BRITISH STANDARD BS 873-8:

1985

Road traffic signs and

internally illuminated
bollards —
Part 8: Specification for traffic cones
and cylinders

UDC 625.745.5/.6 + 628.975 + 656.055.969

BS 873-8:1985

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Road

Engineering Standards Committee (RDB/-) to Technical Committee RDB/6
upon which the following bodies were represented:

Aluminium Federation
Association of Road Traffic Sign Makers
British Plastics Federation
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd.
British Rubber Manufacturers’ Association
British Sign Association
British Steel Industry
British Telecommunications plc
Bus and Coach Council
County Surveyors’ Society
Department of Transport (Highways)
Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA Ltd)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highways and Transportation
Institution of Public Lighting Engineers
Lighting Industry Federation Ltd.
Paint Research Association
Retroreflective Equipment Manufacturers’ Association
Vitreous Enamel Development Council
Zinc Development Association

The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:

British Gas Corporation

National Joint Utilities Group
Coopted members

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Road Engineering
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority of
the Board of BSI and comes into
effect on Amendments issued since publication
31 January 1986
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
© BSI 01-1999

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference RDB/6
Draft for comment 81/14756 DC

ISBN 0 580 14735 5

 BS 873-8:1985

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Traffic cone categories 1
4 Designations of traffic cones and cylinders 1
5 Colour 1
6 Traffic cones 1
7 Traffic cylinders 3
8 Marking and information 3
Appendix A Low temperature impact test for traffic
cones and cylinders 6
Appendix B Stability of traffic cones 6
Appendix C Drop test for traffic cones 6
Appendix D Bending test for traffic cylinders 6
Appendix E Fatigue test for traffic cylinders 8
Figure 1 — Determination of the mass of a traffic cone 2
Figure 2 — Apparatus for low temperature impact test 5
Figure 3 — Movement of traffic cylinder in bending test 7
Figure 4 — Movement of traffic cylinder in fatigue test 8
Table 1 — Chromaticity coordinates and luminance factor for
the red portions of traffic cones and cylinders
(ordinary and fluorescent colours) 1
Table 2 — Marking of traffic cones and cylinders 4
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 01-1999 i
BS 873-8:1985

Foreword

This Part of BS 873 has been prepared under the direction of the Road
Engineering Standards Committee.
The requirements for traffic cones were first included in BS 873 in the 1973
edition of Part 2, which was withdrawn in 1984.
This is the first time that requirements for traffic cylinders have been included in
a British Standard.
Traffic cones and traffic cylinders were first prescribed in statutory regulations
in 1975, but they were in general use before this time.
Traffic cylinders were originally used to close to general traffic the emergency
cross-over points in the central reservations of motorways. They are also now
widely used to divide opposing traffic streams in contraflow systems during
roadworks on dual carriageways.
As a result of subsequent experience and the advent of new materials and
methods of construction, BS 873 is being revised to bring it up to date. Other
Parts of the standard are as follows.
— Part 1: Methods of test;
— Part 2: Specification for miscellaneous signs;
— Part 3: Specification for internally illuminated bollards;
— Part 4: Specification for road studs;
— Part 5: Specification for internally illuminated signs and external lighting
luminaires;
— Part 6: Specification for retroreflective and non-retroreflective signs;
— Part 7: Specification for posts and fittings;
NOTE BS 873-1 gives further details of the various Parts.
The tests described in this standard are such as to necessitate a programme of
sampling. Such a procedure should be agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer at the time of ordering. Attention is drawn to BS 2635, BS 6000,
BS 6001 and BS 6002.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations. In particular, attention is drawn to the following.
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.
Information on the relationship between these regulations and BS 873 is given
in appendix A of BS 873-1:1983.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 01-1999

1 Scope
This Part of BS 873 specifies requirements for
materials, dimensions, colorimetric and
photometric properties for traffic cylinders and for
two categories of traffic cones.
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back cover.
2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Part of BS 873 the
definitions in BS 873-1 apply, together with the
following.
main body
all parts of traffic cones and cylinders except their
white retroreflective portions
3 Traffic cone categories
3.1 Category A
Category A traffic cones shall comply with 6.4
and 6.7 when tested at a temperature of – 16 ± 2 °C.
3.2 Category B
Category B traffic cones shall comply with 6.4
and 6.7 when tested at a temperature of – 6 +0 °C
–2
4 Designations of traffic cones and
cylinders
Traffic cones and cylinders shall be designated as
follows according to the photometric performance of
their white retroreflective portions.
Designation 1 shall apply to cones and cylinders
with retroreflective portions complying with 4.3.4.2
and Table 1 of BS 873-6:1983.
Designation 2 shall apply to cones and cylinders
with retroreflective portions complying with 4.3.4.2
and Table 2 of BS 873-6:1983.
Designation 3 shall apply to cones with
retroreflective portions complying with 4.3.4.2 and
Table 3 of BS 873-6:1983.
5 Colour
5.1 The white portions of traffic cones and cylinders
shall comply with 4.3.3 and 4.3.4.1
of BS 873-6:1983.
5.2 The red portions of traffic cones and cylinders
shall comply with Table 1 of this Part of BS 873
when measured in accordance with clause 6 of
BS 873-1:1983.
© BSI 01-1999
BS 873-8:1985
Table 1 — Chromaticity coordinates and
luminance factor for the red portions of
traffic cones and cylinders (ordinary and
fluorescent colours)
Chromaticity coordinates of
cornerpoints. (CIE Standard Minimum
illuminant D6 5, CIE 45/0
Colour luminance
geometry) factor
1 2 3 4
x 0.690 0.575 0.521 0.610
Red 0.11
y 0.310 0.316 0.371 0.390
6 Traffic cones
6.1 Traffic cones shall be constructed of rubber or
plastics materials. The sides shall make an angle
of 10 ± 2.5° with the vertical axis of the cone. The
diameter of the top of the cone shall be 60 ± 10 mm.
The base shall be a polygon having not more than
eight sides and shall be wholly within a circle of
diameter 0.75 H where H is the height of the cone.
Cones shall be so designed that they will stack
within each other without binding and without
causing damage to the retroreflective surfaces.
When two identical cones are stacked one on top of
the other, the overall height of the two shall not
exceed 1.2 times the height of one cone.
A circular hole with smooth edges and having a
diameter of 33 ± 3 mm shall be provided in the top
of each cone.
Cones shall have a white retroreflective portion
which shall be securely applied or attached to
prevent it becoming detached during normal use.
The remainder of the cone above the base shall be
red outside and inside.
NOTE 1 The dimensions and proportions of red to white should
be as given in the appropriate statutory requirements
(see appendix A of BS 873-1:1983).
NOTE 2 The red portions may also be retroreflective.
6.2 White retroreflective portions shall comply
with 4.3.4.2 and Table 1, 2 or 3 of
BS 873-6:1983 (see clause 4).
6.3 The minimum mass of the cone shall be as
defined in Figure 1 when ballasted as recommended
by the manufacturer.
6.4 When tested in accordance with Appendix A no
part of the main body of the cone shall crack,
fracture or split and the cone shall return to its
nominal shape.
1
BS 873-8:1985

6.5 When samples with retroreflective portions
attached are tested in accordance with Appendix A
the coefficient of luminous intensity, R1), of the cone
after testing shall be not less than 80 % of the value
previous to the test.
6.6 When tested in accordance with Appendix B the
cone shall not overturn.
6.7 When tested in accordance with Appendix C no
part of the main body of the cone shall crack,
fracture or split and any ballast or ballast container
shall not have become displaced within the cone or
separated from it. Any ballast container as either an
integral part of the cone or enclosed within it shall
not have been damaged to the extent that ballast is
discharged. Caps or bungs to ballast containers
shall not have been forced from their sockets or
other fixings.
6.8 Test procedures shall be carried out on each size
and category of cone.

NOTE The minimum cone mass (in kg) may also be obtained from the expression
0.00673H – 1.23
where H is the height of the cone (in mm).
Figure 1 — Determination of the mass of a traffic cone

1)
As defined in Publication CIE No. 54; 1982. Retroreflection, definition and measurement.

2 © BSI 01-1999
 BS 873-8:1985

7 Traffic cylinders 7.7 Test procedures shall be carried out on each size
and type of cylinder and each method of fixing.
7.1 Traffic cylinders shall be constructed of rubber
or plastics material. It shall be possible to insert and 8 Marking and information
remove cylinders that are designed to fit into bases
without requiring a special tool. 8.1 Marking
Cylinders into which water can enter at the top shall Traffic cones and cylinders shall be clearly and
have a drainage hole at the bottom. A circular hole durably marked with the following information in
with smooth edges and having a diameter the following order:
of 33 ± 3 mm shall be provided in the top of the a) the name, trade mark or other means of
cylinder except where the inclusion of any internal identification of the manufacturer or vendor;
mechanism makes it impracticable to provide such
b) the number and date of this British Standard,
a hole. In this case, the cylinder shall be constructed
i.e. BS 873-8:19852);
so that in the event of it being run over, the air will
exhaust without the cylinder bursting. c) the category of traffic cone;
Cylinders shall have a white retroreflective portion d) the designation of photometric performance.
which shall be securely applied or attached to The locations of the markings shall be as given
prevent it becoming detached during normal use. in Table 2.
The remainder of the cylinder shall be red. The marking shall be in characters legible at a
NOTE 1 The dimensions and proportions of red to white should normal reading distance such that the total area of
be as given in the appropriate statutory requirements the marking does not exceed 30 cm2, and shall be
(see appendix A of BS 873-1:1983).
NOTE 2 The red portions may also be retroreflective. sufficiently durable to last the expected life of the
cone or cylinder to which it is applied.
7.2 White retroreflective portions shall comply
with 4.3.4.2 and either Table 1 or Table 2 of When checked by inspection and by rubbing lightly,
BS 873-6:1983 (see clause 4). first for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked in water
and then for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked in
7.3 When tested in accordance with Appendix A and
petroleum spirit, the marking shall still be legible.
Appendix D no part of the main body of the cylinder
shall crack, fracture or split and the cylinder shall 8.2 Information
return to its normal shape. The following information shall be made available:
7.4 When samples with retroreflective portions a) instructions for the ballasting of cones
attached are tested in accordance with Appendix A (if required);
the coefficient of luminous intensity, R, of the
b) instructions for fixing cylinders.
cylinder after testing shall be not less than 80 % of
the value previous to the test.
7.5 When tested in accordance with Appendix E no
part of the main body of the cylinder shall crack,
fracture or split and the cylinder shall return to its
normal shape.
7.6 Throughout the tests in Appendix A,
Appendix D and Appendix E the cylinder shall
remain fixed in position. On completion of the
testing in accordance with Appendix D and
Appendix E, the residual deflection of the top of the
cylinder in any horizontal direction, measured 30 s
to 60 s after completion of the tests, shall be not
more than 7 % of the height of the cylinder. The
height of the cylinder, H, is as measured from the
reference surface.

2)
Marking BS 873-8:1985 on or in relation to a product is a claim by the manufacturer that the product has been manufactured
to the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of such a claim is therefore solely the manufacturer’s responsibility. Enquiries
as to the availability of third party certification to support such claims should be addressed to the Director, Quality Assurance
Division, BSI, PO Box 375, Milton Keynes MK 14 6LO for certification marks administered by BSI or to the appropriate
authority for other certification marks.

© BSI 01-1999 3
BS 873-8:1985

Table 2 — Marking of traffic cones and cylinders

Location of Marking in Traffic cones Traffic cylinders
marking accordance
White retroreflective White retroreflective White retroreflective White retroreflective
with clause
portion marked portion unmarked portion marked portion unmarked
Marking on 8.1 a) Ï Ï Ï Ï
main body 8.1 b) Ï Ï Ï Ï
8.1 c) Ï Ï — —
8.1 d) O Ï O Ï
Marking 8.1 a) Ï Ï
on white 8.1 b) Ï Ï
retroreflective 8.1 c) × —
portion 8.1 d) Ï Ï
Key

Ï = marking required
× = marking not permitted
O = marking optional
— = not applicable

Examples of marking
The marking required on a traffic cone when the white retroreflective portion is unmarked.
a) On main body: XYZ Ltd. BS 873-8:1985–A.2.
b) On white retroreflective portion: none.
The marking required on a traffic cone when the main body and the white retroreflective portion are marked.
a) On main body: XYZ Ltd. BS 873-8:1985–Aa
b) On white retroreflective portion: XYZ Ltd. BS 873-8:1985–2.
The marking required on a traffic cylinder when the white retroreflective portion is unmarked.
a) On main body: XYZ Ltd. BS 873-8:1985–2.
b) On white retroreflective portion: none.
The marking required on a traffic cylinder when the main body and the white retroreflective portion are marked.
a) On main body: XYZ Ltd. BS 873-8:1985a.
b) On white retroreflective portion: XYZ Ltd. BS 873-8:1985–2.
a
The designation of the photometric performance of the white retroreflective portion may be included in the marking on the main
body of a traffic cone or traffic cylinder.

4 © BSI 01-1999
 BS 873-8:1985

Figure 2 — Apparatus for low temperature impact test

© BSI 01-1999 5
BS 873-8:1985
Appendix A Low temperature impact
test for traffic cones and cylinders
A.1 The test shall be conducted using a steel ball
swung on a pendulum. The apparatus shall be as
shown in Figure 2. The steel ball shall have a mass
of 0.9 ± 0.045 kg and be suspended by one or two
steel pendulum wires of not more than 1 mm
diameter so that the pendulum radius
is 1750 ± 10 mm. The point of impact shall be
vertically beneath the centre of radius of the
pendulum and at a height on the specimen
of H/2 ± 10 mm where H is the height of a traffic
cone or cylinder. The height of the cylinder, H, is as
measured from the reference surface.
A.2 Fix cones to the reference surface.
Fix cylinders to the reference surface in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
A.3 Carry out the test on specimens with and
without retroreflective portions attached.
A.4 For samples with retroreflective portions
attached, determine their coefficient of luminous
intensity, R, at an observation angle of 209 prior to
conditioning and rotate the sample about its vertical
axis until the highest value is obtained.
A.5 Condition all test samples for a period of not less
than 2 h at the following temperatures.
Category A cones – 16 ± 2 °C
Category B cones – 6 +0 °C
–2
Cylinders – 16 ± 2 °C
Carry out impact testing within 60 s after
conditioning.
A.6 Make one impact in ambient conditions of not
greater than 20 °C. Release the steel ball from the
horizontal to impact the test surface at the vertical
at a point in the area of maximum coefficient of
luminous intensity, R, observed in A.4.
A.7 Within 1 h of impacting, immerse samples with
retroreflective portions attached in water
at 20 ± 5 °C for 10 min, then allow to drain
for 10 min and measure the coefficient of luminous
intensity, R, at an observation angle of 209 in the
measurement direction at which the highest
reading of R was previously obtained (see A.4).
A.8 Examine the sample, report any damage and
any percentage change in the coefficient of luminous
intensity. Report any detachment of a cylinder from
its fixing.
6 © BSI 01-1999
Appendix B Stability of traffic cones
B.1 Traffic cones requiring the addition of ballast
shall be ballasted as instructed by the
manufacturer. Carry out the test at a temperature
of 20 ± 50 °C.
B.2 Place the cone upright on a horizontal surface
and against a vertical step in the surface. The height
of the step shall be 12 ± 2 mm. Apply a horizontal
force of 7 ± 0.1 N to the top of the cone so as to
produce a turning moment about the line of the step.
The cone shall be oriented so that the force is
applied to it in its least stable position.
B.3 Report any movement of the cone.
Appendix C Drop test for traffic cones
C.1 Traffic cones requiring the addition of ballast
shall be ballasted as instructed by the
manufacturer. Carry out the test on specimens with
and without retroreflective portions attached.
C.2 Condition the cone for a period of not less
than 2 h at a temperature of 32 ± 2 °C.
C.3 Within 1 min after conditioning suspend the
cone with its normal vertical axis horizontal (any
cap or bung to a ballast container forming an
integral part of the cone shall be positioned
uppermost) and with its lowest part 1 500 ± 5 mm
above a solid horizontal surface and drop it once
vertically from rest onto the solid surface.
C.4 Repeat the test detailed in C.3 after
conditioning at a temperature of – 16 ± 2 °C for
+0
category A cones and at a temperature of – 6 –2 °C
for category B cones.
C.5 Report any damage observed.
Appendix D Bending test for traffic
cylinders
D.1 Carry out the test on specimens with and
without retroreflective portions attached.
D.2 Fix the traffic cylinder in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions for the particular type
of cylinder and fixing under test. Condition the
cylinder and its fixing for a period of not less
than 2 h at a temperature of – 16 ± 2 °C.
Within 1 min after conditioning, bend the cylinder
over so that the top edge touches the reference
surface or a surface coplanar with it as indicated
in Figure 3. When the top edge of the cylinder
touches the reference surface or a surface coplanar
with it, remove the bending force immediately.
Apply the bending force once in each of three
directions approximately 120° apart in plan.
 BS 873-8:1985

Figure 3 — Movement of traffic cylinder in bending test

© BSI 01-1999 7
BS 873-8:1985
D.3 Repeat the procedure in D.2 at a temperature
of 32 ± 2 °C. From 30 s to 60 s after completion
measure the maximum residual horizontal
deflection of the top of the cylinder. The deflection
shall be measured from the vertical axis passing
through the centre of the base of the cylinder and
perpendicular to the reference surface.
D.4 Report the deflection, any damage observed and
any detachment of the cylinder from its fixing.
Appendix E Fatigue test for traffic
cylinders
E.1 Carry out the test on specimens with and
without retroreflective portions attached. This test
is to be carried out on a different specimen to that or
those tested in Appendix A and Appendix D.
E.2 Fix the cylinder in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions for the particular type
of cylinder and fixing under test. Carry out the test
at a temperature of 20 ± 5 °C.
Figure 4 — Movement of traffic cylinder in fatigue test
8 © BSI 01-1999
E.3 Oscillate the top of the cylinder as indicated
in Figure 4 at a frequency of 60 oscillations per
minute to 90 oscillations per minute at an
amplitude of H/4 for 10 min with the reference
surface rigidly held in a horizontal position. When
carrying out this test no rotational force shall be
applied to the cylinder nor shall any rotational
restraint be applied.
NOTE One oscillation is the movement from the upright
position to the maximum amplitude in one direction, then to the
maximum amplitude in the opposite direction and then the
return to the upright position.
E.4 Repeat the procedure in E.3 flexing the cylinder
in a direction 90° displaced in plan from the
direction of the first flexure. From 30 s to 60 s after
completion measure the maximum residual
horizontal deflection of the top of the cylinder. The
deflection shall be measured from the vertical axis
passing through the centre of the base of the
cylinder and perpendicular to the reference surface.
E.5 Report the deflection, any damage observed and
any detachment of the cylinder from its fixing.
 BS 873-8:1985

Publications referred to

BS 873, Road traffic signs and internally illuminated bollards.

BS 873-1, Methods of test.
BS 873-2, Specification for miscellaneous signs3).
BS 873-3, Specification for internally illuminated bollards3).
BS 873-4, Specification for road studs3).
BS 873-5, Specification for internally illuminated signs and external lighting luminaires3).
BS 873-6, Specification for retroreflective and non-retroreflective signs.
BS 873-7, Specification for posts and fittings3).
BS 2635, Drafting specifications based on limiting the number of defectives permitted in small samples3).
BS 6000, Guide to the use of BS 6001. Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes3).
BS 6001, Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes3).
BS 6002, Specification for sampling procedures and charts for inspection by variables for percent defective3).
CIE Publication no. 54. Retroreflection, definition and measurement4).

3)
Referred to in the foreword only.
4)
CIE (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage) publications are available from the National Illumination Committee of
Great Britain, c/o The Library, Thorn Lighting Ltd., Great Cambridge Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 1UL.

© BSI 01-1999
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