INTERPRETIVE OPINION

Pursuant to §103-50, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), all buildings and facilities constructed by, or on behalf of the State or any county, shall conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and amendments. In accordance to HRS §103-50 and Chapter 11-217, Hawaii Administrative Rules, the Disability and Communication Access Board has authority to issue interpretive opinions to HRS §103-50 design standards.

Docket: DCAB 2006-01: Can non-pictogram signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces be mounted 60 inches above the finish floor or ground surface to the centerline of the tactile characters/Braille?

Summary: The ADAAG Section 4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height requires signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces to be mounted 60 inches above the finished floor to the centerline of the sign. Interpretive opinion AAC 1999-06 requires pictogram signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces to be mounted 60 inches above the finished floor to the centerline of the verbiage/Braille. Compliance with the ADAAG Section 4.30.6 and interpretive opinion AAC 1999-06 could require mounting pictogram and non-pictogram signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces at different heights measured from the floor to the tactile/Braille information. Particularly when the non-pictogram sign is oversized or has other non-tactile information. The ADAAG Manual clarifies that the 60 inch centerline height provides uniformity as well as convenience in reading signs from a standing position. In addition, the ADAAG Manual recommends measuring signs containing pictograms or other non-tactile information to the centerline of the raised/Braille portion so that the tactile information is not too low or high.

Ruling: For buildings or facilities subject to HRS §103-50,

ADAAG Section 4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height

Non-pictograms signs that designate permanent rooms and spaces can be mounted 60 inches above the finished floor or ground surface measured to the centerline of the tactile characters and Braille.

[Rul: 7/19/2006] (Auth and Imp: HRS §103-50)

If you have any questions or comments regarding this ruling, please call us at 586-8121.

DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD

919 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96814

Phone: (808) 586-8121 (V/TTY)

Fax: (808) 586-8129