SIGN PANELS SECTION 818
457 SECTION 818 — SIGN PANELS
818.1Description.
This work consists of fabricating and providing sign panel overlays and new sign panels.
818.2Materials.
A.Retroflective Sign Sheeting.
1.Wide angle, prismatic, retroreflective sheeting meeting the properties of ASTM D4956 Type IV,
Type IX, or Type XI sheeting .
2.Prismatic lens elements with a distinctive interlocking pattern visible from the face of a smooth
surface.
3.Pre-coated adhesive protected by an easily removable liner.
B.Aluminum Sign Panels.
1.Aluminum sheet type in accordance with ASTM designation B209 (alloy 6061 -T6 or 5052 -H38).
2.Stringers or horizontal structural sign supporting members and vertical connections of 6061 -T6
or 6062 -T6 ASTM B221 aluminum alloy.
3.Reflectorized sign panels.
4.Sign Hardware.
a.Stainless or galvanized steel.
b.2024 -T4 aluminum alloy ASTM B211 or ASTM B221.
c.Hardware for attachment to overhead members:
i.Type 304 passivated stainless steel.
ii. Type 302 stainless steel alloy lock washers.
d.Sign support structure connections.
i.Steel in accordance with ASTM designation A36.
ii. Galvanized in accordance with ASTM designation A123.
C.Overhead Extruded Aluminum Sign Panels.
1.Sign panels and edge strips in accordance with B 221, alloy 6063 T6.
2.Clear anodized hardware, in accordance with 1 of the following: ASTM B209, alloy 2024 T4;
ASTM B -211, alloy 2024 T4, 6262 T9, 6061 T6, 7075 T6, or 2017 T4.
3.Type IX or XI retroreflective sheeting.
D.Sign Panel Overlays.
1.Flat aluminum sheet in accordance with ASTM designation B209 (alloy 6061 -T6).
2.Minimum panel sheet thickness is 0.08 -inch.
E.Connections Section 1039
818.3Construction.
SIGN PANELS SECTION 818
458 818.3.1 Applicable Documents.
A.The versions of the following documents in effect on the date of the bid advertisement or request
for proposal form a part of this specification to the extent specified here:
1.ASTM E810 Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting.
2.AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries, and
Traffic Signals .
3.DE MUTCD .
4.FHWA Standard Highway Signs and Markings.
5.Delaware Sign Book.
818.3.2 Submittals.
A.Submit working drawings in accordance with Section 818.3.1 and show the following:
1.Sheeting type – legend and background;
2.colors;
3.legend;
4.proposed spacing of letters; and
5.locations, dimensions, and arrangements of symbols and borders.
B.Working drawings are not required for signs provided in the Delaware Sign Book or signs that are
detailed in the Plans. 818.3.3 Design.
A.Roadside Sheet Aluminum Sign Panels.
1.Design sign panels and their connections to supports for applicable loadings and allowable
stresses specified for the supports.
a.Ensure all panels, stiffeners, and sub -framing are in accordance with AASHTO Standard
Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals with subsequent revisions.
b.Submit drawings showing the details for fabricating panels and support connections for prior
approval.
2.Fabricate sign panel sections from standard width, aluminum sheets with widths no less than
36-inches wide and no more than 5 1/2-feet wide , except that the Department will not allow more than 1 sheet of 2 -foot minimum width.
3.Fabricate sign panel sections up to 12 -feet tall using flat aluminum sheets that run from the top
edge to the bottom edge of the sign face without horizontal joints.
4.Fabricate sign panel sections over 12 -feet tall from 2 or more sheets with horizontal joints that
butt and fasten together for simplified handling and erection.
a.Locate each horizontal joint in sign panel sheets at the point of contraflexure in the sign face.
b.Fabricate the bottom sheet from material that is 12 -feet tall.
c.Fabricate the smaller top sheet no less than 2 -feet tall.
SIGN PANELS SECTION 818
459 d. Ensure adjustment in sheet heights is permitted to avoid conflict with direct applied sign face copy.
5.Fasteners and Backing Strips.
a.Provide sign panel sections with the fastenings shown in the contract.
b.Design fastenings to carry the full design load with a safety factor of 1.6 against the minimum
yield stress of the materials.
c.Signs over 9 -square feet in area shall be fastened with washers in addition to standard
hardware.
6.Provide sign panel sections with backing strips at the joints, held in place to keep the abutting
panel sections in alignment.
a.Apply sign panel fastenings and backing strips, with the exception of those used to fasten
letters, symbols, and the sign face border, without causing visible projections or indentations of the sign face.
b.Design each sign panel section to engage and hang from 2 or more horizontal structural
members of the supporting frame.
7.Supporting Frame.
a.Construct a supporting sign frame consisting of horizontal and vertical stringers in accordance
with the contract.
b.Fabricate the horizontal supporting sign members using 1 piece of new material.
c.Locate splices at points of contraflexure. Keep the number of splices to a minimum for large
signs that require stringer splicing.
8.Sign Panel Size.
a.Fabricate sign panels that include a reflective sheeting background, complete with
demountable, direct applied, or silk -screened copy.
b.Base the sign panel sizes containing copy in accordance with the plans on the manufacturer’s
spacing charts.
c.Place all letters in accordance with manufacturer’s spacing charts.
d.Use 6 -inch increments for the overall horizontal and vertical dimensions.
B.Overhead Extruded Aluminum Sign Panels.
1.Provide extruded aluminum sign panels with copy in accordance with the contract.
2.The Department will allow use of the permitted maximum thickness of 0.100 -inch for the exposed
surface of extruded aluminum sign panels. Equip only with notched corners.
3.Fabricate extruded aluminum sign panels from individual extrusions that are 12 -inches wide.
Assemble extruded aluminum sign panels such that the individual extrusions connect to one another horizontally with no vertical joints. Provide attachment of individual extrusions to one another in accordance with the applicable details. Use only straight and flat extrusions: The Department will allow extruded sections 6 -inches wide where required by the sign height or exit panel. The Department will allow no more than one, 6 -inch panel per individual sign or exit panel. SIGN PANELS SECTION 818
460 4. Apply reflective sheeting to extruded panels so that it extends approximately 3/8 -inch over each side in the narrow direction and remains adhered to the panel.
5.Place an edge strip on both sides of extruded panel signs.
818.3.4 Construction.
A.Sign Face Finishing.
1.Apply retroreflective sheeting to the aluminum panels after degreasing and etching the sign
panel, in accordance with sheeting manufacturer ’s recommendations.
a.Apply the sheeting only when the sheeting and air temperature is above 50 degrees F.
2.Whenever necessary to construct the background of a sign face with 2 or more pieces of
retroreflective sheeting, match for color and prismatic pattern before application and sign fabrication.
a.The Department will reject sheeting with non -uniform shading or an undesirable contrast
between adjacent widths of applied sheeting.
b.Ensure a uniform color, brilliance, texture, and general appearance as seen in the daytime and
under typical automobile illumination at night for the entire background of each sign.
c.Use no more sections of retroreflective sheeting than necessary for backgrounds.
d.Do not use remnants, scraps, or odd sized pieces of sheeting for sign fabrication.
e.Butt or overlap joints between retroreflective sheeting no more than 3/8 -inch.
f.Do not use horizontal joints between retroreflective sheeting sections.
g.Create a “watershed” seam to prevent sediment and water from entering within the sheeting
joint.
B.Sign Panel Erection.
1.The engineer may determine that certain sign messages are not ready for public display at the
time of sign erection. Cover and secure the panels of such signs with an opaque material in accordance with Section 810 until the sign messages are ready for p ublic display.
2.Provide and place identification tags or decals on the sign panels that state the contract number
and the month and year of erection. Place tags on the lower back side of the panel nearest the roadway shoulder.
3.All sign panels shall be erected with any and all supplemental hardware in accordance with the
Standard Construction Details.
C.Sign Panel Overlay Installation.
1.Field verify panel overlay sizes before fabrication.
2.Attach logos to the sign panel overlay in accordance with the contract.
3.Install sign panel overlays to existing signs in accordance with the contract.
4.Use rivets to attach the sign panel overlay to the existing sign.
818.3 .5 Maintenance and Evaluation. SIGN PANELS SECTION 818
461 Date signs at the time of installation. Provide date stickers in accordance with the Delaware Sign Book and the Standard Construction Details .
818.4Method of Measurement.
The Department will measure the quantity of sign panels as the number of square feet of front sign face surface area of sign panels constructed and accepted. The Department will measure the signs as complete shapes and will make no area deductions for roun ded corners.
818.5Basis of Payment.
A.The Department will pay the quantity of sign panel at the contract unit price per square foot. Price
and payment will constitute full compensation for :
1.Providing and placing sign panels with retroreflective materials, copy, symbols, borders ;
2.providing and placing decals ; and
3.connections to supports.
B.The Department will consider the cost of removing, separating material types, and transporting
existing sign panels and hardware to the DelDOT sign shop as included in the pay items below, unless otherwise indicated in the contract. ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT 818001 SUPPLY OF ROADSIDE FLAT SHEET ALUMINUM SIGN PANEL, TYPE IV RETROREFLECTIVE SHEETING SF 818002 SUPPLY OF ROADSIDE FLAT SHEET ALUMINUM SIGN PANEL, TYPE IX RETROREFLECTIVE SHEETING SF 818003 SUPPLY OF ROADSIDE FLAT SHEET ALUMINUM SIGN PANEL, TYPE XI RETROREFLECTIVE SHEETING SF 8180 10 SUPPLY OF OVERHEAD OR I -BEAM EXTRUDED ALUMINUM SIGN PANEL SF SIGN POSTS SECTION 819
462 SECTION 819 — SIGN POSTS
819.1Description.
This work consists of providing, placing, and removing sign posts.
819.2Materials.
A.Galvanized Telescoping Steel Sign Posts Section 1072.1
B.Fasteners and Hardware Section 1072.1.K
C.4” PVC Pipe Section 1031
819.3Construction.
A.Install or Remove Traffic Sign Posts .
1.Install Sign Posts.
a.Follow Miss Utility procedures before installing sign posts to avoid damaging existing utilities.
b.Place sign posts in accordance with the DE MUTCD and MASH .
c.Install telescoping steel sign posts as follows:
i.Install sign posts, base posts, corner bolts, and associated hardware in accordance with the
Standard Construction Details . ii. For signs mounted in a concrete island where no hole exists, core a 4-inch diameter hole for the post.
2.Remove Sign Posts.
a.Remove the post, including the part in the ground. Do not cut posts flush with the ground.
b.If the sign and/or post are designated for re -installation, neatly stockpile the materials safe
from damage until the material is re-installed. Dispose of signs and/or posts not planned for re-installation.
c.Remove nuts, bolts, and other connections between the signs and the posts.
i.If a traffic sign is mounted on a single post, remove the sign post from the ground and then
remove the sign from the post. ii. If a traffic sign is mounted to multiple posts, remove the traffic sign from the posts and then remove the posts from the ground.
d.Backfill the post hole and grade the disturbed ground.
B.Install or Remove Traffic Signs.
1.Install Traffic Signs .
a.Install signs on posts as follows:
i.Mount the sign at a height in accordance with the DE MUTCD and MASH .
ii. Except for YIELD signs, mount a sign assembly with a single sign totaling more than 9 square feet on 2 posts.
Source: Delaware Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2025 Edition. Pages 467–472 of 779.