Mounting Your ADA-Compliant Signs
As you already know, you need to have certain signs located throughout your facility to make sure it is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But having these signs isn’t much of a help for your company if they aren’t hung appropriately!
The ADA has strict guidelines not only regarding what actually goes on these signs, but how they should be installed. Here’s a quick step-by-step process to give you a better idea of how the job should be done:
Have the proper tools. Before you begin mounting the sign, have a tape measure, pencil and level handy. If you have signs that are particularly heavy, you should make sure you have the proper adhesive. A silicone adhesive will make the sign extra-secure, but in the case of smaller signs, foam tape strips are usually enough to get the job done.
Figure out the proper place to mount the signs. It is typically advisable to not mount ADA-compliant signs directly on doors. Instead, they should be mounted on a well at least 48 inches above the floor or ground, and no more than 60 inches above the floor or ground. Obviously, the sign should be placed in an area where it will always be seen, so try to avoid putting it in a place where it will be obscured by propped-open doors or furniture.
Signs that are placed on doors have special rules. If you do decide to mount a sign on a door or it is otherwise unavoidable, there are special rules you should follow. If there are double doors with one active leaf, the sign should be installed on the inactive leaf. If both leaves are active, the sign should be located just to the right of the right-side door. If there is not a wall space on a single door’s latch side or to the right of double doors, signs should be placed on the closest adjacent wall.
Abide by clear floor space rules. Signs that have tactile characters should be located in a way that leaves a clear floor space of 18 inches by 18 inches, minimum, beyond the opening arc of any door swinging between its closed position and a 45-degree open position. The only exception is that signs may be allowed on a door’s push side if the door has closers and no hold-open devices.
This may seem like a lot of rules, but it’s everything you need to know for how and where to mount your ADA-compliant signs.
