Frequently Asked Questions About ADA Signage Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a number of stipulations regarding ADA-compliant signage in public locations. In addition to providing ADA-compliant signage, sign shops should be prepared to answer the following frequently asked questions from customers about ADA compliance:
Q: Do I really need to have ADA compliant signage?
It depends on the type of building you have and your local building codes, but in the vast majority of cases involving buildings meant for public use, the answer is going to be yes. Either way, it’s better to have ADA signage when it’s not needed than it is to be wrong and not have ADA signage and risk being fined.
Q: What kinds of signs must follow ADA rules?
All interior and exterior signs in permanent rooms and places must follow the regulations outlined in the ADA. This also includes safety signs identifying stairways and exits.
Q: What is considered a permanent room or place?
Any location that will exist longer than seven days is considered permanent under the ADA. This means restroom signs, room numbers, safety signs and more should follow ADA regulations.
Q: Are there any types of signs that do not have to comply with ADA rules?
There are quite a few signs in your building that are not affected by the DAA, including your address signs, directories, company name and logo signs, occupant name signs, seat and row designations, menus, parking facility signs (except accessible parking spaces), signs not placed in areas meant for public use, evacuation maps and any temporary signage that will be in place for less than seven days.
Q: Do I need to update the signage that is already in my building?
So long as your signage is in compliance with the regulations as outlined in the ADA as established in 1991, you do not have to make updates to comply with the changes to the ADA in 2010. It’s always a good idea to double check to make sure you are in compliance, though!
Q: Do my signs need to use a certain font?
There isn’t a single font you must use, but you must use a sans serif font such as Avenir, Meta, Helvetica, Arial or Optima.
For more information and FAQs about ADA signage compliance, contact us today at Erie Custom Signs.
