Foreword

QCVN 17:2018/BXD was compiled by the National Institute of Architecture, submitted for promulgation by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, appraised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and issued by the Ministry of Construction in accordance with Circular No. 04 /TT-BXD dated May 20, 2018.

QCVN 17:2018/BXD replaces QCVN 17:2013/BXD issued together with Circular No. 19/2013/TT-BXD dated October 31, 2013.

1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1 Scope

1.1.1 This regulation stipulates mandatory requirements to be complied with when constructing and installing freestanding outdoor advertising media or attached/mounted to existing building structures.

1.1.2 Outdoor advertising media that are freestanding or attached/mounted to building structures, in this regulation, include:

• Billboards; Lightboxes;
• Outdoor dedicated advertising screens; Signage;
• Advertising media in the form of letters, figures, symbols.

1.1.3 In addition to complying with the provisions of this regulation, the outdoor advertising media in this regulation must also comply with current advertising laws.

1.2 Subjects of application

This regulation applies to organizations and individuals involved in the construction and installation of freestanding outdoor advertising media or attached/mounted to building structures in the territory of Vietnam.

1.3 References

The referenced documents in this regulation are applied with the versions listed below. In case the referenced documents have been replaced by other versions, the new versions should be applied, including any amendments and supplements (if any):

QCVN 02:2009/BXD, National Technical Regulation on natural condition data used for construction;

QCVN 10:2014/BXD, National Technical Regulation on construction of facilities for disabled access;

QCVN 12:2014/BXD, National Technical Regulation on electrical systems of homes and public buildings.

1.4 Terms and definitions

In this regulation, the following terms are construed as below:

1.4.1

Advertising media

Media with different materials and sizes to display advertising products.

1.4.2

Freestanding outdoor advertising media

Advertising media that are fixedly positioned on the outdoor ground/floor.

1.4.3

Road land

The land on which road works are constructed and the land along both sides of the road for the management, maintenance and protection of road works.

1.4.4

Road safety corridor

The strip of land along both sides of the road land, measured from the outer edge of the road land on both sides to ensure road traffic safety.

NOTE: For roads with safety corridors overlapping with inland waterway protection corridors, the boundary of the safety corridor is the natural embankment edge.

1.4.5

Railway traffic safety corridor

The scope defined by the space, land area, and water area surrounding and adjacent to the railway protection scope to ensure railway traffic safety; serve rescue and salvage work when necessary and ensure visibility for traffic participants.

1.4.6

Safety corridor for protection of inland waterway channels

The boundary of the water area or land strip along both sides of the channel for the installation of signaling, protection of the channel and ensuring traffic safety.

1.4.7

Dike and dam protection corridor

The boundary of the land strip along both sides of the dike toe to ensure safety for dikes and dams.

1.4.8

High voltage power grid safety corridor

The limited space along the power transmission line or surrounding the substation and specifically prescribed for each voltage level.

1.4.9

Urban road

The road located within the administrative boundaries of the inner city or town.

1.4.10

Non-urban road

The road located outside the administrative boundaries of the inner city or town.

1.4.11

Low-rise building

A building with a height of up to 07 stories or up to 28 m.

1.4.12

High-rise building

A building with a height of 08 stories or more or greater than 28 m.

1.4.13

Story

The space between a floor/slab and the ceiling immediately above it.

2 TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

2.1 Principles for construction and installation of outdoor advertising media

2.1.1 General principles

2.1.1.1 Outdoor advertising media must be constructed and installed in accordance with the local construction planning.

2.1.1.2 Outdoor advertising media must have locations, designs, sizes, materials, quantities consistent with the approved advertising planning and ensure to be outside the road safety corridor, railway safety corridor, safety corridor for protection of inland waterway channels, dike and dam protection corridor, high voltage power grid safety corridor.

2.1.1.3 The location, site, area for construction, installation and management of outdoor advertising media must comply with the following requirements:

Ensure urban aesthetics;

Ensure traffic visibility, not affect traffic activities and not obstruct the visibility of traffic signs;

Ensure fire safety, evacuation requirements, rescue and salvage requirements, building structure, social order and safety;

Ensure normal production and living activities of people and life safety.

NOTE: The scope where construction and installation of advertising media are not permitted for road bridges and tunnels is provided in Appendix A.

2.1.1.4 Outdoor advertising media must not cover the roof/top of buildings except for advertising media in the form of letters, figures, symbols.

2.1.2 Structure

2.1.2.1 The structure of outdoor advertising media must be calculated and designed for the most adverse factors acting on them in accordance with the natural data provisions in QCVN 02:2009/BXD and selected technical standards.

2.1.2.2 The foundation, supporting frame structure, and exterior of outdoor advertising media must ensure safety, durability, meet usage requirements; must be stable throughout the construction and operation period.

2.1.2.3 The structure of outdoor advertising media must be maintained, serviced and repaired in accordance with current construction laws.

2.1.3 Materials

2.1.3.1 Materials used to fabricate outdoor advertising media must meet the technical requirements and lifespan of each advertising medium.

2.1.3.2 Materials used to fabricate outdoor advertising media must ensure no natural deformation over time and adverse environmental impacts; All visible surfaces and edges of outdoor advertising media must be made of corrosion-resistant materials and not be affected by corrosion of any surrounding components.

2.1.3.3 Coating paints, printing inks, decorative materials… and adhesives on the surface of outdoor advertising media must ensure safety, not cause harm to the surrounding environment; Must be used appropriately for the materials according to the usage instructions on the product packaging.

2.1.3.4 In case outdoor advertising media are made of non-homogeneous materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, calculations must be made to allow for appropriate expansion joints between non-homogeneous components.

2.1.3.5 The materials of outdoor advertising media must be regularly inspected for timely maintenance, servicing, repair or replacement.

2.1.4 Lighting – Power supply – Lightning protection

2.1.4.1 Lighting of outdoor advertising media must be suitable for the illuminated area, ensure safety, fire and explosion prevention, not affect traffic activities and other urban activities.

a) Lighting devices for outdoor advertising media must use high-efficiency, energy-saving, safe devices in management, operation and use;

b) Lighting devices for outdoor advertising media must have high durability and stability; use sensors or technical measures to minimize light pollution; use shields and caps to avoid fire;

c) Lighting devices for outdoor advertising media must be regularly inspected for timely repair or replacement.

2.1.4.2 The lighting electrical system for outdoor advertising media must have a separate power supply and protective circuit breakers, fuses.

a) The power supply wiring system must have an insulating sheath to avoid contact or short circuit from the power wires, in the technical junction box due to weather effects;

b) Internal lighting system joints must meet insulation requirements, minimize the heat effect emitted from lighting lamps causing ignition, spreading fire to other adjacent parts;

c) The lighting electrical system for outdoor advertising media must be regularly inspected for timely repair or replacement.

2.1.4.3 Outdoor advertising media must have a lightning protection system in accordance with selected technical standards.

2.1.4.4 The calculation of the lighting power supply and lightning protection system for outdoor advertising media must comply with the provisions in QCVN 12:2014/BXD and must select the correct protection grade of fuses and wire cross-sections to avoid overload incidents.

2.1.5 Fire safety

2.1.5.1 The construction and installation of outdoor advertising media must comply with current laws on fire prevention and fighting, rescue and salvage.

2.1.5.2 Outdoor advertising media attached/mounted to the exterior of building structures must ensure electrical safety regulations; structural and building material safety; Must not affect, cover or obstruct exit routes and rescue capabilities.

2.2 Specific provisions

2.2.1 For billboards, lightboxes

2.2.1.1 Billboards and lightboxes must be included in the approved advertising planning.

2.2.1.2 Freestanding billboards and lightboxes constructed and installed along non-urban roads must comply with the provisions in Table 1.

2.2.1.3 On sidewalks along urban roads, freestanding billboards and lightboxes must comply with the provisions in 2.8.5 and 2.8.7 of QCVN 10:2014/BXD.

2.2.1.4 Along inland waterways, freestanding billboards and lightboxes may only be constructed and installed in areas with embankment revetments; must not obstruct signaling and visibility of waterway vehicle operators; the minimum distance from the embankment top to the nearest edge of the billboard or lightbox (on the shore side) is 10 m.

NOTE: In case the channel is in an urban area, billboards and lightboxes must comply with the urban planning and urban architecture management regulations.

2.2.1.5 In parks, freestanding billboards and lightboxes have a minimum height of 5 m and a maximum of 10 m measured from the road surface to the bottom edge of the billboard or lightbox.

2.2.1.6 Within the premises of railway stations, airports, bus stations, parking lots, rest stops, billboards and lightboxes must have locations, designs, sizes suitable to the advertising planning.

Table 1 – Provisions for freestanding billboards and lightboxes along non-urban roads

2.2.1.7 Billboards and lightboxes fixedly attached/mounted to the exterior of low-rise buildings must ensure fire safety, evacuation, rescue and salvage regulations; not affect the load-bearing capacity and structure of the building; must be fixedly and firmly connected to the building and the following provisions:

2.2.1.7.1 Front or rear: Each floor may have 01 (one) horizontal billboard and 01 (one) vertical billboard adjacent to the signage (if any); In case there is no signage, only 01 (one) horizontal billboard and 01 (one) vertical billboard are allowed:

a) For horizontal billboards and lightboxes: protruding from the exterior of the building by a maximum of 0.2 m with a maximum height of 2 m, the width must not exceed the width limit of the building;

b) For vertical billboards and lightboxes: mounted/attached close to the exterior of the building with a maximum width of 1 m, a maximum height of 4 m but not exceeding the height of the building floor where the billboard is placed.

2.2.1.7.2 Side: Billboards and lightboxes must be firmly connected and fixedly attached to the side of the building. The number and location of billboards and lightboxes must be consistent with the approved advertising planning and comply with the following provisions:

a) The area of billboards and lightboxes is only allowed to be a maximum of 50% of the side area of the building with dimensions not exceeding the side limit of the building at the location of the billboard;

b) For buildings with a height of up to 4 stories, the height of billboards and lightboxes must not protrude above the roof slab by 1.5 m;

c) For buildings with a height of 5 stories or more, the total area of billboards and lightboxes must not exceed the side area limit of the building.

2.2.1.8 Billboards and lightboxes attached/mounted to fences/walls surrounding the building: Apply the provisions in 2.2.1.7;

The height must not exceed the height of the fence/wall;

Must be surveyed and calculated to ensure the load-bearing capacity of the fence/wall; Must be firmly and fixedly connected, close to the fence/wall.

2.2.2 For outdoor dedicated advertising screens

2.2.2.1 Outdoor dedicated advertising screens must not use sound.

2.2.2.2 Freestanding outdoor dedicated advertising screens have a minimum height measured from the highest point of the road surface to the bottom edge of the screen of 5 m.

2.2.2.3 In case outdoor dedicated advertising screens are attached/mounted to the exterior of buildings, apply the provisions in 2.2.1.7 and 2.2.1.8.

2.2.3 For signage

2.2.3.1 Location: hanging/attached/mounted close to the gate or front of the headquarters or place of business of the organization or individual.

2.2.3.2 In case the signage is hung horizontally across the gate or entrance, it must ensure a clearance height from the bottom edge of the signage to the highest point of the entrance surface of not less than 4.25 m.

2.2.4 For advertising media in the form of letters, figures, symbols

Advertising media in the form of letters, figures, symbols apply the provisions in section 2.2.1.

NOTE: The method for calculating the equivalent area is provided in Appendix B.

3 MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS

3.1 The owner of outdoor advertising media is responsible for: technical survey, reporting on the current status; complying with construction permit and management regulations according to the permit of the local competent authority on construction; conducting periodic inspection and maintenance as prescribed and ensuring safety conditions for outdoor advertising media throughout the construction/installation period as well as the existence period of the outdoor advertising media.

3.2 Transitional conditions

3.2.1 Outdoor advertising media that have been approved by the competent authority on construction and advertising planning but not yet constructed or installed, not complying with the provisions of this Regulation, must be adjusted to comply before being constructed or installed.

3.2.2 Existing outdoor advertising media with locations, sizes, designs not complying with the provisions of this Regulation are only allowed to exist until the expiration date stated in the advertising permit.

3.2.3 In case outdoor advertising media do not meet the provisions in sections 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4 and 2.1.5 of this Regulation, reinforcement and repair must be completed within 06 months at the latest from the effective date of this Regulation.

Appendix A Scope where installation of advertising media is not permitted for road bridges and tunnels

LEGEND:

A : Safety corridor boundary for road bridges and tunnels (according to regulations on management and protection of road traffic infrastructure)

Appendix B Method for calculating equivalent area of advertising media in the form of letters/figures/symbols

Figure A.3 – Advertising media in the form of letters/figures/symbols attached to a flat surface

LEGEND:

H : Height of letter/figure/symbol S : Area of one letter/figure/symbol

B : Width of letter/figure/symbol ∑s : Advertising area