The ADA regulations for singage location cover three things:
- Location relative to the door of the room it designates
- Installation Height of characters
- Clear floor space
This newsletter will explain each one and will give some examples of ambigous locations.
Scope of Coverage
The ADA has requirements on when a sign must comply with the Standards. These requirements are found in the scoping section 216. Not all signs must comply. Below are some of the signs that are required to meet certain minimum standards:
216.2 Designations. Interior and exterior signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces shall comply with 703.1, 703.2, and 703.5. Where pictograms are provided as designations of permanent interior rooms and spaces, the pictograms shall comply with 703.6 and shall have text descriptors complying with 703.2 and 703.5.
The picture above shows a sign for an office suite. Since these may not always be office (could be storage, conference rooms etc) This sign is not designating “permanent” rooms and do not have to comply
216.4 Means of Egress. Signs for means of egress shall comply with 216.4.
216.4.1 Exit Doors. Doors at exit passageways, exit discharge, and exit stairways shall be identified by tactile signs complying with 703.1, 703.2, and 703.5.
216.4.2 Areas of Refuge. Signs required by section 1003.2.13.5.4 of the International Building Code (2000 edition) or section 1007.6.4 of the International Building Code (2003 edition) (incorporated by reference, see “Referenced Standards” in Chapter 1) to provide instructions in areas of refuge shall comply with 703.5.
216.4.3 Directional Signs. Signs required by section 1003.2.13.6 of the International Building Code (2000 edition) or section 1007.7 of the International Building Code (2003 edition) (incorporated by reference, see “Referenced Standards” in Chapter 1) to provide directions to accessible means of egress shall comply with 703.5
216.6 Entrances. Where not all entrances comply with 404, entrances complying with 404 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Directional signs complying with 703.5 that indicate the location of the nearest entrance complying with 404 shall be provided at entrances that do not comply with 404.
The sign is a directional sign which provides information to the accessible entrance
Here are the sections referenced above and what they are about:
703.1- gives guidance for raised and tactile characters and braille
703.2- Gives the requirements for raised characters
703.3- Gives the requirements for Braille
703.4- Gives the requirements for Installation Height and Location of signage
Location of ADA Signage
The ADA requires that accessible signs be located alongside the door at the latch side:
703.4.2 Location.
- Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side.
The picture above shows the Accessible sign designating the permanent restroom was located next to the latch side of the door
The picture above shows the Accessible sign designating the permanent room was located next to the latch side of the door and it is either mounted on the side light or on the wall away from the glass. Either of those locations are acceptable.
The picture above shows the Accessible sign designating the permanent restroom was located next to the hinge side of the door
- Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf.
The picture above shows the Accessible sign designating the permanent restroom was located next to the hinge side of the door
- Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with two active leafs, the sign shall be located to the right of the right hand door.
The picture above shows the Accessible sign at double doors with two active leaves designating the permanent room can be located at either side of the doors
- Where there is no wall space at the latch side of a single door or at the right side of double doors, signs shall be located on the nearest adjacent wall.
The picture above shows the Accessible sign at walls outside the restrooms. The doors did not have enough room for a sign at the latch side so they can be located at the wall closest to the strike
The picture above shows the Accessible sign at the hinge side of the restroom door
The picture above shows the Accessible sign at walls outside the restrooms without doors. A cased opening will be similar to a door. The sign can be located anywhere along the wall.
Clear Floor Space to read the signs
ADA reqires that signage have a clear floor space of 18″x18″ beyond the swing of the door and centered below the sign.
- Signs containing tactile characters shall be located so that a clear floor space of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position.
The image above shows the reason why the 18″x18″ must be located beyond the swing of the door. This prevents a person from getting hit by the door as they read the sign.
The photo above shows the restroom sign next to the strike side of the door
The photo above shows the restroom sign 8″ from the door which is less than the 9″ min. required from the door the centerline of the sign.
The photo above shows the restroom sign between the wall and the drinking fountain.
The photo above shows the clear floor space less than 18″x18″. The drinking fountain is located inside the clear floor space
The p18″x18″ clear floor space must be located away from the swing of the door
The photo above shows the clear floor space less than 18″x18″. The drinking fountain is located inside the clear floor space
Can the sign be located on the door?
An accessible sign is required to be located on a wall alongside the latch side of the door. But there is one exception that allows the sign to be located on a door. If the door has a closer a sign can be located on the push side of the door.
EXCEPTION: Signs with tactile characters shall be permitted on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.
The photo above shows the sign located on the pull side of the door
Height of ADA Signage
The height of the sign is required to be mounted between 48″ to 60″ a.f.f. to the bottom of the raised characters
703.4.1 Height Above Finish Floor or Ground. Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character
The photo above shows the sign mounted higher than 60″ a.f.f to the bottom of the raised characters
The photo above shows a sign with raised characters
The photo above shows a sign with raised characters mounted at 61 1/2″ a.f.f.
Summary
1) The location of the sign must be located on the wall closest to the strike side of the door of the room it designates
2) If there is no room adjacent the strike side, it is allowed to be located on a wall adjacent the door’s strike side
3) An 18″x18″ clear floor space and centered below the sign and located beyond the swing of the door must be provided.
4) At a double leaf door , the sign can be located adjacent eigher active leaf
5) At a double leaf with one active leaf, the sign can be located on the inactive leaf.
6) The sign may be located on a door provided that it is a push side approach and the door have a closer.