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Before the 1970’s, when Broomfield consisted of the First Filing and the
then-new surrounding subdivisions, street name and traffic control signs were
predominantly made of pressed stamp metal or on porcelain without any
reflectivity.
Later, to comply with the Federal Highway Administration’s
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), prefabricated signs with
retro-reflection and a minimum standard of “Engineer Grade” sheeting were
used.
To fulfill the standards of the time, the Streets Division acquired a 3M Scotchlight Lamp Vacuum Applicator to set pre-cut letters and numbers to the
substrate, which consisted of aluminum blanks with retro-reflective “Engineer
Grade” sheeting applied to them. The Streets Division began to build their own street
name signs and other signs that needed to conform with the standards in effect
at the time regarding legibility for daylight or night time.
Over the years, staff had been fabricating signs per MUTCD standards through the
process of sign baking machines, precut letters and borders or silk screening.
In the late 1990’s, software programs, along with a plotter/cutter met the MUTCD
requirements. A sheet-feed thermal printer and computer software were purchased
to facilitate the design and production of layouts of these types of signs. It
worked very effectively but had limited capabilities of media use.
In January 2002, the city purchased an additional 24-inch Thermal
Cutter/Printer, a Hi Fi Jet printer and software upgrade for the production of
specialty signs and labels. With this equipment, the in-house capabilities of
sign production have increased.
Now, the sign shop has the capability of designing and producing photo-quality
styled signs or legend layouts using many varieties of media and colors for a
wide variety of applications. Staff can produce vehicle graphics, warning
labels, backlit signs, windows and door signage, murals, posters, graphics
panels for exhibits and trade shows, presentation and boardroom signs, indoor
and outdoor banners, and more.
The sign shop has assisted several departments with sign needs, creating and
installing logos on the city's fleet vehicles, producing special event banners and posters,
and creating the 500-plus MUTCD-required signs to replace worn or damaged signs
as part of the city's regular maintenance efforts.
In a typical year, over 1,500 signs are produced and installed.
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