At the end of March 2006 there were 364,615 people in the UK who were registered as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) – RNIB. The Tactual Braille signs range from Stocksigns is the innovative and visually superior tactile signage system. Braille signs are capable of conveying fast, effective information to assist the visually impaired. They should be used to clearly identify exits, restrooms, entrances and other rooms for the visually impaired and also assist in way finding and navigation through your premises. Braille or Tactual Signs provide facility information in Braille for the visually impaired and also in bold letters and graphics for those who are not.

Braille Signs – Tactual from Stocksigns

The Stocksigns Braille signs range – Tactual – fully comply with Technical Bulletin 24 of the joint Mobility Unit. The JMU is a service provided by the RNIB and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Tactual signs may be manufactured to suit individual needs including a range of text options, panel colours and layouts. We can advise you on your own legal obligations and ensure that your workplace is complying with the appropriate regulations. Braille can be incorporated into your corporate signage to extend the audience range and the reach of your signs. Braille can be included in information and tourist interpretation boards to extend their accessibility and contact points, such as emergency assistance points, with Braille offer help to vulnerable members of the public.

Stocksigns only supply Braille signs that we manufacture ourselves. As a result not only can we be sure that they are of the highest quality but also that we have the technology and expertise to manufacture any custom made sign with Braille to our own specification.

What to look for in Braille Signs

When choosing braille signs from any supplier make sure they have the following features:

  • Wide spaced, raised text.
  • Highly durable, accurate, grade 1 Braille.
  • Braille locator.
  • Low gloss surface, high contrast colour range.
  • All safety symbols conform to BS 5499-5:2002 and ISO 7010

We also supply many other types of disability signs, including disabled parking signs and induction loop notices for the hard of hearing.

The environment plays a large part in the impact that a sign will have. The longevity of a sign is affected by many factors. These include:

  • The amount of exposure to the sun
  • The range of temperatures where the sign will be located
  • The surface colour of the sign, red fades the most.
  • The environment where the sign will be installed, an exposed location will reduce the life of your sign, or an area with high levels of traffic will be affected by pollutants.
  • The chemical composition of the films
  • The thickness of the ink coating
  • The amount of UV radiation that the sign will have, i.e. a shaded location will prolong the life of your sign.

Although each of these factors influence how long your sign will last and so the effectiveness of the message, there is little doubt that the most significant factor in sign longevity is UV radiation. A protective overlay film (POF) can be over-laminated on to any aluminium or rigid plastic sign to give a greater degree of protection to the sign face. It allows:

  • Easier removal of Graffiti
  • Resistance to scuffs
  • UV protection – anti fade
  • Easier to clean
  • Prolongs life of sign

All signage material manufacturers use a worldwide standard rating system to determine the life of material based on application being 90 degrees vertical and facing north. However, one of the most important pieces of advice in positioning your sign is to get it absolutely right. If mount your sign with a slight tilt i.e tilting the sign backwards by as little as 5 degrees and you will reduce the life of the sign by approximately 50 percent.

Whilst UV light is the most important, other environmental factors that affect the life of the sign, which could damage your signs, are dirt, salt, acid rain, general pollution and more. All of these factors can reduce the life span of your signage, and need to be taken in to consideration. Our Safety Signs – How to clean your safety signs guide offer advice on general maintenance and up keep of your signs.  The type of fixing you choose can also effect the life of your sign, our article on Tips for the Care and Installation of Vitreous Enamel Signs  highlights the need for correct fixing methods Vitreous enamel signs. Other guides regarding the installation of general signage are as follows:

How to Install Your Signs – Part 1- Self Adhesive Vinyl Signs

How to install your signs – Part 2 – Choosing the right sign post height

How to install your signs – Part 3 – Installation of standard safety signs and general signage

  • Choose the right material for your sign, based on the conditions that it will be placed in. Our Sales Team would be happy to advise you on the best sign materials for your needs.
  • Make sure that your sign substrate or vinyl is free of any contaminants by washing with a mild detergent first and when dried wiping with a solvent saturated cloth.
  • Position your sign to reduce the affect that the environment will have on it.

1 What is Vitreous enamel?

Vitreous enamel is a glass-like coating which is fused onto steel at temperatures of 750-860 degrees C. The enamel will exhibit all of the properties associated with glass including:

  • Colour Stability;
  • Scratch & Graffiti Resistance; and
  • Fire Resistance

2 Vitreous enamel signs need to be carefully treated as if they were glass:

a) Carefully remove signs and any fixings from packaging.

b) Handle with care using protective gloves as there may be sharp edges and avoid dropping or hitting the signs.

c) Use stainless steel, brass or zinc coated fixings.

d) Ensure a soft protective washer ( plastic or fibre ) is used at all fixing points between the fixing and the sign surface.

e) Do not drill or enlarge holes as this will crack the enamel

f) Clean every two months with mild soapy water – ensuring there are no abrasives or grit on the cloth or sponge . For stubborn marks use a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner.

3 Installation of Vitreous Enamel Signs

a) An enamelled sign pantray with return edges should never be fixed directly onto a hard or rough surface – the localised compression which could occur on high points may cause chipping or spalling and possibly cause corrosion on the return edge.

b) Where an enamelled sign has to be fixed to an uneven or rough surface it should be spaced off from that surface to avoid localised pressure points.

c) If the sign is to be installed in a coastal or corrosive environment additional protection will be needed to the sign edge if slight corrosion is to be avoided. Edges of enamelled signs are difficult to completely coat with enamel and so additional protection against corrosion may be required. Protection can be given by exterior mastic, waterproof tape or a rubber or plastic moulding. Alternatively the edge can be protected and hidden by an outer frame. Our technical sales department will be happy to advise. For more information about Vitreous Enamel signage, please send an email to sales@stocksigns.co.uk.

Safety signs and Disability Discrimination Act

On October 1st 2004 the final stage of the goods, facilities and services provisions part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act came into force. Although the legislation has been in place for some time our need to meet the guidelines is still firmly in place. This article is a reminder of what we need to consider in terms of signs and our obligations to the DDA.

The aim of this legislation is to achieve equality between the disabled and able-bodied; it introduces a basic duty not to treat disabled people less favourably than others. The new basic duty or obligations apply to anyone providing a paid or unpaid service to the public. As a “service provider” you must ensure that access is available to all disabled people and that entry routes, facilities and all information are clearly defined and indicated by suitable signage. The regulations concern access, mobility and site signage, they apply to all service providers, ranging from large corporations to small businesses (not the owners of the premises).

Under recent changes to part 2 of the Act, all employers must now ensure that they do not discriminate against disabled people in terms of recruitment and employment conditions. Compliance with the DDA can be achieved effectively by most businesses within a modest budget; however, planning is essential to ensure that the disabled user is not at a disadvantage. The new provisions are a further important step towards ensuring that disabled people have access to services that others take for granted.

10 Sign areas to consider with the Disability Discrimination Act

You are required to make reasonable adjustments to your premises; the areas to be considered are the signing and marking of:

  1. designating disabled car parking bays
  2. setting down points
  3. routes to and around buildings
  4. building entrances and exits
  5. directions to facilities i.e. lifts, stairs, reception, toilets, restaurants etc.
  6. information on additional services available to the disabled
  7. clear indication of help points
  8. emergency exit routes
  9. emergency disabled refuge points
  10. the enhancement of general information signage

For additional advice on signage and the DDA we would recommend carrying out a site survey for your premises.

There are several elements of school signage schemes that can be used to build school identity. These can range from clear branded welcome boards, navigation signs, information signs, down to standard health and safety signs. They all have their part to play in building school identity.

Why do schools need signage?

1. Improves safety inside schools

Keeping students safe inside a school’s premises is the top priority and signage can help support that. This means making sure that health and safety signs are in the appropriate places.

Schools have to make sure that fire alarms, fire exits and other safety signs are clearly displayed, and every classroom and corridor has a sign which directs students to the nearest fire exit and alarms in case of an emergency.

2. Increases punctuality and attendance

Punctuality and attendance is always a concern for school’s because it reduces learning time when students are not in the classroom. Sometimes, the reason for this is because in larger schools, it can take students more time to navigate themselves to the classroom because they either get lost, or are not aware of the quickest routes. A good way to help students get to classrooms quicker is by installing arrow signs to remind students which directions to take.

3. Helps promote core values and the brand

It’s common for schools to promote their core values and brand identity using signage. These are often displayed in the main entrance, in classrooms or on the walls. When promoting core value, the schools have a real opportunity to communicate to potential students and parents, which might reflect their decision to join your school or another. 

What types of signage should be used in schools?

The information for this header is already in the blog. I think this H2 should be at the top, following the list of signs (school welcome signs, navigational, information signs, safety signs etc). Some imagery of these types of signs should be included with internal linking to the products. 

How to improve school safety using signage?

To ensure maximum safety within a schools premises, you need to make sure signs are placed in all the necessary locations where hazards and risks could arise. This includes cleaning signs in toilets, fire hazard signs in kitchens and warning signs in classrooms with chemicals. Here you can find all the school signs you may need. If you’re unsure about the types of signs required, check out ‘Most Common Workplace Safety Signs in the UK’ 

Once you’ve got the signage. You need to make sure that their positioned at the correct height so they’re visible to children and workers. The positioning of the signs must comply with Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996. 

School Welcome Signs

The main school entrance signs and welcome boards are your first signage points of contact with staff, children, parents and visitors and are your primary identity builders. If you start with strong images and messages on these boards, these design elements can then be carried throughout the school and grounds on all the remaining signage.

Navigational and Wayfinding School Signs

Your wayfinding signs should carry the same branding elements e.g. school colours and logos etc as your “Welcome” School signs. Directories and wayfinding sign systems aim to make navigation around unfamiliar grounds and buildings as simple as possible. These signs are often the second point of contact after the “Welcome Boards” that people have with your school and first impressions count. As well as the functionality of the sign, design and aesthetics should be considered. School names and logos should be recognised at a glance and directional instructions should be instantly understood. An efficient way finding system will help new students orientate themselves quickly and alleviate some of the anxiety felt by new pupils. If they can find their way round easily from the start they will have a much more comfortable and relaxed start to their time at your school. All these small elements help to build a positive feel to the identity of the school.

Information School Signs

Children’s information signs help to create boundaries and guidelines to keep children safe. By publishing some of the guidelines you advertise your commitment to safety and to children’s personal and social development. Our article on using school and playground signs as teaching aids illustrates how they can be used to promote people skills and relationship building as well as traditional learning. For general information signs and notices use your school colours and keep the font used the same throughout. Even the simplest of information signs benefits from adding your school logo – adding authority to your messages. Use bright 3D Pictorial signs in your premises, these not only soften harsh building environments and add colour but work as teaching aids and can help students with learning difficulties. Use banners not only to advertsise school events in the community but also to celebrate success.

They can be used to display fundraising targets, results or just good news.

School Safety Signs

Safety signs have an obvious purpose – they are used to protect and guide pupils, staff and visitors. There is a legislative obligation to have the correct signage in place. However if you have to have them you may as well get them to work harder and promote your school identity. Add you school logo or name to help create uniformity throughout the school. Use braille sign versions of safety signs to aid your commitment to DDA regulations and children with special needs. Many signage companies will carry our signs site surveys to make sure you are complying with the latest safety sign legislation giving peace of mind to staff and parents.

By careful planning your signs can do so much more, whether replacing worn-out signs or going through a refurbishment make sure every sign you purchase works hard in terms of functionality but also helps reflect your school identity.

Not all learning happens in the classroom! Much of children’s social skills and relationship building occurs on the playground either through organised formal sports and activities or through natural play. Use your school signs to help this natural development.

Playground Rules School Signs

Use playground and school signs to brighten up the surroundings but also to teach children the importance of good citizenship and fair play. Playground rules signs give gentle encouragement and help children develop respect for each other.

More specific school signs can be used for individual activities, sandpit rules and ball game rules signs give detailed instructions of “do’s and don’ts” which can help reduce conflicts that arise through play.

Friendship stops can help to build self esteem, suggesting that it’s OK not to have someone to play with and by going to one of these stops a playground monitor, teacher or fellow pupil will help the child join in with other games or activities. They help to promote new friendships. A “time out stop” gives children the opportunity to calm down after disagreements or quarrels and have some “time out” for quiet reflection before rejoining their friends.

School Signs as Teaching Aids

Of course school and playground signs can be simple information or teaching aids. “Do not drop litter” signs can be used to help teach children the importance of looking after the environment, whilst specific areas of the school, such as a vegetable patch or flower garden, can be marked out with appropriate signage.

For more information about our sign ranges for schools see our new Signs for Schools catalogueor see our standard school signs range online. More information on getting the most from your school signs can be found in our blog post: “School Signs – Building School Identity with Signs”.

You don’t need to be a Marketing Guru to know that advertising helps promote a business and is vital to success. There are many ways to advertise and signs are one way of the most cost-effective and visual ways to do so. There are many forms of signs, each with their own roles to play within a business. Signs can be divided into four main groups: corporate signage, wayfinding signs, information signs and safety signs. Part 1 of this guide concentrated on how to get the best from your Corporate Signage. In Part 2 we are going to look at how you can use your functional wayfinding signs as part of your company branding campaign.

Directories and way finding sign systems aim to make navigation around unfamiliar grounds and buildings as simple as possible. These signs are often the first point of contact a customer has with your company and first impressions count. As well as functionality of the sign, design and aesthetics should be considered. Company names and logos need to be recognised at a glance and directional instructions should be instantly understood. By using the same colour themes and logos, your signage system can carry your brand identity throughout.

Graphically the signs should display your name and logo to its best advantage, different signage styles will suit different company brands, for example free standing monoliths have the advantage of having a large surface area to display additional graphic features to create impact and drama. However the functionality of your wayfinding signs and directories will also effect how your company is perceived. A complicated confusing signage system will give visitors a negative experience of your company no matter how well your logo is displayed. To help create a simple and effective navigation see our article on planning your wayfinding system

Don’t forget your internal signs – wayfinding and directories are an essential part of interior design and can influence a visitors perception of your company and the brand you are trying to create. By choosing an internal sign system such as a Slatz system or similar your sign theme can be carried from desk top signs through to suspended signs and directories.

Stocksigns’ extensive project management experience ensures that maximum benefit can be generated from your wayfinding: a system should be clear and simple but also help to strengthen your corporate identity. From planning routes, advising on styles to complete installation we can guide you through the whole process.

Part 3 of How to use signs to build company brand is coming soon – part 3 will concentrate on using general information signs to build brand as well as inform your staff and visitors.

London is a great city for walking. The Mayor’s vision is to make it one of the world’s most walking friendly cities by 2015. Walking is an enjoyable, free and accessible activity and for most people, a necessary part of their everyday journeys.

Legible London is a wayfinding project designed to improve the navigation throughout the Capital for people who want to walk. A study conducted on behalf of Transport for London found that the present multitude of standard signs in central London are ineffective and often confusing, and that there was a consequent over-reliance on the Tube map to help people navigate above ground. External directories and wayfinding sign systems can simplify the journey around unfamiliar grounds. (more…)

You don’t need to be a Marketing Guru to know that advertising helps promote a business and is vital to success. There are many ways to advertise and signs are one way of the most cost-effective and visual ways to do so. There are many forms of signs each with their own roles to play within a business. Signs can be divided into four main groups: corporate signage, way finding, information signs and safety signs. Part 1 of this guide will concentrate on how to get the best from your Corporate Signage. (more…)

Due to popular demand we have made some of our Vitreous Enamel Sign Pictures available to view. Enthusiasts and collectors from all round the world ask us for images of these iconic signs. Made from exceptionally hard-wearing Vitreous Enamel these signs have stood the test of time and look good as new for 40 years plus!

Shell Oil Vitreous Enamel Advertising Sign

For more about Vitreous Enamel Signs and Stocksigns visit our vitreous enamel signs page.

Stocksigns the health and safety signs and custom made signage manufacturer 
Best And First -Dyson Stick Vacuum V8, Is the Dyson V8 worth it?

Dyson believes that cordless Vacuum Cleaners(create a solid https://www.bestandfirst.com/vacuum-cleaner/) are the future, whether handheld vacuum or robot vacuum, yet battery innovation has been the big sticking point. The latest V8 cordless claims to last two times as lengthy and to be able to completely replace a corded vacuum.

The Dyson V8 Absolute is the current in a long line of Best Handheld Vacuum(interested to see the https://www.bestandfirst.com/best-handheld-vacuum/), which started life as the DC16 in 2007. Ever since, they have actually ended up being more powerful, and with enhanced energy-efficiency and batteries, they last longer between fees. They’ve also gained flooring devices and sticks to transform them right into full vacuum-cleaner replacements.

The large distinction between the Dyson V8 vacuum and last year’s V6 is that the new Dyson cordless insurance claims to last for as much as 40 mins battery life. Is it ultimately enough to clean up the whole residence?

You can get it on BestAndFirst. The email address you previously opted in to receive updates will have the shipping status in 1-2 business days. Leave us your email so that our customer service can contact you.

Best Vacuum Cleaner(read this awesome blog post on how to do https://www.bestandfirst.com/best-vacuum-cleaner/)

Easy to Use

Unlike a corded vacuum cleaner, there’s nowhere to save the unused upright the cleaner, which would add weight, yet it is a little bit of a pain.

With a stick and drive cleaner head affixed, the Dyson V8 Absolute manages like a cylinder vacuum’s wand without the weight of the attaching tube and main unit to drag around on the flooring. It really feels very different to an upright, however utilizing it quickly becomes natural. The greatest distinction is that because most of the weight is in your hand it’s a whole lot easier to pick up and relocate the soft roller cleaner head around without dragging it across the flooring. It converts to a handheld when needed.

In spite of weighing just 2.6 kg and being lighter than a lot of various other cordless vacuums, I found that after cleaning up an entire home with the Dyson digital motor v8 I could really feel the muscles in my hand and arm start to ache. Relaxing my hold and allowing the head on the floor take the weight helped, however it is something you have to get used to.eufy robovac(elements of a https://www.bestandfirst.com/eufy-robovac/)

Battery life

Dyson asserts the V8 will last for 40 mins without a powered head, making use of the crevice tool or similar suction-only accessory. You can get free tools worth 75 when you add to basket. The combination tool could be very convenient for you. It will last as much as thirty minutes with the fluffy head attached, as much as 25 minutes with the standard spinning brush head or seven minutes when in optimum powerful suction setting.

 

I found the battery life greater than long enough. An extensive tidy of 4 spaces, a kitchen area, a shower room and a flight of staircases with both carpet and hard flooring surfaces, including cleaning around the sides with the crevice tool, and utilizing the mini motorized tool directly the stairways, left me with one-third of the battery left.

A lighter weekly clean left about fifty percent in the storage tank, while I could utilize it for a whole day of tidying up throughout and after DIY without issue. A complete fee takes five hours and the Dyson V8 Absolute can be stored in a wall-mounted dock that holds and charges the main device, plus has clips for two devices. The various other devices, including the various other motorised heads have to be stored separately, which is a little bit messy.

Performance

The V8 can be found in two variations: the Dyson V8 Absolute and the V8 Pet. The Pet is the starting version and comes with one large motorised brush head, a gap and mix device and a smaller motorised go to cleaning the stairways and various other bits. The Absolute also comes with the cosy go to cleaning difficult floors.

The heads and devices can be connected straight to the V8 or via the stick, which is light sufficient to raise with the crevice tool to reach the corners of the ceiling.Small Vacuum Cleaner(Small Vacuum Cleaner’s website)

The Dyson V8 Absolute is the most flexible, easy to use and practical vacuum cleaner I have actually ever before made use of. Previous models wouldn’t constantly do the whole residence on a fee; the V8 will certainly be able to clean also a five-bed residence in one go, which is a big step forward.

With the weight of the motor and battery in your hand, it has to do with as tiring to make use of as an upright, regardless of being much lighter and extra manoeuvrable than the majority of other vacuums. There’s also a question over how much time the batteries will last. It has a two-year assurance, but similar to a mobile phone, the batteries will at some point discolor, indicating it could not last as long as a corded vacuum.

It is still a compromise, between power, battery life, weight and utility, however the Dyson V8 Absolute strikes the most effective balance so far. It is fully capable of replacing a corded model for even the messiest of work with the included benefit of a handheld vacuum cleaner constructed in. The V8 only actual issue is the cost, which is really high indeed.eufy robovac 25c(post (eufy robovac 25c))

BestAndFirst has this model on sale right now. BestAndFirst gives us a tech cool way concerning how to deal with the daily dose of technology in our lives in a healthy and smart way! Tech lifestyle products will be the hottest main recommendations on BestAndFirst.




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eufy RoboVac G30 Edge Review

Here are some factors to think about when choosing your external customised notice boards.

Tips on choosing the right noticeboard for you.

  • Where is your noticeboard to be displayed? We can provide noticeboards and lockable display cases that are sympathetic to your environment, or offer advice on the levels of weather or vandal protection your bespoke signs may require.
  • What information are you going to display? Is the information permanent or require updating regularly. We offer notice boards with fabric covered pin boards which are also velcro friendly, magnetic or fixed permanent display. Locking notice boards give flexibility and security. These can also be simple tamper proof snap frames / clip poster frames that allow very quick access to update your display.
  • When will the information be viewed? Illumination can be incorporated extending optimum viewing conditions. Lighting increases the functionality of your sign or noticeboard, not only making viewing easier, but adding to the aesthetics of your display.

wooden noticeboard, display casesStocksigns the signage manufacturer

Here are some factors to think about when choosing your External customised Sign Directories and Way Finding Signage Systems.

  • When Planning your custom made signs or way finding scheme it is best to physically walk the route, obstructions such as trees and other signage are often not marked on flat plans.
  • If possible get someone who is not familiar with the area to help. Their unfamiliarity will ensure your health and safety signs are placed in exactly the right place to make navigation easy.
  • A sign site survey from Stocksigns becomes invaluable in these situations.

Custom made signs

Stocksigns the signage manufacturer