ADA SIGNAGE

Best Sign Systems, Inc.
1202 N. Park Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401
Tel: (970) 249-BEST or (970) 249-2378
Toll-Free: (800) 235-BEST or (800) 235-2378
Fax: (970) 249-0223
E-mail: sales@bestsigns.com
Web site: http://www.bestsigns.com

BEST's exclusive Graphic Blast^® engraving process can carve nearly any black and white artwork and copy into most man-made materials (melamine plastics, Corian^®, tile, stone panel, brick, Avonite^®, glass, mirror, and fiberglass to name just a few), stone, and wood. Raised copy and braille is not available on metals. The process is ideal for tactile and braille signs requiring raised images. BEST has been manufacturing tactile and braille signage using the Graphic Blast^® process since 1978, long before ADA became a reality. The Graphic Blast^® process can be used to both engrave and raise lettering and braille on the same sign. It allows virtually unlimited graphics and text flexibility.

For standard ADA signage, BEST recommends melamine plastics (“MP” plastic). The legibility, longevity, durability, and overall quality of melamine laminates are far superior to acrylics and photopolymers. Melamine plastics meet virtually all municipal, state and federal fire safety and building codes and are NEMA rated “self-extinguishing”. BEST “MP” plastic is available in 23 colors.

BEST ADA sign choices - To learn more about each choice, go to profile titled:

HC300 ADA System
HC200 ADA System
Custom ADA Signs
1300 Wood Frame System
1400 Wood Frame System
1500 Wood Frame System
Standard Word & Picture Signs
Changeable Message Signs
Captive Message Signs
Fire Evacuation & Area of Rescue Assistance Signs

Corner/border styles for ADA systems

To specify optional corner/border styles, add style letters as suffix to module number:

  SS = Square corner/Square border
  SR = Square corner/Radius border
  RR = Radius corner/Radius border
  S = Square corner/No border
  R = Radius corner/No border

Photo Caption

On our “MP” Plastic and most other materials, the braille dots are available in either our standard braille or in “domed” braille.

Summary of ADA signage accessibility requirements

Types of signs mentioned in the regulations are:

“Signs which designate permanent rooms and spaces”
Permanent rooms and spaces are not defined in the regulations. The federal office in charge of interpreting the regulations defines permanent rooms and spaces as areas whose function will not change once they are assigned. They will normally be used for the same purpose in the foreseeable future. Permanent room signs have the most requirements, which include tactile and braille lettering.

“Signs which are temporary”
Building directories, menus and all other signs which provide temporary information about rooms and spaces, such as occupant name signs, are not required to comply with ADA regulations.

“Signs which provide direction to, or information about, functional spaces”
Wall mounted signs “which provide direction to or information about functional spaces” are not required to have tactile and braille lettering. However, they must meet requirements for character proportion and height, finish and contrast.

“Suspended or projected overhead”
“Suspended or projected overhead” signs need only meet requirements for clearance, character proportion and height, sign finish and contrast.

Other Regulations Referencing Signage:

Elements and spaces of accessible facilities which must be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility are:

    a)  parking spaces designated as reserved for disabled,
    b)  accessible passenger loading zones,
    c)  accessible entrances when not all are accessible,
    d)  accessible toilet/bathing facilities when not all are accessible.

Entrances and exits which are not accessible must have complying directional signage which indicates the location of the nearest accessible entrance or exit.

Public telephones which are required to be accessible must have signage complying with applicable provisions, including identification with the international TDD symbol and/or international symbol for hearing loss.

Each area of rescue assistance must be identified by a sign which states “AREA OF RESCUE ASSISTANCE” and displays the international symbol of accessibility. The sign must be illuminated only when exit sign illumination is required. Signage must also be installed at all inaccessible exits and where otherwise necessary to clearly indicate the direction to areas of rescue assistance. Instructions on the use of the area must be posted.

Parking and passenger loading zones - Accessible parking spaces must be designated by a sign showing the symbol of accessibility. Spaces complying with van accessibility must have additional “Van-Accessible” information mounted near the symbol of accessibility. The sign cannot be obscured by a vehicle parked in the space, and, therefore should be high enough to be seen over a van. “Signs designating parking places for disabled can be seen from a driver's seat if the signs are mounted high enough above the ground and located at the front of a parking space.” Tactile characters and grade 2 braille are not required for these signs.

Elevator entrances must have raised character and Braille floor designations provided on both jambs. The characters must be 2" high upper case and raised 1/32". All elevator control buttons must be designated by Braille and by raised standard alphabet characters for letters, arabic characters for numerals, or standard symbols as shown in the regulations and ASME A17.1-1990.

Grade 2 Braille:

Grade 2 (contracted) braille is specified in the signage section.  Federal regulators agree that the dot dimensions are approximate and should be close to those approved by various blind associations. Dot height can be from .020" (per blind foundation specs) to 1/32", the ADA required character height.  Grade 2 braille translator software is available from several sources.
There are no specifications on where text and grade 2 braille should be located with respect to each other, however, consistency in placement throughout the facility should exist.

Regulation Recap:

Temporary signs are not required to follow any regulation.

Permanent room signs:

Must have characters raised 1/32"
Characters must be upper case and sans serif or “simple serif”
Characters must be accompanied by Grade 2 braille
Raised characters must be a minimum of 5/8" and maximum of 2" high, (based on upper case X)
Equivalent written description (if any) must be placed directly below pictogram (symbol)
Pictogram can be any size within a minimum field of 6" in height
Pictograms can be raised 1/32", but are not required to be raised
Characters and background must be eggshell, matte or other non-glare finish
Characters must contrast with background (either light on dark or dark on light)
Must be mounted on wall adjacent to the latch side of the door (if at all possible)
Must be mounted so a person can approach within 3" and avoid door swing and protruding objects
Mounting height must be 60" from floor to centerline of sign

Directional or informational signs:

Characters must have a width-to-height ratio of between 3:5 and 1:1
Characters must have a stroke width-to-height ratio of between 1:5 and 1:10
Characters are to be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read
Lower case characters are permitted
Characters and background must be eggshell, matte or other non-glare finish
Characters must contrast with background (either light on dark or dark on light)
Pictograms can be any size within any size field

Mixed permanent and informational signs:

Permanent portion must meet permanent regulations; informational portion need meet only informational signage regulations, i.e., classroom sign with permanent room name and teacher's name on a changeable insert.

Suspended or projected overhead signs:

Characters must have a width-to-height ratio of between 3:5 and 1:1
Characters must have a stroke width-to-height ratio of between 1:5 and 1:10
Characters must be a minimum of 3" in height
Characters and background must be eggshell, matte or other non-glare finish
Characters must contrast with background (either light on dark or dark on light)
Must be a minimum 80" clearance between overhead sign and floor

Note: The above information is a brief summary of a complex law and set of regulations and interpretations and is provided as a courtesy to the customers of BEST. Additional detailed information should be obtained from the law and regulations. BEST assumes no liability, either expressed or implied, for errors, omissions or any damages resulting from the use and/or interpretation of this material.

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