Comments on: What does this sign with the red "X" mean?

Question: What does this sign with the red "X" mean?

Pliskie — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:16:27 -0800

What does this sign with the red "X" mean? I frequently see, attached to the front of certain buildings, a large white sign with a red "X" that goes corner to corner (full bleed). I originally thought it was a sign that indicated the building was to be demolished ("demolish here"), but I've since seen as many instances where the building so marked was just refurbished as I have instances where the building was razed.

Google fails me, and I'm certain somebody here must know it.

Here's the closest thing I could find to show what this looks like. Picture this about 2 feet square, attached to the front of a structure. Red X

By: b1tr0t

b1tr0t — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:30:25 -0800

Don't worry about that, it just means that the builder ran out of a particular panel type and is waiting for a refresh from the vendor.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:30:50 -0800

What geography have you seen this in?

By: Pliskie

Pliskie — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:35:12 -0800

Geography? I'm not sure I understand your question, but I've seen it on commercial structures adjacent to main or secondary roads in the Northeastern US.

By: ctmf

ctmf — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:58:52 -0800

Hm. "I require assistance" - maybe it means "now hiring". Which would effectively mean, "Now hiring sailors, the only people who know what this means." Doesn't make much sense for a construction site, unless the whatever-construction-union borrowed the symbol for the same meaning.
In any case, it's apparently not one of the common symbols everyone knows, so it's probably one of those, "If you don't understand, it's not for you anyway" signals.

By: ctmf

ctmf — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:00:24 -0800

Or maybe it's just the logo of a construction company in your area.

By: unSane

unSane — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:23:35 -0800

I think it means 'unfit for human habitation'. Buildings which have just been refurbed are still considered this until they get an occupancy permit or similar from the city.

By: TheOnlyCoolTim

TheOnlyCoolTim — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:25:22 -0800

Here in NYC a spraypainted square with an X inside it means that a building is unsafe to enter, but I only have that from common knowledge, not from any real source. I'm not sure if it means the building is unsafe to enter and slated to be demolished or if it can also mean unsafe to enter until renovation or just unsafe to enter and abandoned.

By: Nodecam

Nodecam — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:17:28 -0800

Is it usually on windows? Could be that they're indicating to the construction workers that they can't bring supplies in through that orifice.

I've seen similar things on large windows of buildings when there's construction going on.

By: Gungho

Gungho — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:34:41 -0800

It means that Firefighters are not to enter the building. It has been determined that the building is structurally unsound in the case of a fire the roof or walls may collapse prematurely.

By: Pliskie

Pliskie — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:49:24 -0800

Sure enough, Gungho and TheOnlyCoolTim have it. Seems to be part of the"FEMA Building Marking System". (big PDF link)

Thanks, all!