Elevator Sign Requirements

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Department of Justice September 10, 2010
Enforced beginning March 15, 2012

Excerpts: Elevator Raised Text & Braille requirements

Subject:  Elevator Signs
ADA Chapter 2 – Scoping Requirements
216 Signs

216.7 Elevators. Where existing elevators do not comply with 407, elevators complying with 407 shall be clearly identified with the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1.

28 CFR part 36, subpart D — New Construction and Alterations

407 Elevators

407.2.3 Hoistway Signs. Signs at elevator hoistways shall comply with 407.2.3.407.2.3.1 Floor Designation. Floor designations complying with 703.2 and 703.4.1 shall be provided on both jambs of elevator hoistway entrances. Floor designations shall be provided in both tactile characters and braille. Tactile characters shall be 2 inches (51 mm) high minimum. A tactile star shall be provided on both jambs at the main entry level.

Diagram showing elevator signage for the main entry floor with a tactile star symbol, including Braille translation below. The design specifies the size and distance requirements for clear visibility and touch readability.
Figure 407.2.3.1Floor Designations on Jambs of Elevator Hoistway Entrances

407.2.3.2 Car Designations. Destination-oriented elevators shall provide tactile car identification complying with 703.2 on both jambs of the hoistway immediately below the floor designation. Car designations shall be provided in both tactile characters and braille. Tactile characters shall be 2 inches (51 mm) high minimum.

Schematic of the required signage for elevator floor identification, displaying a circle with the floor number '2' and the associated Braille characters beneath, with clear indications of minimum dimensions and positioning.

407.2.3.2Car Designations on Jambs of Destination-Oriented Elevator Hoistway Entrances

407.4.7.

407.4.7.1 Buttons. Car control buttons shall comply with 407.4.7.1.

407.4.7.1.1 Type. Control buttons shall be identified by tactile characters complying with 703.2.

407.4.7.1.2 Location. Raised character and braille designations shall be placed immediately to the left of the control button to which the designations apply.  EXCEPTION: Where space on an existing car operating panel precludes tactile markings to the left of the controls, markings shall be placed as near to the control as possible.

407.4.7.1.3 Symbols. The control button for the emergency stop, alarm, door open, door close, main entry floor, and phone, shall be identified with tactile symbols as shown in Table 407.4.7.1.3.

Educational table detailing tactile symbols and corresponding Braille messages for various elevator control buttons, such as emergency stop, alarm, and door open/close, along with specific Braille cells required for each command.

407.4.7.1.4 Visible Indicators. Buttons with floor designations shall be provided with visible indicators to show that a call has been registered. The visible indication shall extinguish when the car arrives at the designated floor.

407.4.7.2 Keypads. Keypads shall be identified by characters complying with 703.5 and shall be centered on the corresponding keypad button. The number five key shall have a single raised dot. The dot shall be 0.118 inch (3 mm) to 0.120 inch (3.05 mm) base diameter and in other aspects comply with Table 703.3.1.

(See 2010 ADA Excerpts. Raised Characters – Signs)

Technical illustration showing the required positioning of Braille on a sign indicating 'AREA OF REFUGE.' The diagram includes measurements for the spacing between the raised Braille characters, indicating a minimum of 3/8 inch between each, with additional labeling of the specific areas on the sign

ELEVATOR BRAILLE

EXCEPTION: Braille provided on elevator car controls shall be separated 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) minimum and shall be located either directly below or adjacent to the corresponding raised characters or symbols.

ELEVATOR INSTALLATION HEIGHTS OF RAISED TEXT & BRAILLE

EXCEPTION: Tactile characters for elevator car controls shall not be required to comply with 703.4.1.