Episodes two and three of the BSGA podcast series move from principle to practice.
This four part BSGA podcast series explores the Standard and its practical application.
The series has been created to explain and educate listeners about BS 559, making the Standard more accessible and easier to understand in the context of the sign industry.
Across the four episodes, Jack Gocher, Eye on Display, guides the conversation with BSGA Managing Director, Linda Edwards, and Ben Lambert, Director at Displayway. Ben was involved forms part of the BSI committee that developed BS 559-2, bringing his knowledge and experience of the Standard to the discussion.
Together, they look at what a British Standard is, why it matters and how it can be applied in practice.
Podcast two: What does BS 559 cover?
A standard for the life of a sign:
BS 559 is the overarching standard for signage, with each part addressing a different stage of a sign’s life. BS 559-1 covers design, fabrication, manufacture and installation. BS 559-2 is being developed to cover inspection and maintenance once a sign is in service.
The two parts are intended to work together. The industry has had a recognised reference point for how a sign is made and installed, but far less on how it is looked after once in place.
“A sign doesn’t stop being the responsibility of someone once it has been installed,” Linda explains.
That point sits at the centre of the draft. Signs remain in service for many years, and fixings, materials and the structures they are attached to all change over time. BS 559-2 is intended to give sign companies and their clients a clearer, more consistent approach to an area long open to interpretation.
What falls within scope?
The draft applies to a wide range of signage, including illuminated and non-illuminated signs, fixed and portable signs, digital displays and electronically changeable signs. Road traffic signs, safety signs, fire safety signs, railway trackside signs and airside airport signs are excluded, as these are addressed by other standards and regulations.
Where does the draft stand?
BS 559-2 is still a draft. Its content and status could change as it progresses through the BSI process, so its provisions should currently be treated as proposals rather than established requirements. That distinction is important.
Podcast three: What will BS 559-2 mean in practice?
What does inspection and maintenance involve?
In practice, it means looking at the condition of the sign and the things that support it, identifying any deterioration or defects, and taking appropriate action to maintain its safety and performance.
The draft proposes a minimum physical, onsite inspection annually, or within 12 months of the previous inspection or installation.
“Signs can deteriorate over time, sometimes without it being obvious from ground level or simply looking at them,” Linda explains.
Regular physical inspection provides an opportunity to identify issues before they become a safety concern.
A risk-based approach:
The draft does not propose a single approach for every sign. How often a sign should be inspected, and how extensive that inspection should be, would depend on factors such as the type and location of the sign, its age and condition, environmental exposure, accessibility and the risks associated with the installation.
An inspection may also need to look well beyond the sign itself. Depending on the installation, that could include the fixings, supporting structures, foundations, electrical systems and the substrate or surface the sign is attached to, wherever deterioration could affect its safety or stability.
Existing signs and missing information:
Older signs, or signs in poor or unknown condition, may require a more detailed or more frequent inspection. The history and condition of the installation need to be taken into account.
Where an organisation does not know when a sign was installed, or has little or no inspection history, the draft proposes an enhanced inspection regime. In those circumstances, the lack of information itself becomes something that needs to be addressed.
Competence:
The knowledge, skills and experience needed to carry out an inspection would depend on the sign and the complexity of the inspection. The person would need appropriate training, skills, experience and knowledge, which could include working at height, electrical safety, structural inspection and site safety.
For sign companies asked to undertake inspection or maintenance work, this could create additional opportunities, but those opportunities come with responsibility. Businesses will need to make sure they have the appropriate competence, equipment and knowledge for the work they are undertaking, rather than treating inspection as an extension of installation.
“It isn’t simply a case of looking at a sign and completing a checklist,” Linda notes.
Next up: Who is responsible for a sign?
The final episode looks at the concept of the “sign holder” and who may be responsible for a sign once it has been installed, including where responsibility is shared between landlord and tenant. It also considers the information a sign owner or duty holder should have, the role of the sign maker or contractor in providing it when a sign is completed, and why documentation matters throughout a sign’s service life.
BS 559-2 is intended to bring a more structured and consistent approach to the inspection and maintenance of signs once in service. The BSGA has an active role in representing the sector’s interests, contributing industry knowledge and supporting the development and understanding of relevant standards. As BS 559-2 progresses through the BSI process, the Association will keep members informed, provide practical technical guidance and help businesses understand what these developments mean for their responsibilities and working practices across the life of a sign.
The podcast will be broadcast during November! Follow the YouTube page to see it first.