ANSI B77.1 Annex D: Ski Lift Signs Explained

Mon, 2011-11-28

Skiing or snowboarding are enjoyable outdoor activities. With millions of visitors throughout the country every year, ski resorts have a responsibility to be sure that their visitors have a great time- and stay safe.

That's where the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and other safety organizations come into play. ANSI B77.1 establishes a standard for aerial tramways, lifts, tows and conveyors that help get your visitors up the mountain.

This information is a resource that details the required ski signs, known as Annex D, for ANSI B77.1. It offers reliable information to help confirm your resort is in compliance with the most recent standards.

Did you know that Stonehouse Signs helped design the ANSI lift signs you see in this article? The ANSI B77.1 committee asked us for valuable input for the designs of the signs included below. They came to us for a reason. Stonehouse set the standard for safety signs, and has been an instrumental piece of the workplace safety movement since 1910.

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Annex D: Signs General Information

Table D-1: Required Signs, ANSI B77.1-2011

Table D-1 (continued): Ropeway Category and Usage

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Annex D Information*

Annex D explains and displays the various ANSI Ski Signs that are required for compliance to ANSI B77.1. Sections D.1.1-D.1.1.3 defines Table D-1 (included below) and includes additional information that is not included in that table.

D.1.1 Required Signs

All signs for instruction, information, or prohibition of the public shall be bold in design with wording short, simple, and to the point. All such signs shall be prominently placed, and those pertaining to the ropeway operations shall be adequately lighted for night operation.

Additional signs, deemed necessary by the owner, may be posted but should not detract attention from any required sign.

Table D-1 (shown in abbreviated form below) is a chart used to determine sign requirements on a ropeway. Signs are listed in the left column with location and related designs.

Any sign wording shown in Italics may be modified for local conditions. These signs are intended to communicate specific information to ropeway users (please see the 'Function' column for each sign in Table D-1).

D.1.2 Designs

All required signs shall be produced in the colors and designs displayed in the table below. Minimum letter heights are listed in Table D-1.

D.1.3. Location

Any sign marked with a # in Table D-1 may be grouped together in one location and may appear as one sign.

Signs marked with a ~ in Sections 5,6, and 7 (located in Ropeway Category and Usage in Table D-1) shall be visible to users facing up and downhill while using recreational devices.

Table D-1: Required Signs, ANSI B77.1-2011*

Table D-1 describes the required signs and where they should be used for aerial tramways, lifts, tows and conveyors.

As it was mentioned above in sections D.1.1 & D.1.3:

Any sign wording shown in Italics below may be modified for local conditions.
Any sign marked with a # in Table D-1 may be grouped together in one location and may appear as one sign.
Signs marked with a ~ in Sections 5,6, and 7 (located in Ropeway Category and Usage in Table D-1) shall be visible to users facing up and downhill while using recreational devices.

To view pricing and material selections for any sign below, click on the image in the 'Sign Example' Column.

Sign Wording	Function	Location	Sign Example	Min. Letter Height
Instructions and Warnings for use of the ropeway. May Include the duties and obligations of the passengers well as the "Responsibility Code" #	How to embark, ride and disembark the specific ropeway.	At the waiting area, before the 'Wait Here' sign.		20mm
"No Loose Scarves" "No Loose Clothing" "No Long Hair Exposed" #	Concerning specific articles which are prohibited	At the waiting area, before the 'Wait Here' sign.		20mm
"Remove Ski Pole Straps from Wrists Until Unloaded" #	Ski pole straps are to be removed while using ropeway.	At the waiting area, before the 'Wait Here' sign.		20mm
"Check for Loose Clothing and Equipment" #	To check that they are not entangled.	At two locations: At or before the 'Wait Here" Sign Vicinity of "Prepare to Unload" sign.		20mm/50mm
"Loading Seat Height ____ +/- 2 Inches" #	The seat height is within a specific height range for use by adaptive skiers.	In the vicinity of the instructions for the use of the ropeway sign.		20mm
"Wait Here"	To wait at this location for the appropriate time to proceed to loading platform.	At the point where passengers should wait for the carrier to pass before moving to the loading point		20mm
"Load Here"	To stand at this location to embark the ropeway	At the load point of the loading platform		20mm
"Keep Tips Up"	That users are to keep ski/snowboard tips up	Ahead of any point where skier users may come in contact with a platform or the snow surface		50mm
A) "Prepare to Unload" or B) "Prepare to Unload - Raise Restraining Bar"	That they are approaching a disembarkation area and should be ready.	Ahead of the unloading area. If ropeway is equipped with a manual restraining device, wording B is to be used.		50mm
"Unload Here"	To disembark from the ropeway at this point	On the unloading platform for foot users and at the breakover point of the unload platform for skier users (See 3.1.1.9.2)		50mm
"Do Not Unload Here"	To prohibit unloading at this station, at this time.	Intermediate Station if not in use (See 4.1.1.9)		50mm
"Do Not Load Here"	To prohibit loading at this station, at this time.	Intermediate Station if not in use (See 4.1.1.9)		20mm
"Stop Gate" or "Hit to Stop Lift"	That this device will stop the ropeway if a user strikes it.	If applicable, at the location of the stop gate device. (N/A with electronic detection of user).	, or	20mm
"No Downhill Loading" or "Downhill Capacity" if limited #	To prohibit downhill loading or state carrier loading parameters	If applicable, in the vicinity of the downhill platform area.	or	20mm
"Remain Standing"	To stay standing, not sitting.	At the loading area.		50mm
"Stay in Tow Path"	To remain within the tow path.	In at least one location adjacent to the track, beyond the loading area.		50mm
"Cross Surface Lift Here Proceed When Clear"	That this is an authorized crossing area.	At authorized tow path crossings.		20mm
*The Maximum capacity of each cabin in pounds and kilograms and the number of passengers #*	To signify the maximum weight that this cabin is allowed to carry.	At two locations: 1) in a location visible prior to boarding 2) posted inside each cabin.		20mm/14mm
*The maximum rope speed during loading #*	To signify the maximum weight that this cabin is allowed to carry as required by 3.1.4.3.4.3	In a location visible prior to boarding		14mm
*Instructions for procedures in emergencies #*	To signify what to do in an emergency	Prominently posted inside each cabin		14mm
*A sign to exclude the entry of unauthorized persons.*	To prohibit the entry of unauthorized persons.	At entrances to machine, operators and attendants rooms.		20mm
Note: # = May be grouped together in one location as one sign. *Table D-1 of Annex D, Signs, in ANSI B77.1 may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the ASC B77 Committee. Back To Top

Table D-1 (continued): Ropeway Category and Usage*

Below are the rest of the sections outlined in Table D-1. Any cell that has a grey background with an 'X' is a sign that is required for each ropeway type.

Signs marked with a 'X~' in sections 5,6, and 7 shall be visible to users facing up and downhill while using recreational devices.

To view pricing and material selections for any sign below, click on the image in the 'Sign Example' Column.

Ski Sign Examples

Sec. 2

Sec.3 - Detachable Grip

Sec. 4 - Fixed Grip

Sec 5

Sec. 6

Sec. 7

Tramway

Chair-Skier

Chair- Foot Passenger

Gondola

Chair-Skier