ADA Signs

Regulations require that special concerns be observed when designing emergency exit plans in relation to disabled individuals. This includes the deaf and the blind as well as those who are bound to wheelchairs. The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, sets these guidelines, and law requires that they be followed. For the deaf, it is essential that there are lights present that flash quickly and brightly in emergency situations. These act as an alarm, as they cannot hear traditional emergency sirens. There are also special exit sign concerns for blind individuals.

ADA Signs for The Blind

Blind individuals or those with very poor eyesight cannot see traditional exit signs. Instead, they rely on their sense of touch to find their way through their environment. There are exit signs that use Braille, a system of lettering and numbering using raised dots so that those who cannot see to read can feel the signs with their fingers. It is important that all exit signs for the blind that use Braille be set at a low height so that the individuals can reach them to read them. It is also important to follow all ADA guidelines for placement. Blind individuals are taught a standard system so that they will know where to look for signs, so having the signs in the proper place is essential.

ADA Escape Routes for Disabled Individuals

When designing emergency escape routes, or egress paths, the needs of all disabled individuals must be taken into account. Ramps for those in wheelchairs are required, and it is important to consider how those in wheelchairs will find their way to safety in multistory buildings if the elevators are not safe to use. For all individuals it is important that egress paths not be obstructed and that they are easy to find. Blind individuals must be able to feel their way out of the building. Braille signs that tell them which floor they are on, which room they are in, and the directions of the exits are important safety tools. Blind individuals often count steps as a way of figuring out where they are, so knowing exactly where they are at all times in relation to anything else in the building will help them remember which way to go should they have to evacuate an area.

Considering the needs of all persons who might visit or occupy a public building is key for overall emergency safety. Using emergency exit signs for deaf or blind individuals is one necessary ingredient for meeting all ADA standards and creating the safest building possible.

LED Exit Signs

Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs, are bright and efficient. They’re popular for use in a variety of capacities including car headlights because they provide such clear and illuminating light. When compared to more traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights, LED lights are the better choice. They are more durable and damage-resistant, and they provide steady, consistent and strong illumination, never flickering. Perhaps the most glaring difference between LED lights and their more traditional competitors is that they’re much more energy efficient. They can provide more light using far less energy than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. This makes LED lights perfect for use in public building exit signs. Safety is every building designer’s number one concern, but finding an exit sign that provides both satisfactory illumination and energy efficiency is key. Today’s public buildings are getting bigger, and this means an even greater number of exit signs. Each one of those signs requires electricity, and that can add up to big bills if designers aren’t savvy about the exit sign choices they make. Still, it’s essential that designers not skimp on the brightness, reliability and durability of their illuminated emergency exit signs.