Manual for Making Flood Hazard Map
UbiquitousJuly 2006
River Bureau
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

[Table of Contents]
Introduction
1. Main Section
1-1 Purpose ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････1
1-2 Information provided and symbols ････････････････････････････････････2
1-3 Implementation of Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps program･････････････････3
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images ････････････････････････････7

2. Materials Section
2-1 Conditions for using symbols ･･････････････････････････････････････････16
2-2 Standard for fonts ････････････････････････････････････････････････18
2-3 Character arrangement ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････19
2-4 Character size standards ･･････････････････････････････････････････････20
2-5 Language to be used ･････････････････････････････････････････････････21
2-6 Color standards ････････････････････････････････････････････････････21
2-7 Clearances ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････22
2-8 Materials used to make signs ･･････････････････････････････････････････23
2-9 Installation heights ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････24
2-10 On the angle of vision ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････25
2-11 Management and maintenance ････････････････････････････････････････26

[List of Figures]
Main Section
Fig. 1 Basic idea of flood-related signs in towns with ubiquitous flood hazard map ････････････････ 1
Fig. 2 Meanings and purposes of the symbols of Flood, Shelter (building) and Levee ･･････････････ 2
Fig. 3 Implementation Flow ･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 3
Fig. 4 Flood sign plates (indication of flood water depth) ･･･････････････････････････････････････ 7
Fig. 5 Flood sign plates (with explanation of indications) ･･･････････････････････････････････････ 7
Fig. 6 Flood sign plates (integrated expression with symbols and numbers) ･･･････････････････････ 8
Fig. 7 Flood sign plates (with shelter symbol) ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 8
Fig. 8 Image of flood sign placement (flood water depth, projected or recorded) ･･･････････････････ 9Fig. 9 Conditions for using symbols to show flood shelters ･････････････････････････････････････ 10
Fig. 10 Shelter sign (with shelter name) ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 10
Fig. 11 Shelter sign plate with guidance ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 11
Fig. 12 Shelter guidance type plate ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 12
Fig. 13 Image of shelter signs ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 13
Fig. 14 Levee sign plate ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 14
Fig. 15 Image of levee signs ････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 15Materials Section
Fig. 16 Conditions for using symbols (color/shape) ････････････････････････････････････････････ 16
Fig. 17 Conditions of symbols (minimum dimension) ･････････････････････････････････････････ 17
Fig. 18 Standards for fonts ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 18
Fig. 19 Character arrangement standards ･････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 19
Fig. 20 Clearances ･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 22
Fig. 21 Desirable sign heights (1) ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 24
Fig. 22 Desirable sign heights (2) ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 24
Fig. 23 Concept of view angle ･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 25

Introduction
In many parts of Japan, efforts to pass on regional memories of floods to later
generations have included building steles, setting up stakes as water-level gauges andpreserving other markings that recall people s experience with floods.
On the other hand, changes in local communities in recent years have led to a decrease in
the numbers of residents that have experienced flood disasters. Most community
residents lack information on major regional flood damage in the past and lackknowledge of projected flood water depths in the area in which they live and other facts
pertaining to flood risk.
Along with the recent amendment to the Flood Fighting Law, progress has been made in
designations and announcements of flood-prone areas and in preparing flood hazard
maps. To help meet the need for wide dissemination of flood information, The Flood
Hazard Mapping Manual, which was published in June 2005 by the River Improvement
and Management Division, River Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport,suggests preserving flood marks and staff gauges displayed on streets as a way to bringabout greater public awareness of flood hazard maps.
The aims of this manual are to promote the further dissemination of flood hazard maps,
to create a heightened sense of risks, and better awareness of shelters in case of floods ineach community. To enable residents to appreciate the real risk of floods in their areas,
this manual provides guidelines for the creation of Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps
(Comprehensive Town-Wide Hazard Maps)
information that can be displayed in communities.

and signs providing flood-fighting

Main Section

Main Section
1-1 Purpose

1. Main Section
1-1

Purpose[Purpose of this Manual]
The aim of this manual is to help bring about safe and smooth evacuationnecessitated by floods and to help minimize flood damage by providing facts
and encouraging the dissemination of knowledge of possible flood water
depths and shelters and raising awareness of risks by displaying information
on flood water depths and shelters in the form of flood-related signs in towns.

Normal times

Normal times

Learn about floods.

Learn about

Promotegreater regional floodawareness

locations of shelters
and methods ofevacuation.

Upon disaster
Know the situation.
Make informed
decisions.

Safe and Smooth Evacuation
Fig. 1 Basic idea of flood-related signs in towns withubiquitous flood hazard maps

1

Main Section

1-2 Information provided and symbols

1-2

Information provided and symbols[Information provided and symbols]
This manual establishes three categories of information to be provided byflood-related signs: Flood (flood water depths), Shelters, and Levees.
The symbols indicated below are specified for nationwide use in providing each kind of
information.1
Flood[Meaning of the symbol]
Indicates river has overflowed.
[Purpose of the symbol]
To show areas likely to be affected by flooding.

Shelter building[Meaning of the symbol]
Indicates safe shelter (building) upon disaster[Purpose of the symbol]
To show safe building as shelter in event of disaster.

Levee[Meaning of the symbol]
Indicates levee protecting residential area
[Purpose of the symbol]
To show the area is protected from flooding by alevee. (But it could be flooded if river overflows.)

Fig. 2 Meanings and purposes of the symbols of Flood, Shelter (building) and Levee
・ In placing signs, it is recommended that eye-catching symbols be used nationwide for
intuitive understanding by everyone and to urge evacuation.
・ The colors and shapes of each symbol shall be in accordance with the Conditions for using
symbols in Materials Section on page 16.
・ The symbols should not only be used for flood-related signs, but also in paper hazard maps
and other media related to flood fighting.

1

You can download and use the electronic file of the symbols at:

http://www.river.or.jp/pict_flood/zukigou_download.htm

2Main Section
1-3 Implementation of “Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps” program

1-3

Implementation of Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps program

1-3-1 General considerations[Collaboration between river administrators and municipalities]
To implement the measures outlined in the Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Map
program, the river administrators and municipality shall work together fromthe pre-planning stage through installation and management.
・ The river administrators and municipality shall work together to implement the
Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Map program. It is desirable that the signs be installed
as part of various disaster management drills or in coordination with disastermanagement education at schools, thereby promoting disaster managementawareness.
Advance study for various plans

Site survey

Installation of signs

Management
Fig. 3 Implementation Flow

1-3-2 Studies to be conducted prior to plan development[Advance studies]
The signs shall be installed by coordinating various local plans after studying
and grasping their content.
・ To identify places or areas for sign placement, flood areas, projected flood water
depths and recorded flood water depths should be confirmed by studying flood
hazard maps and other materials.
・ Disaster management plans as prescribed by municipalities such as regional disastermanagement plans should be studied.
・ The possibility of inundation at shelters or along major evacuation routes should be
confirmed, and reflected in the review of hazard maps as necessary.
・ The contents and locations of any disaster management signs set up in the areas(wide-area shelter signs, etc.) must be grasped.
・ If there are any ordinances or plans for landscaping, these considerations should beincorporated in the hazard mapping according to such ordinances or plans.

3

Main Section
1-3 Implementation of “Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps” program

1-3-3 Site surveys[Local surveys]
Signs shall be installed to meet local conditions by studying and identifying
the conditions of candidate spots for signs.
・ The location and direction of signs will be studied by identifying the conditions of
the locations where signs are to be actually installed.
・ Conformity with the information on existing signs or advertisements shall be
studied. It will also be studied whether flood signs to be newly installed can beconspicuous and whether several signs would result in congested information.
・ In site surveys, studies will be conducted for the following facilities in the relevant
areas:
Major facilities in the area (stations and other transportation facilities, schools,
municipality offices, parks, etc.); and major roads in the area
・ Coordinate efforts with facility administrators to determine where signs will be
installed (power company, NTT, public facility administrators, etc.)
1-3-4 Installation[Selecting installation spots]
Sign installation spots shall be selected on the basis of 1-3-2 Studies to be
conducted prior to plan development and 1-3-3 Site surveys so that large
numbers of pedestrians will become aware of effective evacuation procedures
and so that the procedures can be accomplished.
・ For efficient and effective provision of information by the flood-related signs,
major evacuation routes and places where there is a great deal of pedestrian traffic(stations, bus stops and other transportation nodes, and public facilities such as
town hall) shall be selected as sites for installation of signs.

[Added explanation]
As a rule, signs shall have symbols together with written explanations.
・ As flood-related signs are products of brand new initiatives, written explanations
shall be added to symbols to facilitate understanding of the policies. However, inconsideration of the intervals of sign installation in an area, it is not necessary to
add written explanation to all signs.
・ Please refer to the following pages for examples of explanations.

4

Main Section
1-3 Implementation of “Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps” program[Installation of flood signs]
Flood signs shall indicate flood water depths (projected or recorded) inpositions as high as the actual levels.
・ From the viewpoint of providing information on overall flood water depths in an
area, it is desirable to install water depth signs at the heights of 0.5m, 1.0m, 2.0m,
3.0m and 5.0m where practicable.
・ In principle, flood water depth shall be indicated by the projected flood water depth.
It is also possible to indicate flood water depths recorded during well known floodsin the area. However, either projected depths or recorded depths shall be indicatedin an area to avoid confusion between them.
・ Example: This place may suffer a flood water depth of m in the case ofinundation ofriver.
This place suffered a flood water depth of m due to Typhoonin theyear .
[Installation of signs indicating shelters from floods]
The signs of shelters in times of flood shall be installed at such shelters and inplaces that are suitable for effective guidance to the shelters.

・ The shelters to be used in time of flood shall be indicated by using flood and shelter
signs together.
・ Example: The shelter in the event of a flood in this area is
Elementary School.
Shelter upon flood:
Elementary School・ When indicating shelters in the event of a flood, the order shall be the shelter andflood.
Example : Vertical sign : Shelter above and flood below
Horizontal sign : Shelter left and flood right
Guidance: Align the order in the direction of an arrow
・ The symbol for shelter shall indicate the direction of a shelter, right or left, in
consideration of the position of the symbol with the shelter as shown below.

[Installation of levee signs]
The levee signs shall show that the relevant area is protected by levees (butmay be inundated if the river overflows). Being different from flood signs, noheight shall be indicated.
・ Heights of levees vary depending on how they were constructed. Further, theheights of levees cannot be fixed uniformly. Unlike flood signs, the levee signs will
not be accompanied by indication of heights. They will be used to show that a
particular area is protected by levees.
・ Example: This place is protected by levees from flooding ofRiver. Inundation
may occur if theRiver overflows.
5Main Section
1-3 Implementation of “Ubiquitous Flood Hazard Maps” program

1-3-5 Management[Management of signs]
Signs shall be properly administered by compiling such information as where
and when they were installed.
Because signs are set up outdoors, they are subject to damage and aging. In order to respond todamage such as posters or scars, and to protect the town landscape, it is necessary to keep themclean at all times by periodical cleaning and repair. Further, as town situations change over time,users may become confused without precise updating of information.
Proper use and maintenance shall be carried out by arranging information such as places anddates of installation.

6

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images

1-4

Examples of sign plates and installation images

1-4-1 Flood signs (flood water depth)

The blue color shall be in accordance with the Munsell value:
Safety color Blue: 2.5PB 3.5/10
Contrast white: N9.5 Black: N1

1) Flood depth plates[Projected flood water depth][Recorded flood water depth]

Symbol (flood)

Symbol (flood)

Projected flood water depth（Unit：m）

Recorded flood water depth

Downward arrow to show water
surface （white for assumption）
Height of projected flood water
depth。

Downward arrow to show water
surface(All blue for record）
Height of recorded flood water
depth（Unit：m）

Fig. 4 Flood sign plates (indicating flood water depth)

2) Plates to explain the indications
a. Basic
It is desirable to show information in Japanese and English for wider dissemination.
The examples below show Japanese-only sign and English-only sign.
Japanese/English

Japanese/English

Symbol (flood)

Symbol (flood)

Projected flood water depth（Unit：m）

Projected flood water depth（Unit：m）

Sign explanation(English for subject only)

Sign explanation（Jap./Eng.）

Shelter (Jap./Eng）Japanese

Shelter (Jap./Eng）

Date of installation

Date of installation

Installed by （Jap./Eng.）

Installed by （Jap./Eng.）

EnglishJapanese

EnglishFig. 5 Flood sign plates (with explanation of indications)7

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images

b. Integrated indication of symbol and figures (when plate is small)
Japanese/English

Japanese/English

Symbol (flood+figure)

EnglishJapaneseJapanese

EnglishFig. 6 Flood sign plates (integrated expression with symbols and numbers)*If the minimum size (8mm x 8mm) is used for a hazard map, raised water surface shall be
adopted for ease in reading.
Basic style；less illegible letters

Raised water surface；easy to read the larger lettersc. Combined indication of flood shelters by symbols
Japanese/English.

Japanese/English

Integrated

Integrated

QR code (to show shelter map)

Fig. 7 Flood sign plates (with shelter symbol)
8

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images3) Image of installation
Set a line as high as
projected flood water
depth or recorded flood
water depth

Set the plate centerat h=1.35m.

1.35m*Concept: Materials
Section, p. 24

Signs on power pole or facility wall (addition type)

Independent signs (roadside type)

Sign on power pole
(projected flood water depth)

Sign on a wall(projected flood water depth)

Fig. 8 Image of flood sign placement (flood water depth, projected or recorded)9

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images

1-4-2 Shelter sign

Use Munsell values below:
Safety color green: 10G 4/10
Safety color blue: 2.5PB 3.5/10

1) Indicating shelter
location with symbola Basic: Horizontal

Contrast white: N9.5 Black: N1

b. Basic: Vertical

The man s direction can be left or right.
(Man escaping from water.)

The man s symbol cannot be left or right. (expression moving in the
direction of water.)

The man s direction can be left or right.
Shelter (building) on the flood symbol

Do not place shelter (building) below water.

Fig. 9 Conditions for using symbols to show flood shelters

2) Plate with name of sheltera. Horizontal

b. Vertical

Symbol: Shelter (building)/flood

Explanation of the sign (in Jap. and Eng.)

Date establishedFacility name (Japanese/English/furigana)

Built by (in Jap. and Eng.)

Fig. 10 Shelter signs (with shelter name)10Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images3) Shelter guidance platea. Vertical
To the left (upper left)

To the right (upper right)
With a picture of shelter

Evacuation direction
Distance to shelter

Symbol shelter (building)*Symbol to be in thesame direction

Symbol: flood

Explanation of the symbol(in Jap. and Eng.)

Shelter name
(Japanese/English/kana)

Built by(in Jap. and Eng.)
Date of establishmentb. Horizontal

As a basic style, an arrow (distance), a shelter (building) and flood aregrouped together and names (characters) are placed to the right or left.

To the left (upper left)

From the left, arrow (distance), shelter (building) and flood

To the right (upper right)

From the left, flood, shelter symbols and arrow (distance)

Fig 11 Shelter sign plates with guidance
11

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images4) Shelter guidance type platea. Independent (wide-area)
SymbolShelter (building)/ flood

Explanation of the symbol (in Jap. and Eng.)

Built by (in Jap. and Eng.)
Date of establishment

Projected inundation area and flood water depth
3m or more (inundation of 2nd floor or above)
50cm or more and less than 3m (flood over the floor)Less than 50cm (flood under the floor)

Flood shelter

Indication of legendb.

Addition type (on facility walls or power poles: middle area)
Symbol: shelter

Symbol: flood

Explanation of symbols(in Jap. and Eng.)

Shelter name(in Jap. and Eng. with kana)

Map of the neighborhood andthe location of the shelter

Indication of legend (in Jap. and Eng.)
Built by (in Jap. and Eng.)
Date established12

Fig. 12 Shelter guidance type plates

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images5) Image of installation

Shelter sign with name (additional)
Shelter guidance plate (additional)

Shelter guidance plate (independent)
Fig. 13 Image of shelter signs

13

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images

1-4-3 Levee sign

Use the following Munsell values:
Safety color blue: 2.5PB 3.5/10
Black：N1

1) Levee sign platea. Basic

Contrast white: N9.5

b. Shelter symbol added

Japanese/English

Japanese/English

Symbol (levee)

Sign explanation(English for subject only)

Shelter （Jap./Eng.）Japanese

EnglishDate established
Built by （Jap./Eng.））c. Levee symbol with picture

Add picture showing theproximate leveeFig. 14 Levee sign plates
14

QR code ﾞ（Shelter map, otherinformation）

Main Section
1-4 Examples of sign plates and installation images

Set the plate centeras high as 1.35 m

1.35m

2) Installation image*Concept: Materials
Section p. 24

Signs on power poles and facility walls (additional)

Plate attached on a power pole

Independent signs (roadside)

Independent display

Fig. 15 Image of levee signs

15

Materials Section

Materials Section
2-1 Conditions for using symbols

2. Materials Section
2-1
Conditions for using symbols
Color/shape
The colors used to indicate symbols of facilities or equipment can be freely selected inprinciple.
The colors used to express safety, caution and direction by symbols should be
integrated, including the use of white and black as contrasting colors. The colors to be
used for shelter symbols (buildings) should be integrated in this way.
In this case, the colors and shapes designated in ISO3864 (Safety Colors and Safety
Signs JIS Z9101) shall be complied with as indicated below.

Color/meaning

Contrast

Shape/meaning

Directions tofollow

Prohibition

Caution/Risk

Warning （JIS: Caution）(Must obey)

SafetyInformation (including directions)

Evacuation

See the following Munsell values when using.
Safety color blue: 2.5PB 3.5/10 yellow:2.5Y 8/14 green: 10G 4/10 / Contrast white:N9.5 black:N1

Fig. 16 Conditions for using symbols(color/shape)

16

Materials Section
2-1 Conditions for using symbols

Minimum dimensions
This manual recommends 24cm x 24cm or more to assure visibility from 20 meters awaywhen using symbols in signs.
For a sign to be visible 1 meter away, 35mm x 35mm or more shall be used, and 8mm x 8mm
or more shall be used for printed matter such as a hazard map or pamphlet. (Visibility could
not be assured for indications smaller than that.)24cm x 24cm
or moreA sign viewed from 20m away

1

35mm x 35mm
or more

8mm x 8mm+

For printed matter such as hazard
maps or pamphlets

Sign for a visibility at 1m

Fig. 17 Conditions for symbols (minimum dimension)

Visibility distance

Basic frame dimension of symbols

30m

360mm x 360mm or more

20m

240mm x 240mm or more

10m

120mm x 120mm or more

5m

60mm x 60mm or more

1m

35mm x 35mm or more

Source: Foundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological Transportation,
Guideline for Smooth Mobility in Public Transportation Facilities

17Materials Section
2-2 Standard of fonts

2-2Standards for fonts

For character expressions on signs, Gothic fonts of even square size and thickness (sans-serif
for Roman characters) or other functionally excellent fonts shall be used in principle while
carefully considering visibility from a distance. It is effective to select fonts frequently used infilmsetting or computer systems when we consider the use and maintenance of indications.

Japanese font（Gothic）
・ Gothic-B Medium(PS Now)
・ Gothic-B Bold
(PS Now)

European font (sans-serif)
・ Frutiger Roman
・ Frutiger Bold

Digital font (sans-serif)
・ Frutiger Roman
・ Frutiger Bold

Fig. 18 Standards for fonts18

Materials Section
2-3 Character arrangement

2-3

Character arrangement

Characters may be arranged horizontally or vertically in principle. Horizontal
arrangement is the most common because it enables bilingual expressions. Verticalarrangement is used to minimize the width of the indication or take advantage of
unique Japanese arrangement. In this case, the English expression is verticallyarranged, which may cause difficulty in reading.
The ratio of heights of letters to Japanese characters shall be 6:10 as a rule.
Foreign language expressions shall be added in accordance with the examples below.

Horizontal

VerticalLeft justified

Top justified(Japanese)
English/Romaji
Other language

Right justified

Fig. 19 Character arrangement standards

19

Bottom justified

Materials Section
2-4 Character size standard

2-4

Character size standards

The minimum height of characters to be used in signs and guide maps shall be inaccordance with the following table while carefully considering visibility and distance,
the volume of information, the size of the plate and other pertinent factors.

Standard character scale of signs
Source: Foundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological Transportation, Guideline for Smooth
Mobility in Public Transportation Facilities

Visibility distanceJapanese character height

English character height

30m

120mm or more

90mm or more

20m

80mm or more

60mm or more

10m

40mm or more

30mm or more

4〜5m

20mm or more

15mm or more

1〜2m

90mm or more

7mm or moreStandard character scale of signs
Source: Guidebook for Road Signs using Maps; edited by Road Management Technology Center
under the supervision of Planning Division, Road Bureau, MLIT

SymbolJapanese

EnglishLegend24.0mm

10.5mm

8.0mm

Special large-

18.0mm14.0mmLarge

21.0mm

9.0mm

7.0mm

Medium

16.5mm

7.0mm

5.5mm

Small

12.0mm

5.0mm

4.0mm

20

Materials Section
2-5 Language to be used
2-6 Color standard

2-5

Language to be used

To provide information for tourists from overseas, it is necessary to give information inlanguages other than Japanese, such as English. Information of vital necessity should beindicated simply, not in a complex way.

2-6

Color standards

The colors should enhance the legibility of the information, the visibility of the signs andexpressiveness. Legibility increases with contrast (difference in brightness) between afigure and characters. Using bright colors such as white for characters against a dark
background has the effect of enlarging the characters and increasing legibility by cutting
the ambient light.
The colors of a guide map should look like natural conditions to express geography, park,
green zones, etc. Accordingly, use blue for rivers and the sea and green for hills, parks
and green zones.
When it comes to making a map understandable, the indication of the location of theviewers is the most important piece of information. This should be indicated in bright
red as an advancing color*1 and in eye-catching characters.*2*1 Advancing color
Some colors look near and others look far. If a color looks near you, it is called anadvancing color. Generally the order of advancement is red, yellow, green and blue.
Warmer colors look near and cooler colors look far.
*2 Eye-catching character
The degree to which a sign stands out amid surrounding potential obstacles is what
determines how conspicuousness and noticeable it is. Generally, the brighter the color,the more it will catch your eye. Red, red-yellow and yellow hues are more
eye-catching than and blue and green.
*Consideration for the elderly, persons with weak eyesight and the disabled incolor perception
Visibility increases with stronger contrast between the symbol and the background. It
is better not to use combinations of less contrasting colors such as blue and black,yellow and white, and red and green.

Visibility high21Materials Section
2-7 Clearances

2-7

Clearances

The following standards shall be adhered to when a sign is to be placed on part of a road.
Road Sign Installation Standards with Explanations◆Selection of location
When selecting locations for road signs, decisions shall be made with the following
considerations in mind:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Consider specific actions by road users.
Avoid hindering visibility along the road.
Avoid blocking use of the road from the roadside.
Avoid placing signs at intersections when they can be installed elsewhere.
Avoid disturbing road management.

Road Structure Ordinance◆Clearances
Clearances
that
must
be
maintained on roads are limits
set to secure spaces free fromobstacles of a certain width orheight in order to assure traffic
safetyforvehiclesandpedestrians.
Clearance on sidewalk

Portion where on-street facilities can be installed

Clearance on roadway

Sidewalk

Fig. 20 Clearances

22

RoadwayMaterials Section
2-8 Materials of signs

2-8

Materials used to make signs

Materials for signs should be selected with the following basic points in mind:◇Durability
Signs that are spoiled or damaged will be of no use and will degrade landscapes. It is
indispensable to select materials of excellent durability that will make sturdy
structures.
*Preventing posters and graffiti
To prevent illegal posters, it is effective to applying a coating or film to the signs toprevent posters from being attached.
The former, a resin coating containing special granules of silicon, etc. is effective inpreventing posters because it also creates a concave-convex surface. The latter, also a
concave-convex film, is a covering for signs to prevent posters from being attached.
Customized colors can be selected for both methods, so they will achieve effects toprevent posters and support the intentions of the design.
It is clearly a good idea to use material to interference from illegal posters and graffiti.

◇Economy
Signs function as a system and it is necessary to manage them regularly so that theywork together as a whole. It is important to focus on economic viewpoints as well as
installation costs.

◇Environmental conformity
It is necessary to select materials that do not harm human bodies or the environment.
It is important to take into account the possibility of reuse and safe disposal anddestruction (disposal by burning). It is necessary to select appropriate materials fromamong the wide variety available by carefully considering their properties.

23

Materials Section
2-9 Installation height

2-9

Installation heights◇Idea of the heights of signs to be viewed from far away
・ At facilities used by large numbers of people, persons stand or pass by in front ofothers and block their field of vision. A sign above the height of people passing by
will not be obstructed.
・ Persons in wheelchairs, who may be 40 centimeters lower than a standing person,
will often have their vision blocked.
In consideration of the above, the range of vision of a person standing some distanceaway from the sign should be set lower than an elevation (angle above a horizontal
line from the viewer) of 10°, but as high as possible within that range.
Note: In “Illustrated Ergonomics” edited by Akio Noro, 1990, Japanese Standards Association,
the range (effective line of vision that is superior to information sent out amid ambient
Visible range

noise) for perceiving specific information instantly is described as about 8°.

Sign height 700mm

Upper limit of an elevation of 10°

Bottom of the sign 2850

View height: 1560mm above floor

Lower limit not blocked
by a person 5m in front

ViewerPosition of the front passer(average height of 1680mm)

Fig. 21 Desirable sign heights (1)◇Heights of signs viewed up close・ When viewing something directly in frontof them, the range of vision of a persons
sitting in a wheelchair is about 40
centimeters lower than that of a standingStanding view height
1560mm above floor

Wheelchair view height
1175mm above floor

Ordinaryeyesight
Ordinaryeyesight

person.
・ The height for good visibility for both astanding person and a user of a wheelchair
shall be about 135cm for the center of thesign as the middle of the range of vision ofboth persons.

24

Fig. 22 Desirable sign heights (2)Building Materials Human,
Architectural Institute of Japan, 2003, Maruzen

Materials Section
2-10 On view angle

2-10

On the angle of vision

The view angle (angle between the axis of the viewer’s line of vision and the target) is afactor deciding the legibility of signs. It is said that a view angle of 45° or less leads toerroneous reading. When setting up a sign with a great deal of information, the sign
should not go beyond the limit of the view angle.
For this purpose, it is desirable to set the sign width, height and inclination, while
maintaining a view angle that will not drop to 45°or less horizontally and vertically fromthe assumed viewer position.
*The floodwater depth plate shall be installed at the actual height and the information must be
minimized.
Horizontal limit of view angle

View angle

Width 4m in the case of view
distance 2m and view angle 45°

View axis

Width 2m in the case of view
distance 1m and view angle 45°

View axis

View angle

View axis

Vertical limit of view angle
About 2600mm

View axis

View axis
About 2200mm
View angle

View angle

Fig. 23 Concept of view angle

25Materials Section
2-11 Operation and Maintenance

2-11

Management and maintenance

It is necessary to manage and maintain signs by arranging proper installation locations
and dates of installation. The following is an example of a sign management sheet.
Example of Management Sheet
Reference No.
Managing section
General matters
Date ofinstallation
Manufacturer

Company
Place ofinstallation
Landmark:

Display producer

Sign
dimension
Displayed plate

Sign specifications

dimension
1. Stainless steel 2. Aluminum
4. Resin 5. Other (3. Steel

Pillar

1. Stainless steel 2. Aluminum
4. Resin 5. Other (3. SteelLight

1. Internal
Lamp type (Plate

2. External) Standard))
W ___ lights

Person in charge
Phone

Fax

Company
Section
Person in charge
Phone

Fax

Company
Constructor

Sign type

1. Information
2. Guidance
3. Name
4. Explanation
5. Ban/regulation
6. Public relations
7. Other

SectionSection
Person in charge
Phone

Permission foroccupancy
given by

Display producerN

Map ofinstallation
location

Site
condition
photograph/display
photograph*Please attach sign design documents, if any.

26