·Federal Guidelines for ADA Signs

These accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities were taken from
Sections 4.1.2(7); 4.1.3(16) (a) (b)

SIGNAGE

General Guidelines

Signs which designate permanent rooms and spaces shall comply with the requirements listed below for:
         Raised and Braille Characters and Pictograms
         Finish and Contrast
         Mounting Location and Height

Signs which provide to, or information about, functional spaces of the building shall comply with the requirements below for:
         Character Proportion
         Character Height
         Finish and Contrast

Exception: Building directories, menus and all other signs which are temporary are not
required to comply.
Elements and spaces of accessibilities which shall be identified by the International
Symbol of Accessibility are:
         a. Parking spaces designated as reserved for persons with disabilities;
         b. Accessible passenger loading zones;
         c. Accessible entrances when not all are accessible (inaccessible entrances shall
             have directional signage to indicate route to nearest accessible entrance);
         d. Accessible toilet and bathing facilities when not all are accessible.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: (Sections 4.30.2; 4.30.3; 4.30.4; 4.30.5; 4.30.6; 4.30.7)

CHARACTER PROPORTION: Letters and numbers on signs shall have a width-to- height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1, and a stroke-to-width ratio between1:5 and 1:10.

CHARACTER HEIGHT: Characters and numbers on signs shall be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read. For signs higher than 80" above the finished floor, character size shall be 3" minimum. The minimum height is measured using an upper case X. Lower case letters are permitted.

RAISED AND BRAILLE CHARACTERS AND PICTOGRAMS: Letters and numbers shall be raised 1/32", upper case, sans serif or simple serif type and shall be accompanied by grade II braille. Raised character height: 5/8" minimum, 2" maximum.
Pictograms shall be accompanied by the equivalent verbal description placed directly below the pictogram. The border dimensions for the pictogram shall be 6" minimum.

FINISH & CONTRAST: The characters and background of the signs shall be eggshell, matte, or other non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background (either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background).