SZNS  044-4:2014 
 
ICS 01.080.10           Edition 1  
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWAZILAND NATIONAL STANDARD  
 
 
 
Symbolic safety signs  
 
Part 4: Retro -reflective signs   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published by: Swaziland Standards Authority  
SmithCo Building, 2nd Floor, 11th Street King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Swaziland  
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526  
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
©Swaziland Standards Authority 201 4 
 
 SZNS 044-4:201 4 
Edition 1   
 
ii  ©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved  
 COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
 
This Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a Swaziland National  Standard and is 
copyright -protect ed by SWASA. Neither this SWASA document nor any extract from it may be 
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, 
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission being secured.  
 
Requests for permission to r eproduce should be addressed to:  
 
The Informa tion Officer  
Swaziland Standards Authority  
P.O. Box 1399, Matsapha  
Tel. + 268 2518 4633  
Fax: + 268 2518 4526  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
 
Reproduction may  be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved   iii 
 Table of changes  
 
Clause Changed  Date  Change  
 
 
   
 
NATIONAL FOREWORD  
This Swaziland National Standard  was prepared by Technical Committee SWA SA/TC 10 
Occupational health and safety in accordance with procedures of the Swaziland Standards Authority, 
in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement. This national  standard is an identical 
implementation  of SANS 1186 -4:2011 , Edition 1.  
 
This text is a Southern African Development Community Draft Harmonized Text (SADCSTAN 
DHT). The harmonization of standards and technical regulations in the SADC region is an obligation 
under the SADC Trade Protocol which is aimed at elimination of non -tariff barri ers to trade within the 
region to enhance economic development and establishment of a free trading bloc . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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iv  ©SWASA 20 14 – All rights reserved  
 Contents                      Page  
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
3 Definitions ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  1 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 1 
4.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  1 
4.2 Photometric  properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 
4.3 Chromaticity  co-ordinates  of colours  ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4.4 Luminance  factor  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  2 
5 Inspection  and methods  of test ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  4 
5.1 Inspection ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
5.2 Test for coefficient  of retro -reflection  ................................ ................................ ..........................  4 
5.3 Test for chromaticity  co-ordinates  and luminance  factor  ................................ ..............................  5 
6 Packing  and marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  5 
6.1 Packing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  5 
6.2 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  5 
Annex A Notes to purchasers  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  6 
Annex  B Quality  verification  of retro -reflective  safety  signs ................................ ................................ .. 7 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  8 
 
 
 
 
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©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved    1 
 Symbolic safety  signs  
Part 4: Retro -reflective signs  
1 Scope  
This part of SZNS 044  specifies  the particular  requirements  for retro -reflective  safety  signs . 
2 Normative references  
The following  standard s contain  provisions  which,  through  reference in this text, constitute provisions of 
this part of SZNS 044 . All standards  are subject  to revision  and, since  any reference  to a standard  is 
deemed  to be a reference  to the latest  edition  of that standa rd, parties  to agreements  based  on this part of 
SZNS 044  are encouraged  to take steps  to ensure  the use of the most  recent  editions  of the 
standards  indicated  below.  Information  on currently  valid  national  and international  standards  can be 
obtained  from  Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA).  
CIE publication  15, Colorimetry .                                                                                                  
CIE publication  54.2,  Retroreflection  – Definition  and measurement.  
SANS  1186 -1, Symboli c safety  signs  – Part 1: Standard  signs  and general  requirements.  
3 Definitions  
For the purposes  of this part of SZNS 044 , the definitions  given  in SANS  1186 -1 apply . 
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  
A retro -reflective  sign shall  comply  with the requirements  of 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.9.2  and 4.9.3  of 
SANS  1186 -1. 
4.2 Photometric  properties  
The coefficient of retro -reflection of the retro -reflective material, when measured in accordance with 
5.2, shall be not less than the values given  in table  1. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 Table  1 — Coefficients  of retro -reflection  of retro -reflecti ve materials  
 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 
Observation 
angle  
 
 
degrees  Entrance 
angle  
 
 
degree  Minimum coefficient of retro -reflection for 
different colours of material when measured 
when measured with standard illumi nant A1 
cd/(l x m2) 
White  Yellow  Red  Green  Blue  
1/3 5 
30 
40 50 
24 
9 35 
16 
6 10 
4 
1,8 7 
3 
1,2 2 
1 
0,4 
1,5 5 
30 
40 5 
2,5 
1,5 3 
1,5 
1,0 0,8 
0,4 
0,3 0,6 
0,3 
0,2 0,2 
0,1 
0,06 
1 See CIE publication 15.  
NOTE In the case  of a sign where other colours a re printed on the retro -reflective material, the 
coefficients of retro -reflection of those printed colours shall be at least 70% of the relevant 
values given in this table.   
 
4.3 Chromaticity  co-ordinates  of colours  
When determined in accordance with 5.3,  the chromaticity co -ordinates of the retro -reflective material 
for standard illuminant D65, shall be within the relevant region in the chromaticity diagram (see 
figure 1). The chromaticity co -ordinates of the corners (points of intersection) of the region s in the 
diagram are given in table 2.  
4.4 Luminance  factor  
When  determined  in accordance  with 5.3, 
a) the luminance  factor  of the material,  except  for a black  material,  shall  be not less than the relevant  
values  given  in table  2, and 
b) the luminance  factor of a black  material  shall  be not more  than the relevant  value  given  in table  2. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Table  2 — Chromaticity  co-ordinates  and luminance  
factors  for retro -reflecti ve surface  colours  
 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 
 
 
Colour  x,y chromaticity co -ordinates of the c orners of the regions in 
the chromaticity diagram (figure 1)  
 
Illuminant D 65 45/0 geometry   
Luminance 
Factor  
Co-
ordinate  1 2 3 4 
Red  x 
y 0,735  
0,265  0,674  
0,236  0,569  
0,341  0,655  
0,345  ≥0,03  
Yellow  x 
y 0,545  
0,454  0,487  
0,423  0,427  
0,483  0,465  
0,535  ≥0,16  
Green  x 
y 0,007  
0,703  0,248  
0,409  0,177  
0,362  0,026  
0,399  ≥0,03  
Blue  x 
y 0,078  
0,171  0,0150  
0,220  0,210  
0,160  0,137  
0,375  ≥0,015  
White  x 
y 0,355  
0,355  0,305  
0,305  0,285  
0,325  0,335 
0,375  ≥0,27  
Black  x 
y 0,385  
0,355  0,300  
0,270  0,260  
0,310  0,345  
0,395  ≥0,03  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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4  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 Figure  1 — Chromaticity  co-ordinates  — Boundaries  for 
retro -reflecti ve surface  colours  (see table  2) 
 
 
5 Inspection  and methods  of test 
5.1 Inspection  
Visually  examine  and then measure  each sign in the sample  for compliance  with all the requi rements of 
this part of SZNS 044 for which  tests to assess  compliance  are not given  in 5.2 and 5.3. 
5.2 Test for coefficient  of retro -reflection  
Determi ne  the  coefficient  of  retro -reflection  of  each  colour  on  the  sign  in  accordance  with 
CIE publication  54.2.  Check  for compliance  with 4.2. 
 
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 5.3 Test for chromaticity  co-ordinates  and luminance  factor  
Use a spectrophotometer  or another  equally  suitable  colour  measuring  device  to determine  the 
chromaticity  co-ordinates  and the luminance  factor of each  colour  on the  sign in accordance  with the 
method  given  in CIE publication  15 and in CIE publication  54.2,  using  standard  illuminant  D65 
and 45/0 geometry.  Check  for compliance  with the requirements  of 4.3 and 4.4.                              
6 Packing  and marking  
6.1 Packing  
Only signs of the same type designation, materials and size shall be packed together. The front of each 
sign shall be covered with a suitable material and the signs shall be so packed as to ensure that they 
are not damaged during normal handling, transportation and storage.  
6.2 Marking  
The following  information  shall  be legibly  and permanently  marked  on the front  of each sign:  
a) the manufacturer's  name,  trade  name  or trade  mark;  and 
The space  occupied  by the marking  shall  not exceed  12 mm in height  and 25 mm in width.  
The reflective  sheeting  shall  bear,  as an integral  part of the product,  a mark  that identifies  the 
manufacturer  of the sheeting.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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6  ©SWASA 201 4 – All rights reserved  
 Annex A  
(normative)  
Notes to purchasers  
The following  requirements  shall  be specified  in tender  invitations  and in each order  or contract:  
a) the type designation  (see 4.2 of SANS  1186 -1);                                                                     
b) the overall  dimensions  of the sign (see 4.3.1  of SANS  1186 -1); 
c) the material  of the backing  sheet  (see 4.4 of SANS  1186 -1); and 
d) whether  a sign is to be in the form  of a decal  (see 3.2 of SANS  1186 -1). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Annex  B 
(informative)  
Quality  verification  of retro -reflective  safety  signs  
B.1 Quality  verification  
When  a purchaser  requires  ongoing  verification  of the quality of retro -reflective  safety  signs,  it is 
suggested  that, instead  of concentrating  solely  on evaluation  of the final product,  he also direct  his 
attention  to the manufacturer's  quality system. In  this connection  it should  be noted that  SZNS ISO 
9001 covers  the provision  of an integrated  quality  system.                                                                  
B.2 Definitions  
The definitions  given  in B.2 of SANS  1186 -1 are applicable  to this part of SZNS 044 . 
B.3 Sampling  and compliance  with this part of SZNS 044  
The sampling  and acceptance  procedures  given  in B.3 and B.4 of SANS  1186 -1 are applicable  to this 
part of SZNS 044 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Bibliography  
SZNS ISO  9001,  Quality  management  systems  – Requirements.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ICS 01.080.10  
Price  based  on 8 pages.