Restroom Signs for Every Need

Restroom signs provide guests to any building the comfort of knowing where essential facilities are located. In addition to comfort and convenience, restroom signs are carefully regulated to ensure all guest can locate facilities even if they have a disability that would prohibit them from finding restrooms through traditional signage. Building owners need to understand the rules governing restroom signs since noncompliance can lead to significant penalties.

What are Restroom Signs?

Restroom signs provide information about where facilities are located and who is able to access them. Signs also let people with disabilities know whether the restroom is accessible. Utilizing these signs create a feeling of inclusion among all guests, informing everyone where they can safely and comfortably use them. Additionally, restroom signs are required for any type of building, including office buildings, schools, government buildings, retail centers, and healthcare facilities.

Why are Restroom Signs Necessary?

Restroom signs, like other signs in public buildings, are subject to both state and federal guidelines. However, the requirements for restroom signs tend to be even more rigorous since they are governed by the American Disabilities Act(ADA). Failure to comply can lead to substantial penalties by the ADA, which can increase based on the number of times the building or business is cited. Noncompliance may be reported by any guest to a building that determines the signage is insufficient for their needs.  

Ensuring ADA Restroom Signs are Compliant

Restroom signs are governed by a myriad of regulations designed to ensure all guests to any building can find facilities quickly and easily regardless of language or disability. It has become even more critical today to properly label restrooms to ensure guests can find the correct restroom regardless of gender identity.

Some of the requirements for restroom signs include:

• Color and Contrast:While there is no single color for restroom signs, regulations call for the lettering to stand out in strong contrast from the background of the sign to make it easy to read. For example, dark backgrounds should have light letters and light backgrounds must have dark letters. The finish must be non-glare as well.
• Characters:Lettering must follow specific size guidelines to ensure easy reading from a distance. Number and letter characters also must be in correct proportion to one another. Only a few different fonts are allowed under ADA regulations.
• ADA Braille: Braille restroom signs are also required for any tactile signage. Grade 2 braille should be used in all lowercase unless a proper name is included or there is a letter that accompanies a room number.
• Accessibility:Restroom signs should include accessibility for disabled guests if the restroom allows for that. It should display the international symbol of accessibility to make them easily recognizable.

In addition to ADA guidelines, restroom signs should comply with state and local regulations as well. California buildings need to be most aware of those requirements, as California has some of the strictest rules for ADA signage in the country.

Compliance for California Restroom Signs

In addition to ADA compliance, California restroom signsmust also take into consideration the Equal Restroom Access Act (California AB 1732) and the California Code of Regulations that governs all buildings and equipment in the state. All California restroom signs must be identified by a geometric symbol. Men’s restrooms are designated by a triangle, while women’s restrooms are denoted by a circle. On unisex bathrooms, the sign will include a triangle superimposed on top of a circle.

California regulations differ from federal ADA guidelines. If the geometric signage required by California doesn’t meet federal standards, a second sign will need to be posted to ensure both state and federal guidelines are met.

How Should Restroom Signs be Mounted?

In addition to rules about how ADA restroom signs are to be designed, there are also guidelines as to how the signs should be mounted. Rules regarding mounting include:

• Location:Signage should be posted on the side of the door that has the handle or latch. If it is a double door, signs must be posted on the closest wall.
• Height:The height of restroom signs needs to be 60 inches from the floor to the center of the sign.
• Obstruction: Restroom signs should be mounted so that a person can come within three inches of the sign without running into objects or getting in the way of the door.

Options in Restroom Signs

While compliance for restroom signs is extensive, there is room to incorporate building décor or business branding into the creation of the sign. For example, businesses can choose a background color to blend with the color scheme of the building or to match a logo. As long as compliance is met, there is some room for customization. It is essential to work with a sign company that is well-versed in compliance to ensure all restroom signs meet the necessary guidelines.

At Exit Sign Warehouse, we create restroom signs that are ADA compliant, durable, and customized to your precise needs. To learn more about your options, contact a member of the Exit Sign Warehouse team today.