1143A.6 Raised Characters and Pictorial Symbol Signs

When raised characters are required or when pictorial symbols (pictograms) are used on such signs, they shall comply with this section. Raised characters and pictorial symbols shall be duplicated in Braille complying with Section 1143A.7.

1. Character type. Raised characters on signs shall be ¹/₃₂ inch (0.8 mm) minimum above their background. Characters shall be sans serif uppercase, and shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
2. Character height. Character height measured vertically from the baseline of the character shall be ⁵/₈ inch (15.9 mm) minimum and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum based on the height of the uppercase letter "I".
3. Character format. Characters and Braille shall be in a horizontal format.
4. Proportions. Raised characters on signs shall be selected from fonts when the width of the uppercase letter "O" is 60 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter "I".
5. Stroke thickness. Stroke thickness of the uppercase letter "I" shall be 15 percent maximum of the height of the character.
6. Character spacing. Character spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters within a message, excluding word spaces. When characters have rectangular cross sections, spacing between individual raised characters shall be ¹/₈ inch (3.2 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum. When characters have other cross sections, spacing between individual raised characters shall be ¹/₁₆ inch (1.6 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum at the base of the cross sections, and ¹/₈ inch (3.2 mm) minimum and 4 times the raised character stroke width maximum at the top of the cross sections. Characters shall be separated from raised borders and decorative elements ³/₈ inch (9.5 mm) minimum.
7. Line spacing. Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of raised characters within a message shall be 135 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the raised character height.
8. Location. When a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side. When a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. When a tactile sign is provided at double doors with two active leafs, the sign shall be located to the right of the right hand door. When there is no wall space at the latch side of a single door or at the right side of double doors, signs shall be located on the nearest adjacent wall. Signs containing tactile characters shall be located so that a clear floor space of 18 inches (457 mm) minimum by 18 inches (457 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position. When permanent identification signage is provided for rooms and spaces they shall be located on the approach side of the door as one enters the room or space. Signs that identify exits shall be located on the approach side of the door as one exits the room or space.

9. Height. Signs with raised characters shall be located 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum above the finish floor, measured from the baseline of the lowest Braille cells and 60 inches (1524 mm) maximum above the finish floor, measured from the baseline of the highest line of raised characters.

   Exception: Tactile characters for elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with this section.

10. Pictorial symbol signs (pictograms). Pictorial symbol signs (pictograms) shall be accompanied by a text description located directly below the pictogram field. The text description shall comply with Sections 1143A.6 and 1143A.7. The outside dimension of the pictogram field shall be a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) in height. Characters and Braille shall not be located in the pictogram field.