Southern California Sign Blog

4 Places You Might Forget to Install ADA Signs in Los Angeles

Posted by Julie Ramirez on Fri, Feb 13, 2015 @ 09:02 AM

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities can access buildings by requiring signs that have tactile letters, braille, and high contrast for maximum readability. There are about two and a half million legally blind Americans and millions more who have vision problems. But, many local business owners are left asking themselves, “Where do I need to install ADA signs in Los Angeles?” This guide should help you remember the places you may not have thought about.

1. In Stairwells

ADA Stairwell signs Los Angles

Each door inside of a stairwell is required to have a tactile sign. These signs should identify the stair level, exit level, and floor level. These signs must be a certain size according to local fire codes. We can help you choose signage that is appropriate for where you are located.

2. Permanent Spaces and Rooms

ADA Signs for Restrooms in Los Angeles

Interior spaces or rooms where a marker is not likely to change over time are required to have labels, names, or designations. This includes interior signs labeling floor and room letters or numbers, room names, and restrooms. For pictograms provided to identify a permanent space, there must also be tactile text descriptors. The key thing to remember is that this applies to rooms that are not likely to change. For rooms whose functions change from one year to the next, ADA signs are not required. However, it is still good to label these rooms because it is the right thing to do.

3. Areas of Rescue Assistance

ADA Exit Route Signs for Los Angeles

If you have a multiple story building, it can be difficult for some people with mobility issues to exit in the event of an emergency. For this reason, you should have designated areas of rescue assistance on each upper floor. Those persons in wheelchairs can then head to these areas and rescue personnel will know where to go immediately upon arriving at your building.

4. By the Elevator

ADA Elevator Signs Los Angeles

It is generally quite easy for people with disabilities to find the elevator. However, as a permanent fixture in your building, you need to label it. In addition, this is a good spot to have a directory sign for people of all abilities as well as a sign outlining the evacuation routes.

These are just some of the places business owners forget about. The Sign Studio can help ensure your facility has all of the necessary ADA compliant signs. Los Angeles property managers come to us for both custom and standard ADA signs that are up to code. Navigating all of the regulations can be confusing. That is why we work with a Certified Access Specialist who can do a thorough site evaluation and determine what signs you need to be in compliance.

Once we know what signage you need, we work with you and your budget to produce the perfect solution for your purposes. For those clients who have a little bit more money to work with, we strongly recommend including your company logo and colors on all of your ADA signs to help build your brand.

Interested in learning more about what we can do for you? Contact us today for a free consultation and quote!

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Topics: ADA Signs Los Angeles, Free ADA Sign Consultation for LA, Where to Hang ADA Signs in LA

What Are the ADA Signage Rules for Parking and Drop-Off Areas in Los Angeles?

Posted by Julie Ramirez on Fri, Oct 24, 2014 @ 06:10 AM

ADA Compliance Signs for Parking Lots Los AngelesThe ADA sign rules for parking and drop off areas in Los Angeles can be quite confusing for the layperson to understand. The regulations are packed full of legalese that have lead many frustrated business owners to just give up on the whole idea of being ADA compliant. However, with the potential lawsuits and lost business, this can be a costly mistake. To help you understand the rules, we have put together this simple guide.

Marking Parking Spots

People with disabilities should be able to arrive at a building, approach it, and enter it just as easily as everyone else. There must be at least one route of travel that is accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. According to the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, some of the requirements for identifying accessible parking spaces are

  • A reflectorized sign must be used to mark each parking space reserved for people with disabilities. This sign must be posted on a permanent basis in a spot that is visible from or adjacent to each space or stall. The sign must consist of the International Symbol of Accessibility in white on a dark blue background. The sign must be at least 70 square inches and be placed at a minimum height of 80 inches.
  • ADA Signage Rules for Parking Lots Los AngelesAt the interior end of the parking space, signs identifying accessible parking space can be centered on a wall. Additional language or an additional sign that says “Minimum Fine $250” should be below the accessibility symbol.
  • Also below the symbol of accessibility, an additional signs that says “Van Accessible” should be added to van accessible parking spots. Once a vehicle is parked in a space, the sign should still be readable, so it should be placed accordingly.
  • At each entrance to off street parking facilities, a sign stating the following must be conspicuously placed: "Unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces not displaying distinguishing placards or special license plates issued for persons with disabilities will be towed away at owner's expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at____________ or by Telephoning_____________."

Drop-Off Area Signs

ADA Drop off area signs Los AngelesFor drop-off areas, the majority of regulations have to do with how much space is provided for loading and unloading. There are also specific regulations for ramps. The signage requirements are focused on helping those with disabilities find their way to accessible entrances. For example, all inaccessible entrances must have signs that indicate where the closest accessible entrance is.

All of the requirements for ADA signage are beyond what one can fit into a blog entry, but hopefully, this gives you an idea of what type of requirements there are. To ensure you get all of the right ADA signs, Los Angeles business owners should consult with a commercial signage company. They will have the experience needed to make certain you are up to code.

The Sign Studio works closely with a Certified Access Specialist (CASp), who can identify all that is needed to make your building ADA compliant. To learn more, contact us today.

 

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Topics: ADA Signs Los Angeles, ADA sign rules for parking lots Los Angeles, ADA rules for drop off areas Los Angeles

Types of California ADA Compliance Signs

Posted by Julie Ramirez on Tue, Oct 21, 2014 @ 06:10 AM

Types of ADA Compliance Signs CaliforniaIn 1990, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With the passage of this act, it became federal law that every business and property owner that serves or accommodates the public must make their premises accessible to the disabled. Without dealing with disability access, running a company is complicated and time consuming enough. However, the issues of ADA compliance still must be addressed.

This issue is more difficult to address in California, the strictest state when it comes to ADA compliance. Fortunately, many of the regulations set forth in both state and federal laws can be met by simply placing easy to read signs in appropriate spots. This is where The Sign Studio can help out.

ADA Compliance Signs for California

ADA Signs Los Angeles CAThere are specific requirements for precise types of exterior and interior signage set forth in the ADA. Some of these laws include:

  • Mounting height and location is specific to the type of sign
  • Character height must be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read
  • Symbols may be required to accompany text
  • Signs must have a non-glare finish
  • Typestyle must be sans serif with contrasting colors, such as dark characters on a light background or vice versa

Grade II Braille

There are many interior signage types that also require the addition of Braille as well as following the above requirements. Braille is the raised dots that accompany the tactile text of a sign. In buildings where the public has general access, stairways, exit routes, restrooms, handicap access points, room signs, exits, and other permanent signs are required to have raised number or letters with corresponding Braille characters and even pictograms on occasion.

We Can Help

California ADA compliance signs are our specialty. We have a full line of standard signs in stock. Or, we can make custom signs for your company. This is generally the better move, ADA Braille Signs Los Angelessince custom signs can be made to precisely match your business’s colors and can potentially include your company name and logo. This is helpful in branding your enterprise and helping build trust and convert sales.

Are you unsure about what signs you need to be compliant? No problem! We work closely with a company that is certified through California’s Certified Access Specialist Program. A trained professional can go through your building and determine exactly what needs to be done to make it compliant. With that information, we can determine what signs are appropriate.

Is Becoming Compliant Expensive?

Braille II interior signs Los AngelesMany businesses avoid updating their building to be compliant because they are afraid of the costs. This is dangerous. First of all, potential disabled customers and employees and their advocates will be turned off by your company thus hurting sales. Secondly, you leave yourself open to potential lawsuits. Lastly, we offer ADA compliance signs made from an array of material that fit just about any budget.

If you are ready to make your business friendlier to those with disabilities while also avoiding potential lawsuits, you could buy California ADA compliance signs online, or you can contact The Sign Studio and know for sure that you are getting precisely what you need.

 

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Topics: Types of ADA Compliance Signs Los Angeles, ADA Signs Los Angeles, Braille II Signs Los Angeles