(a) A projecting sign which exceeds two square feet in area shall be constructed entirely of metal or other approved noncombustible material, or shall be metal-clad, except that a projecting glass sign shall have a noncombustible frame and shall be limited in area as provided in paragraph (b)(3) hereof, and except that a projecting electric sign which merits and bears the label of Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc., in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1454.39 and 1454.40, may be constructed of such materials as are required to merit such label.
(b) The maximum allowable area of the face of a projecting sign shall be limited as follows:
(1) When one face of a projecting electric sign exceeds 150 square feet in area, such sign shall be hung or erected in independent sections which shall be independently supported and the area of the face of each such section shall not exceed 150 square feet. However, the supporting pole of a center pole sign may support an electric sign, the area of one face of which exceeds 150 square feet, provided that in every case the structural frame of such sign shall be adequately attached to the pole to prevent structural failure or distortion of the sign because of its own weight and a horizontal wind pressure, on any face of the sign, of not less than twenty pounds per square foot of area of the face.
(2) The area of one face of a projecting metal or metal-clad wood sign shall not exceed twenty-five square feet, except that when such sign is of a type which is adequately reinforced with noncombustible structural sections to prevent failure or distortion of the sign because of the dead and wind loads as specified in this Building and Housing Code, then the area shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(3) The area of one face of a projecting glass sign shall not exceed twenty-five square feet.
(c) Where anchors, which are in tension or compression, for projecting signs are attached to parapet walls, the points of attachment shall be not more than two feet above the roof beams or trusses and not less than three feet from the top of the parapet wall. However, the anchors for such projecting signs shall not be attached to any parapet wall unless approved by the Superintendent of Building and Zoning Inspection.
(d) Projecting signs shall be securely attached to the building or structure by bolts, anchors, cables, rods, structural shapes or chains. All such features shall be rustproof or be adequately protected against rust and corrosion. Projecting signs shall not be fastened in place or anchored by nails or staples unless the sign weighs less than one pound. Signs to which electrical conductors are attached shall be braced or guyed to prevent such signs from swinging.
(e) Turnbuckles, anchors and all other connections for guys, braces and supports shall be provided with closed welded or forged eyelets, unless otherwise approved by the Superintendent of Building and Zoning Inspection. Such devices shall be rustproof or be adequately protected against rust and corrosion. All connections between cables and turnbuckles, eye bolts or angles shall be made by the proper use of cable thimbles of the proper size with the end of the cable properly secured with cable clamps or by twisting the end of the cable, by separate strands, around the portion of the cable which has not passed through the thimble.
(f) Anchor bolts shall be of sufficient size to safely withstand all stresses and strains caused by the weight of the sign, the wind load and all other anticipated loads which may be placed upon such bolts, and such bolts shall sufficiently penetrate any masonry or other material used for anchorage or support of the sign, to develop the necessary strength of such bolts. Bolts shall not penetrate masonry less than four inches. Through bolts shall be used to resist tensile stresses when the weight or size of the sign or the condition of the wall from which the sign is hung or anchored makes their use advisable. Expansion bolts and expansion screws shall be set in metal expansion shields or in expansion shields of other approved materials. Plugs, blocks or strips of woof or other material subject to decay or which are of uncertain reliability shall not be used for anchorage purposes.
(Ord. 42-1981. Passed 2-23-81.)