Communications elements and features required to be accessible by the scoping provisions adopted by the administrative authority shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 7.
Accessible audible and visible alarms and notification appliances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72 listed in Section 105.2.2, be powered by a commercial light and power source, be permanently connected to the wiring of the premises electric system, and be permanently installed.
Upcodes Diagrams
Accessible signs shall comply with Section 703. Tactile signs shall contain both raised characters and braille. Where signs with both visual and raised characters are required, either one sign with both visual and raised characters, or two separate signs, one with visual, and one with raised characters, shall be provided.
Signs that provide direction to or information about interior spaces and facilities of the site shall comply with Section 703.2.
Where pictograms are provided as designations of permanent interior rooms and spaces, the pictograms shall comply with Section 703.5 and shall have text descriptors located directly below the pictogram field and complying with Sections 703.2 and 703.3.
Exception: Pictograms that provide information about a room or space, such as "No Smoking," occupant logos, and the International Symbol of Accessibility, are not required to have text descriptors.
Visual characters shall comply with the following:
- Visual characters that also serve as raised characters shall comply with Section 703.3, or
- Visual characters on VMS signage shall comply with Section 703.7, or
- Visual characters not covered in items 1 and 2 shall comply with Section 703.2.Exception: The visual and raised requirements of item 1 shall be permitted to be provided by two separate signs that provide corresponding information provided one sign complies with Section 703.2 and the second sign complies with Section 703.3.
Characters shall be uppercase, lowercase, or a combination of both.
Characters shall be conventional in form. Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
The uppercase letter "I" shall be used to determine the allowable height of all characters of a font. The uppercase letter "I" of the font shall have a minimum height complying with Table 703.2.4. Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and an obstruction preventing further approach towards the sign.
Exception: In assembly seating where the maximum viewing distance is 100 feet (30.5 m) or greater, the height of the uppercase "I" of fonts shall be permitted to be 1 inch (25 mm) for every 30 feet (9145 mm) of viewing distance, provided the character height is 8 inches (205 mm) minimum. Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and where someone is expected to view the sign.
TABLE 703.2.4
VISUAL CHARACTER HEIGHT
| HEIGHT ABOVE FLOOR TO BASELINE OF CHARACTER | HORIZONTAL VIEWING DISTANCE | MINIMUM CHARACTER HEIGHT |
| 40 inches (1015 mm) to less than or equal to 70 inches (1780 mm) | Less than 6 feet (1830 mm) | 5/8 inch (16 mm) |
| 6 feet (1830 mm) and greater | 5/8 inch (16 mm), plus 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) per foot (305 mm) of viewing distance above 6 feet (1830 mm) | |
| Greater than 70 inches (1780 mm) to less than or equal to 120 inches (3050 mm) | Less than 15 feet (4570 mm) | 2 inches (51 mm), plus 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) per foot (305 mm) of viewing distance above 15 feet (4570 mm) |
| 15 feet (4570 mm) and greater | ||
| Greater than 120 inches (3050 mm) | Less than 21 feet (6400 mm) | 3 inches (75 mm), plus 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) per foot (305 mm) of viewing distance above 21 feet (6400 mm) |
| 21 feet (6400 mm) and greater |
Upcodes Diagrams
The uppercase letter "O" shall be used to determine the allowable width of all characters of a font. The width of the uppercase letter "O" of the font shall be 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase "I" of the font.
The uppercase letter "I" shall be used to determine the allowable stroke width of all characters of a font. The stroke width shall be 10 percent minimum and 30 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase "I" of the font.
Spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent characters within a message, excluding word spaces. Spacing between individual characters shall be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of the character height.
Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of characters within a message shall be 135 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the character height.
Exception: In assembly seating where the maximum viewing distance is 100 feet (30.5 m) or greater, the spacing between the baselines of separate lines of characters within a message shall be permitted to be 120 percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the character height.
Visual characters shall be 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum above the floor of the viewing position, measured to the baseline of the character. Heights shall comply with Table 703.2.4, based on the size of the characters on the sign.
Exception: Visual characters indicating elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with Section 703.2.9.
Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background, with either light characters on a dark background, or dark characters on a light background.
Raised characters shall comply with Section 703.3, and shall be duplicated in braille complying with Section 703.4.
Raised characters shall be raised 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) minimum above their background.
Characters shall be uppercase.
Characters shall be sans serif. Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
The uppercase letter "I" shall be used to determine the allowable height of all characters of a font. The height of the uppercase letter "I" of the font, measured vertically from the baseline of the character, shall be 5/8 inch (16 mm) minimum, and 2 inches (51 mm) maximum.
Exception: Where separate raised and visual characters with the same information are provided, the height of the raised uppercase letter "I" shall be permitted to be 1/2 inch (13 mm) minimum.
FIGURE 703.3.5
CHARACTER HEIGHT
The uppercase letter "O" shall be used to determine the allowable width of all characters of a font. The width of the uppercase letter "O" of the font shall be 55 percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase "I" of the font.
Raised character stroke width shall comply with Section 703.3.7. The uppercase letter "I" of the font shall be used to determine the allowable stroke width of all characters of a font.
The stroke width shall be 15 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter "I" measured at the top surface of the character, and 30 percent maximum of the height of the uppercase letter "I" measured at the base of the character.
When characters are both visual and raised, the stroke width shall be 10 percent minimum of the height of the uppercase letter "I".
Character spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters within a message, excluding word spaces. Spacing between individual raised characters shall be 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) minimum measured at the top surface of the characters, 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) minimum measured at the base of the characters, and four times the raised character stroke width maximum. Characters shall be separated from raised borders and decorative elements 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum.
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.
Raised characters shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum above the floor, measured to the baseline of the lowest raised character and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the floor, measured to the baseline of the highest raised character.
Exception: Raised characters for elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with Section 703.3.10.
Note: For braille character mounting height see Section 703.4.5
FIGURE 703.3.10
HEIGHT OF RAISED CHARACTERS ABOVE FLOOR
Upcodes Diagrams
Where a sign containing raised characters and braille is provided at a door, the sign shall be alongside the door at the latch side. Where a sign containing raised characters and braille is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. Where a sign containing raised characters and braille is provided at double doors with two active leaves, the sign shall be to the right of the right-hand door. Where there is no wall space on the latch side of a single door, or to the right side of double doors, signs shall be on the nearest adjacent wall. Signs containing raised characters and braille shall be located so that a clear floor area 18 inches (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 mm) minimum, centered on the raised characters is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position.
Exception: Signs containing raised characters and braille shall be permitted on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.
FIGURE 703.3.11
LOCATION OF SIGNS AT DOORS
Upcodes Diagrams
Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background, or dark characters on a light background.
Exception: Where separate raised characters and visual characters with the same information are provided, raised characters are not required to have nonglare finish or to contrast with their background.
Braille shall be contracted (Grade 2) braille and shall comply with Section 703.4.
The indication of an uppercase letter or letters shall only be used before the first word of sentences, proper nouns and names, individual letters of the alphabet, initials, or acronyms.
Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape and shall comply with Table 703.4.3.
FIGURE 703.4.3
BRAILLE DIMENSIONS
TABLE 703.4.3
BRAILLE DIMENSIONS
| MEASUREMENT RANGE | MINIMUM IN INCHES MAXIMUM IN INCHES |
| Dot base diameter | 0.059 (1.5 mm) to 0.063 (1.6 mm) |
| Distance between two dots in the same cell | 0.090 (2.3 mm) to 0.100 (2.5 mm) |
| Distance between corresponding dots in adjacent cells1 | 0.241 (6.1 mm) to 0.300 (7.6 mm) |
| Dot height | 0.025 (0.6 mm) to 0.037 (0.9 mm) |
| Distance between corresponding dots from one cell directly below1 | 0.395 (10.0 mm) to 0.400 (10.2 mm) |
- Measured center to center.
Braille shall be below the corresponding text. If text is multilined, braille shall be placed below entire text. Braille shall be separated 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from any other raised characters and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from raised borders and decorative elements. Braille provided on elevator car controls shall be separated 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) minimum either directly below or adjacent to the corresponding raised characters or symbols.
FIGURE 703.4.4
POSITION OF BRAILLE
Braille shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the floor, measured to the baseline of the braille cells.
Exception: Elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with Section 703.4.5.
Note: For raised character mounting height see Section 703.3.10
FIGURE 703.4.5
HEIGHT OF BRAILLE CHARACTERS ABOVE FLOOR
FIGURE 703.5
PICTOGRAM FIELD
Pictograms shall comply with Section 703.5.
Pictograms shall have a field 6 inches (150 mm) minimum in height. Characters or braille shall not be located in the pictogram field.
Pictograms and their fields shall have a nonglare finish. Pictograms shall contrast with their fields, with either a light pictogram on a dark field or a dark pictogram on a light field.
Symbols of accessibility shall comply with Section 703.6.
Symbols of accessibility and their backgrounds shall have a non-glare finish. Symbols of accessibility shall contrast with their backgrounds, with either a light symbol on a dark background or a dark symbol on a light background.
The International Symbol of Accessibility shall comply with Figure 703.6.3.1.
FIGURE 703.6.3.1
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESSIBILITY
The International Symbol of TTY shall comply with Figure 703.6.3.2.
FIGURE 703.6.3.2
INTERNATIONAL TTY SYMBOL
Assistive listening systems shall be identified by the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss complying with Figure 703.6.3.3.
FIGURE 703.6.3.3
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESS FOR HEARING LOSS
Telephones with volume controls shall be identified by a pictogram of a telephone handset with radiating sound waves on a square field complying with Figure 703.6.3.4.
FIGURE 703.6.3.4
VOLUME-CONTROLLED TELEPHONE
High resolution variable message sign (VMS) characters shall comply with Sections 703.2 and 703.7.12 through 703.7.14. Low resolution variable message sign (VMS) characters shall comply with Section 703.7.
Low resolution VMS characters shall be uppercase.
Low resolution VMS characters shall be conventional in form, shall be san serif, and shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
The uppercase letter "I" shall be used to determine the allowable height of all low resolution VMS characters of a font. Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and an obstruction preventing further approach towards the sign. The uppercase letter "I" of the font shall have a minimum height complying with Table 703.7.4.
Exception: In assembly seating where the maximum viewing distance is 100 feet (30.5 m) or greater, the height of the uppercase "I" of low resolution VMS fonts shall be permitted to be 1 inch (25 mm) for every 30 feet (9145 mm) of viewing distance, provided the character height is 8 inches (205 mm) minimum. Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and where someone is expected to view the sign.
TABLE 703.7.4
LOW RESOLUTION VMS CHARACTER HEIGHT
| HEIGHT ABOVE FLOOR TO BASELINE OF CHARACTER | HORIZONTAL VIEWING DISTANCE | MINIMUM CHARACTER HEIGHT |
| 40 inches (1015 mm) to less than or equal to 70 inches (1780 mm) | Less than 10 feet (3050 mm) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| 10 feet (3050 mm) and greater | 2 inches (51 mm), plus 1/5 inch (5.1 mm) per foot (305 mm) of viewing distance above 10 feet (3050 mm) | |
| Greater than 70 inches (1780 mm) to less than or equal to 120 inches (3050 mm) | Less than 15 feet (4570 mm) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| 15 feet (4570 mm) and greater | 3 inches (75 mm), plus 1/5 inch (5.1 mm) per foot (305 mm) of viewing distance above 15 feet (4570 mm) | |
| Greater than 120 inches (3050 mm) | Less than 20 feet (6095 mm) | 4 inches (100 mm) |
| 20 feet (6095 mm) and greater | 4 inches (100 mm), plus 1/5 inch (5.1 mm) per foot (305 mm) of viewing distance above 20 feet (6095 mm) |
The uppercase letter "O" shall be used to determine the allowable width of all low resolution VMS characters of a font. Low resolution VMS characters shall comply with the pixel count for character width in Table 703.7.5.
FIGURE 703.7.5
LOW RESOLUTION VMS SIGNAGE CHARACTERS
TABLE 703.7.5
PIXEL COUNT FOR LOW RESOLUTION VMS SIGNAGE1
| CHARACTER HEIGHT | CHARACTER WIDTH RANGE | STROKE WIDTH RANGE | CHARACTER SPACING RANGE |
| 7 | 5-6 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | 6-7 | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| 9 | 6-8 | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| 10 | 7-9 | 2 | 2-4 |
| 11 | 8-10 | 2 | 2-4 |
| 12 | 8-11 | 2 | 3-4 |
| 13 | 9-12 | 2-3 | 3-5 |
| 14 | 10-13 | 2-3 | 3-5 |
| 15 | 11-14 | 2-3 | 3-5 |
1. Measured in pixels.
The uppercase letter "I" shall be used to determine the allowable stroke width of all low resolution VMS characters of a font. Low resolution VMS characters shall comply with the pixel count for stroke width in Table 703.7.5.
Spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent low resolution VMS characters within a message, excluding word spaces. Low resolution VMS character spacing shall comply with the pixel count for character spacing in Table 703.7.5.
Low resolution VMS characters shall be 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum above the floor of the viewing position, measured to the baseline of the character. Heights of low resolution variable message sign characters shall comply with Table 703.7.4, based on the size of the characters on the sign.
The background of Low resolution VMS characters shall have a non-glare finish.
Where a protective layer is placed over VMS characters through which the VMS characters must be viewed, the protective covering shall have a non-glare finish.
The brightness of variable message signs in exterior locations shall automatically adjust in response to changes in ambient light levels.
Where a VMS message can be displayed in its entirety on a single screen, it shall be displayed on a single screen and shall remain motionless on the screen for a minimum 3 seconds or one second minimum for every 7 characters of the message including spaces whichever is longer.
Remote Infrared Audible Sign Systems shall comply with Section 703.8.
Where provided, Remote Infrared Audible Sign Transmitters shall be designed to communicate with receivers complying with Section 703.8.3.
Basic speech messages shall be frequency modulated at 25 kHz, with a +/- 2.5 kHz deviation, and shall have an infrared wavelength from 850 to 950 nanometer (nm).
Receiver shall produce a 12 decibel (dB) signal-plus-noise-to-noise ratio with a 1 kHz modulation tone at +/- 2.5 kHz deviation of the 25 kHz subcarrier at an optical power density of 26 picowatts per square millimeter measured at the receiver photosensor aperture.
The audio output from an internal speaker shall be at 75 dBA minimum at 18 inches (455 mm) with a maximum distortion of 10 percent.
The receiver shall be designed for a high dynamic range and capable of operating in full-sun background illumination.
A receiver provided for the capture of the stronger of two signals in the receiver field of view shall provide a received power ratio on the order of 20 dB for negligible interference.
Accessible pedestrian signals shall comply with Section 4E.06-Accessible Pedestrian Signals, and Section 4E.09-Accessible Pedestrian Signal Detectors, of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices listed inSection 105.2.1.
Exception: Pedestrian signals are not required to comply with the requirement for choosing audible tones.
Accessible public telephones shall comply with Section 704.
Wheelchair accessible public telephones shall comply with Section 704.2.
Exception: Drive up only public telephones are not required to comply with Section 704.2.
A clear floor space complying with Section 305 shall be provided. The clear floor space shall not be obstructed by bases, enclosures, or seats.
FIGURE 704.2.1
CLEAR FLOOR SPACE FOR TELEPHONES
Where a parallel approach is provided, the distance from the edge of the telephone enclosure to the face of the telephone shall be 10 inches (255 mm) maximum.
Where a forward approach is provided, the distance from the front edge of a counter within the enclosure to the face of the telephone shall be 20 inches (510 mm) maximum.
Operable parts shall comply with Section 309. Telephones shall have push button controls where service for such equipment is available.
Where provided, telephone directories shall comply with Section 309.
The telephone handset cord shall be 29 inches (735 mm) minimum in length.
Telephones shall be hearing aid compatible.
Public telephones required to have volume controls shall be equipped with a receiver volume control that provides a gain adjustable up to 20 dB minimum. Incremental volume controls shall provide at least one intermediate step of gain of 12 dB minimum. An automatic reset shall be provided.
TTYs required at a public pay telephone shall be permanently affixed within, or adjacent to, the telephone enclosure. Where an acoustic coupler is used, the telephone cord shall be of sufficient length to allow connection of the TTY and the telephone receiver.
When in use, the touch surface of TTY keypads shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum above the floor.
Exception: Where seats are provided, TTYs shall not be required to comply with Section 704.5.
Where public pay telephones designed to accommodate a portable TTY are provided, they shall be equipped with a shelf and an electrical outlet within or adjacent to the telephone enclosure. The telephone handset shall be capable of being placed flush on the surface of the shelf. The shelf shall be capable of accommodating a TTY and shall have a vertical clearance 6 inches (150 mm) minimum in height above the area where the TTY is placed.
Telephones, enclosures, and related equipment shall comply with Section 307.
Detectable warning surfaces shall comply with Section 705.
Detectable warning surfaces shall be standard within a building, facility, site, or complex of buildings.
Exception: In facilities that have both interior and exterior locations, detectable warnings in exterior locations shall not be required to comply with Section 705.4.
Detectable warning surfaces shall contrast visually with adjacent surfaces, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.
Detectable warning surfaces in interior locations shall differ from adjoining walking surfaces in resiliency or sound-on-cane contact.
Detectable warning surfaces shall have truncated domes complying with Section 705.5.
FIGURE 705.5
TRUNCATED DOME SIZE AND SPACING
Truncated domes shall have a base diameter of 0.9 inch (23 mm) minimum and 1.4 inch (36 mm) maximum, and a top diameter of 50 percent minimum and 65 percent maximum of the base diameter.
Truncated domes shall have a height of 0.2 inch (5.1 mm).
Truncated domes shall have a center-tocenter spacing of 1.6 inches (41 mm) minimum and 2.4 inches (61 mm) maximum, and a base-to-base spacing of 0.65 inch (16.5 mm) minimum, measured between the most adjacent domes on the grid.
Truncated domes shall be aligned in a square grid pattern.
Detectable warning surfaces at transportation platform boarding edges shall extend the full length of the public use areas of the platform. The detectable warning surface shall extend 24 inches (610 mm) from the boarding edge of the platform.
Accessible assistive listening systems in assembly areas shall comply with Section 706.
Receivers required for use with an assistive listening system shall include a 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) standard mono jack.
Receivers required to be hearing aid compatible shall interface with telecoils in hearing aids through the provision of neck loops.
Assistive listening systems shall be capable of providing a sound pressure level of 110 dB minimum and 118 dB maximum, with a dynamic range on the volume control of 50 dB.
The signal-to-noise ratio for internally generated noise in assistive listening systems shall be 18 dB minimum.
Peak clipping shall not exceed 18 dB of clipping relative to the peaks of speech.
Accessible automatic teller machines and fare machines shall comply with Section 707.
A clear floor space complying with Section 305 shall be provided in front of the machine.
Exception: Clearfloor space is not required at drive up only automatic teller machines and fare machines.
Operable parts shall comply with Section 309. Unless a clear or correct key is provided, each operable part shall be able to be differentiated by sound or touch, without activation.
Exception: Drive up only automatic teller machines and fare machines shall not be required to comply with Section 309.2 or 309.3.
Automatic teller machines shall provide the opportunity for the same degree of privacy of input and output available to all individuals.
Numeric keys shall be arranged in a 12-key ascending or descending telephone keypad layout. The number Five key shall have a single raised dot.
FIGURE 707.5
NUMERIC KEY LAYOUT
Function keys shall comply with Section 707.6.
Function key surfaces shall have raised symbols as shown in Table 707.6.1.
Function keys shall contrast visually from background surfaces. Characters and symbols on key surfaces shall contrast visually from key surfaces. Visual contrast shall be either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.
Exception: Raised symbols required by Section 707.6.1 shall not be required to comply with Section 707.6.2.
The display screen shall comply with Section 707.7.
The display screen shall be visible from a point located 40 inches (1015 mm) above the center of the clear floor space in front of the machine.
Exception: Drive up only automatic teller machines and fare machines shall not be required to comply with Section 707.7.1.
Characters displayed on the screen shall be in a sans serif font. The uppercase letter "I" shall be used to determine the allowable height of all characters of the font. The uppercase letter "I" of the font shall be 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) minimum in height. Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background, or dark characters on a light background.
Machines shall be speech enabled. Operating instructions and orientation, visible transaction prompts, user input verification, error messages, and all displayed information for full use shall be accessible to and independently usable by individuals with vision impairments. Speech shall be delivered through a mechanism that is readily available to all users including, but not limited to, an industry standard connector or a telephone handset. Speech shall be recorded or digitized human, or synthesized.
Exceptions:
- Audible tones shall be permitted in lieu of speech for visible output that is not displayed for security purposes, including but not limited to, asterisks representing personal identification numbers.
- Advertisements and other similar information shall not be required to be audible unless they convey information that can be used in the transaction being conducted.
- Where speech synthesis cannot be supported, dynamic alphabetic output shall not be required to be audible.
Speech shall be capable of being repeated and interrupted by the user. There shall be a volume control for the speech function.
Exception: Speech output for any single function shall be permitted to be automatically interrupted when a transaction is selected.
Where receipts are provided, speech output devices shall provide audible balance inquiry information, error messages, and all other information on the printed receipt necessary to complete or verify the transaction.
Exceptions:
- Machine location, date and time of transaction, customer account number, and the machine identifier shall not be required to be audible.
- Information on printed receipts that duplicates audible information available on-screen shall not be required to be presented in the form of an audible receipt.
- Printed copies of bank statements and checks shall not be required to be audible.
At least one tactually discernible input control shall be provided for each function. Where provided, key surfaces not on active areas of display screens shall be raised above surrounding surfaces. Where membrane keys are the only method of input, each shall be tactually discernable from surrounding surfaces and adjacent keys.
Braille instructions for initiating the speech mode shall be provided. Braille shall comply with Section 703.4.
Accessible two-way communication systems shall comply with Section 708.
The system shall provide both visual and audible signals.
Handset cords, if provided, shall be 29 inches (735 mm) minimum in length.
Telephone entry systems shall comply with ANSI/DASMA 303 listed in Section 105.2.7.