Believe it or not, many times we have been called in to do warehouse striping and the overhead signage portion of the project has been forgotten about. That is why one of the first questions we ask when walking a striping job is “Would you like us to include the hanging of the signs for these locations?” Sometimes the customer looks surprised and admits they didn’t think about it but would like sign installation to be included. In this post we will go over four key points to help you plan a successful sign installation project and avoid project delays.
Finalize a Design
The first and most important step of completing a great project is to finalize your warehouse floor striping design. This allows you to know the totality of locations so that barcode labels & placards can be ordered. There are a variety of sign sizes and designs to consider to best meet your needs. Since the signs are hung high above the floor, you want them large enough to read and scan but not too large to keep costs down. We can assist in ordering or you can provide us with the signs to be installed. Include in your design the height at which you want the signs hung. Keep in mind that making the signs can take 2-6 weeks to manufacture and arrive onsite, so don’t delay in placing the order. For striping recommendations see our other blogs Part 1 and Part 2 on Best Techniques to Properly Finish and Stripe A Warehouse Floor.
Installation Methods
There are a few different ways to install signs and each method has its benefits and limitations. Many projects employ several methods to meet the overall needs of the customer’s design. Most bulk location signs come with a 45-degree bend to allow them to be attached and hang with a slight angle facing downward allowing for better visibility and scan ability. A common way of installing this type of sign is to install long strips of metal conduit pipe and attach the sign to the piping. The metal conduit is hung from the ceiling with metal cables or chain. Another method is to install long runs of heavy-duty aircraft cable for the signs to be attached to. This is a very clean looking installation because the cable is less visible than conduit piping. The last method would be to hang each sign from the ceiling with cable or chain. This option requires much more time to install which translates into higher costs. With the price of metals increasing, the method chosen will directly correlate to the cost of the project. Discuss these installation methods with your contractor to determine what will best meet your needs and budget.
Sign Inventory
Before the striping and sign installation begins, we recommend having the signs onsite, separated, and organized by row. Some warehouses have thousands of signs that are to be installed and having them well organized will make the installation process smoother and will identify if any signs are missing. If the signs are not onsite at the time of installing the cable or conduit, it may cause additional costs because the contractor will need to make a return visit and incur additional scissor lift rental costs.
Order of Installation
For pallet location sign installations, you should first plan to have the floor striped. Even though striping designs may look great on paper (or CAD), it commonly requires adjustments or modifications once the project starts. The contractor may find that a post ends up throwing off the spacing of locations or an aisle needs to be adjusted for some reason. Once the striping is completed the sign locations will be solidified and the sign installers can center the signs correctly, installing them front and center of the pallet locations. Aisle signs can also be installed at this point because the aisles have also been firmly established with the striping completed. Some contractors only do striping, other contractors only do sign installations, while others like TCI have the ability to do both striping and sign installation. When the contractor can do both, it eliminates additional coordination and streamlines the process.
As your trusted partner providing a range of Warehouse Striping and Distribution Center Services, it is our hope that these helpful tips and reminders are useful to you as you plan and prepare for your next warehouse striping and sign installation project. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
If you have questions or comments for the author about this article, please email us at: info@tcistriping.com
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TCI Striping is a full-service professional contractor specializing in Warehouse Striping and Distribution Center Services based in Southern California. With over 40 years of experience, we have earned a reputation as a trustworthy commercial and light industrial contractor with an extensive range of capabilities, qualified experience, specialized training, specialty equipment, and a workforce that pays careful attention to detail.
We have consistently provided OSHA-compliant floor markings, safety railing systems, and warehouse striping for four decades. At TCI, our work is guaranteed and has been tested over time. We are continuously committed to delivering excellent warehouse services in Riverside, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino, Perris, Redlands, Eastvale, Chino, and beyond. Please call us for inquiries or request a quote below.