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What to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Custom Sign Shop

When you’re invested in personalized signage for your business or event, you want to make sure your money will be well-spent. As you search for a reputable custom sign shop in Washington, ask yourself these questions.

Do They Pay Attention to Detail?

Details matter a lot for custom orders. Imagine ordering a sign for your business’s parking lot only to receive something with your company name misspelled on it. You want to ensure you’re giving your money to a team that will get everything exactly right for your order. As you speak with potential custom sign shops, ask them how they ensure quality control.

How Is Their Local Reputation?

Ideally, you want to work with a well-established business known for producing great signage. Research how long your options have been operating in your community, and ask around to see if anyone you know has prior experience with the companies you’re considering. If you can’t get any personal recommendations, check out their online reputation.

What Is Their Range?

Finally, which of the custom sign shops have the capability to produce precisely what you want? With so many shops to choose from, you shouldn’t have to settle for something that’s only half-right. Get estimates based on the size and type of sign you want, as well as its colors, lettering, and other details.

What Types of Traffic Cones Are Available to Rent?

Traffic and safety cones come in more sizes and styles than most people realize. If you imagine a cone, you likely think of a large orange cone with two white bands or something similar. However, cones come in other colors, different sizes, and banded and nonbanded varieties. Here at AABCO Barricade and Sign Co., we offer the following products for traffic cone rental in Washington:

  • 18-Inch Nonbanded Orange Cones
  • 18-Inch Banded Orange Cones
  • 18-Inch Nobanded Yellow Cones
  • 18-Inch Banded Yellow Cones
  • 28-Inch Nonbanded Orange Cones
  • 28-Inch Banded Orange Cones

Choosing the Right Cone

While browsing your traffic cone rental options, the products may seem mostly the same, but the differences are important. For example, orange and yellow mean different things. Orange indicates the risk of serious injury or death, whereas yellow indicates the risk of general injury, according to OSHA. Other colors like red, green, blue, and white can be used for other purposes.

Likewise, consider the visibility conditions of your application. Bigger, banded cones are more visible from afar and in low-light situations. The bands reflect light from headlamps and other illuminations so that these cones stand out even on dark, stormy nights. However, if people will see the cones close up during the day, a smaller, non-banded product may suffice for traffic cone rental.

Why Do Light Towers Matter in Construction?

When you think about light towers in Washington, you are likely to think about baseball diamonds, football fields, and racetracks. But these impressive structures can also be regularly found on construction sites as well. There are many reasons why light towers are so common during a construction project. They include:

Increasing Safety – Light towers provide visibility when operating machines and tools. The heavy machinery used during construction projects can be quite dangerous if you cannot see what you are doing.

Increasing Visibility – When construction projects are on roads or highways, making contractors visible to other people—such as drivers—can help save a life. Light towers not only help drivers see contractors, but they can also indicate that there is a construction project going on to raise awareness.

Keeps Projects on Time & Budget – Using the sun as your sole light source on a construction site can cause major project delays, especially entering winter when the sun goes down earlier in the day. Light towers ensure that no matter what time of day or night, crews are able to see what they are doing clearly to reduce downtime.

Reduces Vandalism, Theft, & Break-Ins – Darkness is a friend to criminals. With bright tower lights, sites remain illuminated, which will deter most would-be vandals or thieves away. Most thieves are likely to abandon potential break-ins if there is a higher chance of being seen or caught.

What Are the Three Most Common Regulatory Signs?

Regulatory Signs in Seattle, WA

When you go driving or walking around your community, you are likely to see a wide variety of roadway signs. These signs are used to denote instructions or information to motorists and pedestrians. They usually come in three types—guide signs, warning signs, and regulatory signs in Seattle, WA.

So, what exactly are regulatory signs? These signs are constructed using a white background to regulate traffic flow in any given area. These signs aim to provide pedestrians and motorists with the instructions they need to know how to move—or not move—through the area safely.

There are many different types of regulatory signs, including those pertaining to parking and weight limits, but the three most common you’ll find are

Stop Signs – These signs warn drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. They are usually found at crosswalks or intersections, and the driver must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and approaching vehicles before proceeding.

Yield Signs – These signs warn drivers that they must slow down and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles that are approaching from another direction.

Speed Limit Signs – These signs communicate a set legal minimum or maximum speed vehicles must travel. Drivers are expected not to exceed the limit that the sign designates.

Regulatory signs are arguably the most important type of roadway sign. When everybody is following them correctly, they help keep traffic flow moving safely and quickly.

Why LED Traffic Warning Signs are Spreading in Use

In the past few decades, LED traffic warning signs in Washington have become some of the most brilliant inventions to gain widespread adoption on highways and roads. But what makes these traffic signs so attractive to cities and states across the nation? Here are the top three reasons why local governments have embraced the spread of LEDs across America:

They Help Save Money – Most towns and cities have tight budgets when it comes to upgrading traffic control equipment. LED lights work better and longer than traditional lights. By switching over to LEDs, these municipalities can save up to 75% thanks to reduced maintenance costs and lower energy needs.

Grabs Driver Attention – Many LED signs can be programmed to blink or flash. By placing several small flashing lights on the outer edge of your traffic warning signs, you can easily add an attention-grabbing effect that alerts drivers and hopefully helps them avoid potentially dangerous road situations.

Environmentally Friendly – Today’s LED traffic warning signs do not harm the environment nearly as much as the older systems using halogen lights did. LEDs produce zero UV emissions while being able to shine much brighter. That means a safer stretch of road for both drivers and the environment.

The Importance of Workplace Safety Signs on Construction Sites

It should be apparent that it is vital to have the proper signs on a construction site, and at AABCO Barricade and Sign Co., we believe it is. The question is why. We will look at that topic in this blog as we discuss safety signs in Washington.

The key to their importance lies in the fact that these signs exist to keep people safe. That includes pedestrians, motorists, and workers. It is crucial to ensure the safety of everyone in the area. It is essential to keep property protected, too, and having the best signs will do that.

In addition to being critical, it is also usually mandated by law to have safety signs in place. So you need to have at least the mandatory minimum number of signs erected and in the proper places. That means they should be set out the required distances from the work site and be of the correct size, shape, and color.

Safety signs perform various functions, and you may need several different types around your construction zone. You will need warning signs, direction signs, guide signs, speed signs, and other custom signs, depending on the nature of the work you are doing.

Contact AABCO Barricade and Sign Co. to learn more about this topic because safety matters.

Understanding Type I, II, and III Traffic Barricades

At AABCO Barricade and Sign Co., safety is at the heart of our business. That is why we want our customers to have the correct products for the projects they handle. This blog post will help with that goal by explaining what Type I, II, and III barricades are and their best uses.

There are many barricades in Washington that are used by road crews and contractors alike, and they are broken into three categories. Type I is the first style, and they are folding barricades with one reflective panel. They generally are two feet wide with orange and white 45-degree stripes. They are recommended for pedestrian control and low-speed roads.

Type II barricade signs are very similar to Type I in that they are folding units but with two reflective orange and white panels rather than just one. They generally offer better visibility at night and are recommended for expressways and other high-speed roads.

The final models, known as Type III, are larger than the other two and have three reflective panels with alternating orange and white stripes. They are at least four feet wide and used for road closings.

Contact us at AABCO Barricade and Sign Co. today for all the information you need about barricades and other types of traffic safety equipment.

The Importance of Highly Visible Pavement Markings

Pavement markings have many advantages because of their role in safe vehicle operations. If your parking lot or road is an expanse of black asphalt, it’s time to consider installing custom signs and strategic line-markings to protect your property and the people who drive on it.

Regulate Traffic

Road markings are highly effective when you need to establish safe driving guidelines. In Washington, pavement markers typically designate specific driving maneuvers. The rules must be clearly marked so drivers can navigate confidently.

Improve Nighttime Visibility

A black road on a black night can spell disaster for a driver, so highly visible reflective road markings and custom signs are critical. They are also important during poor weather conditions like fog, rain, and snow.

Protect Pedestrian & Driver Safety

Properly delineated line-markings improve pedestrian safety and other drivers. Pavement markers can save lives as long as everyone follows the rules and pays attention.

Increase Efficiency

Increase the efficiency and safety of your parking lot by giving drivers clear indications of where to drive and park. A steady traffic flow prevents a backlog in your parking lot and reduces the risk of accidents and injury on your property.

Lower Costs

Minimizing issues and protecting everyone’s safety can only improve your bottom line. You’ll reduce liability concerns and the chance that someone will get injured because a driver couldn’t navigate the space effectively.

 

Protect yourself and your property by contacting a custom sign shop that cares about traffic safety.

How to Use Light Towers Effectively on Your Construction Site

Reduced visibility is a major safety concern on any Jobsite, but sometimes work must be done in the evening, night, or early morning. That is why our company provides construction light towers to Washington site managers to get the job done on schedule and without incident. However, it is not enough to simply set up a tower and get the work. Be sure to consider the following to use light towers as effectively as possible.

Assess What Your Lighting Needs Are

 

How much lighting is required? What type of tower do you need? These are the first questions you should ask while planning illumination for your project. Calculate the square footage of the site that will require lighting while also keeping in mind any weather conditions that may affect visibility.

 

Likewise, be aware that construction light towers typically come in two forms: heavy trailers and portable, cart-like bases. The trailers provide more visibility and can withstand tough environments, but they take up more space, and they are more challenging to maneuver. On the other hand, carts provide less lighting, but they are far more suitable for tight spaces and constant layout changes. Don’t hesitate to speak with an expert if you need help determining how much lighting you need and which tower style is best for your situation.

Determine the Perfect Positioning

 

When positioning light towers, you should consider not only the lighting itself but also the safety of the site workers. Each tower will need a flat and stable surface to prevent falls. Likewise, any overhead obstructions like trees and power lines could pose safety issues, as well as reduce the effectiveness of the lighting.

 

Why Road Signs Are Important

Think about how many other cars, pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycles you see daily on your commute to work and back. Now imagine a world without road signs to help guide everybody along. It stands to reason it would be a real mess.

That is why you will find an assortment of road signs in Washington on almost every road. From speed limits to construction warnings, these signs help create a steady and safe flow of traffic that ensures everybody traveling the roadway knows what they are supposed to be doing.

 

There are many different types of road signs you might come across on your travels. Some of the most common types include:

 

Regulatory Signs – These signs are used to regulate the speed and flow of traffic. They include stop, yield, speed limit, one-way, and road closed signs.

 

Warning Signs – These warning signs are usually diamond-shaped and bright yellow. They are used to warn drivers of such things as railroad crossings, bicycle crossings, and merging traffic.

 

Pedestrian & Bicycle Signs – These signs show where pedestrian crosswalks are as well as where bike lanes begin and end.

 

Guide Signs – These signs are used to help you figure out where you are and where you are going. They can include destination distance signs, roadway junction signs, highway exit signs, and mile markers.

 

Motorist Services & Recreation Signs – These signs are used to indicate recreation areas, including gas stations, rest areas, campgrounds, and emergency services.

 

School Signs – These signs warn drivers when there is a school nearby. They usually direct the driver to drop their speeds or to watch for children and pedestrians.