LAC 73: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 QPL 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 RA 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 (1.0 m). 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 (RA) (cd lx-1m-2) Table 1015-2 Fluorescent Orange Color Specification Limits (Daytime) Color | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Luminance Factor, min. Color | 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 VI | 1/2 Year | 507 | 1/2 Year | 507 | 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 | Retroreflectivity1 -- Durability2 | Colorfastness3 Orange | All Colors, except Orange | Colorfastness3 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. Type | 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 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.