A guide to safe sign installations

by carly_mchugh | 27 October 2023 4:07 pm

By Carly McHugh

Behind every sign lies a complex web of considerations, particularly when it comes to installation. Whether affixed to a building’s exterior or firmly planted in the ground, each project demands meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of applicable safety protocols.

Overlooking even the smallest precautionary measure can lead to negative consequences, including failure, which means every bolt, bracket, and anchor counts towards success. A properly installed sign not only communicates a brand’s message to consumers, but also ensures the well-being of pedestrians, motorists, tenants, and anyone else in its vicinity.

For more insight on the critical aspects of safe sign installation, Sign Media Canada spoke to John Labonte of Labonte Signs. He shared advice on everything from the nuances of anchoring to the impact of environmental factors on a sign’s location, to help installers navigate even the most intricate projects with confidence.

Sign Media Canada (SMC): What are some of the key safety measures to consider when installing signs?

John Labonte (JL): When installing signs in the ground, mandatory site locates are very important. They need to be done to find gas lines, water lines, and fibre optics. Sometimes there can also be high-voltage underground hydro lines. Therefore, you need to check the environment in the surrounding area. Are there high-voltage power lines above, or even regular hydro lines? Those can pose serious risks if you don’t stay far away from them.

For building signs, you need to make sure the wall structure is secure. Sometimes you’ll encounter older brick, which isn’t feasible for installations. It’ll crumble and fall apart. Next, you have to look on the backside of the wall to see if there are any water lines, gas lines, and/or hydro lines. This is a huge precaution when you penetrate the building through to the other side.

Additionally, when you’re drilling through a building, are there people in there? Sometimes when you penetrate a concrete block wall, it pops the brick on the inside of the building and debris falls. Are there offices on the other side? Are there people working that could potentially be hit by falling concrete or drywall? You also don’t want to drill through into an office with a finished wall and have debris all over the finished floor.

SMC: How do you evaluate whether a structure can support the weight and/or wind load of a sign?

JL: Mainly, it’s a visual thing. If it’s a concrete block building, you look for cracks. If it’s brick, you look for whether the brick is crumbling. The facade will chip off easily. The mortar joints may also be cracked. This is usually a sign of either water damage or just aging, if it’s a very old building.

Then, if it gets to a certain point, you might have to hire an engineer to look at it and determine whether the building is structurally sound enough to support your sign.

SMC: How do you adapt your installation approach based on factors such as weather, temperature, and exposure to elements?

JL: You really need to address it with the client first, and tell them, “You have water damage here. Your building is deteriorating here. It may not be the best idea to install a sign. You may want to have this looked at by a contractor. Maybe we could add some support on the backside of the building?”

This is called a through-wall installation. The installer will add ribbing on the internal part of the building to support the weight and the wind load, because, in the end, it comes down to liability. My theory is the last person who touched the building is responsible. Thus, even if we do take the chance, the owner says put it up anyway, and the sign falls down, they may come after us, because there’s no paperwork to back up the decision. The installer would need to sign a disclaimer saying the owner gave them permission to install the sign, even though they knew the condition of the wall. From a legal standpoint, you have to make sure you’re covered.

As an installer, we’re subcontractors for a lot of sign companies. Therefore, if the drawings show a certain depth and size of concrete footing, rebar cages and structures below grade, and the size of the anchors, you really have to follow those drawings to a tee, because they are approved drawings. If you deviate and go on your own judgment, and change the depth and the size, and something happens, you’re fully responsible for that call. It’s important to follow permit drawings approved by the city or township, or stamped engineered drawings to the letter, because then everyone’s covered from a liability standpoint if any part of the project was to fail.

SMC: How do installation methods contribute to the long-term durability of sign projects?

JL: When you’re installing a sign, it essentially becomes a part of the building. You have to ensure that in 15 or 20 years, it’s still going to be safely installed on the wall. Therefore, you really need to dot your i’s and cross your t’s, and make sure that after the sign is installed, you caulk the edges, and no water gets behind brackets or behind signage to cause damage to the building. Ultimately, there are a lot of steps to make sure it’s a long-term installation.

SMC: Can you share an example of a challenging sign installation you’ve worked on? How did you address any safety concerns and/or structural considerations?

JL: We installed a sign on a building in Windsor, Ont., which was probably close to 100 years old. The owner was adamant that we install the sign. It was very challenging, because it was on a roof, so we had to get scaffolding set up. The installation was done partially with a crane and partially with the scaffolding.

Then, about five years after the original installation, the building was starting to fall apart. It was a perfect example of a project where the owner said, “It’s my building. I understand the risks and possibilities of water damage and everything, but just install it.”

At a later date, he decided to restore the building properly, because it is a bit of a historical landmark in the city. They had us take the sign down, they did the proper repairs, and then we reinstalled it in the same location. This was a prime example of a building that was already damaged to begin with, but adding a sign to it did not help.

SMC: What are some common mistakes or oversights that can compromise the safety and longevity of a sign installation? How do you ensure these are avoided?

JL: We’ve seen a lot of signs fall off walls because the anchors were too small or not sufficient for the wall type. Stucco is one of the main issues with signage, as an installer will think the anchor is biting into something, but really, it’s in an empty void. We’ve also seen a lot of signs fall off walls because they didn’t properly silicone the top of the sign, so water damage caused the plywood of the backer to rot. Sometimes installers will strip the anchors in concrete applications. You really need to know your hardware and your wall type, and it’s better to go overboard with your hardware than use just enough.

The through-wall method is pretty much the best, safest method of attachment. We use it for heavier signs that have a lot of weight. We also use it if the wall is not adequate, such as a stucco wall. Of course, sometimes we don’t have that luxury, so we have to find the framework behind the wall and tag into the framework or the studs. Sometimes we have to use an expandable mechanical fastener, where we push the toggle bolt in, the butterfly pops open, and it grabs onto the back of the wall. As it’s tightened, the butterfly gets tightened against the back of the wall. That’s another good method of attachment, provided the sign is not too heavy.

Choosing a fastener is one of the most important parts of an installation. The three main steps are determining the wall type, determining the proper fastener, and making sure the installer is qualified. Experience really makes a difference.

SMC: How do you co-ordinate with architects, engineers, and other project teams to ensure a successful and secure sign installation?

JL: First, review the drawings. Site meetings are also very important, because sometimes architects and engineers don’t have the same thoughts as the installer. Sometimes it looks really good on paper, but when it comes down to doing it, it’s not feasible. Communication is crucial, from start to finish. Review the drawings, go to the site, review the site, and then have everyone meet there afterwards. Make sure the whole team is on the same page and understands whether or not the installation can be done the way they specified it. A lot of it is educating the architect or the engineer, because it’s hard to engineer a sign. It’s such a vague structure. It’s not like a house where they’ve built so many of them. Signs can be very unique to engineers and architects. Therefore, it’s all about educating people and working with them closely, and usually, the job goes off without a hitch.

SMC: Are there any types of signs or locations where safety considerations are particularly complex or demanding? How do you approach such scenarios to ensure a smooth installation process?

JL: High-voltage lines are pretty much No. 1 when it comes to sign installation because we’re working with businesses and buildings that are close to the powerline infrastructure. You have to take precautions and know your measurements, such as how far to stay away and your minimum distance requirements from the wires. As previously mentioned, communication is key. Site meetings will help to determine where the powerlines are and encourage team members to keep an eye on them.

A lot of times, you get complacent, and you don’t pay attention because you’re so focused on getting the job done. However, when the whole team is together, they know all of the hazards, and you have all eyes on them, it’s a lot safer.

SMC: What steps do you take during the assessment phase to account for any potential risks?

JL: Pre-assessing the site before you send the crews out is important. That way, when the team gets their work orders, they know exactly what to look for and what the hazards are and can come up with a plan.

As for buildings, you don’t just put the sign or pattern on the wall before drilling. You have to go inside and do a complete assessment of the interior of the building. That way, when you’re penetrating it with your wires and mounting hardware, you’re not hitting any potential hazards or people.

SMC: How do you stay up to date with the latest techniques and safety standards to continuously enhance your work?

JL: We’re very involved in the industry, so we work with a lot of reputable companies that do the legwork for us and educate us at the same time. We talk to our hardware suppliers often, so for any challenging installations, we can see if there’s something out there that is more suitable for what we’re trying to achieve. We’re constantly learning on a daily basis. There are all kinds of new products that come out, and as you talk more with others in the industry, you find out what they’re using or what they have used in the past—whether it’s a good product. To have a good rapport with other installers and sign companies is very helpful. Everyone has their own way of doing an installation, but someone may have a better idea than you, and vice versa. Thus, it’s important to be in communication with different people on a regular basis. It’s a tough industry, so the more people you talk to and work with, it makes everything a lot easier. That’s how we learn, and that’s how we evolve.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/a-guide-to-safe-sign-installations/

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