Signs

(1)Except as provided otherwise in Article 3.15.1.2. this Section shall apply to the erection of all signs.

(1)The following signs shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section

• (a) signs for regulating traffic or similar devices, legal notices or warnings at railroad crossings,
• (b) signs in display windows including writing, representation, painting or lettering directly on the surface of any window or door, or other signs not affixed to the building interior,
• (c) small signs displayed for the direction of the public including signs that identify rest rooms, freight entrances and such other similar directional signs,
• (d) signs painted directly on a building, and
• (e) incidental signs or other signs subject to municipal approval.

(1)The changing of movable parts of signs that are designed for changes, or the repainting of display matter shall not be deemed to be alterations.

(1)Except as provided in this Section, all sign structures shall be designed in accordance with Part 4.

(1)Plastic materials used in the construction of sign faces shall

• (a) have an average burning rate not greater than (i) 65 mm/min in sheets 1.5 mm thick when tested in accordance with ASTM D635, "Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position", or (ii) 140 mm/min when tested in accordance with ASTM D3801, "Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position," and
• (b) have a measurement of material thickness in accordance with Method B-Machinists' Micrometer Without Ratchet of ASTM D374 / D374M, "Standard Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation."

(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), where the exterior cladding of a wall is required to be noncombustible, a plastic sign face or a group of contiguous plastic sign faces may be placed over such cladding provided each such sign face or group of contiguous sign faces

• (a) does not exceed 30% of the wall area of the storey on which it is installed,
• (b) does not exceed 15 m2 in area or 1 200 mm in height at each storey, and
• (c) when located above the first storey, is vertically separated from other plastic sign faces by 1 200 mm of noncombustible construction unless separated by a horizontal noncombustible projection such as a canopy, extending the full width of, and projecting at least 900 mm beyond the exterior sign face.

(3)Where a plastic exterior sign is mounted as a face on a metal sign box that is at least 200 mm in depth, the requirements of Sentence (2) need not apply provided the sign box is mounted on a noncombustible exterior wall.

(4)Notwithstanding the requirements of Sentence (5), the plastic portion of an interior sign placed over or forming part of an interior wall surface in corridors, covered or enclosed walkways at or above grade in buildings shall

• (a) not exceed 15% of the wall area in, or over which it may be installed,
• (b) be supported by a device that will not detrimentally affect the fire-resistance rating of the interior wall to which it is attached or of which it may form a part, and encase the edges of the plastic sign face in metal,
• (c) not be positioned or sized in such a manner that it is less than 600 mm from the vertical line separating two adjacent premises,
• (d) be placed so that there is at least 600 mm vertical separation of noncombustible material between the top of the plastic sign surface and the ceiling surface,
• (e) be permitted to have an increase of 100% in area required in Clause (a) and a decrease of 50% of the separation distances required in Clauses (c) and (d) if the area is sprinklered, and
• (f) have a flame-spreading rating not more than 250.

(5)Signs in exits and underground walkways shall have a flame-spread rating not more than 25.

(1)A sign shall not be located so as to obstruct openings required for light and ventilation, any required means of egress or required access for firefighting in accordance with Sentence 3.2.5.3.(2).

(1)An exterior sign shall not be located so as to overhang a sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway unless the vertical distance, measured from the bottom of the overhanging portion of the sign to the surface of the sidewalk, is at least 2 400 mm.

(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), a sign face shall not be located within 600 mm of the vehicular travelled portion of a private lane or roadway, or of a motor vehicle parking area, unless the minimum vertical distance between grade and the bottom of the overhanging sign face is at least 4.25 m.

(3)Where the height of all vehicles using any private road or parking area is permanently restricted, the vertical distance in Sentence (2) may be reduced to the amount of the actual height restriction, for as long as the said height restriction is in existence on the premises.

(4)A sign shall not be located in proximity to existing above ground electrical conductors, unless the sign meets the clearance requirements of Article 3.1.20.1.