When and Where to use Photoluminescent Signs

 

When and Where to use Photoluminescent Signs

Since 911 “glow-in-the-dark” luminous signage has become more and more prevalent. If your job is to sign a building, or replace existing signage, you may be wondering whether or not you need these types of signs. When you should utilize photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) signs varies depending on the building type, jurisdiction and applicable building and fire safety regulations and codes. Luminous (glow in the Dark) signage is critical in emergency and low light conditions. Following are some common scenarios where photoluminescent signs may be required:

1. Buildings noted as “High Rise”

In high rise buildings, such as apartments or office buildings, photoluminescent signs and path markings is often required based on fire codes like the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, or IBC (International Building Code.) Standards set forth in the International Fire Code (IFC) may also mandate the use of luminous signage. Such signage allows patrons and building occupants to safely exit buildings during emergencies where no light or low light conditions exist.

2. Emergency Exit (Egress) Routes

Stairwells can often be mandated to have photoluminescent markings. This may include photoluminescent tapes or luminous markings on handrails, stairs, door handles and floor perimeters. Luminous “running man” directional exit signs, stairwell, elevator and fire extinguisher signs may also be required.

3. Facilities that are Below Ground

Often in underground facilities, you will see the use of photoluminescent signs. This would include basements, tunnels, park garages, subways, etc. Such signage is ideal in emergency situations to assist occupants during evacuation when power is out and no natural light is prominent.

4. Industrial / Commerce

Workplace safety requirements such as those associated with OSHA may require luminous glow in the dark signs in business or industrial settings to assure safety and safe evacuation in workplace settings.

5. New York

As stated earlier, since "911" New York has mandated photoluminescent egress path markings in stairwells and is required in high rise buildings, (Local Law 26) This law establishes many fire safety requirements for buildings of specific heights including adding sprinkler systems, backup power supplies and safety signage.

6. Elevators

It is common to exhibit photoluminescent fire emergency evacuation maps outside elevators to assist with building evacuation in emergency and light compromised situations, and to ensure the elevator is not used. These building map signs with “you are here” notations are commonly found throughout office buildings, schools, hospitals and public facilities indicating exit routes and points of evacuation.

It is important that when purchasing photoluminescent signs of any type, that you check codes and mandates for the standards set for the actual signs required. Such standards may include meeting UL924 standards, the use of proper symbols and letter heights, and/or performance standards for lumination (i.e. - a specific amount of luminance after a certain period of time.)

Finally, and most importantly, to determine the exact requirements for photoluminescent (glow in the dark) signs in your building or facility, you should refer to local/state/federal building codes, fire safety regulations, and/or specific industry standards, as well as consult with your local/state building inspector(s) and fire marshal.

JustBrailleSigns offers a full line of photoluminescent signs and marking tapes to help keep you compliant.

Making ADA Braille Signs Uniquely Designed and custom

 

Interior ADA Sign’s Don’t Have to be Boring

Are you wondering how you can add a little flare and pizazz to your ADA Braille signs? Well, it’s official, SCS Sign now has the capabilities of large format digital printing using modern and heat curing technologies. Our environmentally friendly latex inks have ideal adhesion to acrylic allowing for unique customized 2^nd surface (subsurface) acrylic braille signs. We can take clear non-glare acrylic in various thicknesses, and manufacture custom ADA signs with vibrant colors and uniquely designed back printed “encapsulated” patterns and prints. For sign companies, designers and architects, this opens up many possibilities when it comes to adding aesthetic appeal to your ADA signage design. Add multiple material layers in varying colors with unique shapes, combined with custom printed logos, patterns, and designs, and the aesthetic appeal of your ADA signs can be enhanced tremendously.

Large format latex printing also has other advantages:

Versatility in Media Handling – We can handle a wide range of substrates and media including .010 velveteen lexan film, vinyl, metals, paper and more. Such versatility allows us to print on various materials for multiple applications.

Outdoor Durability – Latex inks are known for outdoor durability and resistance to scratching and fading making them ideal for outdoor applications.

Environmentally Friendly – These water based inks have very low levels of VOC’s making them more eco-friendly compared to solvent inks common in today’s sign industry. These inks are also odorless which is often needed for indoor signage. Such inks are UL-ECOGLOW certified for reduced environmental impact.

Wide Color Range - Latex ink technology covers a wide range of accurate color reproduction capabilities. This is imperative where color accuracy is required in branding and corporate graphics and signage.

Our Latex Printer allows JustBrailleSigns.com to provide you highly customized, appealing and unique ADA braille signage. Give us a call, and remember…..”ADA Signs Don’t Have to be Boring!”

For Help or Assistance please be sure to visit our contact us page

Are your room number signs ADA compliant?

ADA ROOM NUMBER SIGNS

The most common sign requiring ADA compliance is the typical room number sign. Interior ADA room number signs are prevalent in all sorts of buildings including hotels, apartment buildings, condos, office buildings, and student housing.

Generally, a compliant ADA room number signs will have the following features:

1. Numbers shall be in a simple serif non-condensed non-italic medium weight font, tactile and raised 1/32” minimum, and a minimum of 5/8” in height. Spacing between individual characters shall be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of character height, (generally a minimum of 1/8”.)

2. Grade 2 domed braille should be located under the numbers. Braille shall be separated 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from any other tactile characters and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from raised borders and decorative elements.

3. Background color of the sign face shall be non-glare, and sharply contrast with the number/text color.

4. Although state guidelines may differ, When installing an ADA compliant braille sign, the braille and tactile characters of the sign must fall between 48" and 60" from the floor. Remember the baseline (or bottom) of the highest line can be no higher than 60", and the bottom text, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character, can be no lower than 48". The sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side.

Decorative accent pieces, unusual shapes, logos, and multiple colors are generally acceptable sign additions that can make a boring ADA room number sign into a visually stunning piece. JustBrailleSigns.com offers eight design series options that allow you to choose braille ADA room numbers signs in a variety of design formats to be used for hotel room number signs, apartments room numbers signs, etc..

Still unsure about what you need or require. Contact us at customerservice@scssign.com or 1-888-462-5008

ADA SIGN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES: HOW AND WHERE DO I INSTALL MY ADA BRAILLE SIGNS?

We at JustBrailleSigns.com often get asked where and how to install ADA braille signs: What is the ADA sign height requirements? How about the ADA bathroom sign height?

The "how" to install ADA signs is pretty simple; use double faced adhesive tape and 100% silicone adhesive with a level. Where to install your signs is a little more complicated!  The following the ADA installation guidelines below should work for most situations, (Be aware that some states and municipalities may have different installation requirements.)   

Evacuation "You Are Here" Sign Maps

EVACUATION AND "YOU ARE HERE" SIGNS 

Depending on local fire or state and city codes, buildings are required to have an evacuation or directional maps. These signs typically are located by elevators or other strategic wayfinding locations. We usually recommend a UV digital print on rigid colored acrylic to be the most effective means of making these specialty signs, in sizes usually around 10"wide x 12" high.  "Glow in the dark" maps can also be manufactured using our specialty photoluminescent materials.

A common requirement in today's facilities, especially hotel and lodging rooms, are evacuation plan signs. These plans, often mounted inside of room doors, indicate the specific room on the plan as well as exit paths to stairs or other egress points. With the advancement in personal printer technology, often times we recommend the purchase of a simple clear plastic piece of acrylic folded over to accommodate an 8-1/2" x 11" paper printed floor plan. This is often the least expensive way to provide important fire exit information.

California requires similar evacuation maps at elevators, outside of enclosed stairwells, and at main entrances to office buildings, hotels and lodges. The regulations for these maps is very specific and they require notation of stairways, exits, fire alarm pulls, and a "you are here" designation. In addition, these signs require of identification of the alarm system's sound and appearance along with an emergency number. All text is required to be 5/8" minimum.

California's requirements may seem like overkill, but we cannot overstate enough the importance of how such signage can potentially save lives and reduce liabilities. Justbraillesigns.com has expertise in the manufacturing of evacuation map signs, and our investment in direct to substrate technology allows us to print complex maps and instructions on almost any substrate resulting in amazing detail and color. Call us with any inquiries at 888-462-5008, or refer to our contact information at www.justbraillesigns.com

Your Stairwell and Effective Stairwell Signage

 EFFECTIVE STAIRWELL SIGNS

We are often asked about what proper stairwell signage is required in conventional building stairwells. This is often a difficult question, because it depends on your state's version of the International Building Code they are enforcing. Add to this the fact that many local municipalities have their own requirements for stairwell signage, and things can get confusing. The bottom line is to always check with your state and local building inspectors and Fire Marshal to assure your stairwell signs are compliant. That being said, when you combine NFPA and IFC/IBC guidelines, we can come up with a common stairwell sign with the following characteristics.

SIZE:

IFC 1023.9.1 indicates signs shall be a minimum of 18” x 12”

TEXT: (PER ADA, IFC/IBC and NFPA 7.2.2.5.4.1)

- The top text should designate stairway identification and charcaters should be 1-1/2” tall minimum.

- Text designating NO ROOF ACCESS (character height - 1” minimum)

- Floor level number shall be a minimum of 5” tall (Note that Mezzanine levels should be marked with “M” and basement levels with “B” or something else appropriate.

CBC 1023.9 requires a five pointed star next to the level number if this level is a point of discharge.)

- Sign text should also include the lower and upper terminus of the stairwell in (character height - 1” minimum.)

- Text should spell out the level, and direction to, exiting the building (character height – 1” minimum.)

- Tactile letters shows good intent and coincides with ADA

MATERIALS:

Generally speaking the letters of the stairwell ID sign should contrast well with the background color, (i.e. - dark background with light letters or vice versa.) Letters and background ideally should have a non-glare finish.

BRAILLE:

Depending on state or local codes, this may or may not be a requirement, but it is always best to include braille and show good intent.

PHOTOLUMINESCENT:

Again, depending on state or local codes, glow in the dark stairwell signs may or may not be a requirement. For example, New York City local law 26 requires photoluminescent signage in many instances.

Given the above characteristics and requirements, your stairwell signage would look something like this…

Note that besides the standard stairwell sign (type A.1 and A.2 pictured above), you would also require some additional signage:

1. A floor level sign meeting ADA sign requirements with tactile letters and braille meeting ICC A117.1 requirements should be installed inside the stairwell, and located at each floor level landing next to the door leading from the stairwell into the corridor, (see Sign C above.)

2. If there is an exit door from the stairwell leading to the outside or to the level of exit discharge for the building, there should be an “EXIT” sign with raised characters and braille installed adjacent to this door on the latch side, (Sign B.) Doors leading to an exit door would require and "EXIT ROUTE sign (Sign E.)

3. Corridor and hallway doors leading INTO stairwells require tactile and braille signs designating “STAIRS” or the stairwell identification, (i.e. - “Stair B” "NORTH STAIR" etc..) See sign D above.

Effective Stairwell Signage will not only keep your facility code compliant but more importantly keep your patrons, customers, residence and visitors safe and informed. Visit www.JustBrailleSigns.com for all your stairwell signage needs, or call us with questions. We are here to help!

ADA Signage Requirements

 

SIX Reasons Your Signs may NOT be ADA Compliant

It's not just an arbitrary set of rules. ADA sign compliance is about removing unnecessary barriers for your patrons, employees and customers. A specific set of requirements exists for your interior wall signs as set forth by the Department of Justice’s Americans with Disabilities Act and their approval of the 2010 ADA/ABA Accessabilty Guidelines. Here are the top 6 reasons why your interior signs may not be ADA compliant:

1. Letter Height. Are characters too big or small? From the 2010 Standard for Accessible Design:

703.2.5 Character Height. Character height measured vertically from the baseline of the character shall be 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum based on the height of the uppercase letter “I”.

Simply put, interior ADA compliant wall signs should have characters no smaller than 5/8” and no bigger than 2”. It’s also important that these characters are all CAPS, a sans-serif font, and not too bold or condensed.

703.2.2 Case. Characters shall be uppercase.

703.2.3 Style. Characters shall be sans serif. Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.

703.2.4 Character Proportions. Characters shall be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter “O” is 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter “I”.

2. Character Spacing. Do the letters seem to all run together? Often overlooked when making signs, there needs to be a minimum of 1/8” between the two closest points of adjacent tactile characters, excluding word spaces. What this usually involves when making a compliant sign is spacing characters out a little more than normal, keeping close attention to some character combinations that may graphically be closer than others.

703.2.7 Character Spacing. Character spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters within a message, excluding word spaces. Where characters have rectangular cross sections, spacing between individual raised characters shall be 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum.

3. Line Spacing. Spacing between baselines of separate lines of raised characters should be 135 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the raised character height. Often when designing signs, the interline spacing is decreased to allow more lines of text to fit within the sign space. Doing so may be non-compliant if the lines are too close together, and do not fall within the specified 135-170 percent range.

703.2.8 Line Spacing. Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of raised characters within a message shall be 135 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the raised character height.

4. Pictograms and a 6” Field. Pictograms should have a field height of 6 inches. Signage with symbols such as the man or women symbol on restroom signs require a six inch high background field where characters and braille do NOT exist. Other pictograms in question tend to be those related to signs that are used to designate various rooms and spaces. Pictograms such as those for maps and plans do not need to comply.

703.6.1 Pictogram Field. Pictograms shall have a field height of 6 inches (150 mm) minimum. Characters and braille shall not be located in the pictogram field.

5. Finish and Contrast. This requirements is straightforward stating that interior ADA compliant wall signs need to have a non-glare finish, and symbols of accessibility shall contrast with their background, meaning either a light colored symbol on a dark background or vice-versa. Signs are more legible for those with vision disabilities when characters contrast as much as possible with their background, and surface glare is minimized.

6. Compliant Braille. All sorts of rules apply to the braille that accompanies raised text including position, dot height, spacing, etc. Currently, Grade 2 contracted braille is required, which is a condensed version of braille using 189 contractions and shortened forms of words. Common braille mistakes in ADA signage include using Grade 1 braille where words are spelled out letter-for-letter instead of the contracted Grade 2 braille. Other errors include not locating braille at least 3/8” minimum from raised text, and limiting capitalization only to the first word of sentences, proper nouns/names, individual letters of the alphabet, initials and acronyms.

Ultimately design and manufacturing of ADA compliant interior signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces as required by ADA can be challenging if manufactures are not up-to-date on the rules and regulations. That is why all of us at JustBrailleSigns.com pride ourselves on knowing these intricate regulations and codes for ADA Signage. That being the case... let us know if we can help, and rest assured, your signs are made right at justbraillesigns.com.

About JustBrailleSigns.com

THE HISTORY OF OUR COMPANY

When Jim was a small child he would marvel at his Mother Margie's skill and generosity as she tirelessly hand punched children's books in braille on thick cardstock paper using an old Perkins Braille Embosser. This monstrosity of a machine looked like an old typewriter with only nine keys. Working as a volunteer, Margie's books were given to blind and sight-impaired children for enjoyment and education. It was hard work. Typing on this old Perkins Braille machine was arduous and difficult, often leading to sore fingers, wrists and shoulders. Margie deserves much credit for her plentiful contributions to the blind. As an adult, Jim was inspired to continue his Mother's legacy, and today, along with his two sons, manufacture braille labels and signage of all kinds for the blind and sight impaired. JustBraillesigns.com is brought to you by SCS Sign Company, a full service manufacturer of ADA braille signage. We are experts in braille signage, and some of us have been making ADA braille signs since the inception of the Americans With Disability Act signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.

Back in the day, ADA signs were often simple, hard to find and frankly kind of boring. Even today, finding an ADA Braille sign in your color choice with your custom text for your specific need, in a modern design at a fair price can still be difficult. That's where we come in! JustBrailleSigns.com offers you the flexibility and variety to quickly and easily find the ADA signage you require in sleek customized modern designs.

We have many Sign Series Designs ready to go. Pick the Design Series you like, choose your ADA sign and colors, specify your text, and you're done! Whether you need signs for a restroom, room numbers, directional signs, or stairwell signage, each series is made so that you can purchase a variety of sign types while sticking with the same Sign Design. This keeps all your signs uniform and consistent! What about ADA regulations? Rest assured, we use "best practice" manufacturing techniques that ensure your signs meet or exceed ADA/ABA and CA Title 24 sign requirements and regulations. In fact, we guarantee our signs meet ADA requirements! Factory direct and made in the good ol' USA....it doesn't get any better than that.