A placard is a notice installed in a public place, like a small card, sign, or plaque.[1] It can be attached to or hung from a vehicle or building to indicate information about the vehicle operator or contents of a vehicle or building. It can also refer to paperboard signs or notice carried by picketers or demonstrators.

Buildings

A placard is posted on buildings to communicate a wide variety of information, such as fire safety policies, emergency shelters.

The International Building Code requires doors in some public and commercial structures, fitted with an internal key lock have a notice "This door to remain unlocked when this space is occupied" in a minimum of 1 inch (25 mm) text be posted beside or above the door.[2] Some state and local building codes modify this text, such as California fire code, which specifies "This door to remain unlocked during business hours".[3]

Temporary placards may be placed on buildings such as warning signs when a structure is being fumigated, or has been condemned by building inspectors or the fire department and is unsafe to enter.

Fallout shelters

A fallout shelter sign

As part of the civil defense preparations in the event of a nuclear attack, in 1961 United States began establishing fallout shelters in communities across the country. The shelters were symbolized by orange-yellow and black trefoil symbol, designed by Robert W. Blakeley.[4]

In 1962, 1.4 million metal signs and 1 million adhesive stickers were manufactured and distributed across the country at a total cost of $700,500 equivalent to $6,776,894 in 2022.[5] Two standard signs were used widely, a 14 by 20 inches (360 by 510 mm) aluminum sign for posting on the exterior of buildings identifying the building as having a fallout shelter, and a 10 by 14 inches (250 by 360 mm) steel sign, intended for interior use to the shelter's location and mark the actual location of the shelter within the building. [6]

The sign system included 'overlays' that were designed to be added to signs for conveying additional information about the specific shelter and its location.[7]
Exterior sign overlays:

  • Numbers - for Capacity marking
  • Arrows
  • In Basement
  • Refugio - (Spanish speaking areas)
  • Refugio Contra Radiacion - (Spanish speaking areas)
  • Lafiga Mai Pefuatomika - (American Samoa)
  • Aofai E Ofi - (American Samoa)
  • Miles
  • Blocks
  • Numbers for "Miles" & "Blocks"


Interior sign overlays:

  • Starts Here - With arrows
  • Capacity - with numbers
  • Comienzo - with arrows (Spanish speaking areas)
  • Amata Iinei - with arrows (American Samoa)
  • In This Corridor
  • On
  • Floors
  • Numbers for the "Floors"

Alternate languages overlays in Spanish in areas where it was widely spoken and Samoan for use on American Samoa.[7]

Following the ending of funding for fallout shelters in the late 1970s. Following the end of the program there was no organized effort by the federal government reclaim shelter supplies and signage, resulting in most shelters being abandoned in situ until building owners cleared away the shelter's supplies and signage during subsequent renovations or demolition projects.[8] In 2017, New York City announced a formal project to go through all city-owned structures and remove any remaining fallout shelter signage, citing the fact no structure still had a functioning shelter and would not be usable in an emergency. [8]

Firefighting markings

Numerous markings have been developed to better aid firefighters and other first responders to warn of hazards from hazardous materials, location of utility shut-offs, fire alarm and sprinkler control panels, construction and condition of the building.

Fire sprinkler systems

The International Code Council's International Building Code requires that all fire standpipe and fire sprinkler connections must be visible from the roadway or fire department access in new construction. On existing buildings, where the connection is not visible from these places, it must clearly marked with a red and white sign, with "FDC", short for "Fire Department Connection", in 6 inches (150 mm) letters, with any other lettering or arrows being 2 inches (51 mm) tall.[2] Signs must also state what is fed by the connection. If a connection does not cover an entire building, such a connection feeding fire sprinklers that are only in a new addition, the area covered must be stated on the sign.

If a fire alarm system does not automatically call the fire department, a "When Alarm Sounds - Call Fire Department" sign must be posted at all fire alarm pull station/call points and at any external fire alarm notification appliances.

NFPA 704

A NFPA 704 symbol for Acetone.

NFPA 704 is a standard developed by the National Fire Protection Association for warning first responders to hazards posed by hazardous materials stored in a building or facility. The signs are intended to be mounted on the exteriors of buildings, storage tanks and storage areas.

The square is divided into four sections, color coded: Red - flammability; blue - health hazard; yellow - reactivity/instability; White - special hazard, such as oxidizers, water reactive or Asphyxiating gas.

The red, yellow and blue sections are labeled on scale of 0 to 4; 0 'minimal hazard' to 4, 'severe hazard'. White (special hazard) is represented by letter codes ("OX","SA", a "W" with a line through it).

NFPA 170

Introduced in 1991, NFPA 710 combined 4 existing standards, 171, 172, 174 and 178 into a single standard NFPA 710 - Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols. The standard contains symbols for use in buildings to locate exits, firefighting equipment and enforce fire safety rules, in addition to symbols for building blueprints, diagrams and firefighting operation maps.[9]

The standard utilizes the ISO's 'running man' symbol for exit signage, similar to international standards, along with the ISO 7010 symbols for Fire alarm call point, fire extinguisher and fire hose reel.[lower-alpha 1][9] The standard also provides symbols for marking standpipe connectors and identifying what the standpipe connection supplies water to: fire sprinkler systems, standpipes or both.

The standard also contains symbols for informing for enforcing fire safety rules, such as prohibiting cooking, smoking, hanging of items from fire sprinklers, and use of elevators in evacuations.[9]

Truss/floor construction

Changes in building design, towards 'lightweight construction'[lower-alpha 2] in the late 20th century has presented new hazards to firefighters. The materials are prone to failure when exposed to flames, resulting in roof and floor collapses, spread of fire due to heat conduction in designs using metal.[10] The placard's design varies from state to state, though numerous designs use triangles. All systems use the basic labeling system: "F" for 'floor', "R" for 'roof' and "RF" for 'floor and roof'. New York's system also includes information on the material trusses are constructed from.[11] The states of Florida,[12] New Jersey,[13] New York,[11] Vermont,[14] and Mississippi;[15] along with the cities of San Francisco, CA,[16] Chesapeake, VA[17] and Acushnet, MA[17] have laws requiring posting of a truss warning placard on structures.

Vacant Building markings

On 3 December 1999, six firefighters died fighting a fire inside an abandoned six floor warehouse. The firefighters had entered the structure and became disoriented and unable to escape the maze-like interior before multiple collapses occurred. Following the disaster, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended:

Recommendation #10: Fire departments should identify dangerous vacant buildings by affixing warning placards to entrance doorways or other openings where fire fighters may enter.[18]

— Richard W. Braddee

In 2006, the International Code Council's International Fire Code introduced a marking system to help firefighters identify abandoned, vacant or unsafe structures and hazards posed by them. The system was devised from system used by the New York City Fire Department, recommended by NIOSH in the Worcester report, with modifications to color and sign dimensions.[19][lower-alpha 3] The signs are red and white, 24 inches (610 mm) square, mounted on the front and entrances to the structure, with the date it was posted.[20][21]

To provide useful information in planning operations, signs can have letter combinations added to identify known hazards.[21][11]

  • R/O - Roof open
  • S/M - Stairs, steps and landings missing
  • F/E - Avoid fire escapes
  • H/F - Holes in floor
  • F/O - Floors open

Vehicles

Abnormal transportation

A Slovenian truck with Izredni prevoz, Vanredni Prevoz, Convoi exceptionnel[lower-alpha 4] placards and red and white striped placards for defining the dimensions of the load.

Vehicles involved in Oversize load transport display markings warning other road users that the vehicle's load may exceed the marked lane's width, unusually long, or tall. The transport vehicle may be forced to travel at unusually low speeds, make unusual maneuvers to avoid overhead hazards or complete turns.[22]

Dangerous goods markings

Class 1 - ExplosivesClass 2.2 - Non-flammable gasClass 3 - Flammable liquidClass 8 - CorrosivesClass 9 - Miscellaneous
UN ADR
United States

ADR Treaty

Road vehicles carrying dangerous goods in countries that follow the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), are required to display an orange plate on the front and rear of the vehicle.[23] ADR marking display requirements:[24][25]

United States Department of Transportation

In the United States, Hazardous goods are broken into two categories, Table 1 and Table 2. Materials on Table 1 must be placarded in any quantity.[26]

Table 1
Class 1.1Class 1.2Class 1.3Class 2.3Class 4.3Class 5.2[lower-alpha 7]Class 6.1[lower-alpha 8]Class 7 - Category III[lower-alpha 9]

Materials on Table 2, which is all other hazardous materials not in Table 1,[lower-alpha 10] must display placard if 1,001 pounds (454 kg) or more of the material is loaded into a vehicle. If 1,000 pounds (450 kg) or less of a Table 2 material is loaded onto the vehicle, the placard is optional.[26]

Placards are required on all four sides of any motor vehicles, rail cars, and shipping containers loaded with hazardous materials. It must be attached upright, securely, kept in good condition, not obstructed by ladders, pipes or tarpaulins. It must be located at least 3 inches (76 mm) from other markings that could reduce its effectiveness.[27]

The law also prohibits the display of placards on vehicles that are not loaded with the hazardous material listed on the placard,[lower-alpha 11] placards that do not meet design guidelines in § 172.519 General specifications for placards, or displaying advertising and slogans in a design or manner that could be confused for a placard.[lower-alpha 12][lower-alpha 13]

Other uses

In Model United Nations, the paper nameplate of a delegation is referred to as a "placard".

In computer graphical user interfaces, a placard is a rectangular area of a window meant for displaying information to the user.[28][29][30]

In the Habsburg Netherlands (1482–1794) and the Dutch Republic (1581–1795) laws were often known as "Placards" (Dutch: plakkaat) after their form of publication by way of a placard that was nailed to a wall in a public place. An important example is the Dutch declaration of independence of 1581, known in Dutch as Plakkaat van Verlatinghe.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ ISO numbers: F005, F001, F002, respectably.
  2. ↑ Metal gusset plate trusses, wooden "I" beams and I-joists, open web truss, open web steel joist, panelized roofs.
  3. ↑ The FDNY system used 12 inches (300 mm) (later 18 inches (460 mm)) squares, painted with reflective yellow/lime-yellow paint.
  4. ↑ In order: Slovenian, Bosnian, (Extraordinary Transportation) and French (Exceptional Convoy).
  5. ↑ Placards must be displayed on these vehicles prior to going by sea.
  6. ↑ Placards must be displayed on the sides and rear of vehicles carrying Class 1 - Explosives or Class 7 - Radioactive materials.
  7. ↑ Organic Peroxide, Type B, Liquid or solid form. Temperature controlled.
  8. ↑ Material poisonous by inhalation.
  9. ↑ Only Category III materials.
  10. ↑ 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 3, Combustible liquids, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 (Excluding those listed on Table 1), 6.1 (Excluding poisonous by inhalation), 6.2, 8, 9, ORM-D/Limited Quantities.
  11. ↑ For example: displaying a "Class 3 - Flammable" placard when the vehicle is loaded with Class 1.1 Explosives.
  12. ↑ An example of advertising that resembles the design of a placard is the logo for the Burning River Roller Derby.
  13. ↑ For example, older placard holders that had a 'blank' placard for when non-hazardous materials were loaded that said 'Drive Safely'.

References

  1. ↑ "placard". Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  2. 1 2 International Code Council (August 2017). 2018 International building code (First ed.). International Code Council, Inc. ISBN 978-1-60983-735-8.
  3. ↑ State of California. "Cal/OSHA - Title 8 regulations". www.dir.ca.gov. State of California. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  4. ↑ McFadden, Robert (27 October 2017). "Robert Blakeley, Who Created a Sign of the Cold War, Dies at 95". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  5. ↑ United States Department of Defense (1962). "1962 Annual Report - Page 12" (PDF). civildefensemuseum.com. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  6. ↑ United States Department of Defense (November 1977). "Posting Fallout Shelter Signs" (PDF). civildefensemuseum.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  7. 1 2 United States Department of Defense (June 1964). "Handbook of Instructions for Posting Fallout Shelter Signs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  8. 1 2 Allen, Jonathan (27 December 2017). "New York City To Remove Misleading Nuclear Fallout Shelter Signs". Huffington Post. Reuters. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 National Fire Protection Association (2009). "NFPA 710 - Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols - 2009 Edition" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  10. ↑ Reed, Craig. "Roof Operations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  11. 1 2 3 Westbury Fire Department (2014). "Understanding Building Placards" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  12. ↑ Seminole County - Dept. of Public Safety (2009). "Florida Light-Frame Truss Marking Law" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  13. ↑ State of New Jersey (9 November 2017). "Senate, No. 3490" (PDF). Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  14. ↑ State of Vermont (2005). "Fire & Building Safety Code - 2005". p. 6. Retrieved 8 August 2019. Section 10.13.4
  15. ↑ State of Mississippi (2017). "§ 45-11-301". Justia. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  16. ↑ City of San Francisco (2010). "5.05 Signage of Buildings with Wood or Lightweight Steel Truss, or Composite Wood Joist (TJI) or Roof Construction" (PDF). Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  17. 1 2 Gately, Paul (19 February 2007). "Acushnet fire chief says emblems can improve safety". SouthCoastToday. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019.
  18. ↑ Braddee, Richard (27 September 2000). "Six Career Fire Fighters Killed in Cold-Storage and Warehouse Building Fire - Massachusetts". NIOSH. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  19. ↑ McMillan, Martin. "Implementing a Vacant Building Marking System in Rochester, New York". City of Rochester Fire Department. pp. 21–22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  20. ↑ Daley, Michael (18 April 2011). "Vacant and Abandoned Building Marking Systems". Firehouse. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  21. 1 2 State of North Carolina (2012). "2012 - North Carolina Fire Code - Section 311 - Vacant Premises" (PDF). State of North Carolina. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  22. ↑ European Commission - Directorate-General for Energy and Transport (2008). "Abnormal Road Transport - European Best Practice Guidelines". Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  23. ↑ United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (1 January 2019). "European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - Volume II" (PDF). pp. 238–254. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  24. ↑ Health and Safety Executive. "Consignment Procedures". hse.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  25. ↑ Health and Safety Authority. "ADR Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - A Guide For Business" (PDF). www.hsa.ie. pp. 52–53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  26. 1 2 Code of Federal Regulations (1 October 2011). "49 CFR 172.504 - General placarding requirements" (PDF). govinfo. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  27. ↑ Code of Federal Regulations (1 October 2011). "49 CFR 172.516 - Visibility and display of placards" (PDF). govinfo. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  28. ↑ "OS X Human Interface Guidelines".
  29. ↑ "REALBasic:TDG, Second Edition".
  30. ↑ "Design Guidelines - YDN".

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