Commonly Overlooked Exit Sign Requirements
By Mike Shabluk | March 12, 2024
When it comes to tactile exit signs and other displays, there are many rules to follow. Unfortunately, some go overlooked by sign professionals and business owners alike. The fact is that ADA exit sign requirements are more complex than most people realize.
The good news is we’re here to simplify it all for you.
What Role Exit Signs Play in Emergency Preparedness
No one wants to think about a fire, flood, or other disaster affecting their building, especially when people are inside. But business owners need to prepare for such events. It’s not just about ensuring the building is up to code; it’s about keeping people safe, reducing panic, and limiting damage. And that means having the appropriate features in place, including the following:
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke detectors
- Alarms
- Stair access
- Automatic sprinkler systems
- Emergency exits
Many of these features, particularly exits, must have corresponding signage. This makes it easier for people to find and use them in an emergency.
Everyone knows emergency exit signs are crucial for leading people to safety. Yet, many business owners and property managers don’t consider ADA exit sign requirements when they order new displays. As a result, they risk the safety of employees and visitors, along with hefty fines and lawsuits. That’s why sign fabricators and end users should be aware of exit sign requirements. And they should know the consequences of not complying with these regulations.
Why You Need to Follow ADA Exit Sign Requirements
Like all ADA sign specifications, exit sign requirements serve an important purpose. They accommodate people with disabilities. Specifically, they ensure those with limited vision get the information they need. However, installing signs that don’t meet those requirements can significantly impact businesses.
Here are a few reasons why having the right ADA exit signage matters:
- It affects the business’s reputation.
Even on an average day, it’s crucial to have exit signs that cater to people with disabilities. Otherwise, those individuals may feel alienated. They may form a negative view of the business and its treatment of people with mobility or vision issues. And they can share that opinion with others. As word spreads, the company can earn a reputation for not caring about employees and visitors who have disabilities.
- It ensures everyone’s safety.
Having the right signs at exit stairways and doors is crucial for emergency safety. Failure to comply with ADA rules can result in people with disabilities suffering injuries during an evacuation. Everyone should be able to read and understand the exit signs in a building. Without ADA-compliant signs, they are more likely to use the wrong exit or get stuck inside.
- It helps avoid fines and lawsuits.
Failing to meet ADA exit sign requirements can also lead to hefty fines. It doesn’t matter if an emergency occurs or not. Organizations can be fined as much as $75,000 for a single ADA violation, and signs aren’t exempt from this fine. Additionally, many ADA-related lawsuits are filed each year. Litigation is common, and something business owners should do their best to avoid.
Ultimately, following ADA exit sign requirements is a must. It’s necessary for inclusivity, and it’s just good business. It reduces the risk of bad publicity, potential injury, and lawsuits or fines.
This is especially important when a sign order is outsourced to a third party. The sign shop that received the order should know what to look for when they get the finished product.
Understanding the Different Types of ADA Exit Signs
There’s more than one type of exit sign, which can cause confusion, So you should know the difference between directional and doorway exit signs. Both are required in public facilities. However, they have different requirements for design and installation.
- Directional exit signs offer directions to nearby exits in a building. These signs are placed on walls in corridors, hallways, and large spaces.
- Doorway exit signs state which doors actually lead to an exit. These signs are mounted next to (or on if wall space isn’t available) the exit doors per ADA sign installation guidelines.
The rules are less strict for directional exit signsthan for doorway exit signs. Directional signage includes evacuation instructions, exit route maps, directional signs to exits, and rules of conduct. Per ADA guidelines, directional exit signs only need to meet visual criteria. These criteria apply to font, text height, surface glare, color contrast, and mounting height.
When ordering ADA exit signs, it’s best to clarify which type is needed, as the rules for doorway exit signs are slightly more complex.
What Are the Requirements for Doorway Exit Signs?
ADA exit sign requirements are included in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. They’re listed under the rules for signs that show a “means of egress.” Specifically, the rules refer to doors to exits considered to be any area “separated from the interior spaces of the building by fire-resistance-rated construction and that leads to the exit discharge or the public right of way.”
As mentioned, there are rules for both sign design and installation.
Rules for Signs Themselves
All exit doors must feature a tactile sign with raised characters and braille lettering. This ensures people with limited vision can understand the sign as well as anyone else in the building. However, a single sign doesn’t require all the necessary elements. Under the ADA, businesses can install two signs: one visual and the other tactile. A common practice is to install a white sign with red “EXIT” lettering on the ceiling and a tactile braille sign next to the door.
The ADA Standards also have specific rules for characters on exit signs:
- Characters must be in uppercase and sans serif fonts.
- Characters should be selected from fonts where the width of the uppercase letter “O” is between 55 and 110 percent of the height of the uppercase letter “I.”
- Character height measured vertically from the baseline of the character should be 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum based on the height of the uppercase letter “I.”
- Characters should be separated from raised borders and decorative elements at a minimum of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).
- Raised characters should be 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) minimum above their background.
Finally, ADA exit sign requirements mention finish and contrast. Exit door signs shouldn’t have any glare on the background finish. There must be a high level of contrast (ideally, around 70%) between the characters and the background.
Rules for Installation
As mentioned above, braille exit signs are required on the wall next to every exit door. They need to be installed correctly, too. They should be measured so the lowest line of text is at least 48 inches from the ground. The highest line of text should be a maximum of 60 inches from the ground. However, the remaining rules vary slightly depending on the type of door.
- Exit door signage should be on the wall next to the latch side of the door.
- If double doors have one active side, the sign can be mounted on the inactive side.
- If both doors are functional, the sign must be placed on the right side of the right door.
- When wall space is limited, the exit sign can be mounted on the push side of a door if it has no hold-open device and closes automatically.
- There should be 18 inches by 18 inches of clear floor space in front of the sign.
Takeaway
ADA exit sign requirements are too important to be overlooked. Sign professionals and business owners need to learn the rules. That way, getting ADA-compliant signage that performs well in an emergency is much easier. Fortunately, the information covered here should put you in a good position.
Are the exit signs in your or your client’s building up to ADA standards? If you’re in the market for ADA-compliant exit signage, Erie Custom Signs can help! We have several predesigned options for your convenience. Check out our customizable sign packages today.