Room identification
Room numbers and names for offices, conference rooms, and other permanent spaces.
ADA & Code Signs | New York / Tri-State
Tactile and Braille sign packages for New York buildouts
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces, like restrooms, room numbers, and floor levels, need raised characters and Grade 2 Braille. So do signs identifying doors at exit stairways, exit passageways, and exit discharge. Tactile signs mount within a set height range, usually beside the door on the latch side. Directional and informational signs need readable visual characters, not Braille. NYC projects also follow the NYC Building Code. Arc does the sign schedule and sign-type drawings in-house. Fabrication and installation are through Arc's licensed partners, with drawings prepared for architect and inspector review. Arc does not promise a sign-off.
Scope
What an ADA sign package covers
A package is every code-driven sign on the job, tracked on one schedule from submittal through punch list.
Restrooms
Restroom and bathing room signs. Where a pictogram identifies a permanent room, it gets a tactile text descriptor.
Stairs and floor levels
Stair identification signs and tactile floor-level signs at stair doors.
Exits
Tactile EXIT signs at doors to exit stairways, exit passageways, and exit discharge.
Elevators and egress
Elevator, area of rescue assistance, and other egress signs shown on the drawings.
Entrances and directions
Accessible-entrance and directional signs, which need visual characters but not Braille.
Layout
How tactile and Braille signs are laid out
Section 703 of the 2010 ADA Standards sets the details. The main points:
- Raised characters are duplicated in Braille (§703.2).
- Braille is contracted (Grade 2) and sits below the text, at least 3/8 inch from other tactile characters and from raised borders (§703.3).
- Characters and background have a non-glare finish and contrast light-on-dark or dark-on-light (§703.5.1).
- Tactile characters sit 48 to 60 inches above the finish floor. The lower limit is measured to the baseline of the lowest tactile character, and the upper limit to the baseline of the highest (§703.4.1).
- At a door, the sign goes alongside the door on the latch side. It needs an 18 by 18 inch clear floor space, centered on the tactile characters and beyond the arc of the door swing (§703.4.2).
There are more rules for character height, stroke, spacing, and pictograms. Arc lays out each sign type to the standard and to the project's drawings. The architect reviews the sign-type drawings before fabrication.
NYC-specific items
The 2022 NYC Building Code's accessibility chapter (Chapter 11) points to ICC A117.1. DOB says the code references the 2009 edition. A few NYC provisions affect signs directly:
- BC 1111.1 calls for the dynamic accessibility symbol at listed locations, such as accessible entrances where not all entrances are accessible, and accessible parking and passenger loading zones.
- BC 1023.9.3 requires floor-level signs in visual characters, raised characters, and Braille at each floor-level landing, next to the door on the stair side.
- BC 1013.4 requires a tactile EXIT sign, in visual characters, raised characters, and Braille, next to each door to an exit stairway or ramp, an exit passageway, a horizontal exit, the exit discharge, and areas of rescue assistance.
The project's architect or code consultant decides which provisions apply to a given job.
Process
From sign schedule to punch list
- 01
Review
Sign schedule, plans, finish specs, and the TCO or punch-list date.
- 02
Field survey
Door swings, latch sides, wall space, and existing conditions.
- 03
Drawings
Message schedule and sign-type drawings for architect review.
- 04
Fabricate
Tactile and Braille signs in photopolymer, acrylic, or the specified material.
- 05
Install
Install to the approved locations, punch list, and closeout photos.
Quote
What to send for a quote
- Sign or message schedule, or plans with room numbers and names
- Photos of the doors and walls where signs will go
- Signage finish or specification section
- TCO or punch-list date
- Street address of the project
Send it to Arc
Email your files to jc@arcsignco.com with the project address in the subject line. Put URGENT in the subject for active jobsites.
Arc's 24-hour quote target starts once Arc has photos with measurements (or drawings, if you have them) and the project street address.
Request a quote
FAQ
ADA sign questions
Which signs need tactile text and Braille?
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces need raised characters and Braille (§216.2), and so do doors at exit stairways, exit passageways, and exit discharge (§216.4.1). Directional and informational signs only need visual characters that meet §703.5 (§216.3). Some items are exempt, such as building directories, occupant names, and company names and logos.
What is Grade 2 Braille and where does it go on the sign?
Grade 2 is contracted Braille, which uses shortened forms for common words and letter groups. The 2010 ADA Standards require it on tactile signs (§703.3). The Braille goes below the corresponding text, and below all of the text if it runs to more than one line. It needs at least 3/8 inch of space from other tactile characters and from raised borders or decorative elements.
How high do ADA signs mount?
Under §703.4.1 of the 2010 ADA Standards, tactile characters sit at least 48 inches and no more than 60 inches above the finish floor. The lower limit is measured to the baseline of the lowest tactile character, and the upper limit to the baseline of the highest. At a single door, the sign goes alongside the door on the latch side. It needs an 18 by 18 inch clear floor space, centered on the tactile characters and beyond the arc of the door swing (§703.4.2). Double doors and doors without wall space on the latch side have their own rules.
Does NYC have its own sign rules beyond the ADA?
Yes. The 2022 NYC Building Code's accessibility chapter references ICC A117.1 (2009 edition). The code also has its own sign provisions, including the dynamic accessibility symbol at listed locations (BC 1111.1), tactile floor-level signs at stair doors (BC 1023.9.3), and tactile EXIT signs at exit doors (BC 1013.4). The project's architect or code consultant decides which provisions apply.
Can you help with signs on a TCO or accessibility punch list?
Yes. Arc works from the sign schedule and a field survey and prepares sign-type drawings for review. Fabrication and installation are through Arc's licensed partners. The architect, code consultant, and inspector decide what is accepted, so Arc does not promise a sign-off. If the job has a near-term TCO or inspection date, put URGENT in your email subject line.
What do you need to quote an ADA sign package?
Send the sign or message schedule, or plans with room numbers and names, plus photos of the doors and walls, the signage finish or spec section, your TCO or punch-list date, and the street address. Email them to jc@arcsignco.com with the project address in the subject line. Arc's 24-hour quote target starts once Arc has photos with measurements (or drawings, if you have them) and the project street address.
Sources
Public sources
- U.S. Access Board: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
- NYC Department of Buildings: 2022 Construction Codes
- NYC Department of Buildings: 2022 Building Code accessibility presentation (PDF)
Rules change. Confirm current requirements with the project's architect or code consultant. Sources checked September 2026.
Request a quote
Have a sign schedule to price?
Email the schedule, plans, and photos to jc@arcsignco.com with the project address in the subject line. No schedule yet? Use the quote form and Arc will tell you what's needed.