Hospital Signage

One of the biggest challenges in hospitals is trying to find where you are supposed to go, and once there, how to get back to where you started.  It is all about signage and signage that per requirements of the ADA.

Yes, you are correct.  Signage requirements are also covered in the International Building Code (IBC).  For starters, permanent rooms and spaces are required to be signed.  Directions to or information about interior spaces are required.  Means of egress is required to be signed.  Instructions in areas of refuge are required to be signed.  The route to accessible means of egress is required to be signed.d  Accessible parking and loading areas are required to be signed. 

Where not all entrances are accessible, signage is required to the nearest accessible entrance.  When not all restrooms are accessible, signage is required to the nearest accessible restroom.  TTY telephone require signage both at the telephone and directional signage to the TTY telephone.  In assembly areas, assisted listening systems signage is required to inform patrons of the availability of the assisted listening system.  Where not all checkout desks are accessible, signage is required to identify by numbers letters or functions, the location of the accessible checkout desks.

Yes, hospitals are required to have all kinds of signage.  Some signage will be lines on the floors, wall signage and overhead signage.  The real challenge is to have that signage designed so that it will actually work.

Give us your questions or thoughts on the above article.  You can post them here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730.  You can also reach us at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Hank


The above are opinions of Hank Falstad, AIA, Managing Senior Associate of Access Technologies Services, Inc. (ACCESS).  See our web site for additional information:  www.accessts.net.