2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)

11B-703.4 Installation height and location.

Signs with tactile characters shall comply with Section 11B-703.4.

11B-703.4.1 Height above finish floor or ground.

Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest Braille cells and 60 inches (1524 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest line of raised characters.

[2010 ADA Standards] 703.4.1 Height Above Finish Floor or Ground. Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character and 60 inches (1525 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character.  

Exception: Tactile characters for elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-703.4.1.

FIGURE 11B-703.4.1 HEIGHT OF TACTILE CHARACTERS ABOVE FINISH FLOOR OR GROUND ‡‡

11B-703.4.2 Location.

Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. Where 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. Where 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. Where provided, signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces shall be located at the entrance to, and outside of the room or space. Where provided, signs identifying exits shall be located at the exit door when approached in the direction of egress travel.

[2010 ADA Standards] 703.4.2 Location. Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. Where 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. Where 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 (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 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.

Exception: In alterations where sign installation locations identified in Section 11B-703.4.2 are obstructed or otherwise unavailable for sign installation, signs with tactile characters shall be permitted on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.

[2010 ADA Standards] EXCEPTION: Signs with tactile characters shall be permitted on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.

FIGURE 11B-703.4.2 LOCATION OF TACTILE SIGNS AT DOORS

Advisory 11B-703.4.2 Location. Persons with visual impairments are trained to look in a consistent location for tactile signs. When a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign must be located alongside the door, preferably at the latch side. When tactile signs are mounted inconsistently on surrounding wall surfaces, or mounted on the door itself, they are difficult to find and may create a safety hazard. In this section, the term “wall space” refers to any type of partition assembly or adjacent surface of sufficient dimension where a sign can lay flat, including glass partitions or sidelites. ◼