Emergency preparedness is not something that should be taken lightly. Following accepted practices and guidelines is not simply a matter of public safety, but also of compliance with the law.
On that note, under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design there are renewed requirements for exit signs, specifically for signs that show a “means of egress,” that is, access points (doors) to exit routes that are “separated from the interior spaces of the building…and that lead to the exit discharge or public right of way.”
Specifically, there are numerous requirements for braille exit signs themselves. Here’s a quick overview of what you should know.
What Are the ADA Requirements for Braille Exit Signs?
To maintain compliance with the ADA’s updated codes, all exit doors should be clearly marked with a tactile sign with raised letters and braille lettering.
The type of characters used on the sign is subject to specific regulations as well. Braille exit signs must feature upper case characters in sans serif fonts in which the upper case “O” is between 55% and 110% of the height of the upper case letter “I”.
The height of the characters should be between ⅝” and 2”, measured from the baseline of each character. Any raised borders or decorative elements should be removed from the raised characters by a distance of at least ⅜”.
As stated, characters must also be raised above the background, in this case by at least 1/32”. Braille exit signs must also be marked with Grade #2 braille.
The signs must also have characters printed in stark contrast to the background color of the sign (letters are commonly colored white and placed over darker-colored backgrounds). Additionally, the background of the sign itself must feature a glare-free finish.
One single sign is not required to have all of these elements, however. The ADA allows two signs to be mounted; one may be visual whereas the other is tactile. The signs should be in bright colors that contrast with the door or wall on which they are mounted.
Common practice is to mount an illuminated red “Exit” sign to the ceiling (the visual sign) and a braille exit sign next to the door.
Where Should Braille Exit Signs Be Mounted?
Tactile signs must be mounted in such a fashion that the lowest line of raised text is at least 48” from the floor. The top of the raised text must not reach beyond 60” from the floor.
When mounted to the wall, exit door signage should be mounted on the latch side of the door; if there are double doors, the sign should be placed on the right side.
If there is insufficient wall space, the sign may be mounted on the push-side of a door provided that the door has no device to hold it open and closes automatically.
Where Can I Get High-Quality Braille Exit Signs at a Good Price?
Looking for high-quality braille exit signs to help ensure that your facility is fully ADA-compliant? Visit Braille Sign Pros online at BrailleSignPros.com.
They carry a wide range of ADA braille exit signs in multiple sizes and background colors, made to the precise specifications of the ADA, with raised lettering and Grade #2 braille. Many of them are also California-compliant and feature double-sided foam backing for ease of installation.
Their signs are also made in the United States, uphold the highest quality standards in the industry, and orders over $125 are eligible for free shipping. For more information visit their website via the link above or get in touch with them at Sales@BrailleSignPros.com directly if you have any additional questions.
