What to Know about ADA Sign Mounting Height Requirements
By Mike Shabluk | February 13, 2024
Whether you’re installing ADA signs in your building or a client’s facility, there are several factors to consider. For instance, you need to be sure you hang each sign according to ADA sign mounting height requirements. But if you’re unfamiliar with the full scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act—and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design—this aspect of sign installation can leave you feeling confused.
We get it.
That’s why we wanted to go over the basics, including why following sign height rules is important, what the rules actually are, and more.
Armed with this information (and some additional tips), you can take the necessary steps to ensure all signs meet ADA sign mounting height requirements. That way, you can avoid noncompliance issues and let everyone navigate the building safely.
Why You Should Know ADA Sign Height Requirements
Many people wonder if knowing about ADA sign mounting height requirements is essential. Whether you’re a business owner, property manager, or sign professional, the answer is yes. The simple fact is you have to know how to hang signs to do it yourself or direct a client. Moreover, installing these signs correctly is crucial for two major reasons:
- It protects businesses.
- It protects those with disabilities.
Protecting Businesses
Just because an ADA sign is fabricated with all the necessary features doesn’t mean the hard work is over. Elements such as font, color, finish, and braille are only part of ADA sign specifications. There are also clear guidelines for how signs should be hung in public spaces.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) requires ADA signage to be mounted uniformly throughout buildings across the country. This gives visually impaired and sightless people a method of locating and identifying exactly where they are. All facilities accessible to the public are required to follow these guidelines for ADA sign height—or risk severe consequences.
Like any other violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, hanging ADA signage in a way that doesn’t adhere to the regulations put in place can result in fines, lawsuits, and bad publicity—all of which can take a major toll on a business.
Ultimately, meeting ADA sign mounting height requirements protects businesses from introducing noncompliance issuesthat can cause financial damage.
Protecting People with Limited Vision
Ensuring displays are installed according to ADA sign mounting height requirements also protects visitors, customers, and employees with limited vision. As mentioned previously, the reason for these guidelines is to help such individuals determine where they are. It enables them to navigate a building easily in normal circumstances and evacuate quickly in emergencies.
Of course, this can be hard to grasp for those who take their sight for granted. That’s why we came up with an exercise that can help...
Imagine you’re sightless and in some public building conducting your day-to-day business. Suddenly, a fire alarm goes off, and you must evacuate the building as quickly as possible under chaotic conditions. With panic ensuing and people scrambling to escape, you have to make your way out of the building. Attempting to locate an escape and mistaking the janitor’s closet or a storage room for an exit door could cost you your life! Knowing where to find the identifying sign is as important as the information contained on the sign.
A visually impaired person knows where the signs are supposed to be.
Do you?
What ADA Sign Mounting Height Requirements to Follow
Note: In September 2010, the DOJ adopted new standards for ADA signage, among other structural features. These standards took effect on March 15, 2012, replacing the DOJ’s original accessibility standards. These apply to facilities covered by the ADA, including places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities.
When it comes to ADA sign mounting height requirements, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design provide the following:
- Height Above Finish Floor or Ground. Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character, and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character.
- Location. Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with two active leaves, the sign shall be located to the right of the right-hand door. Where there is no wall space at the latch side of a single door or at the right side of double doors, signs shall be located on the nearest adjacent wall. Signs containing tactile characters shall be located so that a clear floor space of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45-degree open position.
Like with most government documents, interpreting ADA mounting height guidelines can be subjective and open to interpretation. The most straightforward approach is as follows:
Install your braille signs on the latch side of the door between 48 and 60 inches from the floor, providing clear floor space of at least 18 by 18 inches.
To get a visual representation of the placement needed for ADA signs, we marked the walls in our office as though we were mounting a hotel room sign. We discovered that if an individual of roughly 5 feet stood in front of a sign mounted so that the bottom of the top line of text was at 60 inches, it would be right at their eye level. The 48-inch mark seems low at first glance, but this signage height makes sense. It allows a person who uses a wheelchair to reach the sign if they are blind or have a vision impairment.
It's worth noting that these details aren’t made up by a random person. Much of the ADA code is suggested by the United States Access Board. This agency is committed to ensuring equality for people with disabilities, so its recommendations for ADA sign mounting heightsare based on extensive research.
How to Ensure Signs Are Mounted Correctly
As mentioned above, the rule of thumb is to install braille signs on the latch side of the door between 48 and 60 inches from the floor. But you or your client may wind up in a situation where this won’t work. Fortunately, there are guidelines for many unique cases of handicap sign height, too.
- What if you’re installing an ADA sign near double doors?
This depends on whether there is a single active leaf or both leaves are in use. With the former, you should mount the sign on the inactive leaf. With the latter, you should mount the sign on the right-hand side of the right door. Either way, you need to hang the sign at the same height (i.e., between 48 and 60 inches from the floor).
- What if there isn’t enough space to mount the sign in the specified location?
In this case, you can install the sign on the nearest adjacent wall in a visible location. However, it’s still required to meet the ADA signage mounting height mentioned.
Of course, there’s a little more to know about hanging signs than just ADA mounting heights. In any situation, reviewing the guidelines under the 2010 Standards is vital to ensure you’re installing signage in a way that allows easy visibility.
You can access a PDF of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design here. Once that is open, follow these steps:
- Click Ctrl + F to search.
- Type 703 into the search window.
- Navigate to the section on Signs.
Reviewing the guidelines for signage will allow you to familiarize yourself with some basic requirements. So, make sure to bookmark this resource for easy access.
Additional Tips for Meeting ADA Sign Height Requirements
If you are installing signage in your building or instructing a client, the information provided above will go a long way. But we have some additional pointers based on our years of experience. Follow the tips below to adhere to ADA signage mounting height guidelines (and more).
- Remember that rules and guidelines can also vary by state.
Although all public facilities are required to meet federal guidelines, some cities and states also have their own. That’s why we recommend contacting local and state inspectors before installing signage. Such individuals are knowledgeable about ADA sign mounting height. They can be consulted when there are discrepancies in your understanding of what you must do to meet ADA compliance.
- Gather the proper tools before hanging signs.
To install signs, you need to have the right tools at your disposal. At the very least, make sure you have a tape measure, pencil, level, and mounting hardware. It’s recommended that you use either a silicone adhesive or foam strips to hang the sign rather than nails or screws. This prevents unsightly marks when a sign is removed and makes changing out displays much simpler.
- Don’t attempt to “eyeball” the placement—measure it.
It may be tempting to install an ADA sign where it seems to fit. However, this is strongly discouraged. Attempting to “eyeball” the placement could make the sign noncompliant and challenging for those in wheelchairs to read. (That’s why we noted the need for a tape measure above.) Always confirm that you’ve marked the appropriate spot for a sign.
- Non-tactile signs don’t follow the same rules.
Though following ADA sign height requirements for non-tactile signs wouldn’t hurt, remember it’s unnecessary. Such signs don’t follow the same rules. For starters, they can be installed virtually anywhere in a facility. Also, visual character signs require an installation height between 40 and 70 inches above the finish floor.
- Don’t forget about floor space.
Although our focus here is on mounting height for ADA signs, it’s worth highlighting the need for clear floor space. In addition to ADA sign mounting height rules, there are floor space guidelines to remember when hanging ADA signage in a facility. Any sign with tactile characters must be located in an area that has at least an 18-inch by 18-inch area of clear floor space beyond the door’s opening arc.
Takeaway
Having a firm grasp of ADA sign mounting height requirements is vital to achieving compliance. That’s why it’s well worth getting familiar with the rules. Otherwise, you risk making a minor error that could result in damaging lawsuits, hefty fines, or loss of business for yourself or your client. Worse, you could inadvertently make things more complicated—even dangerous—for those with visual impairments.
If you still have questions or concerns about installing ADA signage, feel free to reach out to the experts at Erie Custom Signs.