee B/509/3, Construction of road traffic signs, which has the responsibility to: A list of organizations represented on this subcommittee can be obtained on request to its secretary. Cross-references The British Standards which implement international or European publications referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogue under the section entitled “International Standards Correspondence Index”, or by using the “Search” facility of the BSI Electronic Catalogue or of British Standards Online. This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application. Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. aid enquirers to understand the text; present to the responsible international/European committee any enquiries on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UK interests informed; monitor related international and European developments and promulgate them in the UK. Summary of pages This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page, pages 2 to 70, an inside back cover and a back cover. The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued. Amendments issued since publication Amd. No. DateComments EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM EN 12966-1 April 2005 ICS 93.080.30 English version Road vertical signs - Variable message traffic signs - Part 1: Product standard Signaux de signalisation routière verticale - Panneaux à messages variables - Partie 1: Norme de produit Vertikale Verkehrszeichen - Wechselverkehrszeichen - Teil 1: Produktnorm This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 March 2005. CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member. This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions. CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels © 2005 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 12966-1:2005: E EN 12966-1:2005 (E) 2 Contents Page Foreword3 Introduction.4 1 Scope 5 2 Normative references5 3 Terms and definitions .6 4 Dimensions and tolerances8 5 General design requirements.8 6 Materials .9 7 Visual performance9 8 Physical performance .18 9 Test methods21 10 Product classification codes35 11 Marking, labelling and product information36 12 Evaluation of conformity.37 13 Dangerous substances .37 Annex A (normative) Equivalent area38 Annex B (informative) Terminology used in this document .44 Annex C (informative) Guidance on graphics for light emitting signs 46 Annex D (informative) Guidance for dimensions and tolerances of symbols and characters57 Annex E (informative) Specific design issues59 Annex F (informative) Design of VMS messages.61 Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other provisions of EU Directives63 Bibliography70 EN 12966-1:2005 (E) 3 Foreword This document (EN 12966-1:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 226 “Road equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR. This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2005, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by January 2007. This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s). For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document. This European Standard consists of the following Parts under the general title: Road vertical signs - Part 1: (this part) Variable message traffic signs Part 1: Product standard - Part 2: Variable message traffic signs Part 2: Initial type testing - Part 3: Variable message traffic signs Part 3: Factory production control It derives from performance requirements and test methods published in CEN, CENELEC, CIE and ISO documents together with standards of the CEN member organisations. According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. EN 12966-1:2005 (E) 4 Introduction This document is designed for use by Road Authorities and private developers who wish to use variable message signs. It provides performance requirements and the means of evaluation of conformity to those requirements. This document is a product standard covering the requirements for Variable Message Signs (VMS). A VMS is a sign where the information shown can be changed. The information can be text and/or symbols. This document does not describe the detailed form and configuration of a VMS. Therefore test modules are used to demonstrate conformance with the requirements of this document because of the impracticality of testing some complete signs. Because of the major demands on a sign for good legibility and visibility throughout the required viewing range, the main properties of the sign are described. These properties can vary depending on the situation. For example, it will be not necessary to ask for a minimum temperature requirement of -40 °C in Greece, but this will be considered in Lapland. For visual performance there will be a difference between installation on highways - with good distance visibility and a narrow beam width - and installation in cities, where there is only short distance legibility and when a wide beam may be required. This document uses performance requirements, which are not dependent on technology. The visual and environmental performance is demonstrated on a test module. This document contains a number of defined requirements, some of which have to be demonstrated on the test module, others that are to be verified by the manufacturer. It is the manufacturers responsibility to ensure that the final product is fully representative of the test module. The main properties of VMS are divided into classes, which are designed to be selected by choosing a combination of classes dependent on the situation and purchaser requirements. This combination covers not only the regulatory requirements of the territory of destination but also issues of lifetime, quality, maintenance and construction, all of which affect the ability of a sign in its particular application, to meet safety and fitness for purpose. The details in the informative Annexes are provided as useful guidance on the additional aspects relating to VMS for those setting up purchasing contracts for signs or signing systems. The working environment for VMS can be relatively harsh and equipment that is deemed “fit for purpose“ is expected to last in an exposed, corrosive environment for a minimum of 10 years. It is essential that all materials and manufacturing processes take this into account. The manufacturer should detail all steps taken to comply with this. EN 12966-1:2005 (E) 5 1 Scope This document specifies requirements and test methods for new Variable Message Signs (VMS). VMS comprise two types, continuous and discontinuous signs: - continuous signs are those that are similar to fixed signs, the only difference being that by some electro-mechanical means they can show various messages. NOTE 1 For example rotating prism signs, roller blinds. - discontinuous signs create messages using individual elements that can be in one of two states (or more) and can thereby create various messages on the same sign face. NOTE 2 For example fibre optic signs, LED signs. This document covers the performance requirements for Variable Message Signs used for the instruction and guidance of road users on public and private land, including tunnels. In this document a number of different performance requirements (visual performance, EMC, environmental performance, etc) are covered, as well as durability. The EMC, safety and environmental requirements for both types of VMS are included in this document together with the visual performance for the discontinuous types VMS. The visual performance for continuous signs and discontinuous signs which are externally illuminated is covered by EN 12899-1. This document defines performance limits and a range of performance classes for both sign assemblies without vertical support and assemblies complete with vertical support. Not covered by this document are: a) sign gantries, cantilevers and foundations; b) portable and temporary VMS; c) signal heads; d) sizes and shapes of VMS messages; e) control units and monitoring units unless inside the test module. 2 Normative references The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN 12767, Passive safety of support structures for road equipment Requirements and test methods EN 12966-2, Road vertical signs Variable message traffic signs Part 2: Initial type testing EN 12966-3, Road vertical signs Variable message traffic signs Part 3: Factory production control EN 12899-1:2001, Fixed, vertical road traffic signs Part1: Fixed signs EN 50293, Electromagnetic compatibility Road traffic signal systems Product standard EN 12966-1:2005 (E) 6 EN 60068-2-1, Environmental testing part 2: tests tests A: cold (IEC 60068-2-1:1990) EN 60068-2-2, Basic environmental testing procedures part 2: tests B: dry heat (IEC 60068-2-2:1974 + IEC 60068-2-2A:1976) EN 60068-2-5, Environmental testing Part 2: Tests Test Sa: Simulated solar radiation at ground level (IEC 60068-2-5:1975) EN 60068-2-14, Environmental testing Part 2: Tests Test N: Change of temperature (IEC 60068-2- 14:1984 + A1:1986) EN 60068-2-30, Environmental testing Part 2: Tests Test Db and guidance: Damp heat, cyclic (12 plus 12 hour cycle) (IEC 60068-2-30:1980 + A1:1985) EN 60068-264, Environmental testing Part 2: Test methods Test Fh: Vibration, broad band random (digital control) and guidance (IEC 60068-2-64;1993 + Corrigendum 1993) EN 60529:1991, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)(IEC 60529:1989) EN 60598-1, Luminaries Part 1: General requirements and tests (IEC 60598-1:2003 + Corrigendum 2004, modified) EN 60664-1, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests (IEC 60644-1:1992 + A1:2000 + A2:2002) prEN ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres Salt spray test (ISO/DIS 9227:2004) ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment Index and synopsis CIE 15.2:1986, Colorimetry CIE 17.4:1987, International lighting vocabulary Chapter 845: lighting prHD 60364-4-443, Electrical installation of buildings Part 4-44: Protection for safety Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances Clause 443: Protection against overvoltages of atmospheric origin or due to switching (IEC 60364-4-44:2001/A1:2003, modified) HD 638 S1, Road traffic signal systems 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in CIE 15.2:1986 and CIE 17.4:1987 and the following apply. NOTE When reading this document for the first time, particular attention should be paid to Annex B. 3.1 backing-board surround to the VMS, used depending on local circumstances, providing improved visibility of the VMS by means of broadening its size and by providing suitable visible contrast with the VMS background 3.2 cantilever support support system with a single post and a cantilever arm supporting VMS(s) mounted over the traffic lane(s) 3.3 control device equipment used to execute a change of message other than by purely manual means EN 12966-1:2005 (E) 7 3.4 display surface visible part of a VMS that contains the elements that may be activated to display the message 3.5 element basic visual light emitting and/or reflecting object or cluster of objects in the display surface of a VMS, activated in conjunction with other elements to form the desired message 3.6 equivalent area see Annex A : Equivalent area 3.7 front panel visible part of a sign comprising the display surface; and the backing-board when this is integrated in the front of the VMS 3.8 front screen screen protecting the display surface or the parts of it against dust, water, etc. 3.9 gantry support system spanning a carriageway with one or more posts on each side of the carriageway supporting VMS mounted over the traffic lanes 3.10 horizontal reference plane horizontal plane containing the reference axis, when the VMS is positioned in such a way that the reference axis is horizontal 3.11 lay-out physical arrangement of characters (text) and symbols, on the display surface 3.12 luminance ratio (LR) ratio of luminance emitted from the sign in the ON state compared to the luminance in the OFF state. Luminance ratio shall be calculated as follo