SIGNAGE POLICY
1.Purpose
1.1The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework within which University signage, for both purchase and implementation, fully meets the needs of all users. All practices and procedures relating to signage must be in accordance with this policy provisions.
2.Policy Statement
2.1Edinburgh Napier University Signage Policy is the official guideline for the purchase and implementation of signage within all University Campuses.
2.2Edinburgh Napier University signage policy serves the purposes of:
2.2.1Compliance with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regulations.
2.2.2Compliance with University purchasing regulations
2.2.3Compliance with current University branding and text face (See Appendix A)
2.2.4Promoting a uniform approach to internal and external directional and promotional signage.
2.3Edinburgh Napier University is committed to establishing a Signage regime that meets its operational needs, accountability requirements and stake holder’s expectations.
3.Scope
3.1This policy applies to all aspects of the University’s business and all signage created and requested during the conduct of this business.
3.2This policy provides the overarching framework for any other University-wide archive policies, practices or procedures on the provision of like services.
4.Policy Context
4.1Signs are only one of several tools available for navigating around a site or building. Those wishing to be informed about direction may also refer to:
4.1.1Colour labelling of floors or departments.
4.1.2Architectural feature unique to certain areas.
4.1.3The views from windows.
4.1.4Plans.
4.2People with visual impairment will also pay attention to:
4.2.1The sound quality determined by floor finishes such as muffled sounds in carpeted areas and echoing sounds on hardwood floors.
4.2.2Changes in floor construction, for example: solid wood to suspended sounds on hardwood floors.
4.2.3Tactile surface underfoot
4.2.4Colour contrast at the junction of walls and floors, walls and doors, floors and furniture and other critical surfaces such as signs
4.3A good signage scheme will work in conjunction with the orientation clues provided by the site to make clear the identification of and direction to certain key destinations. These include:
4.3.1Approach to campuses, buildings and sites
4.3.2Entrance and exit from campuses, buildings and sites.
4.3.3Main lobby/reception and reception points within a campus, building and site.
4.3.4Communal facilities such as cafeteria, library, toilets.
4.3.5Departments and offices.
4.3.6Fire exits.
4.3.7Parking and garages.
4.3.8Public transport and other amenity points.
4.4Signs should enable people to continue their journey when confronted with the need to make a decision. Successful signs will lead users through sites or buildings without the need to retrace their steps, particularly where routes intersect or diverge. Signs are essential at these points to ensure that an individual can be reassured they are going the right way.
- General Principles
5.1Navigation Strategy
5.1.1Strategy developed from point of view of first-time visitor.
5.1.2Simple, clear and consistent solutions.
5.1.3Zoning concept, for example difference between public and administration areas.
5.1.4Emphasis firstly on navigation to building entrances, communal facilities and specific areas within campuses, buildings and sites; followed by specific school or office information.
5.1.5The sign composition should provide for longevity.
5.1.6The main aim of the standard University signage should be directional and not promotional.
5.2Four phases identified:-
5.2.1Main entrance and external highways signage.
5.2.2External campus signage (vehicle, street, footpath).
5.2.3Internal core signage.
5.2.4Internal school/department signage (detailed floor and door).
5.3Design Specification
The design of University signage must in essence adhere to the following principles, it must be:
5.3.1Simple to construct and read.
5.3.2Clear text content.
5.3.3Consistent information throughout site or building.
5.3.4Fulfil DDA requirements.
5.3.5Based on hierarchical approach.
5.3.6Conform to corporate identity.
5.3.7Conform to national standards.
5.3.8Can be maintained by ‘in-house’ team or by agreed service level agreements.
5.4Edinburgh Napier University Sign specification for construction (See Appendix B). Details of the agreed construction specifications for signage are:
5.4.1Road Signs- standard black on white national format.
5.4.2Campus Pathway Signs- standard white on green national format and used for footpaths and nature trails.
5.4.3Directional Signage- proprietary slat system on white poles.
5.4.4Building Names- aluminium based panels.
5.4.5External Highways Signage- in compliance with local authority guidelines.
5.5Some examples of application are:
5.5.1Adoption of the “Gait system” which permits traffic to move quickly and easily through the mini-roundabout.
5.5.2Information points which are implemented where a need for “You are here’ locators are identified and designed to provide simplified campus maps or details.
5.5.3Comfort panels which display location specific details such as a room layout.
5.5.4Fingerposts which are multi-directional pedestrian signage conforming to national standards and located in areas such as footpaths.
5.5.5Temporary signage which is used to promote specific events such as Open Days; Public Lectures and conferences.
5.5.6Assurance signage which is used as an identifiable requirement to reassure first-time visitors that they are in the correct location.
- Management and Administration
6.1The general principles of signage management within Edinburgh Napier University will be:
6.1.1The management of all signage requests is the responsibility of Facilities Services.
6.1.2Responsibility for the design of sign construction is the responsibility of Facilities Services.
6.1.3The compiling and maintenance of a preferred contractor list is the responsibility of Facilities services.
6.1.4The format of text, pantone colouring and logo is the joint responsibility of Facilities Services and Marketing and Communications.
6.1.5Finance
7.Monitor and Review
This policy will be reviewed within a twelve month period, certainly by April 2008.
8.Authorisation
The authorisation for policy decisions on signage within the University rests with the Director, Facilities Services.
9.Summary
9.1In summary this policy aims to:
9.1.1Ensure that guidelines are designed to establish a universal University style and that consistency of policy is in place to support all decisions on signage.
9.1.2Inform all concerned where the responsibilities for signage management within the University rests.
9.1.3Create a list of clear and approved signage guidelines which are customer orientated and simple to follow.
9.1.4Provide procedures that will ensure that the signage systems within Edinburgh Napier University are managed to meet all corporate requirements including University branding.
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10.Appendix A
Standard Edinburgh Napier University Text and Logos
The Red Triangle - dos and don'ts for print materialDos
/ /
On a colour background:
Do reproduce the triangle in PMS 200 (Edinburgh Napier red) or the CMYK equivalent / On white background:
Do reproduce the triangle in PMS 200 (Edinburgh Napier red) or the CMYK equivalent / Black and white reproduction:
Do reproduce the triangle in black or grey
Key line indicates the edge of the page
Don'ts
/ /
Don't omit the triangle - it should always appear in the top right hand corner of the page / Don't put a key line or border around the triangle / Don't reproduce the triangle as if the corner of the page has been folded over
The Red Triangle is used extensively throughout Edinburgh Napier University as part of our corporate identity. It also appears on printed materials, presentations, vehicles and property.
The symbol is used with the height the same as the width. To emphasise its derivation from the letter 'N' for Napier, it is positioned in the top right hand corner flush.
The Red Triangle must always appear in the top right hand corner, using the edge of the sheet to symbolise the upright of the letter 'N'. It should never 'float' on the page.
The triangle should always appear as PMS 200 Red (or the CMYK process equivalent in full colour materials). Red backgrounds should be avoided at all costs. The triangle should never appear with a key line around it. In all black and white materials the triangle may appear in black or greyscale, as in fax templates or photocopied documents or in press adverts. The triangle should not be used as a 'page-mark' in any circumstances (see above).
The Red Triangle
- dos and don'ts for electronic material (multimedia & video)
Dos
Do avoid using distorted images when using the Edinburgh Napier triangle in electronic media.
Do download high resolution versions of the Edinburgh Napier triangle at
or on the Intranet
or call Marketing and Communications on 0131 455 5009.
Do position the triangle in the top right hand corner of the screen in applications such as PowerPoint.
Do ensure that the triangle is no less than 15% of the overall visible monitor or projected image.
Do reproduce the triangle with free space all around it.
Do refer to the guidelines for printed material for dimensions and colours.
Don'ts
Don't use incorrect colour, poor coding or inadequate dots-per-inch (dpi).
Versions are available in EPS, JPEG, TIFF and GIF formats (compatible for both pc and Mac) and larger versions can be provided from Corporate Services for more flexibility.
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11.Appendix B
Specification: Signage Construction, Pantone Colouring and Location
11.1.The four sign groups
Most signs can be divided into four functional groups:
11.2.Information signs
These are the main signs for orientation; they would include the building, car park and other internal signs identifying main locations inside the building and including directories, maps and plans, covering the whole site, externally and internally.
11.3Direction signs
These direct users to destinations using a combination of directional text and arrows, in some circumstances the latter may be omitted. Often direction signs carry several destinations in a bank of text and care has to be taken with the use of arrows to avoid confusion.
In pedestrian environments finger post signs are often specified, but their height, combined with the small size of the message on the finger, makes them very hard to read. Where possible, finger posts should not be used.
11.4Identification (or location) signs
These signs – always without an arrow – are installed at individual destinations to indicate the location of facility, a service, a room or a personal location. Some location signs can be short; others may contain several levels of text and information.
11.5Safety, fire safety and mandatory signs
These signs are essential for the safety of users and can be either warning or prohibition signs. They will be positioned at strategic points to give warning of a hazard. They include exit signs, fire exit signs, fire safety signs and details about fire equipment. This category also includes mandatory signs which are usually characterised by a special colour and shape, e.g. white letters on a blue square.
Safety signs, including all prohibition, mandatory, warning, safety signs and fire safety sings, are all covered by legislation and design guidelines are issued by the BSI Standards. Reference should be made to the relevant British Standards for information on sign shape, message and colour. Logical and consistent positioning of all safety signs is essential for their accessibility to people with sight impairments.
11.6Some basic guidelines on sign content
Set out below are some basic guidelines which may help when considering a sign content. Where appropriate signs should incorporate information which includes visual, embossed and Braille as well as audible information. When a decision has been made about the content of a sign and hierarchy of information to be adopted then it should be applied consistently to avoid confusion. Some good basic guidelines when considering sign content are:
11.6.1Information can be better understood if it is grouped together either alphabetically, or by floor, or by department.
11.6.2Too many messages on a sign should be avoided. A hierarchical system may be used, with further breakdown of information provided as people progress along a route to a destination. Several small groups of messages are easier to read than one large list.
11.6.3Room identification signs should be simple and concise. Once a name has been chosen, it should be used consistently throughout the building.
11.6.4Abbreviations should be avoided because they can be particularly confusing for people with a visual impairment.
11.6.5Descriptive words such as ‘Personnel’ or ‘Accounts’ do not need to be qualified by the use of the ‘Department’ or ‘Division’.
11.6.6Visually impaired people can recognise numbers more easily than names, and numbers can, of course, be larger than text without occupying as much space.
11.6.7Information can be better understood if it is grouped together either alphabetically or by floor or by department.
Wrong
CateringCashier
First Aid
Lifts
Maintenance
Parking
Security
Telephones
Toilets
Avoid using long lists of names on Directories
Correct
CateringCashier
First Aid / Lifts
Maintenance
Parking / Security
Telephones
Toilets
Shorter columns are easier to read and remember. Additionally, signs will convey more meaningful messages if they convey information in which:
11.6.8Room identification signs are simple and concise. Once a name has been chosen it should be used consistently throughout the building
11.6.9Abbreviations are avoided where possible because they can be confusing for people with visual impairment.
11.6.10Descriptive words such as “Personnel” or “Accounts” are not qualified by the use of “Department” or “Division”.
11.6.11The use of numbers is considered rather than text. The benefit of using numbers is that they are easily recognised by those with impaired vision, they are also more recognisable than names.
When the first assessment of sign content and location has been completed a considerable amount of information will have been amassed. The next stage is to consider the sign messages in detail and the construction of the sign itself. In this anyone requesting signage can be assisted by Facilities services and the preferred sign company. Ultimately, the choice of a sign specification is collaborative exercise which is designed to ensure that all aspects of the sign construction, from DDAcompliance through to the choice of materials, is standard and in compliance with this policy.
11.7Identifiable Colours
If signs are required for a large complex which includes many functions or departments, it is worth remembering that for normal recognition, there are twelve colours, listed below, that can be easily recognised and named without resorting to qualifying descriptions. Only one shade of each colour is included to avoid terminology problems between two shades of the same colour, it. Sage green/grass green, or colours being described as ’pale’ or ‘dark’.
For accurate colour specification, the reference number of the colour should always be quoted and obtained from a reputable paint manufacturer, based on recognised colour specification standards e.g. Pantone, RAL, NCS, and British Standards etc.
REDORANGEPINKGREY
YELLOWGREENBROWNWHITE
BLUEPURPLEBLACKBEIGE
Please not that using these colours in combinations will not necessarily produce the right results in terms of contrast legibility.
11.8Some basic guidelines on sign location
11.8.1Think carefully about the possibility that signs may be obstructed. For example, the locating of a sign in reception areas may be subject to regularly being obscured by deliveries awaiting collection,. With regards to external signs, these may become partially covered by plants or trees in leaf; this will be more acute during the summer months.
11.8.2Consider whether the sign itself may become an obstruction. Suspended and wall mounted signs should be located at an adequate height to avoid becoming an obstacle, but care must be taken not to place them too far above sightline. A floor mounted sign will cause an obvious hazard. Placing sings in the middle of a route on the basis that they will be more easily noticed will cause problems, particularly forthose with sight impairments. Equally, suspended signs may present reading difficulties when placed in the middle of a route which is subject to a changing or inconsistent background.
11.8.3Consider whether a sign will be read from a distance or close-up. This will have a bearing on features such as text height and the size of the sign (see section 2.4).
11.8.4Evaluate carefully whether the sign requires illumination or whether it can be co-located with existing lighting. Avoid areas that are either gloomy or incapable of receiving supplementary lighting.
Room identification signs should ideally be located at eye level and on the wall immediately adjacent to the latch side of the door. Where a sign cannot be placed on the wall, for example where there is no available space, the sign can be placed on the door. Ensure that all room identification signs are positioned at the same height throughout the building; ideally within the 1400 –1700mm band (see section 3.2).
11.9Consistency is very important as this provides continuity for those navigating the building. Signs which carry similar information as those above and below, (e.g. level numbering) should be placed at the same relative location as other levels. The sign content at this point should be brief and relevant to all functions at that level.
11.10The development of text and information.
11.10.1Having decided upon a course of action, it is now possible to develop text and sequence within the sign. (See section 1.3). Whereas the initial appraisal was primarily a desk study, a complete assessment now relies upon a detailed inspection of the site in order that the text information successful achieves navigation by anyone seeking direction to the location.
For example, the initial appraisal may have highlighted the need for directing users to the lifts, the toilets and the library. A site visit will enable the person responsible for signs to decide where signage is best placed; this will only be achieved by walking the course from a customer’s perspective. Detailed positioning of the signage is not required at this stage this will be addressed when the work is assessed by the contracting agent and the responsible member of Facilities Services
12.Appendix C
12.1On-Line Requisition Guidelines
The guidelines below are designed to inform those who wish to order signs as to how to proceed.
- All requisitions for signs will be made either electronically or in hard copy to the Facilities Services Helpdesk
Requisition forms can be obtained using the following link below or by visiting Facilities Services homepage in Edinburgh Napier University’s Intranet
- For replacement or new installation of signs:
2. For amendment(s) to text on an existing sign(s):