Fixed, vertical road traffic signs - Part 6: Performance of retroreflective sign face materials

This Part 6 of EN 12899 describes the performance requirements for retroreflective sign face materials.

Ortsfeste, vertikale Straßenverkehrzeichen - Teil 6: Lichttechnische Mindestanforderungen an Reflexstoffe mikroprismatischer Materialien

Signaux fixes de signalisation routière verticale - Partie 6 : Performances des matériaux rétroréfléchissants constituant des faces de panneaux

La présente Partie 6 de l'EN 12899 décrit les exigences de performances relatives aux matériaux rétroréfléchissants des faces de panneaux.

Stalna vertikalna cestna signalizacija - 6. del: Lastnosti materialov za retroreflektivne znake

General Information

Status
Not Published
Public Enquiry End Date
14-Feb-2013
Technical Committee
OCE - Road equipment
Current Stage
98 - Abandoned project (Adopted Project)
Start Date
11-Oct-2013
Due Date
16-Oct-2013
Completion Date
11-Oct-2013

Overview

kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 is a European standard developed by CEN/TC 226 that specifies performance requirements for retroreflective materials used in fixed, vertical road traffic signs. This standard focuses on the optical properties, durability, and testing methods to ensure that retroreflective sign face materials provide optimal visibility and legibility of road signs under various driving conditions, especially at night.

Retroreflective materials are critical for road safety, as they enhance sign visibility by reflecting vehicle headlights back to the driver. The standard integrates technical principles based on CIE, ISO, and IEC standards to provide comprehensive guidance on measuring and ensuring retroreflection performance for different colors and applications.

Key Topics

  • Retroreflection Performance: The central focus is on the coefficient of retroreflection (RA), which quantifies how effectively a sign face material reflects light back towards the observer. This is influenced by observation and entrance angles related to the driver's position and headlight orientation.

  • Signal and Contrast Colours: The standard distinguishes between signal colours (e.g., white, yellow, fluorescent yellow/green) and contrast colours (generally darker shades), outlining different retroreflective requirements for each to ensure optimal sign visibility.

  • Application Classes: Defined application classes correspond to various geometric and viewing circumstances for signs, including different vehicle types and installation positions. This classification allows for customized evaluation of materials depending on where and how signs are used.

  • Retroreflection Performance Classes: Performance classes based on RA index values help users select suitable materials that meet minimum visibility and legibility criteria for specific road sign locations and driving conditions.

  • Durability and Weathering: The standard mandates tests for weather resistance, including natural and artificial accelerated aging, to ensure sign materials withstand environmental factors without significant loss of retroreflective properties.

  • Testing Methods: Annexes provide detailed procedures for measuring retroreflection (Annex A), colorimetry and luminance factor (Annex B), and guidelines for selecting appropriate application and performance classes (Annex C). These include both laboratory and factory production tests.

  • Mounting Axis and Installation Requirements: Precise orientation of retroreflective sheeting via mounting axes and datum marks is essential to achieve intended performance, as retroreflection characteristics depend on material orientation.

Applications

The kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 standard is applicable for:

  • Road Authorities and Traffic Engineers: To specify standardized retroreflective materials for permanent road traffic signs, improving night-time visibility, and compliance with safety regulations.

  • Sign Manufacturers: Provides requirements and test methods to certify retroreflective sheeting products according to performance classes and durability standards.

  • Quality Control Laboratories: Enables accurate production control by following standardized retroreflection and colorimetric testing procedures to verify product conformity and performance consistency.

  • Urban and Highway Planning: Guides material selection for fixed vertical signs, ensuring legibility for different vehicle types, illuminating conditions, and road environments.

  • Policy Makers: Supports the development of national policies and regulations regarding mandatory retroreflective performance criteria for road signage, enhancing road safety across Europe.

Related Standards

kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 complements and refers to several other key standards, including:

  • EN 12899 Parts 1 to 5 – Covering fixed signs, traffic bollards, delineator posts, factory production control, and initial type testing as part of the broader standard series for vertical road signs.

  • EN ISO 877-2:2010 & EN ISO 4892-1/2 – Related to plastics exposure and weathering testing, important for assessing material durability.

  • ISO 11664-2 (Colorimetry Part 2) – Specifies standard illuminants used in measuring sign colours.

  • IEC 60050-845 (Lighting terminology) – Defines technical terms such as retroreflection, luminance, and chromaticity.

  • CIE Publications 15:2004 and 54.2:2001 – Provide scientific foundations for colorimetry and retroreflection measurement methods essential for this standard.


By adhering to kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013, stakeholders in road infrastructure can reliably select and verify high-performance retroreflective materials that ensure road signs are clearly visible and legible across all lighting conditions, ultimately contributing to improved traffic safety and compliance with European regulations.

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kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

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Frequently Asked Questions

kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Fixed, vertical road traffic signs - Part 6: Performance of retroreflective sign face materials". This standard covers: This Part 6 of EN 12899 describes the performance requirements for retroreflective sign face materials.

This Part 6 of EN 12899 describes the performance requirements for retroreflective sign face materials.

kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.080.30 - Road equipment and installations. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011, 89/106/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/111. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

You can purchase kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of SIST standards.

Standards Content (Sample)


2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Stalna vertikalna cestna signalizacija - 6. del: Lastnosti materialov za retroreflektivne znakeOrtsfeste, vertikale Straßenverkehrzeichen - Teil 6: Lichttechnische Mindestanforderungen an Reflexstoffe mikroprismatischer MaterialienSignaux fixes de signalisation routière verticale - Partie 6 : Performances des matériaux rétroréfléchissants constituant des faces de panneauxFixed, vertical road traffic signs - Part 6: Performance of retroreflective sign face materials93.080.30Cestna oprema in pomožne napraveRoad equipment and installationsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:FprEN 12899-6kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013en,fr,de01-februar-2013kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
FINAL DRAFT
September 2012 ICS 93.080.30 English Version
Fixed, vertical road traffic signs - Part 6: Performance of retroreflective sign face materials
Signaux fixes de signalisation routière verticale - Partie 6 : Performances des matériaux rétroréfléchissants constituant des faces de panneaux
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for unique acceptance procedure. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 226.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. FprEN 12899-6:2012: EkSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

Methods for deriving the coefficient of retroreflection RA and its symmetries . 20A.1 General . 20A.2 Method for deriving RA,C(αααα,ββββ) values by thorough testing . 21A.3 Method of deriving RA,C(αααα,ββββ) values by simplified testing . 24A.4 Establishment of mounting axis reversal symmetry . 25A.5 Establishment of mounting axis rotation symmetry . 25A.5.1 General . 25A.5.2 Optical elements with complete rotational symmetry . 25A.5.3 Optical elements without complete rotational symmetry . 26Annex B (normative)
Colorimetric testing . 27B.1 Luminance factor and chromaticity of non-fluorescent materials . 27B.1.1 General . 27B.1.2 Reference method for microprismatic sign face materials . 27B.1.3 Secondary method for microprismatic sign face materials . 28B.2 Luminance factor and chromaticity of fluorescent materials . 28Annex C (informative)
Guidelines for the selection of application and retroreflection performance classes . 29C.1 Introduction . 29C.2 Application classes . 29C.3 Retroreflection performance classes . 30C.4 Vehicles other than the passenger car . 30C.5 Signs at other locations . 32C.6 Other factors . 33C.7 Guidelines . 34Bibliography . 37 kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

A legend or a symbol on a sign face is presented in one colour against the background of another colour. Bright colours serve generally as signal colours, while dark colours generally serve as contrast colours. A few colours may sometimes serve as signal colours and at other times as contrast colours. The signal colour is considered to be the more important in terms of retroreflective performance. The situations in which road traffic signs are used are grouped into a number of application classes, and individual signs can be specified using the range of retroreflection performance classes provided. The system of classes is complex - and has to be complex - in order to make good use of retroreflection. A single material cannot supply optimum or even adequate sign legibility in all applications, but some materials can do so in some applications and other materials in other applications. Test methods for retroreflection are provided in Annex A and for luminance factor and chromaticity in Annex B. Both annexes are of a complex technical nature, as they deal with retroreflective sign face materials of both known technologies - glass beaded and microprismatic - and because the fluorescence of fluorescent sign face materials has been taken into account. These normative annexes are primarily intended to be studied by experts working at test laboratories. It is a particular feature of retroreflection that it has limitations. Consequently, application and retroreflection performance classes cannot in practice be selected independently of each other. Some guidelines for the selection of application and retroreflection performance classes are offered in the informative annex. These are intended as the basis for forming national policies for retroreflective road traffic signs, in which various interests are weighed against each other in a suitable manner. 1 Scope This Part 6 of EN 12899 describes the performance requirements for retroreflective sign face materials. 2 Normative references The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN ISO 877-2:2010, Plastics - Methods of exposure to solar radiation — Part 2: Direct weathering and exposure behind window glass (ISO 877-2:2009) EN ISO 4892-1, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 1: General guidance
(ISO 4892-1) EN ISO 4892-2, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
(ISO 4892-2) ISO 11664-2, Colorimetry — Part 2: CIE standard illuminants IEC 60050-845:1987, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) — Chapter 845: Lighting NOTE CIE Publication 17.4 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary is identical to IEC 60050-845:1987. kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

CIE 54.2:2001, Retroreflection: definition and measurement
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-845:1987 and
CIE 54.2:2001 and the following apply. 3.1 signal colour the brightest colour of the sign face of a retroreflective sign NOTE The signal colour is white for most signs, but may be yellow, orange, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent yellow/green or fluorescent orange. 3.2 contrast colour any colour of the sign face of a retroreflective sign (including non-retroreflective black) that is not the signal colour 3.3 coefficient of retroreflection (of a plane retroreflecting surface), symbol RA
ratio of the luminous intensity of a plane retroreflecting surface in the direction of observation to the illuminance at the retroreflecting surface measured on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the incident light in proportion to the area of the retroreflecting surface NOTE The value of the coefficient of retroreflection depends in principle on four angles, this being the number of angles needed to describe the directions of observation and incident light relative to the retroreflecting surface. Refer to CIE 54.2 for the definition of such angles and their combination into angular systems. RA is expressed in cd.lx-1m-2 units.
3.4 RA,C(αααα,ββββ) value a calculated value of the coefficient of retroreflection RA for a combination of the observation angle . and the entrance angle
Definitions of the observation angle α and entrance angle β are provided in CIE 54.2. NOTE 1
A value of the observation angle α relates, among other things, to the distance to a road sign, and a value of the entrance angle β relates to the obliqueness at which the sign is illuminated. NOTE 2
The RA,C(α,β) value is calculated from various RA measurements in which two additional angles have been varied.
One additional angle relates to the location of a headlamp on a vehicle relative to the driver, for instance directly below the driver, below to the right and below to the left. The other additional angle relates to the location of a sign relative to the vehicle, for instance to the right, above or to the left of the vehicle. The calculation of the RA,C(α,β) value is carried out in two steps: I: RA values are averaged for three different headlamp locations. II: the smallest of these values for some relevant locations of a road sign relative to the vehicle is selected to be the RA,C(α,β) value. This calculation ensures that the RA,C(α,β) value is a reasonable representation of the coefficient of retroreflection RA taking account of variation in vehicle type and sign location. kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

The application class which is the most suitable for drivers of small vehicles may be less suitable for drivers of large vehicles.
3.6 RA index an index providing a single measure of the general level of retroreflective performance of a sign face material for the geometrical circumstances of an application class NOTE
The RA index value is obtained in three steps. These are numbered III, IV and V in continuation of two steps I and II used to derive RA,C(α,β) values above: III: The proportions between the RA,C(α,β) values of a sign face material and a set of RA,R(α,β) reference values are calculated. IV: For each of the entrance angle values included within the application class, the harmonic average of the above-mentioned proportions are calculated for those cases of the observation angles that are included within the application class. V: The smallest of the harmonic averages is selected to be the RA index. The RA,R(α,β) reference values correspond to a constant sign luminance of 1 cd/m2. 3.7 retroflection performance class a classification based on the RA index value of a signal colour for a given application class 3.8 mounting axis a direction relative to a retroreflective sign face material indicating the orientation with which the sheeting is to be mounted on a road sign so that the mounting axis is pointed upwards NOTE 1
A mounting axis can be indicated by a datum mark on the material or can be the direction of the roll of the material or can be indicated in other ways and should be declared by the manufacturer of the sheeting. NOTE 2
If the manufacturer declares more than one mounting axis, one mounting axis is distinguished as the primary mounting axis while the others are secondary mounting axes. 3.9 family of retroreflective sign face materials a family of retroreflective sign face materials consists of sheetings in various colours (including non-retroreflective black) with identical optical design and similar manufacturing processes and raw materials (except dyes or pigment) and includes materials with process colour or coloured overlay film and with clear overlay film 3.10
fluorescence fluorescence is primarily a daylight appearance attribute based on absorption of light at shorter wavelengths and emission at longer wavelengths kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

The performance of retroreflective sign face materials is dependent on the properties of the sheeting, which are affected by the geometry of viewing, luminance factor and chromaticity. Because the geometry of viewing is important it is essential that the material is applied to the substrate correctly.
To this end, datum marks and mounting axes are required to be included in the construction of sheeting. Information about datum marks and mounting axes are provided in Annex A.
Chromaticity and luminance is covered in Clause 5. The standard defines a number of application classes which are described in 4.2 and specified in Tables 2 and 3. Each application class is defined by five observation angles covering the reading distance range.
With each observation angle there are entrance angles to represent the angle of illumination of the sign that will occur. A performance value is determined for each application class for each sign face material by means of an average value which represents the performance of that sign face material. The process starts with selecting an application class to match the site of the proposed installation. The next step is to calculate a representative RA value denoted the RA,C(.,) value for each of these application classes.
This is described in Annex A. From this, an RA index is calculated for a particular application class, which in turn leads to the performance class (P1 to P8) for that application class.
The manufacturer of a sheeting material may provide the retroreflection performance classes for one, more or all of the application classes. For those application classes, where the retroreflection performance classes are not provided, the testing need not be carried out. NOTE A sheeting material may be designed to perform well for some application classes and less well for other application classes, for which it may not comply with the lowest retroreflection performance class (P1) or it may not be competitive to other sheeting materials.
Purchasers should use this system of application and retroreflection performance classes to specify their requirements. Some colours are used for both signal and contrast colours, and non-retroflective black is also used as a contrast colour.
Separate test methods are specified for signal and contrast colours (see 4.3 and 4.5 respectively).
Requirements for non-retroreflective black are specified in EN 12899-1. The signal colour is the more important in terms of retroreflective performance. Guidelines for the selection of application and performance classes are given in Annex C. The manufacturer of a sheeting material shall declare the mounting axis. The manufacturer can declare more than one mounting axis, refer to 4.4. If so, one mounting axis is distinguished as the primary mounting axis while the others are secondary mounting axes. Secondary mounting axes are defined by clockwise rotations relative to the primary mounting axis. A material that has been assigned multiple mounting axes can be mounted on signs with rotations corresponding to the different mounting axes. However, within a sign, the mounting has normally to correspond to a single mounting axis with the exceptions provided in the next two paragraphs.
NOTE 1 The observation angle α relates to the distance between a sign and a vehicle (small α corresponds to a large distance), while the entrance angle β relates to the obliqueness with which the headlight of the vehicle illuminates the sign.
NOTE 2 The RA,R(α,β) reference values correspond to a constant sign luminance of 1 cd/m2. These values are provided in Table 1 and come from the function RA = 6,99×α-1,4×cosβ (see Annex C for further details). kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

Two or more classes of entrance angularity can be requested simultaneously. EXAMPLE In recognition that the majority of signs are positioned at small entrance angles, the 5° entrance angularity class can be applied with a high retroreflection performance class. Simultaneously a lower retroreflection performance class can be applied for the 15° and 30° entrance angularity class, as there are likely to be some signs viewed at larger entrance angles. This would emphasise the performance requirement for the majority of signs that are positioned at small entrance angles and still require a level of performance for those signs viewed at wider entrance angles. The classes A11, A21 and A31 shall only be requested in combination with other application classes with wider entrance angularity, as the narrow entrance angularity is not sufficient in itself. Refer to C.7 for further information. kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

5º Class A11
5º Class A12
15º
5º Class A13
15º
30º

Class A21

Class A22
15º

Class A23
15º
30º

Class A24
15º
30º
40º

Class A31 5º
Class A32 15º

Class A33 15º
30º

Class A34 15º
30º
40º
4.3 Retroreflection performance classes for signal colours For a particular signal colour and application class, an RA index is derived in three steps. These are numbered III, IV and V in continuation of steps I and II used to derive RA,C(α,β) values, refer to A.2: III:
the ratios are calculated between RA,C(α,β) values of the signal colour and RA,R(α,β) reference values for each of the cases in the selection corresponding to the class
for each column of β cases within the selection, the harmonic mean of the ratios calculated in step III is calculated V:
the RA index value is selected as the smallest of the harmonic means calculated in step IV. The harmonic means to be determined in step IV include five ratios R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5. The harmonic mean is determined as
NOTE The RA index is a single measure of the general level of retroreflection of a sign face material as compared to the RA,R(α,β) reference values. An RA index applies for a particular application class; the value will in general depend on the application class. EXAMPLE 1
(applies to application class A23): The RA index is determined in three steps. In step III the ratios between the RA,R(α,β) reference values and the RA,C(α,β) values of the signal colour are calculated, in step IV the harmonic means of the ratios are calculated for each relevant case of the entrance angle β and in step V the smallest of these harmonic means is selected. RA,R(α,β) reference values
RA,C(α,β) values of the
signal colour Observation angle α Entrance angle β
Entrance angle β 5° 15° 30° 5° 15° 30° 0,20° - - - - - - 0,33° 32,9 31,9 28,6 432 370 183 0,50° 18,4 17,8 16,0 340 306 151 0,70° 11,5 11,1 9,99 230 198 97,4 1,00° 6,97 6,76 6,06 103 89,1 44,0 1,50° 3,95 3,83 3,44 28,2 25,2 11,3 2,00° - - - - - -
Step III
ratios: RA,C(α,β)/RA,R(α,β)
Entrance angle β 5° 15° 30° - - - 13,1 11,6 6,40 18,5 17,2 9,44 20,0 17,8 9,75 14,8 13,2 7,26 7,14 6,58 3,28 - - -
Step IV
harmonic means:
12,9 11,7 6,19 Step V minimum: 6,19 kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

1,4 RA index ≥
2,0 RA index ≥
2,8 RA index ≥
4,0 RA index ≥
5,6 RA index ≥
8,0 RA index ≥ 11,3 RA index ≥ 16,0 RA index ≥
1,0 RA index ≥
1,4 RA index ≥
2,0 RA index ≥
2,8 RA index ≥
4,0 RA index ≥
5,6 RA index ≥
8,0 RA index ≥ 11,3 RA index ≥
0,7 RA index ≥
1,0 RA index ≥
1,4 RA index ≥
2,0 RA index ≥
2,8 RA index ≥
4,0 RA index ≥
5,6 RA index ≥
8,0
EXAMPLE 2
(for application class A23): Further to EXAMPLE 1, the highest retroreflection performance class that can be met by a product with an RA index of 6,19 for the signal colour white is P5 (i.e. RA
index ≥ 5,6). 4.4 Derivation of the RA index for secondary mounting axes For the signal colour white, the RA index shall be derived independently in accordance with 4.3 for the primary mounting axis and for any secondary mounting axis resulting in RA index (white, primary) and RA index (white, secondary). For other signal colours of the same material, including other versions of white created for instance by use of protective coatings, the RA index shall be derived independently in accordance with 4.3 for the primary mounting axis resulting in RA index (signal colour, primary). The RA index for a secondary mounting axis may also be derived independently in accordance with 4.3. However, it is permissible instead to derive the RA index by means of scaling using the following expression, in order to make substantial savings in the test work: RA index (signal colour, secondary) = F(white)×RA index (signal colour, primary)
where F(white) = RA index (white, secondary)/ RA index (white, primary) kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

NOTE 3 Mounting axis rotation corresponds to applying the sign face material with a rotation compared to the normal direction. This may enable the sheeting to be used more efficiently. The consequence is that the sign face material is mounted with a rotation relative to the normal direction on the sign. One option for rotational symmetry is a material that, when tested in accordance with A.5.2, meets the requirements therein. Testing for rotational symmetry need to be done only for the white sign face material of a family.
It is permissible to let the RA index for the primary mounting axis represent the product performance for all rotations of the material.
NOTE 4 This option to establish mounting axis rotation symmetry is intended for glass beaded sign face materials which use rotationally symmetric optics. The second option occurs when the material passes the test provided in A.5.3, even when the optical elements do not show complete rotational symmetry. The test in A.5.3 needs to be carried out for a sign face material of the colour white only. The product performance for all rotations of the material shall be represented by the minimum RA index for mounting axes for those rotations used in the test, refer to A.5.3. NOTE 5 The second option to establish mounting axis rotation symmetry may be applied for sign face materials of any type of construction. 4.5 Requirements for contrast colours Contrast colours of a sign face material are specified by means of their contrast values with respect to the signal colour white of the same sign face material. Contrast colour testing is done only for the primary mounting axis, even if more than one mounting axis is declared or symmetries are established. The contrast color testing may be omitted for materials with clear overlay films (such as dew-resistant and protective overlays that cover both signal and contrast color), provided that the same materials and colors have been tested already without the clear overlay film. NOTE 1 The contrast between white and a contrast colour is not changed significantly by a clear overlay film. Accordingly it is not necessary to repeat determination of the RA,C(α,β) values for contrast colours where clear overlay films are used. NOTE 2 It is not necessary to calculate the contrast value for non-retroreflective black.
A contrast value is determined as the ratio between an RA,C(α,β) value of the contrast colour and an RA,C(α,β) value of the signal colour white. The RA,C(α,β) values are determined in accordance with Annex A. The kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

4.6 Testing of the retroreflection of sign face materials for factory production control Retroreflection performance classes for signal colours shall be tested for all performance classes declared by the manufacturer either by the procedure described in 4.2 and 4.3 or by a simplified procedure. One simplified procedure is to use the method of deriving RA,C(α,β) values by simplified testing of A.3 for all sheeting families within a family.
NOTE This assumes that the proportions P(α,β) have been determined previously (e.g. during initial type testing) for the relevant combinations of α and β for the colour white in accordance with A.2.
It is not necessary normally to test the RA index for secondary mounting axes, nor to retest for mounting axis reversal symmetry nor for rotational symmetry. Contrasts for contrast colours shall be tested for all performance classes declared by the manufacturer in accordance with 4.5. 5 Daylight chromaticity coordinates and luminance factor of retroreflective sign face materials The luminance factor β and the chromaticity co-ordinates x, y shall be measured using the CIE standard illuminant D65 and the 1931 CIE 2º standard observer in accordance with Annex B for all retroreflective sign face materials independently, whether they belong to a family or not.
The luminance factor shall conform to Table 6. For chromaticity class CR1, the chromaticity co-ordinates shall conform to the chromaticity boxes provided in Table 6. For chromaticity class CR2, the chromaticity co-ordinates shall conform to the chromaticity boxes provided in the relevant Table 6 or 7. These chromaticity boxes are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A test is valid only for a particular means of obtaining the colour (e.g. inherent colour, use of an overlay film of a particular type or process colour with a particular dye according to a particular procedure) and shall be repeated for other means of obtaining the colour. kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

x y x y x y x y Non-fluorescent colours White 0,355 0,355 0,305 0,305 0,285 0,325 0,335 0,375
β ≥ 0,27 Yellow 0,545 0,455 0,487 0,423 0,427 0,483 0,465 0,535
β ≥ 0,16 Orange 0,631 0,369 0,552 0,359 0,506 0,404 0,570 0,430
β ≥ 0,12 Red 0,735 0,265 0,674 0,236 0,569 0,341 0,655 0,345
β ≥ 0,030 Blue 0,078 0,171 0,150 0,220 0,210 0,160 0,137 0,038
β ≥ 0,015 Green 0,007 0,703 0,248 0,409 0,177 0,362 0,026 0,399
β ≥ 0,030 Dark green 0,313 0,682 0,313 0,453 0,248 0,409 0,007 0,703 0,070 ≥ β ≥ 0,010 Brown 0,455 0,397 0,479 0,373 0,558 0,394 0,523 0,429 0,090 ≥ β ≥ 0,030 Purple 0,457 0,136 0,374 0,247 0,308 0,203 0,302 0,064
β ≥ 0,020 Grey 0,355 0,355 0,305 0,305 0,285 0,325 0,335 0,375 0,18 ≥ β ≥ 0,11 Non-retroreflective colours Black 0,385 0,355 0,300 0,270 0,260 0,310 0,345 0,395
0,030≥ β Fluorescent colours Yellow-green 0,387 0,610 0,369 0,546 0,428 0,496 0,460 0,540
β ≥ 0,60 Yellow 0,479 0,520 0,446 0,483 0,512 0,421 0,557 0,443
β ≥ 0,40 Orange 0,583 0,416 0,535 0,400 0,605 0,343 0,655 0,345
β ≥ 0,20 Red 0,735 0,269 0,671 0,275 0,613 0,333 0,666 0,334
β ≥ 0,15 NOTE 1 When points lie on the spectral boundary, they are joined by that boundary and not by a straight line. NOTE 2 Luminance factor values are rounded to the two nearest decimals for luminance factor β > 0,10 and for luminance factor β ≤ 0,100
they are rounded to the three nearest values.
x y x y x Y x y White and grey 0,305 0,315 0,335 0,345 0,325 0,355 0,295 0,325 Yellow 0,494 0,506 0,470 0,480 0,513 0,437 0,545 0,455 Red 0,735 0,265 0,700 0,250 0,607 0,343 0,655 0,345 Blue 0,100 0,109 0,146 0,156 0,183 0,115 0,137 0,038 Green 0,007 0,703 0,216 0,448 0,147 0,400 0,018 0,454 Other colours Refer to Table 6 NOTE 1
When points lie on the spectral boundary, they are joined by that boundary and not by a straight
line. NOTE 2 Refer to Table 6 for luminance factor β.
Legend 1
white and grey
brown
dark green
blue 3
yellow green
purple 4
yellow
black 5
orange
11 yellow-green 6
red
A: Non-fluorescent colours
B: Fluorescent colours Figure 1 — Chromaticity boxes for class CR1 and class CR2 for colours not included in Figure 2
Legend 1
white and grey
green
yellow
blue 3
red Figure 2 — Chromaticity boxes for class CR2 6 Durability 6.1 Resistance to weathering After weathering in accordance with 6.2 or 6.3, the chromaticity and luminance factor shall conform to the requirements of Clause 5 as appropriate. For signal colours, RA values shall be measured before and after weathering at an observation angle (.) of 0,33º and entrance angles () of 5° and 30° (1 = 5° and 30°, with 2 = 0° and ε = 0°). For neither of the two test geometries shall the RA value differ by more than 15 % after weathering as compared with before weathering.
In the event that one or both RA values of a signal colour differ by more than 15 % after weathering as compared with before weathering, the RA index values of that signal colour shall be retested in accordance with 4.3. For contrast colours, the ratio of the RA values measured before and after weathering at an observation angle (.) of 0,33º and entrance angles () of
5° and 30° (1 = 5° and 30°, with 2 = 0° and ε = 0°) of the contrast colour and the signal colour shall be determined.
After weathering, the ratio shall meet the requirements of Table 5. NOTE To improve the reproducibility of testing, it is recommended that samples are tested before and after weathering using the same equipment. A test is valid only for a particular means of obtaining the colour (e.g. inherent colour, use of an overlay film of a particular type or process colour with a particular dye according to a particular procedure) and shall be repeated for other means of obtaining the colour. kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

Relative humidity (50 ± 5)% Irradiance (W/m2) controlled at 340 nm over 300 nm to 400 nm range
0,51 60 NOTE 1 Water used for specimen spray should contain no more than 1 ppm silica. Higher levels of silica can produce spotting on samples and variability in results. Water of the required purity can be obtained by distillation or by a combination of deionization and reverse osmosis. NOTE 2 Whilst irradiance levels should be set at the above levels, variations in filter ages and transmissivity, and in calibration variations, will generally mean that irradiance error will be in the order of ± 10 %.
7 Adhesion test A sheeting strip of 25 mm x 150 mm is mounted on a substrate with minimum dimensions of 200 mm × 70 mm by means of an adhesive as shown in Figure 3. The test shall be carried out at a temperature of (23 ± 3) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %. After 72 h of drying, a hanging weight with a mass of F = 0,8 kg is applied to the sheeting strip and the slip s of the sheeting stripe is observed. The slip shall be not exceed
50 mm during the following 5 min. The test is valid only for a particular substrate material and a family of retroreflective sign face materials with identical adhesive and shall be repeated for other substrate materials or adhesives. kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

Test method:
Testing Conditions Sheeting strip of 25 mm x 150 mm F = 0,8 kg ± 1 g / 25 mm t = 5 min Drying time before testing: 72 h Requirement: s < 50 mm
Legend
sheeting strip 2
substrate 3
hanging weight F
0,8 kg / 25 mm s
< 50 mm
Figure 3 — Adhesion test kSIST FprEN 12899-6:2013

Methods for deriving the coefficient of retroreflection RA and its symmetries
A.1 General The methods supply a calculated value of the coefficient of retroreflection RA,C(α,β) for a combination of the observation angle α and entrance angle β. Regard
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