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The purpose for signage or to use the current term "environmental
graphics," is to provide information. The type of sign used will depend
on the type of information being provided. The five categories of signs are:
Designing Signs
Sign designs should be incorporated into the planning phase of your facility project. Signs need to be simple, easy to understand, and attract participant's attention.
OSHA has identified the following points regarding communicating a hazardous condition:
 | comprehensibility, the ability of the individual reading the sign to understand the information sufficiently to take the desired action. |
| readability, a measure of the grade level of the information on the sign. |
| standard phrases, refers to the use of "signal words" in signage. Signal words should be limited to the most extreme situation. Signal words would include such words as: danger, warning and caution. |
ADA Guidelines for Signage (4.30 Signage)
General. Signage required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.30.
Character Proportion. Letters and numbers on signs shall have a width-to-height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1 and a stroke-width-to-height ratio between 1:5 and 1:10.
Character Height. Characters and numbers on signs shall be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read. The minimum height is measured using an upper case X. Lower case characters are permitted.
Height Above Finished Floor |
Minimum Character Height |
Suspended or Projected |
3 in (75 mm) minimum |
Raised and Brailled Characters and Pictorial Symbol Signs (Pictograms). Letters and numerals shall be raised 1/32 in, upper case, sans serif or simple serif type and shall be accompanied with Grade 2 Braille. Raised characters shall be at least 5/8 in (16 mm) high, but no higher than 2 in (50 mm). Pictograms shall be accompanied by the equivalent verbal description placed directly below the pictogram. The border dimension of the pictogram shall be 6 in (152 mm) minimum in height.
Finish and Contrast. The characters and background of signs shall be eggshell, matte, or other non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background --either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
Mounting Location and Height. Where permanent identification is provided for rooms and spaces, signs shall be installed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door. Where there is no wall space to the latch side of the door, including at double leaf doors, signs shall be placed on the nearest adjacent wall. Mounting height shall be 60 in (1525 mm) above the finish floor to the centerline of the sign. Mounting location for such signage shall be so that a person may approach within 3 in (76 mm) of signage without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of a door.
| (1) Facilities and elements required to be
identified as accessible shall use the international symbol of accessibility.
(2) Volume Control Telephones. Telephones required to have a volume control and shall be identified by a sign containing a depiction of a telephone handset with radiating sound waves. |
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(3) Text Telephones. Text telephones shall be identified by the international TDD symbol. In addition, if a facility has a public text telephone, directional signage indicating the location of the nearest text telephone shall be placed adjacent to all banks of telephones which do not contain a text telephone. Such directional signage shall include the international TDD symbol. If a facility has no banks of telephones, the directional signage shall be provided at the entrance (e.g., in a building directory).
(4) Assistive Listening Systems. In assembly areas where permanently installed assistive listening systems are required, the availability of such systems shall be identified with signage that includes the international symbol of access for hearing loss.
| Sign Design Elements The following design elements should be consistent throughout the facility.
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Effective signage will help reduce accidents and injuries in the facility. This will reduce liability as a result. The three primary users of signage are:
| facility user's, |
| staff, and |
| emergency personnel. |
Sign Maintenance
Signs have to be maintained to some degree. electronic signs need bulbs replaced, signs can also be vandalized. Appropriate sign placement can reduce tagging or graffiti. Signs also need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Copyright
2001 Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
