Bureau of Land Management National Sign Handbook H-9130-1 September 2016 U.S. Department of the Interior The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Suggested Citation: Bureau of Land Management. 2016. National Sign Handbook. Denver, CO: National Operations Center. BLM/WY/AE-05/010+9130+REV16 Bureau of Land Management National Sign Handbook H-9130-1 September 2016 Contents CHAPTER 1 - OVERVIEW A. Purpose of the Handbook .......................................................................................................................1 B. Sign Principles .........................................................................................................................................1 C. National Sign Program Strategy .............................................................................................................2 D. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices ...........................................................................................2 E. Roles and Responsibilities......................................................................................................................2 CHAPTER 2 - SIGN PLANNING A. Communication Strategy ........................................................................................................................5 B. The Sign Plan ...........................................................................................................................................7 C. Signs Based on Planning Documents ....................................................................................................9 CHAPTER 3 - CUSTOM SIGNS A. Sign Standards ......................................................................................................................................11 B. Identification Signs ...............................................................................................................................13 C. Guide Signs ............................................................................................................................................18 . D Informational Signs ...............................................................................................................................28 E. Panels.....................................................................................................................................................32 CHAPTER 4 - GENERAL PURPOSE SIGNS A. BLM S-Series..........................................................................................................................................35 B. Routine ...................................................................................................................................................35 C. Fire Program ..........................................................................................................................................38 CHAPTER 5 - SIGN ELEMENTS A. BLM Emblem ..........................................................................................................................................39 B. National Conservation Lands Wordmark .............................................................................................39 C. International Symbols ...........................................................................................................................39 . D National Markers ...................................................................................................................................40 E. Retroreflection .......................................................................................................................................42 . F Contrast .................................................................................................................................................42 G. Installation Date/Penalty Sticker..........................................................................................................42 Bureau of Land Management i National Sign Handbook BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 9-415 Supersedes Rel. 9-359 9/30/2016 Contents CHAPTER 6 - SIGN ORDERING A. Order Preparation ..................................................................................................................................43 B. Final Check ............................................................................................................................................43 C. Ordering Custom Signs .........................................................................................................................44 . D Ordering General Purpose Signs ..........................................................................................................45 CHAPTER 7 - SIGN INSTALLATION A. Permits and Clearances ........................................................................................................................47 B. Pre-Installation Inspection ....................................................................................................................47 C. Support Systems ...................................................................................................................................48 . D Location .................................................................................................................................................52 E. Emphasis ...............................................................................................................................................54 . F Height .....................................................................................................................................................55 G. Lateral Offset .........................................................................................................................................55 H. Orientation .............................................................................................................................................55 I. Tilting .....................................................................................................................................................55 CHAPTER 8 - SIGN MAINTENANCE A. Sign Condition Evaluation .....................................................................................................................57 B. Cleaning .................................................................................................................................................58 C. Repair .....................................................................................................................................................59 . D Replacement/Complete Removal .........................................................................................................62 E. Covering/Temporary Removal ..............................................................................................................62 . F Disposal .................................................................................................................................................62 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................65 APPENDIXES 1. Sign Primer ............................................................................................................................................69 2. Sign Plan Outline (example) .................................................................................................................73 3. Form 9130-4, Sign Survey Form ..........................................................................................................77 4. Links .......................................................................................................................................................81 5. State Illustrations ..................................................................................................................................83 6. Accessibility ...........................................................................................................................................87 7. International Symbols ...........................................................................................................................91 8. Additional Symbols ...............................................................................................................................97 9. Form 9130-6, Sign Order Form ............................................................................................................103 REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................................105 Bureau of Land Management ii National Sign Handbook BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 9-415 Supersedes Rel. 9-359 9/30/2016 Acronyms and Definitions ACRONYMS BLM Bureau of Land Management CMYK Cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black) DOT Department of Transportation FHWA Federal Highway Administration GIS Geographic