−---
−title: Signage
−category: Architectural / Specialties
−toc_depth: 3
−description: >
− When to use: Interior and building-mounted architectural and code-required signage for commercial, institutional, and light-industrial buildings — tactile room-identification signs, directional and overhead wayfinding signs, regulatory and informational panel signs, dimensional letters and logos, code-required egress and accessibility signage (exit, stairway identification, floor-level, area-of-refuge), and both non-illuminated and electrically illuminated signs. Covers accessibility requirements for tactile characters and Braille, visual character legibility, contrast and finish, mounting height and location, substrate and copy methods, the sign and message schedule, and installation.
− Not intended for: Exterior site signage such as monument signs, pylon signs, freestanding directories, and parking and traffic signage (see [[sync/exterior-signage]]); fire-alarm devices and audible/visible notification appliances (see the fire-alarm standard); door hardware, vision-panel labels, and door fire-rating labels furnished as part of the door assembly (see [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]]); fire extinguisher cabinet identification furnished with the cabinet (see [[sync/fire-extinguishers-and-cabinets]]); digital signage, dynamic message displays, and audiovisual systems; graphics and supergraphics applied as part of interior finishes.
−---
−
−# Scope
−
−This standard covers the furnishing and installation of interior architectural signage and building-mounted, code-required signage in commercial, institutional, and light-industrial buildings. The scope includes tactile room-identification signs, overhead and projected directional and wayfinding signs, regulatory and informational panel signs, dimensional letters and logos, and the electrically illuminated and non-illuminated signs that carry those messages. Sign types, messages, locations, quantities, and mounting heights for each sign shall be as indicated on the contract drawings and the sign and message schedule; this standard establishes the minimum accessibility, material, finish, contrast, fabrication, and installation requirements that apply to all of those signs.
−
−Signage is one of the few divisions of the work that is governed simultaneously by accessibility law and by life-safety code, and deficiencies in either are routinely the last items to clear at final inspection. Tactile and Braille signs that do not comply with the ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design and ICC A117.1 expose the Owner to civil-rights liability long after construction is complete, and a room-identification sign mounted at the wrong height or on the wrong side of a door is a defect even when the sign itself is perfectly fabricated. Code-required egress signage — exit signs, stairway identification signs, floor-level signs, and area-of-refuge signs — is mandated by the International Building Code and NFPA 101 to allow occupants and first responders to find their way out of a building during an emergency; a missing or non-compliant egress sign is a life-safety violation, not a cosmetic one. Because signage is procured late and installed near the end of the project, it is frequently value-engineered or rushed, and the result is the single most common category of accessibility citation at occupancy. This standard requires that the Contractor develop and obtain approval of a complete sign and message schedule, fabricate every accessible sign to the tactile, Braille, contrast, and finish requirements of the governing standard, and verify mounting height and location for every sign before installation.
−
−Coordinate this work with [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]] so that tactile room-identification signs are located on the correct side of each door and clear of the door swing, with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] for in-wall blocking and backing at dimensional letters and heavy panel signs, and with [[sync/fire-extinguishers-and-cabinets]] where identification signage is required at extinguisher and cabinet locations. Exterior site signage, where it occurs, is addressed in [[sync/exterior-signage]].
−
−# Referenced Standards
−
−Fabrication, materials, accessibility, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the referenced standards, and with the building, fire, and accessibility codes adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Where the contract documents or the adopted codes impose more stringent requirements than a referenced standard, the more stringent requirement shall govern. The Contractor shall resolve conflicts in writing with the Architect before fabrication begins.
−
−| Standard | Title |
−|----------|-------|
−| ADA 2010 | 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Section 703, Signs) |
−| ICC A117.1 | Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities |
−| IBC Chapter 10 | International Building Code — Means of Egress (exit, stairway, floor-level, and area-of-refuge signage) |
−| IBC Chapter 11 | International Building Code — Accessibility |
−| IFC Chapter 10 | International Fire Code — Means of Egress |
−| NFPA 101 | Life Safety Code (exit signs, stairway identification, marking of means of egress) |
−| UL 48 | Electric Signs |
−| UL 924 | Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment (illuminated exit signs and directional indicators) |
−| ASTM D4802 | Standard Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic Plastic Sheet |
−| ASTM B209 | Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate |
−| ASTM D635 | Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizontal Position |
−
−# Submittals
−
−## Action Submittals
−
−The following submittals shall be submitted for review and returned before procurement or fabrication begins. The sign and message schedule shall be reconciled with the architectural floor plans, the life-safety/egress plan, and the door schedule before any sign is fabricated, so that messages, locations, mounting sides, and code-required signs are confirmed as a coordinated set.
−
−**Sign and Message Schedule:** A complete schedule listing every sign in the project by sign type and by location, including the sign mark or item designation, the exact message (verbatim copy, including capitalization), the sign type and size, the substrate and finish, the color scheme, the mounting method and mounting height to the controlling reference point, the room or door number served, and the quantity. The schedule shall be cross-referenced to the floor plans, interior elevations, and the life-safety plan. The verbatim copy on the schedule, once approved, governs fabrication; the Contractor shall not paraphrase, abbreviate, or correct approved copy without resubmittal.
−
−**Shop Drawings:** Fabrication drawings for each sign type showing overall dimensions, character heights and styles, raised-character and Braille layout and spacing, pictogram and field dimensions, color and finish, edge and corner detail, substrate construction and lamination, and the mounting detail. For illuminated signs, the shop drawings shall include the electrical components, lamp or LED type, transformer or driver, listing marks, and the connection to the building electrical or emergency power system.
−
−**Message and Wayfinding Coordination Drawings:** Plans and interior elevations showing the location, mounting side, and mounting height of every tactile and overhead sign relative to its door or path, demonstrating compliance with the location and mounting-height requirements of the governing accessibility standard and the clearances of the door swing.
−
−**Samples:** A full-size sample of each tactile room-identification sign type showing the actual substrate, color, contrast, raised characters, Braille, pictogram, and finish, for verification of compliance and appearance. Color and finish samples for each panel sign and dimensional letter type. The Architect may require the tactile sample to be reviewed for raised-character height, Braille type, contrast, and non-glare finish before the balance of the signs are fabricated.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Action Submittals Required
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - "Complete sign and message schedule with verbatim copy"
− - "Shop drawings for each sign type"
− - "Message and wayfinding coordination drawings"
− - "Full-size tactile sign sample for compliance verification"
− - "Color and finish samples"
−default: "Complete sign and message schedule with verbatim copy"
−```
−
−## Closeout Submittals
−
−At substantial completion the Contractor shall provide the following before final acceptance.
−
−- Final as-built sign and message schedule reflecting any field changes to message, type, location, or mounting height
−- Operation and maintenance data for illuminated signs, including lamp/LED and driver replacement parts and procedures
−- Warranty documentation for signs, finishes, and illuminated-sign components
−- Attic stock of replacement components for illuminated signs where required by the contract documents
−
−```datasheet
−label: Closeout Submittals Required
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - "Final as-built sign and message schedule"
− - "O&M data for illuminated signs"
− - "Warranty documentation"
− - "Attic stock for illuminated signs (where required)"
−default: "Final as-built sign and message schedule"
−```
−
−# Quality Assurance
−
−## Governing Accessibility Standard
−
−```datasheet
−label: Governing Accessibility Standard
−type: select
−options:
− - "ICC A117.1 and ADA 2010 — both apply, more stringent governs"
− - "ICC A117.1 only (per adopted building code)"
− - "ADA 2010 Standards only"
− - "Local amended accessibility standard — see drawings"
−default: "ICC A117.1 and ADA 2010 — both apply, more stringent governs"
−```
−
−Most commercial projects must satisfy both the federal ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design and the accessibility provisions of the locally adopted building code, which incorporates ICC A117.1. The two are largely harmonized for signage but differ in some particulars; where they differ, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Authority Having Jurisdiction directs otherwise. The Architect shall identify the governing standard and the signs subject to accessibility requirements.
−
−## Which Signs Are Subject to Accessibility Requirements
−
−Not every sign in a building is subject to the tactile and Braille requirements, but the rules for which signs are governed are precise and are frequently misapplied. Signs that identify a permanent room or space — restrooms, stairs, exits, room numbers, and similar permanent designations — shall provide tactile (raised) characters and Braille. Signs that provide direction to or information about a space, and signs that are purely directional, do not require tactile characters and Braille but shall comply with the visual-character requirements for height, contrast, and finish. Where a single sign serves both functions, the portion designating the permanent space shall be tactile. The Contractor shall classify every sign on the schedule by these rules and shall not omit tactile characters and Braille from any sign that designates a permanent room or space.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Sign Accessibility Classification (per sign type on the schedule)
−type: select
−options:
− - "Tactile + visual (permanent room/space identification) — raised characters and Braille required"
− - "Visual only (directional/informational) — legible characters, contrast, non-glare finish"
− - "Code-required egress sign — comply with IBC/NFPA + tactile where required at the door"
− - "Decorative/dimensional — no character-legibility requirement"
−default: "Tactile + visual (permanent room/space identification) — raised characters and Braille required"
−```
−
−## Mounting Location and Height Verification
−
−The Contractor shall verify, before installation, the mounting height and the mounting location of every tactile sign against the governing accessibility standard, the door schedule, and the door swing. Tactile-sign location relative to the door — and the resulting clear approach to the sign — is among the most frequently cited signage deficiencies, and it cannot be corrected by adjusting the sign; it requires moving the sign. The Contractor shall not rely on a single standard rough-in dimension but shall confirm each tactile sign against the latch-side and approach-clearance requirements below.
−
−# Sign Types and Accessibility Requirements
−
−The sign and message schedule and the floor plans determine which signs occur, what they say, and where they are located. Sign messages, locations, and quantities shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the sign and message schedule and the floor plans]]. The requirements below establish the accessibility, character, contrast, finish, and mounting properties that apply to each governed sign.
−
−## Tactile (Raised) Character Height
−
−```datasheet
−label: Raised Character Height (uppercase "I")
−type: range
−unit: in
−options:
− min: 0.625
− max: 2.0
− setpoints: [0.625, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0]
−default: 0.625
−```
−
−Raised characters shall be 5/8 in. minimum and 2 in. maximum in height, measured as the height of the uppercase letter "I" of the font, per ADA 2010 Section 703.2.5 and ICC A117.1. The 5/8 in. minimum applies to tactile room-identification copy; larger tactile characters within the range are used where the message or design calls for greater prominence. Tactile characters shall be accompanied by visual characters that, where they are the same characters, may share the raised characters provided the raised characters also satisfy the visual-character requirements.
−
−## Tactile Character Form and Relief
−
−```datasheet
−label: Raised Character Relief Above Background
−type: range
−unit: in
−options:
− min: 0.03125
− max: 0.0625
− setpoints: [0.03125, 0.046875, 0.0625]
−default: 0.03125
−```
−
−Raised characters shall be raised 1/32 in. minimum above their background, per ADA 2010 Section 703.2 and ICC A117.1. Raised characters shall be uppercase, sans-serif, and shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual form. Character stroke, character spacing, and the proportion of character width to height shall comply with the character-form provisions of Section 703.2. Raised borders or decorative elements shall be separated from the raised characters by the minimum clearances of the standard so that they cannot be mistaken for characters by touch.
−
−## Braille
−
−```datasheet
−label: Braille Type
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Contracted (Grade 2) Braille, domed/rounded dots, positioned below the corresponding text"
− - "As required by AHJ where a different contraction standard is adopted"
−default: "Contracted (Grade 2) Braille, domed/rounded dots, positioned below the corresponding text"
−```
−
−Tactile signs shall provide contracted (Grade 2) Braille with domed or rounded dots conforming to the dimensions and spacing of ADA 2010 Section 703.3 and ICC A117.1. Braille shall be positioned below the corresponding raised text; where the text is multi-line, the Braille shall be placed below the entire text. Braille shall be separated 3/8 in. minimum from any other tactile characters and from raised borders and decorative elements. Braille shall read left to right. The Contractor shall verify the Braille translation of the approved message before fabrication; an incorrect or mistranslated Braille string is not detectable by sighted reviewers and is a common, costly defect.
−
−## Pictograms
−
−```datasheet
−label: Pictogram Field Height (where a pictogram is used)
−type: range
−unit: in
−options:
− min: 6.0
− max: 12.0
− setpoints: [6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0]
−default: 6.0
−```
−
−Where a pictogram is required or used to identify a permanent space (such as accessibility, restroom, or stair pictograms), the pictogram shall have a field height of 6 in. minimum, per ADA 2010 Section 703.6 and ICC A117.1. The pictogram field shall not contain raised characters or Braille. The verbal equivalent of the pictogram shall be provided directly below the pictogram field as tactile characters and Braille. The pictogram and its field shall have a non-glare finish and shall contrast with each other, either a light pictogram on a dark field or a dark pictogram on a light field.
−
−## Visual Character Legibility
−
−```datasheet
−label: Visual Character Style
−type: select
−options:
− - "Sans-serif, conventional spacing, uppercase and lowercase permitted (directional/informational)"
− - "Sans-serif, uppercase only (where matching tactile copy)"
−default: "Sans-serif, conventional spacing, uppercase and lowercase permitted (directional/informational)"
−```
−
−Visual characters on directional, informational, and overhead signs shall comply with the visual-character provisions of ADA 2010 Section 703.5 and ICC A117.1. Characters shall be conventional in form — sans-serif or simple serif — and shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual form. Character stroke thickness shall be 10 percent minimum and 30 percent maximum of the height of the character, and character spacing shall be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of character height. The minimum visual-character height is determined by the height of the sign above the floor and the horizontal viewing distance per the table in Section 703.5.5; overhead signs and signs viewed from a distance require taller characters, which the Contractor shall confirm against the schedule and the mounting condition.
−
−## Contrast
−
−```datasheet
−label: Character-to-Background Contrast
−type: radio
−options:
− - "High contrast — light characters on dark background or dark characters on light background"
− - "70% minimum luminance contrast (where AHJ specifies a numeric threshold)"
−default: "High contrast — light characters on dark background or dark characters on light background"
−```
−
−Characters and their background shall contrast, either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background, per ADA 2010 Sections 703.2 and 703.5 and ICC A117.1. Where the Authority Having Jurisdiction or the contract documents specify a numeric threshold, a luminance contrast of 70 percent minimum between characters and background shall be provided. Insufficient contrast is a frequent and avoidable deficiency; the Contractor shall select character and background colors that achieve high contrast and shall not rely on color hue alone, since hue difference without luminance difference does not satisfy the requirement.
−
−## Finish
−
−```datasheet
−label: Character and Background Finish
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Non-glare (matte/eggshell) finish on characters and background"
− - "Gloss finish — only where permitted for non-tactile decorative signs"
−default: "Non-glare (matte/eggshell) finish on characters and background"
−```
−
−Characters, their background, pictograms, and pictogram fields on signs subject to accessibility requirements shall have a non-glare finish, per ADA 2010 Sections 703.2, 703.5, and 703.6. A glossy finish produces specular reflection that defeats legibility for users with low vision and shall not be used on the characters or background of governed signs. Decorative dimensional letters and signs not subject to the legibility requirements may use a gloss finish where shown on the schedule.
−
−## Mounting Height of Tactile Signs
−
−```datasheet
−label: Tactile Character Baseline Mounting Height
−type: range
−unit: in AFF
−options:
− min: 48
− max: 60
− setpoints: [48, 54, 60]
−default: 48
−```
−
−Tactile characters shall be mounted with the baseline of the lowest tactile character 48 in. minimum above the finished floor, and the baseline of the highest tactile character 60 in. maximum above the finished floor, per ADA 2010 Section 703.4.1 and ICC A117.1. On a sign with multiple lines of tactile copy, both limits must be satisfied simultaneously: the lowest line shall not fall below 48 in. and the highest line shall not exceed 60 in. The Contractor shall lay out tactile signs to the baseline of the tactile copy, not to the top or center of the sign panel, because the requirement is measured to the character baseline.
−
−## Mounting Location of Tactile Signs
−
−```datasheet
−label: Tactile Sign Location Relative to the Door
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Latch side of the door, clear of the door swing, with the required clear approach"
− - "Nearest adjacent wall where there is no wall on the latch side (e.g., double doors)"
−default: "Latch side of the door, clear of the door swing, with the required clear approach"
−```
−
−A tactile sign identifying a room or space entered through a door shall be located on the latch side of the door, per ADA 2010 Section 703.4.2 and ICC A117.1. Where there is no wall space on the latch side — at double doors with no center mullion, or where the latch side is obstructed — the sign shall be placed on the nearest adjacent wall. A person shall be able to approach within 3 in. of the sign without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of a door. The Contractor shall confirm, for every tactile sign, that the latch-side wall location provides the required clear approach and is outside the door swing; this is the single most common reason a correctly fabricated tactile sign fails inspection.
−
−# Materials and Construction
−
−The substrate, copy method, and finish of each sign shall be appropriate to the sign type, the environment, and the durability required, and shall produce the raised characters, Braille, contrast, and non-glare finish required for governed signs. The selections below establish the construction of the panel signs and dimensional copy; the accessibility properties above govern in all cases.
−
−## Panel Sign Substrate
−
−```datasheet
−label: Panel Sign Substrate
−type: select
−options:
− - "Acrylic (cast/extruded, ASTM D4802) — interior panel signs, layered subsurface graphics"
− - "Photopolymer — integrally raised characters, Braille, and pictograms in one piece"
− - "Phenolic (high-pressure laminate) — high-abuse, wet, and exterior-adjacent interior areas"
− - "Aluminum / metal (ASTM B209) — durable panel and overhead signs, exterior building ID"
−default: "Photopolymer — integrally raised characters, Braille, and pictograms in one piece"
−```
−
−Photopolymer is the predominant substrate for tactile room-identification signs because the raised characters, Braille, and pictograms are formed integrally in a single, durable, vandal-resistant piece that reliably meets the 1/32 in. relief and the Braille-dome requirements. Acrylic conforming to ASTM D4802 is widely used for layered subsurface-graphic panel signs, with raised characters and Braille applied or routed-and-applied; it offers a wide range of colors and a refined appearance for interior signs. Phenolic high-pressure laminate is specified for high-abuse, wet, and aggressive-cleaning environments such as locker rooms, kitchens, and industrial areas. Aluminum and other metals conforming to ASTM B209 are used for durable interior panel and overhead signs and for building-mounted identification. Interior plastic signs shall meet the applicable flame-spread and combustibility requirements of the building code for the location in which they are installed.
−
−## Copy and Character Method
−
−```datasheet
−label: Raised-Character and Copy Method
−type: select
−options:
− - "Integrally molded raised characters and Braille (photopolymer)"
− - "Raised characters applied/laminated to panel; Braille raster beads or formed"
− - "Subsurface (second-surface) printed graphics with applied raised tactile copy"
− - "Engraved/routed two-color laminate (non-tactile signs) "
−default: "Integrally molded raised characters and Braille (photopolymer)"
−```
−
−The copy method shall produce raised characters of the required 1/32 in. minimum relief and Braille of the required dome dimensions. Integrally molded photopolymer produces characters and Braille in one piece and is the most reliable method for tactile signs. Where raised characters are applied or laminated to a panel, the bond shall be permanent and the characters shall not be subject to peeling or removal; Braille produced by inserting raster beads into drilled holes shall use beads that seat permanently and present a rounded dome. Engraved or routed two-color laminate is appropriate for non-tactile informational and equipment signs but does not by itself produce compliant raised characters and Braille and shall not be used for tactile room-identification signs.
−
−## Dimensional Letters and Logos
−
−```datasheet
−label: Dimensional Letter Type
−type: select
−options:
− - "Fabricated metal (aluminum) dimensional letters"
− - "Cast metal dimensional letters"
− - "Cut acrylic / plastic dimensional letters"
− - "Not used on this project"
−default: "Not used on this project"
−```
−
−Dimensional letters and logos used for building, lobby, and donor identification shall be fabricated or cast of the specified material with the specified face finish and returns, and shall be mounted by concealed studs, a mounting pattern, or a backer as shown on the shop drawings. Dimensional copy that also serves as permanent room or space identification subject to accessibility requirements shall additionally satisfy the raised-character, Braille, contrast, and finish requirements; where the dimensional treatment cannot meet those requirements, a separate compliant tactile sign shall be provided at the door.
−
−# Illuminated Signs
−
−Where signs are electrically illuminated — internally illuminated panel and cabinet signs, illuminated dimensional letters, and illuminated exit signs — the sign shall be a listed assembly and shall be connected, where it serves an egress function, to the required power source. Electrically illuminated signs other than emergency egress signs shall be listed to UL 48 (Electric Signs); illuminated exit signs and illuminated directional exit indicators shall be listed to UL 924 (Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment).
−
−```datasheet
−label: Illuminated Sign Type
−type: select
−options:
− - "Not applicable — no illuminated signs in this scope"
− - "Internally illuminated panel/cabinet sign (UL 48)"
− - "Illuminated dimensional letters / channel letters (UL 48)"
− - "Illuminated exit sign / directional exit indicator (UL 924)"
−default: "Not applicable — no illuminated signs in this scope"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Illuminated Exit Sign Power Source
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Normal power with integral battery backup (90-minute minimum)"
− - "Emergency/standby power branch circuit"
− - "Self-luminous / photoluminescent (where permitted by the AHJ)"
−default: "Normal power with integral battery backup (90-minute minimum)"
−```
−
−Illuminated exit signs shall be listed to UL 924 and shall remain illuminated for not less than 90 minutes upon loss of normal power, supplied either by an integral rechargeable battery or by an emergency/standby power source, as required by the IBC and NFPA 101. Light sources shall be LED unless otherwise indicated. Electrical connection, circuiting, and coordination with the building emergency power system shall be coordinated with the electrical work; the sign supplier shall confirm the supply voltage and the means of connection on the shop drawings. Self-luminous and photoluminescent exit signs may be used only where specifically permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and where the listing and illumination performance satisfy the adopted code.
−
−# Code-Required Signage
−
−Code-required signs are mandated by the building and fire codes and by NFPA 101, and their messages, sizes, and locations are fixed by code rather than by design preference. The Contractor shall provide every code-required sign shown on the life-safety/egress plan and required by the adopted codes, even where a sign is omitted from the architectural sign schedule, and shall reconcile the architectural sign schedule with the life-safety plan during submittal.
−
−## Exit Signs
−
−A sign reading EXIT, complying with the visibility, size, and illumination requirements of the IBC and NFPA 101, shall be provided at each exit and exit-access door where required by the code, and directional EXIT signs shall be provided where the path of egress travel is not immediately apparent. Where required at the door to an area of refuge, an exterior area for assisted rescue, an exit stairway or ramp, an exit passageway, or the exit discharge, a sign stating EXIT in visual characters, raised (tactile) characters, and Braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be provided adjacent to the door.
−
−## Stairway Identification and Floor-Level Signs
−
−```datasheet
−label: Stairway Identification Sign (interior exit stairway connecting more than three stories)
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Provide — 18 in. x 12 in. minimum, top at 5 ft above the floor landing, at each landing"
− - "Not applicable — stairway does not connect more than three stories"
−default: "Provide — 18 in. x 12 in. minimum, top at 5 ft above the floor landing, at each landing"
−```
−
−A stairway identification sign shall be provided at each floor landing in an interior exit stairway and ramp connecting more than three stories, per IBC/IFC Section 1023.9. The sign shall identify the stairway, designate the floor level, indicate the terminus (top and bottom) of the stairway, state the story of and direction to the exit discharge, and indicate the availability of roof access for the fire department. The sign shall be a minimum of 18 in. by 12 in., and the top of the sign shall be located 5 ft above the floor landing in a position readily visible when the door is in both the open and closed positions.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Floor-Level Identification Sign at Stairway Door
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Provide tactile floor-level sign (visual + raised characters + Braille, ICC A117.1) at each landing door"
− - "Not applicable"
−default: "Provide tactile floor-level sign (visual + raised characters + Braille, ICC A117.1) at each landing door"
−```
−
−In addition to the stairway identification sign, a floor-level identification sign in visual characters, raised characters, and Braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each floor-level landing, adjacent to the door leading from the interior exit stairway and ramp into the corridor, to identify the floor level, per IBC Section 1023.9.
−
−## Area-of-Refuge Signage
−
−```datasheet
−label: Area-of-Refuge Identification Sign
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Provide — 'AREA OF REFUGE' with International Symbol of Accessibility at each refuge door"
− - "Not applicable — no areas of refuge in this building"
−default: "Not applicable — no areas of refuge in this building"
−```
−
−Doors providing access to an area of refuge shall be identified by a sign that includes the term AREA OF REFUGE and the International Symbol of Accessibility, per the IBC. Where the area of refuge contains instructions for its use, two-way communication, or directions to the area of refuge, signage providing those instructions and directions shall be provided as required by the IBC and NFPA 101. The illuminated or non-illuminated character of the sign and the inclusion of tactile characters at the door shall comply with the adopted code and ICC A117.1.
−
−## Other Regulatory and Informational Signs
−
−```datasheet
−label: Additional Regulatory Signs (per the life-safety and architectural schedules)
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - "Maximum occupant load (assembly spaces)"
− - "'NO EXIT' on doors that may be mistaken for an exit"
− - "Fire-rated door / 'FIRE DOOR DO NOT BLOCK' where required"
− - "Restroom accessibility identification (pictogram + tactile)"
− - "Stairwell re-entry / door-locking status signs (where applicable)"
−default: "'NO EXIT' on doors that may be mistaken for an exit"
−```
−
−Additional regulatory and informational signs required by the adopted codes — maximum-occupant-load signs in assembly spaces, NO EXIT signs on doors that could be mistaken for an exit, fire-door and door-blocking signs, restroom identification, and stairwell re-entry signs where applicable — shall be provided as required by the life-safety plan and the codes. Messages and locations shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the life-safety/egress plan and the sign and message schedule]].
−
−# Installation
−
−## Layout and Verification
−
−Before installing any sign, the Contractor shall lay out the locations and mounting heights of all signs and shall verify the layout against the approved sign and message schedule, the door schedule and door swings, the life-safety plan, and the governing accessibility standard. Particular attention shall be given to the latch-side location and clear approach of tactile signs and to the baseline mounting height of tactile characters. The Architect or the Owner's accessibility reviewer may require verification of a representative set of tactile signs before the balance are installed.
−
−```datasheet
−label: First-Article Tactile Sign Field Verification
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Required — verify a representative tactile sign installation for height, location, and approach before proceeding"
− - "Not required — Contractor verifies each sign against the schedule"
−default: "Required — verify a representative tactile sign installation for height, location, and approach before proceeding"
−```
−
−## Mounting Method
−
−```datasheet
−label: Sign Mounting Method
−type: select
−options:
− - "Concealed adhesive (foam tape + silicone) — typical interior tactile and panel signs"
− - "Mechanical fasteners with concealed or vandal-resistant heads"
− - "Concealed mounting studs into blocking/backing — dimensional letters, heavy panels"
− - "Bracket / flag mounting for projected (perpendicular) overhead signs"
− - "Suspended (ceiling-hung) mounting for overhead directional signs"
−default: "Concealed adhesive (foam tape + silicone) — typical interior tactile and panel signs"
−```
−
−Signs shall be mounted level, plumb, and securely by the method appropriate to the sign type and the substrate to which they attach. Typical interior tactile and small panel signs are mounted with a combination of double-sided foam tape and a compatible silicone adhesive that holds the sign permanently while accommodating minor wall irregularities; mechanical fasteners with concealed or vandal-resistant heads are used where vandalism is a concern. Heavy panel signs, dimensional letters, and projected or suspended overhead signs shall be anchored to solid blocking, backing, or structure; the Contractor shall coordinate in-wall blocking with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] and shall not rely on fasteners into gypsum board alone for any sign that bears weight or could be pulled or vandalized. Projected (flag-mounted) and suspended overhead signs shall be installed at a height that provides the vertical clearance required for circulation and shall comply with the protruding-object and overhead-clearance limits of the accessibility standard.
−
−## Adhesive and Surface Preparation
−
−Surfaces receiving adhesive-mounted signs shall be clean, dry, sound, and fully cured before the sign is applied. Signs shall not be adhered over loose, dusty, freshly painted, or contaminated surfaces. The Contractor shall use the sign manufacturer's recommended adhesive system and shall observe the manufacturer's cure time before the sign is subjected to handling or cleaning.
−
−## Cleaning and Protection
−
−Signs shall be protected from damage, dust, and overspray until substantial completion, and protective films shall remain on faces until final cleaning. At completion, signs shall be cleaned per the manufacturer's instructions with non-abrasive cleaners only; abrasive cleaners shall not be used, as they dull the non-glare finish, reduce contrast, and can damage raised characters and Braille.
−
−# Warranty
−
−## Signs and Finishes
−
−```datasheet
−label: Sign and Finish Warranty Period
−type: select
−options:
− - "1 year from substantial completion — standard"
− - "2 years from substantial completion — extended"
− - "5 years from substantial completion — premium"
−default: "1 year from substantial completion — standard"
−```
−
−The sign manufacturer shall warrant the signs against defects in materials and workmanship for the specified period, including delamination, fading, loss of adhesion of applied characters, and degradation of the non-glare finish under normal interior conditions. The warranty shall not cover damage caused by abuse, vandalism, improper installation, improper cleaning (including abrasive cleaners), or modifications made without the manufacturer's authorization.
−
−## Illuminated Sign Components
−
−```datasheet
−label: Illuminated Sign Component Warranty Period
−type: select
−options:
− - "Not applicable — no illuminated signs"
− - "1 year on electrical components — standard"
− - "5 years on LED light source and driver — premium"
−default: "Not applicable — no illuminated signs"
−```
−
−Where illuminated signs are provided, the manufacturer shall warrant the LED light source, driver or transformer, and battery (for UL 924 exit signs) for the specified period. The warranty shall cover failure of the components under normal operation and shall include the battery's ability to sustain the required 90-minute illumination for exit signs.
−
−## Installation Warranty
−
−```datasheet
−label: Contractor Installation Warranty
−type: select
−options:
− - "1 year from substantial completion"
− - "2 years from substantial completion"
−default: "1 year from substantial completion"
−```
−
−The Contractor shall warrant the installation of all signs, including correct mounting heights and locations against the governing accessibility standard, correct latch-side location and clear approach for tactile signs, secure attachment to the wall or structure, and proper electrical connection of illuminated signs. Deficiencies discovered during the warranty period that are attributable to installation workmanship — including loose or fallen signs, tactile signs mounted at the wrong height or location, and illuminated signs that fail to operate or to maintain emergency illumination — shall be corrected by the Contractor at no cost to the Owner.
+---
+title: Signage
+category: Architectural / Specialties
+toc_depth: 3
+description: >
+ When to use: Interior and building-mounted architectural and code-required signage for commercial, institutional, and light-industrial buildings — tactile room-identification signs, directional and overhead wayfinding signs, regulatory and informational panel signs, dimensional letters and logos, code-required egress and accessibility signage (exit, stairway identification, floor-level, area-of-refuge), and both non-illuminated and electrically illuminated signs. Covers accessibility requirements for tactile characters and Braille, visual character legibility, contrast and finish, mounting height and location, substrate and copy methods, the sign and message schedule, and installation.
+ Not intended for: Exterior site signage such as monument signs, pylon signs, freestanding directories, and parking and traffic signage (see [[sync/exterior-signage]]); fire-alarm devices and audible/visible notification appliances (see the fire-alarm standard); door hardware, vision-panel labels, and door fire-rating labels furnished as part of the door assembly (see [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]]); fire extinguisher cabinet identification furnished with the cabinet (see [[sync/fire-extinguishers-and-cabinets]]); digital signage, dynamic message displays, and audiovisual systems; graphics and supergraphics applied as part of interior finishes.
+---
+
+# Scope {toc}
+
+## This standard covers the furnishing and installation of interior architectural signage and building-mounted, code-required signage in commercial, institutional, and light-industrial buildings. {note}
+## The scope includes tactile room-identification signs, overhead and projected directional and wayfinding signs, regulatory and informational panel signs, dimensional letters and logos, and the electrically illuminated and non-illuminated signs that carry those messages. {note}
+## This standard establishes the minimum accessibility, material, finish, contrast, fabrication, and installation requirements that apply to all of those signs. {note}
+
+## Sign types, messages, locations, quantities, and mounting heights for each sign shall be as indicated on the contract drawings and the sign and message schedule.
+
+## Signage is governed simultaneously by accessibility law and by life-safety code, and deficiencies in either are routinely the last items to clear at final inspection; tactile and Braille signs that do not comply with the ADA 2010 Standards and ICC A117.1 expose the Owner to civil-rights liability, and code-required egress signage is mandated by the IBC and NFPA 101 to allow occupants and first responders to find their way out during an emergency. Because signage is procured late and installed near the end of the project, it is frequently value-engineered or rushed, and the result is the single most common category of accessibility citation at occupancy. {note}
+
+## The Contractor shall develop and obtain approval of a complete sign and message schedule.
+
+## The Contractor shall fabricate every accessible sign to the tactile, Braille, contrast, and finish requirements of the governing standard.
+
+## The Contractor shall verify mounting height and location for every sign before installation.
+
+## Coordinate this work with [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]] so that tactile room-identification signs are located on the correct side of each door and clear of the door swing, with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] for in-wall blocking and backing at dimensional letters and heavy panel signs, and with [[sync/fire-extinguishers-and-cabinets]] where identification signage is required at extinguisher and cabinet locations. Exterior site signage, where it occurs, is addressed in [[sync/exterior-signage]].
+
+# Referenced Standards {toc}
+
+## Fabrication, materials, accessibility, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the referenced standards, and with the building, fire, and accessibility codes adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
+
+| Standard | Title |
+|----------|-------|
+| ADA 2010 | 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Section 703, Signs) |
+| ICC A117.1 | Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities |
+| IBC Chapter 10 | International Building Code — Means of Egress (exit, stairway, floor-level, and area-of-refuge signage) |
+| IBC Chapter 11 | International Building Code — Accessibility |
+| IFC Chapter 10 | International Fire Code — Means of Egress |
+| NFPA 101 | Life Safety Code (exit signs, stairway identification, marking of means of egress) |
+| UL 48 | Electric Signs |
+| UL 924 | Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment (illuminated exit signs and directional indicators) |
+| ASTM D4802 | Standard Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic Plastic Sheet |
+| ASTM B209 | Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate |
+| ASTM D635 | Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizontal Position |
+
+## Fabrication, materials, accessibility, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted editions of the referenced standards and with the codes adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
+## Where the contract documents or the adopted codes impose more stringent requirements than a referenced standard, the more stringent requirement shall govern.
+## The Contractor shall resolve conflicts in writing with the Architect before fabrication begins.
+
+# Submittals {toc}
+
+## Action Submittals {toc}
+
+### The following submittals shall be submitted for review and returned before procurement or fabrication begins.
+
+- Sign and Message Schedule: a complete schedule listing every sign in the project by sign type and by location, including the sign mark or item designation, the exact message (verbatim copy, including capitalization), the sign type and size, the substrate and finish, the color scheme, the mounting method and mounting height to the controlling reference point, the room or door number served, and the quantity, cross-referenced to the floor plans, interior elevations, and the life-safety plan
+- Shop Drawings: fabrication drawings for each sign type showing overall dimensions, character heights and styles, raised-character and Braille layout and spacing, pictogram and field dimensions, color and finish, edge and corner detail, substrate construction and lamination, and the mounting detail; for illuminated signs, the electrical components, lamp or LED type, transformer or driver, listing marks, and the connection to the building electrical or emergency power system
+- Message and Wayfinding Coordination Drawings: plans and interior elevations showing the location, mounting side, and mounting height of every tactile and overhead sign relative to its door or path, demonstrating compliance with the location and mounting-height requirements of the governing accessibility standard and the clearances of the door swing
+- Samples: a full-size sample of each tactile room-identification sign type showing the actual substrate, color, contrast, raised characters, Braille, pictogram, and finish; color and finish samples for each panel sign and dimensional letter type
+
+```datasheet
+label: Action Submittals Required
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Complete sign and message schedule with verbatim copy"
+ - "Shop drawings for each sign type"
+ - "Message and wayfinding coordination drawings"
+ - "Full-size tactile sign sample for compliance verification"
+ - "Color and finish samples"
+default: "Complete sign and message schedule with verbatim copy"
+```
+
+### The Contractor shall submit the action submittal items listed above for review and return before procurement or fabrication begins.
+### The sign and message schedule shall be reconciled with the architectural floor plans, the life-safety/egress plan, and the door schedule before any sign is fabricated, so that messages, locations, mounting sides, and code-required signs are confirmed as a coordinated set.
+### The verbatim copy on the approved schedule governs fabrication; the Contractor shall not paraphrase, abbreviate, or correct approved copy without resubmittal.
+### The Architect may require the tactile sample to be reviewed for raised-character height, Braille type, contrast, and non-glare finish before the balance of the signs are fabricated.
+
+## Closeout Submittals {toc}
+
+### At substantial completion the Contractor shall provide the following before final acceptance.
+
+- Final as-built sign and message schedule reflecting any field changes to message, type, location, or mounting height
+- Operation and maintenance data for illuminated signs, including lamp/LED and driver replacement parts and procedures
+- Warranty documentation for signs, finishes, and illuminated-sign components
+- Attic stock of replacement components for illuminated signs where required by the contract documents
+
+```datasheet
+label: Closeout Submittals Required
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Final as-built sign and message schedule"
+ - "O&M data for illuminated signs"
+ - "Warranty documentation"
+ - "Attic stock for illuminated signs (where required)"
+default: "Final as-built sign and message schedule"
+```
+
+### At substantial completion the Contractor shall provide the closeout submittals listed above before final acceptance.
+
+# Quality Assurance {toc}
+
+## Governing Accessibility Standard {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Governing Accessibility Standard
+type: select
+options:
+ - "ICC A117.1 and ADA 2010 — both apply, more stringent governs"
+ - "ICC A117.1 only (per adopted building code)"
+ - "ADA 2010 Standards only"
+ - "Local amended accessibility standard — see drawings"
+default: "ICC A117.1 and ADA 2010 — both apply, more stringent governs"
+```
+
+### Most commercial projects must satisfy both the federal ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design and the accessibility provisions of the locally adopted building code, which incorporates ICC A117.1.
+
+### The two standards are largely harmonized for signage but differ in some particulars; where they differ, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Authority Having Jurisdiction directs otherwise.
+### The Architect shall identify the governing standard and the signs subject to accessibility requirements.
+
+## Which Signs Are Subject to Accessibility Requirements {toc}
+
+### Not every sign in a building is subject to the tactile and Braille requirements, but the rules for which signs are governed are precise and are frequently misapplied. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Sign Accessibility Classification (per sign type on the schedule)
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Tactile + visual (permanent room/space identification) — raised characters and Braille required"
+ - "Visual only (directional/informational) — legible characters, contrast, non-glare finish"
+ - "Code-required egress sign — comply with IBC/NFPA + tactile where required at the door"
+ - "Decorative/dimensional — no character-legibility requirement"
+default: "Tactile + visual (permanent room/space identification) — raised characters and Braille required"
+```
+
+### Signs that identify a permanent room or space — restrooms, stairs, exits, room numbers, and similar permanent designations — shall provide tactile (raised) characters and Braille.
+### Signs that provide direction to or information about a space, and signs that are purely directional, shall comply with the visual-character requirements for height, contrast, and finish but do not require tactile characters and Braille.
+### Where a single sign serves both functions, the portion designating the permanent space shall be tactile.
+### The Contractor shall classify every sign on the schedule by these rules and shall not omit tactile characters and Braille from any sign that designates a permanent room or space.
+
+## Mounting Location and Height Verification {toc}
+
+### Tactile-sign location relative to the door — and the resulting clear approach to the sign — is among the most frequently cited signage deficiencies, and it cannot be corrected by adjusting the sign; it requires moving the sign. {note}
+
+### The Contractor shall verify, before installation, the mounting height and the mounting location of every tactile sign against the governing accessibility standard, the door schedule, and the door swing.
+### The Contractor shall not rely on a single standard rough-in dimension but shall confirm each tactile sign against the latch-side and approach-clearance requirements below.
+
+# Sign Types and Accessibility Requirements {toc}
+
+## The sign and message schedule and the floor plans determine which signs occur, what they say, and where they are located. {note}
+## The requirements below establish the accessibility, character, contrast, finish, and mounting properties that apply to each governed sign. {note}
+
+## Sign messages, locations, and quantities shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the sign and message schedule and the floor plans]].
+
+## Tactile (Raised) Character Height {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Raised Character Height (uppercase "I")
+type: range
+unit: in
+options:
+ min: 0.625
+ max: 2.0
+ setpoints: [0.625, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0]
+default: 0.625
+```
+
+### The 5/8 in. minimum applies to tactile room-identification copy; larger tactile characters within the range are used where the message or design calls for greater prominence. {note}
+
+### Raised characters shall be 5/8 in. minimum and 2 in. maximum in height, measured as the height of the uppercase letter "I" of the font, per ADA 2010 Section 703.2.5 and ICC A117.1.
+### Tactile characters shall be accompanied by visual characters that, where they are the same characters, may share the raised characters provided the raised characters also satisfy the visual-character requirements.
+
+## Tactile Character Form and Relief {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Raised Character Relief Above Background
+type: range
+unit: in
+options:
+ min: 0.03125
+ max: 0.0625
+ setpoints: [0.03125, 0.046875, 0.0625]
+default: 0.03125
+```
+
+### Raised characters shall be raised 1/32 in. minimum above their background, per ADA 2010 Section 703.2 and ICC A117.1.
+### Raised characters shall be uppercase, sans-serif, and shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual form.
+### Character stroke, character spacing, and the proportion of character width to height shall comply with the character-form provisions of Section 703.2.
+### Raised borders or decorative elements shall be separated from the raised characters by the minimum clearances of the standard so that they cannot be mistaken for characters by touch.
+
+## Braille {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Braille Type
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Contracted (Grade 2) Braille, domed/rounded dots, positioned below the corresponding text"
+ - "As required by AHJ where a different contraction standard is adopted"
+default: "Contracted (Grade 2) Braille, domed/rounded dots, positioned below the corresponding text"
+```
+
+### An incorrect or mistranslated Braille string is not detectable by sighted reviewers and is a common, costly defect. {note}
+
+### Tactile signs shall provide contracted (Grade 2) Braille with domed or rounded dots conforming to the dimensions and spacing of ADA 2010 Section 703.3 and ICC A117.1.
+### Braille shall be positioned below the corresponding raised text; where the text is multi-line, the Braille shall be placed below the entire text.
+### Braille shall be separated 3/8 in. minimum from any other tactile characters and from raised borders and decorative elements.
+### Braille shall read left to right.
+### The Contractor shall verify the Braille translation of the approved message before fabrication.
+
+## Pictograms {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Pictogram Field Height (where a pictogram is used)
+type: range
+unit: in
+options:
+ min: 6.0
+ max: 12.0
+ setpoints: [6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0]
+default: 6.0
+```
+
+### Where a pictogram is required or used to identify a permanent space, the pictogram shall have a field height of 6 in. minimum, per ADA 2010 Section 703.6 and ICC A117.1.
+### The pictogram field shall not contain raised characters or Braille.
+### The verbal equivalent of the pictogram shall be provided directly below the pictogram field as tactile characters and Braille.
+### The pictogram and its field shall have a non-glare finish and shall contrast with each other, either a light pictogram on a dark field or a dark pictogram on a light field.
+
+## Visual Character Legibility {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Visual Character Style
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Sans-serif, conventional spacing, uppercase and lowercase permitted (directional/informational)"
+ - "Sans-serif, uppercase only (where matching tactile copy)"
+default: "Sans-serif, conventional spacing, uppercase and lowercase permitted (directional/informational)"
+```
+
+### The minimum visual-character height is determined by the height of the sign above the floor and the horizontal viewing distance per the table in Section 703.5.5; overhead signs and signs viewed from a distance require taller characters. {note}
+
+### Visual characters on directional, informational, and overhead signs shall comply with the visual-character provisions of ADA 2010 Section 703.5 and ICC A117.1.
+### Characters shall be conventional in form — sans-serif or simple serif — and shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual form.
+### Character stroke thickness shall be 10 percent minimum and 30 percent maximum of the height of the character, and character spacing shall be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of character height.
+### The Contractor shall confirm the minimum visual-character height per Section 703.5.5 against the schedule and the mounting condition.
+
+## Contrast {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Character-to-Background Contrast
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "High contrast — light characters on dark background or dark characters on light background"
+ - "70% minimum luminance contrast (where AHJ specifies a numeric threshold)"
+default: "High contrast — light characters on dark background or dark characters on light background"
+```
+
+### Insufficient contrast is a frequent and avoidable deficiency; hue difference without luminance difference does not satisfy the requirement. {note}
+
+### Characters and their background shall contrast, either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background, per ADA 2010 Sections 703.2 and 703.5 and ICC A117.1.
+### Where the Authority Having Jurisdiction or the contract documents specify a numeric threshold, a luminance contrast of 70 percent minimum between characters and background shall be provided.
+### The Contractor shall select character and background colors that achieve high contrast and shall not rely on color hue alone.
+
+## Finish {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Character and Background Finish
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Non-glare (matte/eggshell) finish on characters and background"
+ - "Gloss finish — only where permitted for non-tactile decorative signs"
+default: "Non-glare (matte/eggshell) finish on characters and background"
+```
+
+### A glossy finish produces specular reflection that defeats legibility for users with low vision. {note}
+
+### Characters, their background, pictograms, and pictogram fields on signs subject to accessibility requirements shall have a non-glare finish, per ADA 2010 Sections 703.2, 703.5, and 703.6.
+### A glossy finish shall not be used on the characters or background of governed signs.
+### Decorative dimensional letters and signs not subject to the legibility requirements may use a gloss finish where shown on the schedule.
+
+## Mounting Height of Tactile Signs {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Tactile Character Baseline Mounting Height
+type: range
+unit: in AFF
+options:
+ min: 48
+ max: 60
+ setpoints: [48, 54, 60]
+default: 48
+```
+
+### On a sign with multiple lines of tactile copy, both limits must be satisfied simultaneously: the lowest line shall not fall below 48 in. and the highest line shall not exceed 60 in.
+
+### Tactile characters shall be mounted with the baseline of the lowest tactile character 48 in. minimum above the finished floor, and the baseline of the highest tactile character 60 in. maximum above the finished floor, per ADA 2010 Section 703.4.1 and ICC A117.1.
+### The Contractor shall lay out tactile signs to the baseline of the tactile copy, not to the top or center of the sign panel, because the requirement is measured to the character baseline.
+
+## Mounting Location of Tactile Signs {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Tactile Sign Location Relative to the Door
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Latch side of the door, clear of the door swing, with the required clear approach"
+ - "Nearest adjacent wall where there is no wall on the latch side (e.g., double doors)"
+default: "Latch side of the door, clear of the door swing, with the required clear approach"
+```
+
+### This is the single most common reason a correctly fabricated tactile sign fails inspection. {note}
+
+### A tactile sign identifying a room or space entered through a door shall be located on the latch side of the door, per ADA 2010 Section 703.4.2 and ICC A117.1.
+### Where there is no wall space on the latch side — at double doors with no center mullion, or where the latch side is obstructed — the sign shall be placed on the nearest adjacent wall.
+### A person shall be able to approach within 3 in. of the sign without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of a door.
+### The Contractor shall confirm, for every tactile sign, that the latch-side wall location provides the required clear approach and is outside the door swing.
+
+# Materials and Construction {toc}
+
+## The substrate, copy method, and finish of each sign shall be appropriate to the sign type, the environment, and the durability required, and shall produce the raised characters, Braille, contrast, and non-glare finish required for governed signs.
+## The selections below establish the construction of the panel signs and dimensional copy; the accessibility properties above govern in all cases. {note}
+
+## Panel Sign Substrate {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Panel Sign Substrate
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Acrylic (cast/extruded, ASTM D4802) — interior panel signs, layered subsurface graphics"
+ - "Photopolymer — integrally raised characters, Braille, and pictograms in one piece"
+ - "Phenolic (high-pressure laminate) — high-abuse, wet, and exterior-adjacent interior areas"
+ - "Aluminum / metal (ASTM B209) — durable panel and overhead signs, exterior building ID"
+default: "Photopolymer — integrally raised characters, Braille, and pictograms in one piece"
+```
+
+### Photopolymer is the predominant substrate for tactile room-identification signs because the raised characters, Braille, and pictograms are formed integrally in a single, durable, vandal-resistant piece that reliably meets the 1/32 in. relief and the Braille-dome requirements. {note}
+### Acrylic conforming to ASTM D4802 is widely used for layered subsurface-graphic panel signs; phenolic high-pressure laminate is specified for high-abuse, wet, and aggressive-cleaning environments; and aluminum and other metals conforming to ASTM B209 are used for durable interior panel and overhead signs and building-mounted identification. {note}
+
+### Interior plastic signs shall meet the applicable flame-spread and combustibility requirements of the building code for the location in which they are installed.
+
+## Copy and Character Method {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Raised-Character and Copy Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Integrally molded raised characters and Braille (photopolymer)"
+ - "Raised characters applied/laminated to panel; Braille raster beads or formed"
+ - "Subsurface (second-surface) printed graphics with applied raised tactile copy"
+ - "Engraved/routed two-color laminate (non-tactile signs) "
+default: "Integrally molded raised characters and Braille (photopolymer)"
+```
+
+### Integrally molded photopolymer produces characters and Braille in one piece and is the most reliable method for tactile signs. {note}
+
+### The copy method shall produce raised characters of the required 1/32 in. minimum relief and Braille of the required dome dimensions.
+### Where raised characters are applied or laminated to a panel, the bond shall be permanent and the characters shall not be subject to peeling or removal.
+### Braille produced by inserting raster beads into drilled holes shall use beads that seat permanently and present a rounded dome.
+### Engraved or routed two-color laminate shall not be used for tactile room-identification signs.
+
+## Dimensional Letters and Logos {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Dimensional Letter Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Fabricated metal (aluminum) dimensional letters"
+ - "Cast metal dimensional letters"
+ - "Cut acrylic / plastic dimensional letters"
+ - "Not used on this project"
+default: "Not used on this project"
+```
+
+### Dimensional letters and logos used for building, lobby, and donor identification shall be fabricated or cast of the specified material with the specified face finish and returns, and shall be mounted by concealed studs, a mounting pattern, or a backer as shown on the shop drawings.
+### Dimensional copy that also serves as permanent room or space identification subject to accessibility requirements shall additionally satisfy the raised-character, Braille, contrast, and finish requirements.
+### Where the dimensional treatment cannot meet those requirements, a separate compliant tactile sign shall be provided at the door.
+
+# Illuminated Signs {toc}
+
+## Where signs are electrically illuminated — internally illuminated panel and cabinet signs, illuminated dimensional letters, and illuminated exit signs — the sign shall be a listed assembly and shall be connected, where it serves an egress function, to the required power source.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Illuminated Sign Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Not applicable — no illuminated signs in this scope"
+ - "Internally illuminated panel/cabinet sign (UL 48)"
+ - "Illuminated dimensional letters / channel letters (UL 48)"
+ - "Illuminated exit sign / directional exit indicator (UL 924)"
+default: "Not applicable — no illuminated signs in this scope"
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Illuminated Exit Sign Power Source
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Normal power with integral battery backup (90-minute minimum)"
+ - "Emergency/standby power branch circuit"
+ - "Self-luminous / photoluminescent (where permitted by the AHJ)"
+default: "Normal power with integral battery backup (90-minute minimum)"
+```
+
+## Electrically illuminated signs other than emergency egress signs shall be listed to UL 48 (Electric Signs).
+
+## Illuminated exit signs and illuminated directional exit indicators shall be listed to UL 924 (Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment).
+
+## Illuminated exit signs shall remain illuminated for not less than 90 minutes upon loss of normal power, supplied either by an integral rechargeable battery or by an emergency/standby power source, as required by the IBC and NFPA 101.
+
+## Light sources shall be LED unless otherwise indicated.
+
+## Electrical connection, circuiting, and coordination with the building emergency power system shall be coordinated with the electrical work, and the sign supplier shall confirm the supply voltage and the means of connection on the shop drawings.
+
+## Self-luminous and photoluminescent exit signs may be used only where specifically permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and where the listing and illumination performance satisfy the adopted code.
+
+# Code-Required Signage {toc}
+
+## Code-required signs are mandated by the building and fire codes and by NFPA 101, and their messages, sizes, and locations are fixed by code rather than by design preference. {note}
+
+## The Contractor shall provide every code-required sign shown on the life-safety/egress plan and required by the adopted codes, even where a sign is omitted from the architectural sign schedule.
+
+## The Contractor shall reconcile the architectural sign schedule with the life-safety plan during submittal.
+
+## Exit Signs {toc}
+
+### A sign reading EXIT, complying with the visibility, size, and illumination requirements of the IBC and NFPA 101, shall be provided at each exit and exit-access door where required by the code.
+### Directional EXIT signs shall be provided where the path of egress travel is not immediately apparent.
+### Where required at the door to an area of refuge, an exterior area for assisted rescue, an exit stairway or ramp, an exit passageway, or the exit discharge, a sign stating EXIT in visual characters, raised (tactile) characters, and Braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be provided adjacent to the door.
+
+## Stairway Identification and Floor-Level Signs {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Stairway Identification Sign (interior exit stairway connecting more than three stories)
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Provide — 18 in. x 12 in. minimum, top at 5 ft above the floor landing, at each landing"
+ - "Not applicable — stairway does not connect more than three stories"
+default: "Provide — 18 in. x 12 in. minimum, top at 5 ft above the floor landing, at each landing"
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Floor-Level Identification Sign at Stairway Door
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Provide tactile floor-level sign (visual + raised characters + Braille, ICC A117.1) at each landing door"
+ - "Not applicable"
+default: "Provide tactile floor-level sign (visual + raised characters + Braille, ICC A117.1) at each landing door"
+```
+
+### A stairway identification sign shall be provided at each floor landing in an interior exit stairway and ramp connecting more than three stories, per IBC/IFC Section 1023.9.
+### The stairway identification sign shall identify the stairway, designate the floor level, indicate the terminus (top and bottom) of the stairway, state the story of and direction to the exit discharge, and indicate the availability of roof access for the fire department.
+### The stairway identification sign shall be a minimum of 18 in. by 12 in., and the top of the sign shall be located 5 ft above the floor landing in a position readily visible when the door is in both the open and closed positions.
+### A floor-level identification sign in visual characters, raised characters, and Braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each floor-level landing, adjacent to the door leading from the interior exit stairway and ramp into the corridor, to identify the floor level, per IBC Section 1023.9.
+
+## Area-of-Refuge Signage {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Area-of-Refuge Identification Sign
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Provide — 'AREA OF REFUGE' with International Symbol of Accessibility at each refuge door"
+ - "Not applicable — no areas of refuge in this building"
+default: "Not applicable — no areas of refuge in this building"
+```
+
+### Doors providing access to an area of refuge shall be identified by a sign that includes the term AREA OF REFUGE and the International Symbol of Accessibility, per the IBC.
+### Where the area of refuge contains instructions for its use, two-way communication, or directions to the area of refuge, signage providing those instructions and directions shall be provided as required by the IBC and NFPA 101.
+### The illuminated or non-illuminated character of the sign and the inclusion of tactile characters at the door shall comply with the adopted code and ICC A117.1.
+
+## Other Regulatory and Informational Signs {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Additional Regulatory Signs (per the life-safety and architectural schedules)
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Maximum occupant load (assembly spaces)"
+ - "'NO EXIT' on doors that may be mistaken for an exit"
+ - "Fire-rated door / 'FIRE DOOR DO NOT BLOCK' where required"
+ - "Restroom accessibility identification (pictogram + tactile)"
+ - "Stairwell re-entry / door-locking status signs (where applicable)"
+default: "'NO EXIT' on doors that may be mistaken for an exit"
+```
+
+### Additional regulatory and informational signs required by the adopted codes — maximum-occupant-load signs in assembly spaces, NO EXIT signs on doors that could be mistaken for an exit, fire-door and door-blocking signs, restroom identification, and stairwell re-entry signs where applicable — shall be provided as required by the life-safety plan and the codes.
+### Messages and locations shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the life-safety/egress plan and the sign and message schedule]].
+
+# Installation {toc}
+
+## Layout and Verification {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: First-Article Tactile Sign Field Verification
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Required — verify a representative tactile sign installation for height, location, and approach before proceeding"
+ - "Not required — Contractor verifies each sign against the schedule"
+default: "Required — verify a representative tactile sign installation for height, location, and approach before proceeding"
+```
+
+### Before installing any sign, the Contractor shall lay out the locations and mounting heights of all signs and shall verify the layout against the approved sign and message schedule, the door schedule and door swings, the life-safety plan, and the governing accessibility standard.
+### Particular attention shall be given to the latch-side location and clear approach of tactile signs and to the baseline mounting height of tactile characters.
+### The Architect or the Owner's accessibility reviewer may require verification of a representative set of tactile signs before the balance are installed.
+
+## Mounting Method {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Sign Mounting Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Concealed adhesive (foam tape + silicone) — typical interior tactile and panel signs"
+ - "Mechanical fasteners with concealed or vandal-resistant heads"
+ - "Concealed mounting studs into blocking/backing — dimensional letters, heavy panels"
+ - "Bracket / flag mounting for projected (perpendicular) overhead signs"
+ - "Suspended (ceiling-hung) mounting for overhead directional signs"
+default: "Concealed adhesive (foam tape + silicone) — typical interior tactile and panel signs"
+```
+
+### Typical interior tactile and small panel signs are mounted with a combination of double-sided foam tape and a compatible silicone adhesive that holds the sign permanently while accommodating minor wall irregularities; mechanical fasteners with concealed or vandal-resistant heads are used where vandalism is a concern. {note}
+
+### Signs shall be mounted level, plumb, and securely by the method appropriate to the sign type and the substrate to which they attach.
+### Heavy panel signs, dimensional letters, and projected or suspended overhead signs shall be anchored to solid blocking, backing, or structure.
+### The Contractor shall coordinate in-wall blocking with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] and shall not rely on fasteners into gypsum board alone for any sign that bears weight or could be pulled or vandalized.
+### Projected (flag-mounted) and suspended overhead signs shall be installed at a height that provides the vertical clearance required for circulation and shall comply with the protruding-object and overhead-clearance limits of the accessibility standard.
+
+## Adhesive and Surface Preparation {toc}
+
+### Surfaces receiving adhesive-mounted signs shall be clean, dry, sound, and fully cured before the sign is applied.
+### Signs shall not be adhered over loose, dusty, freshly painted, or contaminated surfaces.
+### The Contractor shall use the sign manufacturer's recommended adhesive system and shall observe the manufacturer's cure time before the sign is subjected to handling or cleaning.
+
+## Cleaning and Protection {toc}
+
+### Signs shall be protected from damage, dust, and overspray until substantial completion, and protective films shall remain on faces until final cleaning.
+### At completion, signs shall be cleaned per the manufacturer's instructions with non-abrasive cleaners only.
+### Abrasive cleaners shall not be used, as they dull the non-glare finish, reduce contrast, and can damage raised characters and Braille.
+
+# Warranty {toc}
+
+## Signs and Finishes {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Sign and Finish Warranty Period
+type: select
+options:
+ - "1 year from substantial completion — standard"
+ - "2 years from substantial completion — extended"
+ - "5 years from substantial completion — premium"
+default: "1 year from substantial completion — standard"
+```
+
+### The sign manufacturer shall warrant the signs against defects in materials and workmanship for the specified period, including delamination, fading, loss of adhesion of applied characters, and degradation of the non-glare finish under normal interior conditions.
+### The warranty shall not cover damage caused by abuse, vandalism, improper installation, improper cleaning (including abrasive cleaners), or modifications made without the manufacturer's authorization.
+
+## Illuminated Sign Components {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Illuminated Sign Component Warranty Period
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Not applicable — no illuminated signs"
+ - "1 year on electrical components — standard"
+ - "5 years on LED light source and driver — premium"
+default: "Not applicable — no illuminated signs"
+```
+
+### Where illuminated signs are provided, the manufacturer shall warrant the LED light source, driver or transformer, and battery (for UL 924 exit signs) for the specified period.
+### The illuminated-sign warranty shall cover failure of the components under normal operation and shall include the battery's ability to sustain the required 90-minute illumination for exit signs.
+
+## Installation Warranty {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Contractor Installation Warranty
+type: select
+options:
+ - "1 year from substantial completion"
+ - "2 years from substantial completion"
+default: "1 year from substantial completion"
+```
+
+### The Contractor shall warrant the installation of all signs, including correct mounting heights and locations against the governing accessibility standard, correct latch-side location and clear approach for tactile signs, secure attachment to the wall or structure, and proper electrical connection of illuminated signs.
+### Deficiencies discovered during the warranty period that are attributable to installation workmanship — including loose or fallen signs, tactile signs mounted at the wrong height or location, and illuminated signs that fail to operate or to maintain emergency illumination — shall be corrected by the Contractor at no cost to the Owner.