With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act by Congress in 1990, the job of the facility manager got a little bit harder. However, we at The Sign Center like to think that it got a little bit easier for those who manage buildings to figure out how to make the user experience more enjoyable for people of all abilities.
Facility Management ADA Signs
It can be a bit daunting trying to wade your way through all of the requirements for ADA signs for facility managers in North Jersey. The ADA mandates certain characteristics of markers that provide information or directions and signs that designate permanent space or rooms. Some of the elements of your signage that you need to keep in mind are:
Contrast – You must have a 70 percent light to dark or dark to light contrast between the copy color and the background of the sign. This harsh of a contrast may not complement your interior décor, but this level of contrast is needed improve legibility, which is a must for catering to people with visual impairments.
Mounting Position – Signs that are used to identify rooms have to be mounted on the knob side of the door at a height of 60 inches to the center of the marker. And, overhead signs should have a clearance of 80 inches.
Copy Height – Raised, uppercase copy of between 5/8 of an inch and two inches high must be used for permanent room identification. Grade 2 Braille should also accompany the copy. Overhead signs need to have at least three inch high lettering. The requirements for exterior traffic signs vary based on the speed of passing vehicles. We recommend that exterior pedestrian wayfinding signs be less than an inch and a half high, so pedestrians can read them, and motorists are not distracted by irrelevant messages.
ADA Signs You Should Not Forget
As you are shopping for facility management signs for North Jersey, there are certain markers that are easy to forget. Here are some signs you may have missed:
Areas of Rescue Assistance – In the event of an emergency, it may be difficult for visitors with mobility issues to exit the buildings. These appropriately labelled areas will let rescue personnel know where to go as soon as they enter a building.- In Stairwells – You are required to have a tactile sign for each door inside of a stairwell. These markers should identify the exit level, floor level, and stair level.
- By the Elevator – Finding the elevator does not typically present much of a challenge for people with disabilities, but you still need to label it, since it is a permanent fixture in your building. Additionally, this is a good location for a sign outlining evacuation routes.
These are just some of the spots facility mangers forget about. If you are new to the ADA game or just want to make sure you have not overlooked anything, feel free to contact the friendly experts at The Sign Center for a free, no string attached consultation!
