U18 Temporary Sign – Temporary Diversion (Left), 95x33 cm, Class II

U18 Temporary Sign – Temporary Diversion (Left), 95x33 cm, Class II

The left-pointing version of the “Ocolire” panel, with class II prismatic sheeting. It goes at the junctions where the diversion route turns left, so drivers do not lose the route, especially at night.

Why class II

SR 1848-2 requires temporary signs to have at least the same retroreflection class as the permanent signing on that section, so on a road whose existing signs have class II sheeting, a class I temporary sign is not compliant. Class II (RA2) prismatic sheeting returns roughly three to four times more light than class I, and in a work zone, where drivers must slow down and sometimes change lanes, every extra metre of visibility counts.

Where it goes, under SR 1848-1:2024

Temporary diversion panels go at the junction where the diversion route starts and, along the way, at junctions, to confirm the route to follow. If the diversion route lies entirely inside a built-up area, the word “Ocolire” (detour) can be written on the panel, as on this one.

What the roadworks rules require (Order 1112/411/2000)

When traffic is diverted, the rules require the signing to start with the signs that mark out the diversion route, and only then the prohibition signs at the ends of the work section. The approval file also includes a sketch of the detour routes, with the direction signing for the diverted traffic. Here too, the rules require signs to be stood on the ground first, to check that they are clearly visible, and only then fixed to a support; no more than two signs go on the same support or side by side, and on one-way roads or bends they can be repeated on the left side or above the road.

On public roads, works are signed under the methodological rules approved by Order MI/MT no. 1112/411/2000. The road closure or traffic restriction is approved by the road authority, with the traffic police's agreement, on the basis of a signing layout endorsed as final, a copy of which the contractor keeps at the work site. The contractor installs, completes and maintains the signing for the whole job, removes it at the end and restores the original signing; accidents caused by incomplete or missing temporary signing are entirely the contractor's responsibility.

At night, if the existing signing on the road is retroreflective, the temporary signing must be retroreflective too and can be supplemented with flashing or sequential (“cascade”) amber lamps; on main and connecting streets in towns, retroreflective temporary signs are supplemented with flashing amber lamps.

Technical data

• 95x33 cm yellow arrow-shaped panel pointing left, with the word “Ocolire”;
• 1 mm galvanised steel sheet, with rounded corners and pressed edges, no sharp edges;
• electrostatically painted;
• class II (RA2) prismatic retroreflective sheeting, with a guaranteed 10-year service life;
• fixings included: 2 clamps for Ø48 mm posts and 4 bolts with nuts;
• compliant with SR EN 12899-1:2007, SR 1848-1:2024, SR 1848-2:2011 and SR 1848-3:2011.

Mounting and size

Fixings for the post are included: 2 clamps for Ø48 mm posts and 4 bolts with nuts; clamps for Ø60 mm posts are available on request. The bottom edge of the sign goes 1.50–2.50 m above the road or kerb, and the edge nearest the road 0.50–2.0 m from the road platform.

For diversion panels with an inscription, SR 1848-2 sets a height of 33 cm on national and other roads (42.5 cm on motorways), with the width set by the inscription; the class I sheeting version, the same size, is the U18s.