SIGNS, CALL OFFICE

Call Office sign quick view

ENGINEERING INSTRUCTIONS
TELEPHONES
CALL OFFICES
A 3005
ISSUE 3, JAN 1948

CALL OFFICE SIGNS

Scope of Instruction
This instruction deals with all signs employed to advertise and indicate the position of Public Telephone Call Offices and also describes signs suitable for fitting internally or externally on a subscriber's premises where the subscriber desires a sign to advertise the availability of his telephone for public use.

Responsibilities
The Ministry of works and Buildings is responsible for the provision and maintenance of all signs at Class 1 Crown offices.

The Engineering Department
Is responsible for the provision and renewal of signs and brackets for signs at all other Post Offices, all call offices not on P.O. premises, and for subscribers' premises where the subscriber has asked for a sign.  Subsequent to the initial provision and renewal of signs, the Head Postmaster will be responsible for maintenance.

Advice Notes
Issued by the Telephone Manager, for the provision of call-office circuits or for signs on subscribers premises, should give particulars of the number of signs to be provided and the type and precise location of each sign.

The traffic staff are responsible for obtaining permission for the erection and should do so before the Advice Note is issued.

Signs on subscribers premises
The position of each sign and the method of fitting should be discussed with the subscriber before the work is commenced and provided that a secure fixing is obtainable and due prominence is given to the sign, the subscribers reasonable requirements should be met.

Signs on telegraph poles
Signs will be fitted by the Engineering Department to poles designated by the traffic staff, provided there is no engineering objection, e.g., a more suitable site is available or that the local authorities may object to the proposed site.

Where the pole in question is situated on a public highway, the consent of the local authority to the attachment of the sign will not normally be sought. where, however, it is known that the local authority desires to be advised of such attachments, the Area Engineer will, before the work is put in hand, ascertain that the Surveyor to the local authority does not object.

Signs on kiosks and cabinets
Suitable signs, where necessary, have been embodied in the structural design of kiosks and cabinets, and signs other than those of standard type should not be fitted.

Standard signs
For fixing to the exterior walls or buildings, on telegraph poles, tramway or street lamp standards, etc, and for fitting inside subscriber's premises are detailed below:-

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The blue backgrounds are Colour No. 5 B.S.S. 381.

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DESCRIPTION OF FIXINGS
Signs, Call-Office No. 1, 1A and 5
Are fixed to walls by means of Brackets, Sign, No. 1,when fixing the bracket particular care must be exercised to ensure that the holes for the screws are well plugged and the plate of the bracket is fixed firmly to the wall.  Where it is found that secure fixing cannot be obtained on the wall direct, a batten should be fixed to the wall and the bracket should then be firmly fixed to the batten.  Sign, Call Office, No. 1B is suspended from a Brackets, Sign, No. 1B, which is attached to poles and standards by means of a strip of 14in. x 1in. mild steel.  The steel strip should be bent round the pole or standard and terminated in the block of the bracket.  In this termination, the ends of the steel strip are turned back against the nut which holds the tightening screw.  If the pole or standard tapers sharply, it may be found necessary to fit a narrow compensating strip in the upper edge of the main strip.

Signs, Call-Office No. 2
Are fitted in position by means of wall spikes which hold the sign flat against the wall.

Signs, Call-Office No. 3
Does not require brackets for fitting. Fixing is effected by nails or screws, driven through a flange on the sign. The flange is part of the main plate of the sign bent at right angles.  This type of sign is used at railway stations and where a Sign, Call Office No. 1 is too large.

Signs, Call-Office Nos. 6, 7, 8, 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D
Are used in conjunction with Signs, Call Office Nos. 1, 12, 12A and 18.  They are suspended from these signs by means of "S" type hooks.  Eyeletted holes are made in each of the signs to accommodate the hooks.

Sign, Call-Office No. 10
Is framed in oak and used inside subscribers, premises.  Eyeletted holes are provided in the frame, to allow the sign to be suspended in a convenient and prominent position.

Signs, Call Office No. 12 and 12A
Are self-contained signs for fixing to wooden poles.  Two curved flanges are provided in the sign as a means of fixing the sign to the poles.  A hole and a slot exist in each flange, the slot accommodating a coach screw and the hole a No. 23 - 2 in. wood screw. prior to erecting the sign, the two coach screws are driven into the pole for a length approximately within half an inch of the head of the screw.  The slots in the flanges are then passed over the coach screws underneath the head. This will afford a temporary support for the sign while the coach screws are driven right home.  The sign is secured firmly in position by means of the wood screws, driven through the holes in the flanges.

Signs, Call Office No 12
 

Signs, Call-Office Nos. 16 and 16A
Are provided primarily for use in large stores and similar premises.  The sign is provided with two screw-eyes so that the sign can be suspended in a convenient and prominent position.

Additional Information
Overview of all call office signs - Drawing EC1303
Brackets, Sign No. 1 - Drawing CN 2617
Brackets, Sign No. 1A - Drawing CN 2618
Brackets, Sign No. 1B - Drawing CN 2619
Specification - LN39

Blue back ground (Colour No. 5 B.S.S. 381)

In 1962 most of the drawings showed a change from sheet iron to mild steel.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTION
D INLAND SERVICES OPERATION
5 Special Services and Facilities
H0018
January 1972

PUBLIC CALL OFFICE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

1. TYPES OF SIGN
There are two types of sign (see Appendix i) one for front end fixing and the other for rear end fixing.  Both types may be obtained with reflecting or non-reflecting surfaces for use in either lit or unlit areas.  Each sign is complete with its own fixing bracket.  The following are the Rate Book descriptions and Item Code numbers:-

211354 - SIGNS, PUBLIC TELEPHONE No. 1
A non-reflectorised rectangular sign 2' 4" .x 1' 2".  Worded both sides "Public telephone".  The front end is arrowheaded indicating direction to nearest call office. Fixed at rear end.
Drawing - CN10264

211355 - SIGNS, PUBLIC TELEPHONE No. 2
A reflectorised version of "Signs, Public Telephone No. 1".
Drawing - CN10264

211356 - SIGNS, PUBLIC TELEPHONE No. 3
A non-reflectorised rectangular sign 2' 4" x 1' 2".  Worded both sides "Public telephone".  The front end is arrowheaded indicating direction to nearest call office. Fixed at front (arrowheaded) end.
Drawing - CN10264

211357 - SIGNS, PUBLIC TELEPHONE No. 4
A reflectorised version of "Signs Public Telephone No. 3".
Drawing - CN10264

SIGNS, PUBLIC TELEPHONE No. 5 - name changed to Signs No. 11 (1972)
A non-reflectorised oblong sign 15'" x 9".  Worded  "You may telephone from here".  Double sided with end fixing.
Drawings - CN10274/1 and CN10274/2

SIGNS, PUBLIC TELEPHONE No. 6 - name changed to Signs No. 12 (1972)
A non-reflectorised oblong sign 15'" x 9".  Worded  "You may telephone from here".  Single sided for wall mounting.
Drawings - CN10274/1 and CN10274/2

SIGN No. 16A
A rectangular sign with rounded corners 24.1" x 5.5" worded "Intercontinental and Inland".  Used with Blue Payphone (Coin Telephone No's 22A and 22B) in Kiosks No. 8.

SIGN No. 16B
Sign worded "Intercontinental and Inland".  Used with Blue Payphone (Coin Telephone No's 22A and 22B) at British Rail type open booths at Waterloo Station.

SIGN No. 16C
Sign worded "Intercontinental and Inland".  Used with Blue Payphone (Coin Telephone No's 22A and 22B) at British Air Authority YRM housings at airports.

SIGN No. 16D
Sign worded "Intercontinental and Inland".  Used with Blue Payphone (Coin Telephone No's 22A and 22B) in Kiosks No. 6.

2. LOCATION OF SIGNS
Directional signs should be used, where necessary, to indicate the position of public call offices, including call offices on Post Office premises and recessed call offices where these are situated some distance from the main entrance to the Public Office.  At the discretion of TM's the signs should be fitted in the following circumstances:-

1. On new sites - Sales Divisions should give consideration to erecting signs at sites both in (a) urban, and (b) rural districts where (a) the public call office is sited off the public highway or hidden from view of pedestrians or motorists, and (b) the public call office is sited near a main trunk road but at some distance off the road or in a nearby village. Special attention should be given to those urban call offices taking less than £100 a year, and the possibility of erecting a directional sign to make them more economic.

2. To replace signs of an earlier type where an undertaking has been given to replace the earlier type sign which was accepted pending availability of a new sign.

3. To replace signs of an earlier type because of damage or deterioration to the existing sign.

Sales Divisions must ensure that signs to call offices which are recovered or re-sited, are also recovered or re-sited, and that the Clerical Division is advised accordingly.

3. NEGOTIATIONS
In England, Wales and Scotland the erection of directional signs is covered by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations.  The effect of the inclusion of the Post Office under the definition of "statutory undertakers" is that we can erect directional signs relating to the operation of our business without the CONSENT of the local authority, subject to the right of the authority to require discontinuance of the sign "to remedy a substantial injury to the amenity of the locality or a danger to members of the public".  However, PERMISSION must be obtained by the Telephone Manager (Sales Division) from the owner of the land, building, lamp-post etc on which the sign is to be displayed, which in many cases may be the same authority.

In Northern Ireland TN (Sales Division) should negotiate with the local road authority before proceeding with the erection of directional signs.

If relevant local bye-laws exist in connection with the erecting of signs, Telephone Managers (Sales Division) should negotiate with local authorities where it is considered politic to do so. In the event of any dispute, the matter should be referred to Regional Headquarters.

Every endeavour should be made to obtain permission without payment, but if this cannot be arranged, a nominal annual rental of 5p a fixture may he allowed.  If necessary this may be exceeded to a maximum of 25p but the circumstances for any higher rental should be quite exceptional.

Any proposal to affix a sign to a telegraph pole should be referred to the Engineering Division for treatment in accordance with El Wayleaves, Attachments, A0511.

Records showing the location of all directional signs should be kept by the Clerical Division (Call Office Duty) on the Call Office Installation Card A3363.  A separate record of call office directional signs should also be kept by the Call Office Duty for reference in the case of enquiries from local authorities etc.  Any rental payment in respect of the signs should be paid by the Clerical Division (Wayleaves Duty).

4. ADVICE NOTES
A separate M-type Advice Note (AN) should be issued for the provision of a sign or signs to existing call offices containing particulars of the location, type of sign, site owner, and any rental payment.  Where an AN is issued for a new call office and it is proposed also to provide a directional sign to that call office, the AN should contain the information about the sign.  Any permission that may be necessary for the erection of the sign must be obtained before the AN is issued.

5. FITTING
The Engineering Division is responsible for the fitting and renewal of directional signs.

Signs should be fitted beyond the reach of wilful damage, and at least 8 ft above ground level.

All signs are complete with their own fixing bracket and:-

1. On flat surfaces such as masonry, the signs should be fitted with 14 woodscrews, minimum size 2" x No. 12 roundhead, brass or sheradized.  Care must be taken to ensure that the holes for the screws are well plugged and the plate of the bracket is fixed firmly to the flat surface.

2. On poles or other tubular surfaces the signs should be fitted with "Tespa" banding obtainable on local purchase. (See Appendix 2).

6 If during a routine or maintenance visit to a public call office any damage or deterioration to either the sign or the bracket is seen, it should be reported to the Repair Service Control for the necessary remedial action to be taken.

7 Signs for use on subscribers' premises ("You may telephone from here") are dealt with in TI B4 G0009.

APPENDIX 1

Signs, Public Telephone No's 1 and 2

Signs, Public Telephone No's 3 and 4

APPENDIX 2
LIST OF THOSE ITEMS REQUIRED FOR THE FITTING OF SIGNS IN CONJUNCTION WITH "TESPA" BANDINGS

(a) Tespa Tool Ref TT001
(b) Standard stainless steel band - Ref TP1314
(c) Standard stainless steel buckles - Ref TB134
(d) Standard stainless steel bracket - Ref BC111C

Quantity to be used:-

Item (a) One tool will fix any number of signs.
Item (b) Available in standard dispenser of 100ft.  (Approx 4ft required per sign).
Item (c) Supplied in boxes of 100 (2 required per sign).
Item (d) Supplied in singles (2 required per sign).

Full details of the actual method of fitting are supplied with the equipment, which is obtainable from:-
The Expanded Metal Co Ltd, 16 Carton Street, LONDON. SW1.

Additional

Specification
LN39 (Enamel)

Paint
Signs, Public Telephone No. 1 and 3 - Blue is colour 0-013 to BS2660 and White & Black to clauses 3b and 3c to BS873.
Signs, Public Telephone No. 2 and 4 - Reflectorised (except black parts) - Blue is colour 0-013 to BS2660 and White & Black to clauses 3b and 3c to BS873.
Signs, Public Telephone No. 5 and 6 - Blue is colour 0-013 to BS2660 and White & Black to clauses 3b and 3c to BS873.

Last revised: July 27, 2025