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ADA Signage Requirements

C

CAR

SAWHORSE
Joined
Feb 14, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Chicago, IL
Hello,
I can't seem to find an exact requirement for which rooms signs require (or don't require braille). When I do my searches. I mostly find commercial sites posting their interpretations. But not a cut and dry requirement from ADA. I'm pasting one such example, because I'm not sure if it's accurate or not.

Thank you!
 

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Not sure about ADA, but here is what the IBC requires.

1111.1 Signs
Required accessible elements shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility at the following locations.
  1. Accessible parking spaces required by Section 1106.1.
    Exception: Where the total number of parking spaces provided is four or less, identification of accessible parking spaces is not required.
  2. Accessible parking spaces required by Section 1106.2.
    Exception: In Group I-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 facilities, where parking spaces are assigned to specific dwelling units or sleeping units, identification of accessible parking spaces is not required.
  3. Accessible passenger loading zones.
  4. Accessible rooms where multiple single-user toilet or bathing rooms are clustered at a single location.
  5. Accessible entrances where not all entrances are accessible.
  6. Accessible check-out aisles where not all aisles are accessible. The sign, where provided, shall be above the check-out aisle in the same location as the checkout aisle number or type of check-out identification.
  7. Family or assisted-use toilet and bathing rooms.
  8. Accessible dressing, fitting and locker rooms where not all such rooms are accessible.
  9. Accessible areas of refuge in accordance with Section 1009.9.
  10. Exterior areas for assisted rescue in accordance with Section 1009.9.
  11. In recreational facilities, lockers that are required to be accessible in accordance with Section 1109.9.
1111.2 Directional Signage
Directional signage indicating the route to the nearest like accessible element shall be provided at the following locations. These directional signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility and sign characters shall meet the visual character requirements in accordance with ICC A117.1.
  1. Inaccessible building entrances.
  2. Inaccessible public toilets and bathing facilities.
  3. Elevators not serving an accessible route.
  4. At each separate-sex toilet and bathing room indicating the location of the nearest family/assisted use toilet or bathing room where provided in accordance with Section 1109.2.1.
  5. At exits and exit stairways serving a required accessible space, but not providing an approved accessible means of egress, signage shall be provided in accordance with Section 1009.10.
  6. Where drinking fountains for persons using wheelchairs and drinking fountains for standing persons are not located adjacent to each other, directional signage shall be provided indicating the location of the other drinking fountains.
1111.3 Other Signs
Signage indicating special accessibility provisions shall be provided as shown.
  1. Each assembly area required to comply with Section 1108.2.7 shall provide a sign notifying patrons of the availability of assistive listening systems. The sign shall comply with ICC A117.1 requirements for visual characters and include the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss.
    Exception: Where ticket offices or windows are provided, signs are not required at each assembly area provided that signs are displayed at each ticket office or window informing patrons of the availability of assistive listening systems.
  2. At each door to an area of refuge, an exterior area for assisted rescue, an egress stairway, exit passageway and exit discharge, signage shall be provided in accordance with Section 1013.4.
  3. At areas of refuge, signage shall be provided in accordance with Section 1009.11.
  4. At exterior areas for assisted rescue, signage shall be provided in accordance with Section 1009.11.
  5. At two-way communication systems, signage shall be provided in accordance with Section 1009.8.2.
  6. In interior exit stairways and ramps, floor level signage shall be provided in accordance with Section 1023.9.
  7. Signs identifying the type of access provided on amusement rides required to be accessible by Section 1110.4.8 shall be provided at entries to queues and waiting lines. In addition, where accessible unload areas also serve as accessible load areas, signs indicating the location of the accessible load and unload areas shall be provided at entries to queues and waiting lines. These directional sign characters shall meet the visual character requirements in accordance with ICC A117.1.
 
Do note that the IBC Sections I posted are just specifying where signs for accessible elements are required.

Where providing signage that is not required, you may still need to provide signage that is accessible. The "provide it for some, provide it for all" concept.

As an example, a sign indicating the use of a room or a room number, is not required per the code. But if you provide such sign, it should be provided with raised characters and braille to avoid discrimination.
 
classicT said:
Do note that the IBC Sections I posted are just specifying where signs for accessible elements are required.

Where providing signage that is not required, you may still need to provide signage that is accessible. The "provide it for some, provide it for all" concept.

As an example, a sign indicating the use of a room or a room number, is not required per the code. But if you provide such sign, it should be provided with raised characters and braille to avoid discrimination.
Click to expand...
Got it. Thank you so much for the quick reply!
 
If the jurisdiction has adopted IBC Appendix E, (2015), they can enforce Section E107.2 which states, Destinations. Interior and exterior signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces shall be visual characters, raised characters and braille complying with ICC A117.1. It gives a couple of exceptions for exterior signs, directories, and temporary signs.
 
2010 ADA Standards: You have to start in Chapter 2, Scoping Requirements. That will then direct you to the applicable technical requirements in the other chapters.

"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."​
​
"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."​
​
"703.1 General. Signs shall comply with 703. Where both visual and tactile characters are required, either one sign with both visual and tactile characters, or two separate signs, one with visual, and one with tactile characters, shall be provided."​
​
"703.2 Raised Characters. Raised characters shall comply with 703.2 and shall be duplicated in braille complying with 703.3. Raised characters shall be installed in accordance with 703.4."​
​
"703.3 Braille. Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2) and shall comply with 703.3 and 703.4."​
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"703.5 Visual Characters. Visual characters shall comply with 703.5."​

Directional and informational signs and accessible means of egress directional signs do not require tactile characters (neither has a reference to Section 703.2), just compliance with Section 703.5, which only requires signage with visual characters of a certain size, stroke, spacing, and contrast.

Permanent room/space signs are not required, but if you do provide them, then you have to have visual and tactile characters (raised letters and braille). Exit doors are required to have signage with both visual and tactile characters. Restrooms need only provide signage per Section 703.5.
 
Note: you are dealing with 2 issues, one is code related (not all states are equal is what as required and at a minimum the other is ADA (Federal Law), both are nor necessisairily required.
If you provide signs they must at a minimum comply with ADA as RLGA has indicated above.
Venders are not always up to date on each states requirements.
 
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