721Materials for Signing

720.07.6 Acceptance Sampling and Testing . Final acceptance of each lot will be based

on results of tests performed by the Department on verification samples submitted from each lot shipped to the project. The Engineer will select one sample at random from each lot in the shipment for testing. A sample extending full width of the randomly selected sample and five linear feet in length will be obtained and submitted by the Engineer. The sample from each shipment shall be pr ovided at no cost to the State.

720.07.7 Warranty . All manufacturer’s standard warranties and guarantees on high

performance cold plastic pavement marking material, which are provided as customary trade practice, shall be delivered to the Engineer at the final inspection. All warranties and guarantees shall be made out to the Department. SECTION 721 - MATERIALS FOR SIGNING

721.01 General . All materials included in this s ection will be conditionally accepted on

the basis of the manufacturer's certification of compliance, as sp ecified in Subsection 106.04, except those materials normally tested by the Department; i.e. concrete, reinforcing steel, timber posts, etc. The State Materials Engineer shall be furnished the original and three copies of the manufacturer's certification. The Department reserves the right to test or have tested by a commercial laboratory an y material that has been conditionally accepted by certification.

721.02 Ferrous Materials .

721.02.1 General . All welds shall be mechanically cleaned before galvanizing. All

ferrous metal except reinforcing steel, and sheet steel unless otherwise specified, shall be zinc-coated, galvanized, by the hot dip method in accordance with AASHTO M 111 after all fabrication has been completed.

721.02.2 Structural Steel for Sign Supports . Structural steel used in sign support

structures shall be of standard shape. St ructural steel pipe per ASTM A 53 shall be manufactured by the open-hearth or basic oxygen process.

721.02.2 1--Ground Mounted Sign Supports . Posts shall be provided with "break-away"

mountings as shown on the plans using the following materials:

721.02.2 2--Overhead Sign Supports . Materials approved for use in the construction of

overhead sign supports include the following:

721.02.3 Steel Posts fo r Small and Medium Suppl ementary Directional Signs . Steel

posts for small size signs shall be U-section Po sts. Steel posts for medium size signs shall be Square Tube posts. The U-section posts, also referred to as “benda way” posts, are normally U-section channels of such size and design that when hit by a moving vehicle will easily bend away from the vehicle without seriously damaging it. U-s ection posts shall be fabricated to acceptable shape and design to provide the Moment of Inertia and Section Modulus for the requirements of the designated post size shown on the plan details. The post shall meet the requirements of ASTM A 499, Grade 60, or a comparable new billet steel meeting the requirements of ASTM A 572, Grade 60. Square tube posts will not easily bend away when hit by a moving vehicle. Unless otherwise noted on plan details, square tube posts will require a “breakaway” feature to be incorporated with the post. The material and design of the breakaway feature shall be shown by the plan details. Square tube posts shall be fabricated from standard beam shapes of the size, shape, and weight shown on the plans. The material shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A 53, Grade B, Schedule 40 or better with no pressure test required. All materials furnished for use shall be new, unless otherwise specified by plan details or provisions of the contract.

721.02.3 1--Material . U-section posts shall be of high carbon rail steel ASTM A 499.

Standard square tube posts shall be of high carbon rail steel ASTM A1011, Grade 50 steel with average minimum yield strength afte r cold forming of 60,000 psi. Breakaway features constructed of steel shall have all elements galvanized, unless otherwise provided by the plan details.

721.02.3 2--Workmanship . All posts shall be straight with no bending, warping, splits,

or breaks. Square tube posts shall meet AASHTO M111. Square tube posts shall be corner welded, scarfed after welding, then zinc coated after s carfing. All surfaces of the square tube posts must be coated with a chroma te conversion coating and a cl ear organic polymer topcoat. Both the interior and exterior surfaces of the square tube posts must be galvanized.

721.02.3 3--Cross-Section . U-section posts shall be as shown on the plans. The bends in

the cross-section of the post must be sharp and well defined, and the radius of the bend shall not be greater than 13/32 of an inch. Square tube posts shall have a 2½-inch outer sleeve. When required, the inner sleeve shall be 2 3/16-inch. The material shall be 10 gauge steel.

721.02.3 4--Weight . The weight of the U-section post per linear foot without ground

plates shall be 2.0 pounds for 7-foot to 9-foot lengths, and 3.0 pounds for 11-foot to 14- foot lengths with a tolerance of three and one-half percent (3½%), or as shown on the plans. The weight of the square tube posts per linear foot without ground plates or inner sleeve shall be a minimum of 4.0 pounds per foot for 10 gauge posts, or as shown on the plans. The weight of the inner sleeve for square tube posts per linear foot without ground plates shall be a minimum of 3.4 pounds per foot for 10 gauge posts, or as shown on the plans.

721.02.3 5--Punching . U-Section posts shall be punched on the center line of the web

while hot. Posts of 7-foot to l4-foot lengths shall have ⅜-inch holes one inch apart on centers starting one inch from the top of the posts and extending the full length of the post. Square posts shall be punched on the center line of each of the four side s while hot. Square Tube Posts of 8-foot to 20-foot lengths shall have 7/16-inch holes spaced one inch apart on centers starting one inch from the top of the posts and extending the full length of the post on each of the four sides of the post.

721.02.3 6-- Blank.

721.02.3 7--Pointing . The posts shall not be pointed.

721.02.3 8--Caps . All standard post shapes whose design will have a tendency to collect

water shall be provided with an approved type of tight fitting post cap fabricated of material compatible with that of the post.

721.02.4 Reinforcing Steel . Reinforcing steel shall conform to Section 711 and shall be

placed in accordance with Section 602.

721.02.5 Bolts, Nuts, Washers , Screws, and other Hardware . Except as otherwise

specified, all bolts, nuts, washers, sheet metal screws, and machine screws shall be coated by the zinc chromate process. The zinc ch romate process shall be in accordance with the requirements of ASTM B633. Bolts shall have a 1/2-inch head and shall meet the requirements of ASTM A307, Gr ade A. Nuts shall be self-locking and shall meet the requirements of ASTM A563. Flat washers shall be installed between the sign support and the self-locking nut and shall meet the requirements of ANSI B27.2. Sheet metal screws shall meet the requirements of ANSI B18.6.4. Machine screws shall meet the requirements of ANSI B18.6.3. Vinyl spacers shall be installed between the bolt head and the sign face and shall meet the following maximum dimensions: 7/8-inch outside diameter by 3/8-inch inside diameter by 1/16-inch thickness. Post clips used with extruded panel signs sh all be cast aluminum per ASTM B 108, Alloy No. 356.0-T6 or extruded aluminum per ASTM B 221, Alloy 6063-T6. Unless otherwise specified, all bolts, sheet metal screws, and machine screws used in assembling signs, frames, and post braces, including post clips and panel bolts, shall be in accordance with ASTM A 307, Grade A.

721.03 Aluminum . All aluminum shall be free from corrosion, white rust, water stains,

dirt, and grease. Fabrication shall be accomp lished in a uniform and workmanlike manner. All fabrication, including cutting and punching of holes, shall be completed prior to metal treatment. Sign blanks shall be cut to size and shape and shall be free of buckles, warps, dents, cockles, burrs, and defects resulting from fabrication. The surface of all sign blanks shall be flat. All blanks not having corner radii shall have square 90° corners to facilitate sign fabrication. All blanks requiring holes shall have “MDOT” debossed on the blank in a location so as not to be covered by the post when erected. The debossed letters shall be not less than 3/8 inch high and shall be approximately 0.006 inch deep so as not to be visible on the other side of the blank.

721.03.1 Sheet Aluminum . Sheet aluminum or blanks sh all meet the requirements of

ASTM B 209, Alloy 6061-T6 or 5052-H38. Gauge, dimension, punching and corner radii shall be in accordance with the plans.

721.03.2 Extruded Signs . Extruded sign panels and extruded post clips shall meet the

requirements of ASTM B 221, Alloy 6063-T6. Sections and dimensions shall be as shown on the plans. The panel shall be of the butt type, designed to withstand a wind pressure of 50 pounds per square foot. All panels shall be flat and straight within commercial tolerances as established by the aluminum industry. Extruded sign sections shall be subject to approval by the Engineer. Extruded sign sections shall be provided with slotted bolt holes. Post clips shall be designed for the sign panel section with which it is used.

721.04 Concrete . Unless otherwise specified, concrete shall be Class B. Composition,

manufacture, and placement shall be in accordance with Section 601.

721.05 Colors and Paint. All colors for signs shall match FHWA specifications for

standard highway sign colors. Aluminum paint shall conform to Subsection 710.02.1. Transparent and black opaque process colors used in silk screening shall be the same or equal to that recommended by the manufacturer of the retroreflective sheeting, and shall match FHWA Specifications for standard highway sign colors. Toning of certain colors for adjustment in hue shall be accomplished in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the process paste.

721.06 Reflective Sheeting .

721.06.1 General . Retroreflective sheeting materials shall comply with all applicable

requirements of ASTM D 4956, except as specifically modified herein, and shall be listed on the Department's APL. Reflective sheeting shall be one of the following types:

721.06.2 Performance Requirements . The retroreflective sheeting shall have the

minimum brightness values at 0.2° and 0.5° ob servation angle, in addition 1.0° for Type IX and XI sheeting, expressed as average candelas per foot-candle per square foot of material, as shown in the tables in this subsection. Sheetings and inks processed and applie d in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, shall perform e ffectively for the numb er of years stated below. Sheeting will be considered unsatisfactory if it has deteri orated due to natural causes to the extent that: (1) the sign is ineffective for its intended purpose when viewed from a moving vehicle under normal day and night driving conditions or (2) the coefficient of retroreflection is less than the minimum specified for that shee ting during the periods listed below. For screen printed transp arent colored areas on white sh eeting, the coefficients of retroreflection shall not be less than 70% of the values for the corresponding color in the table in this subsection. Type III Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 1 through 7 years Retain 70% of initial values listed in Table 1 between 7 & 10 years Type V Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 2 through 7 years Retain 70% of initial values listed in Table 2 between 7 & 10 years Type VIII Retain 85% of initial values listed in Table3 through 7 years Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 3 between 7 & 10 years Retain 50% of initial values listed in Table 3 through 3 years for Fluorescent Orange Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 3 through 7 years for Fluorescent Yellow/Green & Fluorescent Yellow Type IX Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 4 through 7 years Retain 70% of initial values listed in Table 4 between 7 & 10 years Retain 70% of initial values listed in Table 4 for 7 years for Fluorescent Yellow/Green & Fluorescent Yellow Retain 50% of initial values listed in Table 4 for 3 years for Fluorescent Orange Type XI Retain 85% of initial values listed in Table 5 through 7 years Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 5 between 7 & 12 years Retain 80% of initial values listed in Table 5 for 7 years for Fluorescent Yellow/Green & Fluorescent Yellow Retain 50% of initial values listed in Table 5 for 3 years for Fluorescent Orange

721.06.3 Certification. The Contractor shall require the supplier to furnish certifications

to the Engineer showing conformance to thes e requirements. Manufacturer's warranties or guarantees provided as customary trade practice shall be furnished to the Project Engineer.

721.06.4 Color . Reflective sheeting shall meet the co lor requirements of ASTM D 4956.

See Table 6 below for color specifications for fluorescent yellow green, fluorescent orange, and fluorescent yellow sheeting. TABLE 6 Color Specification Limits for New Sheeting - Daytime Color Chromaticity Coordinate x y Chromaticity Coordinate x y Chromaticity Coordinate x y Chromaticity Coordinate x y Total Luminance Factor Limit YT Min. Fluorescent Yellow Gree n Fluorescent Orange Fluorescent Yellow 0.387 0.610 0.583 0.416 0.479 0.520 0.369 0.546 0.535 0.400 0.446 0.483 0.428 0.496 0.595 0.351 0.512 0.421 0.460 0.540 0.645 0.355 0.557 0.442 60% 20% 40%

721.06.5 Adhesive . The retroreflective sheeting shall include a pre-coated pressure

sensitive adhesive, as referenced in ASTM D 4956, Class 1, applied without the necessity of additional adhesive coats on the retror eflective sheeting or application surface. The Class 1 adhesive shall be a pressure sensitive adhesive of the aggressive tack type requiring no heat solvent or other preparation for adhesion to smooth clean surfaces. The protective liner attached to the adhesive shall be removed by peeling without soaking in water or other solutions and shall be eas ily removed after accelerat ed storage for four hours at 160ºF under a weight of 2.5 pounds per square inch. 721.06.6--Additional Contract Requirements. This Subsection is applicable only when the sheeting material is being purchased for use in the Department’s Sign Shop. In addition to the above requirements, the requirements of this subsection must also be met.

721.06.6 1--Sheetin g Manufacturer’s Replacement Obligation . Where it can be shown

that retroreflective traffic signs with Type I II, Type VII, Type VIII, or Type IX sheeting supplied and used according to the sheeting manufacturer’s recommendations have not met the performance requirements , the sheeting manufacturer shall replace the sheeting required to restore the sign su rface to its original effectivene ss during the entire 10 years. In addition, during the first seven (7) years th e manufacturer of Type III, Type VII, Type VIII, or Type IX sheeting shall cover the cost of restoring the sign surface to its original effectiveness at no cost to the Department for materials and labor for both sign manufacture and installation.

721.06.6 2--Technical Assistance Requirements.

Instruction and Training. The manufacturer supplying th e retroreflective sheeting shall provide the services of a qualified technician for instruction and training at the sign manufacturing facility, at no additional cost to the State. This instruction shall be provided bi-annually or when requested, and shall include but not be limited to training films, material application, equipment operation, silk screening techniques, packaging, storage, and other proven sign shop practices as they apply to the retroreflective sheeting supplied by the manufacturer, and to assure that the resulting signs can comply with the applicable specifications. Technical Service. The sheeting manufacturer shall, without additional cost to the Department, provide the sign shop with competent technical service and product information including service on screen printing problems with the inks furnished by the manufacturer. Equipment. The manufacturer supplying the retroreflective sheeting shall provide technical assistance for the recommended shee ting application equipment and certify that trained personnel shall be available on 72-hour notice to render such service necessary to adjust ink consistency or otherwise modify th e application of silk screen equipment to accommodate use of manufacturer’s sheeting. “Service” is understood to mean the capability of calibration and trouble shooting, as well as the training and retaining of personnel as required.

721.07 Delineators . Delineators shall consist of encapsulated lens reflective sheeting of

the specified colors applied to sheet metal with mechanical equipment in a manner specified by the sheeting manufacturer. The sheet metal shall be the same as that used for small sheet signs as required under Subsection 721.03.1. 721.07.1--Flexible Posts . Flexible posts for delineators shall be composed of high impact fiberglass reinforced composite, engineering blended plastic or thermosetting polymers that are reasonably unaffected by long term U.V. exposure. Flexible posts for delineators must be one from the Department's APL. Prior to use, the Contractor shall furnish the Engineer three copies of the manufacturer's certification for each shipment stating that the material furn ished is of the same composition as that originally approved by the Department and that the material has not been changed or altered in any way.

721.07.1 1--Performance Testing for Flexible Posts .

721.07.1 1.1--Impact Resistance . The post must be self-erecting after withstanding 10

vehicle impacts at temperatures of 0°F or ab ove without complete loss of serviceability. The impacts shall be made at an impact angle of 25 ±5° with a sedan at 35 mph.

721.07.1 1.2--Heat Resistance . A post shall be conditioned a minimum of two hours in

an oven at 115° ±3°F. The conditioned post shall be capable of straightening itself within 10 seconds when bent 90° at or near the midpoint for each of fo ur bends. The test on each post shall be completed within two minutes after removal from the oven. The post shall be bent in the direction to form a 90° angle on the convex side of the post.

721.07.1 1.3--Cold Resistance . A post shall be conditioned a minimum of two hours at -

5° ±3°F in an environmentally controlled test chamber. Testing shall be performed in the environmental chamber. The conditioned post shall not be adversely affected when bent at or near the midpoint to a 90° angle formed on the convex side of the post. The post shall return to its original shape within 60 seconds for each of four separate bends.

721.07.1 1.4--Color Fastness . The post materials shall be exposed for 1000 hours in a

Weatherometer per ASTM G 26 with no significant yellowing or darkening.

721.07.1 2--Acceptance Procedure . Flexible posts for delineators must be one from the

Department's APL. Prior to use, the Contractor shall furnish the Engineer three copies of the manufacturer's certification for each shipment stating that the material furnished is of the same composition as that originally approved by the Department and that the material has not been changed or altered in any way.

721.08 Blank .

721.09 Timber Sign Posts . The posts shall conform to the requirements set forth in

Subsection 712.05.1.3, except that the preservative shall conform to Subsections 718.04.3 or 718.04.4.

721.10 Direct Applied Copy. Direct applied copy to be provided on guide directional

signs, ground mounted or overhead shall be directly applied to the sign face. Direct applied copy shall include letters, numerals, symbols and borders. The designs for capital and lower case shall be as required by the plans. All type of copy other than caps and lower case shall be as required by the plans. All type faces/fonts shall conform to the recommendations contained in standards published by the FHWA. All direct applied copy shall be attached to the sign face by means of pressure sensitive adhesive meeting the requirements of Subsection 721.06.5--Adhesive. Direct applied copy shall consist of retroreflective sheeting of the color shown in the plans meeting the requirements of Subsection 721.06--Reflective Sheeting. All signs shall be delivered to the site of th eir erection in one piece with all bolts, rivets, moldings, extrusions, copy, and other required appurtenances thereto attached, complete and ready to be mounted to the sign support structure. Any required supplemental or temporary supports required for stability during transport shall be firmly attached but easily removed prior to erection. SECTION 722 - MATERIALS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION

722.01 General . Acceptance of all material in this Section is subject to Subsections

106.01 and 106.04.

722.02 Poles . These specifications are for steel, concrete and wood poles for use as signal

equipment supports, and other support structures as required.

722.02.1 Taper. All steel and concrete poles shall have a constant taper from bottom to

top and may be round or polyhedral.

722.02.2 Type Mountings. The type mounting shall be steel, concrete, or wood as

indicated on the plans. Steel or concrete poles shall have either precast butts for direct mounting in the earth or attached base mounts for mounting on concrete foundations or on break-away bases. Wood poles shall be mounted directly in the earth.

722.02.3 Design Strength Requirements. Unless specified otherwise in the plans, poles

shall meet the requirements of the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural