ADA compliance requires signage for every permanent room, space or area in or around a building. The ADA outlines four categories of permanent building fixtures, and therefore four general sign categories:<\/p>\n
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- Identification signs:<\/strong>\u00a0The most common ADA sign type, identification signs name a specific room or building zone. You\u2019ll see signs that read \u2018Restroom,\u201d \u201cElevator,\u201d or \u201cAccounts Payable Department.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Informational signs:<\/strong>\u00a0Informational signs give further context to a room or building feature. This category differs from identification signs in that these markings add or clarify information about the room without naming or identifying\u00a0the room type itself. For example, the text may say, \u201cEmployees Only,\u201d or\u00a0\u201cNo Smoking.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Directional or wayfinding signs:\u00a0<\/strong>Directional signs<\/a>\u00a0assist guests in navigating through your building. Organizations from offices to hotels,\u00a0sports arenas\u00a0to schools, and municipal buildings to movie theaters will contain wayfinding signage to help traffic flow and designate building layouts for new guests. These signs usually display an arrow and language like \u201cFaculty Offices Here\u201d\u00a0or \u201cRestrooms This Way.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Overhead signs:<\/strong>\u00a0As the name suggests, overhead signs are a particular class of ADA-regulated signage that hang from ceilings or are vertically mounted on walls at a minimum of 80 inches above the floor. This\u00a0height provides enough clearance<\/a>\u00a0for a\u00a0person with limited vision to move around safely.\u00a0These signs often contain informational and directional text.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
LOCATIONS FOR ADA SIGNS<\/h2>\n
Federal ADA guidelines and many state and local laws require ADA-compliant signs to identify many areas or objects throughout a building, including:<\/p>\n
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- Emergency exits<\/li>\n
- Exits and entryways<\/li>\n
- Elevators<\/li>\n
- Restrooms<\/li>\n
- Accessible parking<\/li>\n
- Passenger loading zones<\/li>\n
- Loading docks<\/li>\n
- Public telephones<\/li>\n
- Fitting rooms<\/li>\n
- Automated teller machines (ATMs)<\/li>\n
- Waiting rooms<\/li>\n
- Alarms<\/li>\n
- Industrial tools<\/li>\n
- Operational machinery<\/li>\n
- Equipment and facility controls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ADA SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS<\/h2>\n
ADA-compliant signs and graphics must adhere to the following design specifications:<\/p>\n
1. SIZE<\/h3>\n
Compliant business signs have both mounting height\u00a0and maximum viewing distance requirements. According to the ADA, most mounting heights should be no lower than 40 inches from the ground and no higher than 120 inches. Viewing distances are calculated in feet and should use logical estimates given a room\u2019s layout, entryways, exits and lines of sight.<\/p>\n
While the ADA doesn\u2019t maintain set sign dimensions, it does have sizing guidelines related to each of the four sign categories.<\/p>\n
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- Sign width:<\/strong>\u00a0A sign\u2019s width is determined by the number of characters \u2014 individual letters, numbers and punctuation marks \u2014 and spaces between characters per line on the sign. The size of each letter and individual space will also play a role in the overall sign width. For example, 14 characters at a font size of 5\/8 an inch will need a 10-inch wide sign.<\/li>\n
- Sign height:<\/strong>\u00a0The height of an ADA-compliant sign depends on its total number of lines and the size of the characters on each line. At a 5\/8-inch font size, you need at least 2 inches of height per line, including the Braille translation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Mounting](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/2-Mounting-Placement.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. MOUNTING AND PLACEMENT<\/h3>\n
ADA-compliant signs can be installed in three configurations\u00a0\u2014 wall-mounted, wall-protruding and overhead.<\/p>\n
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- Wall-mounted signs:<\/strong>\u00a0Wall-mounted identification signs must be placed on the door\u2019s latch side, between 40 to 60 inches off the ground. There should be 18 by 18 inches of open, clear floor space surrounding the placed sign. If double doors are present, signs should be installed to the right side of the right-side door.<\/li>\n
- Wall-protruding signs:<\/strong>\u00a0Signs protruding from walls must be a minimum of 27 inches off the floor and stick out a maximum of four inches. Protruding signs should not block doors, sprinklers or emergency equipment.<\/li>\n
- Overhead signs:<\/strong>\u00a0The bottom of an overhead sign must hang at least 80 inches from the floor and be held by stable, secure means. Like protruding signs, they must not block doors, sprinklers or emergency equipment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Regardless of type, a sign\u2019s final placement should be a minimum of 40 inches from the ground and a maximum of 10 feet from the ground to support reasonable reading vantages.<\/p>\n
3. TEXT<\/h3>\n
Depending on the sign category, individual characters are typically 5\/8 of an inch to 2 inches in size, printed in all uppercase lettering. The ADA also requires all permanent identification signs to contain both visual and tactile elements, meaning one visibly legible set of text and the other understood through touch, namely Braille. Here are the ADA sign requirements for each category of text:<\/p>\n
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- Visual text:<\/strong>\u00a0Visual text encompasses the standard English characters printed in raised text. The raised text should protrude 1\/32 an inch or 0.8 millimeters from the sign\u2019s background, written in all uppercase if it\u2019s an identification sign. Informational, wayfinding and overhead signs can be sentence-case.<\/li>\n
- Tactile text:<\/strong>\u00a0Tactile text most commonly refers to Braille lettering located directly beneath a sign\u2019s visual lines of text, translating the visual text into tactile lettering. Braille needs at least 3\/8 of an inch of spacing on all sides of the lettering.\u00a0Directional or overhead signs may be visual-only, meaning no tactile text is needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The ADA regulates which fonts are appropriate for a sign\u2019s standard printed characters. Sans serif and\u00a0simple\u00a0serif-style fonts are standard. Some fonts that meet ADA requirements include:<\/p>\n
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- Helvetica<\/li>\n
- Futura<\/li>\n
- Avante Garde<\/li>\n
- Franklin Gothic<\/li>\n
- Trebuchet<\/li>\n
- Optima<\/li>\n
- Eras<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A sign\u2019s raised-print text should not contain excess bolding, obliques, italicizations or any other form of font embellishment.<\/p>\n
4. COLORS<\/h3>\n
The ADA recommends signs be \u201chigh contrast.\u201d It does not have rules or regulations on what color signs must be. Instead, it endorses\u00a0the common-sense design benchmark that sign text and sign background colors should have\u00a0at least a 70% color contrast\u00a0ratio. In other words, dark text should be on light backgrounds, and dark backgrounds should display light text.<\/p>\n
5. GRAPHICS<\/h3>\n
ADA sign graphics are called pictograms. Many common accessibility signs contain near-universally recognizable pictograms with simple, centralized symbols signifying their message. A well-known example is the \u201cno smoking\u201d pictogram \u2014 a cigarette with an overlayed circle and diagonal line.\u00a0Of the four sign categories, only identification signage has regulations pertaining to scale, spacing and pictogram placement. A sign with a pictogram included requires a 6-inch high area dedicated solely to the graphic. Although the symbol itself doesn\u2019t have a sizing requirement, a good rule of thumb for visibility is around 4 inches.<\/p>\n
Note: SpeedPro staff members are available to consult and create your sign\u2019s complete, compliant design. The\u00a0ADA\u2019s complete list of sign regulations<\/a>\u00a0can be technical and \u2014 truthfully \u2014 rather confusing.\u00a0Reach out\u00a0so we can help.<\/p>\n
ADA SIGNAGE AND GRAPHICS BY INDUSTRY<\/h2>\n
Certain industries have stricter signage requirements than others. While ADA sign guidelines apply to all businesses and sectors, a few face additional design standards, given their services and facilities.<\/p>\n
1. ADA SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR HOSPITALS<\/h3>\n
Hospitals must have accessible parking spaces, van-accessible parking, properly sloped ramps and wheelchair-accessible traveling routes within and across facilities. In addition, hospitals also maintain some of the most\u00a0varied sign and display types<\/a>, including for these locations:<\/p>\n
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- Waiting rooms<\/li>\n
- Common rooms (public and employee-only)<\/li>\n
- Numbered patient rooms<\/li>\n
- Wayfinding signage<\/li>\n
- Restrooms<\/li>\n
- Authorized personnel-only markers<\/li>\n
- No smoking and no cell phone signs<\/li>\n
- Emergency equipment signs<\/li>\n
- Life safety signs (like emergency exits)<\/li>\n
- Hand washing\/sanitation signage<\/li>\n
- HIPAA reminders<\/li>\n
- Oxygen-in-use signs<\/li>\n
- Message display centers<\/li>\n
- Reserved accessible parking spaces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. ADA SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESTAURANTS<\/h3>\n
Restaurants, bars and cafeterias already maintain federal and state safety and sanitation standards.\u00a0ADA-complaint signage for the food industry<\/a>\u00a0ensures that these sanitation protocols are upheld. It also ensures\u00a0accessible entryways at the ground level or ramp and\u00a0accessible parking spaces with\u00a0signage designating them.<\/p>\n
Restaurants must outfit their interiors and exteriors with signs for:<\/p>\n
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- Primary entryways and exits<\/li>\n
- Emergency exits<\/li>\n
- Restrooms<\/li>\n
- Reserved accessible parking spaces<\/li>\n
- No smoking signs or smoking-designated areas<\/li>\n
- Authorized personnel only<\/li>\n
- Hand washing\/sanitation signage<\/li>\n
- Max restaurant capacity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"ADA](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ADA-signage-requirements-for-grocery-store.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. ADA SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR GROCERY STORES<\/h3>\n
Grocery stores must also provide means for ease of access for people with disabilities. Given the narrow aisles, lanes and frequent redirection required during travel within a store, grocers must create and display fully compliant ADA signage clarifying directions and reducing mobility and visibility burdens. The grocery-specific ADA guidelines include rules for:<\/p>\n
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- Compliantly sized and secured overhead aisle signs<\/li>\n
- Designated accessible parking spaces<\/li>\n
- Primary entryways and exits<\/li>\n
- Emergency exits<\/li>\n
- Emergency equipment signs<\/li>\n
- Alarms<\/li>\n
- Restrooms<\/li>\n
- Employee-only areas (like stockrooms)<\/li>\n
- High-contrast display signs at service counters, including bakeries, butchers and delis<\/li>\n
- Telephones and ATMs<\/li>\n
- Loading or delivery docks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. ADA SIGNAGE FOR MANUFACTURING<\/h3>\n
Warehouses, factories and similar industrial environments require high-visibility, clear and concise messages\u00a0marking various work zones and operating vehicle routes. The safety of workers on the floor depends on it, as does a manufacturer\u2019s reputation.<\/p>\n
ADA signage most relevant to the manufacturing sector include:<\/p>\n
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- Inbound and outbound delivery docks<\/li>\n
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) storage and apparel reminders<\/li>\n
- Transportation equipment and vehicle speed limits<\/li>\n
- Signs adjacent to operational machinery, tools, equipment and facility controls<\/li>\n
- Hazardous materials warnings<\/li>\n
- Emergency equipment<\/li>\n
- Emergency exits<\/li>\n
- Alarm systems<\/li>\n
- No smoking or designated smoking areas<\/li>\n
- Employee common rooms<\/li>\n
- Warehouse offices<\/li>\n
- Elevators or lifts<\/li>\n
- Locker rooms<\/li>\n
- Employee restrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. ADA SIGNAGE FOR RETAILERS AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS \u2013 CIVIC AND MERCANTILE<\/h3>\n
A\u00a0business outfitted with compliant ADA signage<\/a>\u00a0signals their commitment to inclusivity and attention to detail. The majority of commercial buildings should contain some, if not all, of the following compliant signs:<\/p>\n
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- Numbered offices<\/li>\n
- Numbered conference rooms<\/li>\n
- Designated accessible parking<\/li>\n
- Passenger loading zones<\/li>\n
- Inbound and outbound shipment docks<\/li>\n
- Restrooms<\/li>\n
- Fitting rooms<\/li>\n
- Sitting or waiting rooms<\/li>\n
- Emergency equipment<\/li>\n
- Emergency exit signs<\/li>\n
- Alarm systems<\/li>\n
- Elevators and lifts<\/li>\n
- Employee-only areas<\/li>\n
- No smoking signs<\/li>\n
- Telephones<\/li>\n
- ATMs<\/li>\n
- Directional signage<\/li>\n
- Break rooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ADA-COMPLIANT CUSTOM BRAILLE SIGNS<\/h2>\n
Braille characters are mandatory on all identification signs and highly encouraged on informational and wayfinding signage.<\/p>\n
SpeedPro can assist in printed ADA-compliant custom Braille signs for your building\u2019s interiors and exteriors. We\u2019ll make sure all ADA sign tactile text requirements are met, including:<\/p>\n
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- Braille cells:\u00a0<\/b>Each Braille character is known as a cell, with individual cells comprised of tiny textured dots. Dots are dome-shaped \u2014 never square, pointed or plateaued \u2014 and come uniformly sized, 0.06 of an inch wide at the base and 1\/4 of an inch high.<\/li>\n
- Braille case:<\/b>\u00a0Lines of Braille should be written in sentence-case following contracted Grade II Braille shorthand when possible.\u00a0Use uppercase Braille letters when part of a room number, initials or acronyms.\u00a0Grade II Braille contains 265 single characters that represent common words or groups of letters.\u00a0Braille translation software can ensure grammatically correct Grade II shorthand for ADA-compliance.<\/li>\n
- Cell and dot spacing:\u00a0<\/b>Each individual dot should get 0.1 inches of space around its diameter. Space individual Braille cells\u00a00.3 inches away from each other.<\/li>\n
- Braille positioning:\u00a0<\/b>The lowest line of Braille on a sign should be located no less than 4 feet off the ground and no higher than 5 feet from the ground for reachability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ADA SIGN INSTALLATION<\/h2>\n
![\"ADA](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/4-ADA-sign-installation-610x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nInstalling ADA-compliant signs is not only about avoiding inspection fines and legal penalties. It\u2019s also the right thing to do.<\/p>\n
SpeedPro\u2019s nationwide network of studios can help make the right thing to do also the easiest thing to do. Clients ordering custom ADA signage and graphics undergo a step-by-step design process ensuring their signs meet all requirements \u2014 from ideation to\u00a0installation<\/a>.<\/p>\n
1. CONDUCT AN ON-SITE ANALYSIS<\/h3>\n
On-site analyses will measure available wall space, nearby door radius, floor-to-ceiling heights and overall room dimensions. These measurements will provide the base for your mounting options. You\u2019ll need to ensure that the ideal spot for your sign is noticeable and unobstructed at all times.<\/p>\n
Some full-service printing studios \u2014 like SpeedPro \u2014 can perform an on-site analysis for you, providing a complete range of measurements necessary to outfit a correctly sized and spaced sign.<\/p>\n
2. SELECT SIGN CATEGORIES AND SPECIFICATIONS<\/h3>\n
As noted earlier, the ADA recognizes four general categories of signage. Each maintains its own size, character, height, clarity and mounting requirements, among other general visibility and clarity obligations.<\/p>\n
SpeedPro can help you pick the proper sign category for your application and walk you through that type\u2019s detail level and any additional considerations.<\/p>\n
3. DESIGN SIGN TEMPLATES<\/h3>\n
- Braille case:<\/b>\u00a0Lines of Braille should be written in sentence-case following contracted Grade II Braille shorthand when possible.\u00a0Use uppercase Braille letters when part of a room number, initials or acronyms.\u00a0Grade II Braille contains 265 single characters that represent common words or groups of letters.\u00a0Braille translation software can ensure grammatically correct Grade II shorthand for ADA-compliance.<\/li>\n
- Braille cells:\u00a0<\/b>Each Braille character is known as a cell, with individual cells comprised of tiny textured dots. Dots are dome-shaped \u2014 never square, pointed or plateaued \u2014 and come uniformly sized, 0.06 of an inch wide at the base and 1\/4 of an inch high.<\/li>\n
- Tactile text:<\/strong>\u00a0Tactile text most commonly refers to Braille lettering located directly beneath a sign\u2019s visual lines of text, translating the visual text into tactile lettering. Braille needs at least 3\/8 of an inch of spacing on all sides of the lettering.\u00a0Directional or overhead signs may be visual-only, meaning no tactile text is needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Wall-protruding signs:<\/strong>\u00a0Signs protruding from walls must be a minimum of 27 inches off the floor and stick out a maximum of four inches. Protruding signs should not block doors, sprinklers or emergency equipment.<\/li>\n
- Sign height:<\/strong>\u00a0The height of an ADA-compliant sign depends on its total number of lines and the size of the characters on each line. At a 5\/8-inch font size, you need at least 2 inches of height per line, including the Braille translation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Sign width:<\/strong>\u00a0A sign\u2019s width is determined by the number of characters \u2014 individual letters, numbers and punctuation marks \u2014 and spaces between characters per line on the sign. The size of each letter and individual space will also play a role in the overall sign width. For example, 14 characters at a font size of 5\/8 an inch will need a 10-inch wide sign.<\/li>\n
- Informational signs:<\/strong>\u00a0Informational signs give further context to a room or building feature. This category differs from identification signs in that these markings add or clarify information about the room without naming or identifying\u00a0the room type itself. For example, the text may say, \u201cEmployees Only,\u201d or\u00a0\u201cNo Smoking.\u201d<\/li>\n