We are happy to report that a major project for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods is finally complete.  The project consisted of over 100 signs including ADA (Americans with Disabilities) tenant identification signs, evacuation maps, vinyl decals and an accessible parking sign.  Early on our construction client who was completing a renovation and remodel at the facility, was tasked with making sure the property was in compliance with local ADA and fire safety guidelines.  There was no architect to supply direction and SignWorks was tasked with creating signs that would comply with both ADA and local fire department guidelines.

Our client, Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, is a Building and Development Company focused on community based building.  The company has over 30 years of construction management and building experience and creates innovative in-fill projects in neighborhoods throughout the East Bay Area.  Their goal is to create and shape beneficial community projects that allow for live work communities throughout the urban neighborhoods of the East Bay.

After several discussions with the client, a site visit was scheduled for the facility, a single room occupancy (SRO) housing facility in Oakland.  During this survey we were able to confirm that the evacuation maps were out of compliance for sizing reasons and, given the change in the color scheme, that we could supply a cost effective solutions while supplying new ADA complient signs for the three floors in question.

The client chose a grey background with black text and braille for the ADA signs ranging in size from 7 ½” wide by 2” tall for the exit and exit route signs, 5 ¾” wide by 4 ¾” tall room identifications signs to 12” wide by 16” tall for the stair identification signs.  There were also a total of 18 evacuation floor maps each sized at 14” by 14” with non-glare acrylic lens and compliant with the Oakland Fire Department guidelines. A single 24” by 24” accessible parking sign and a couple of 20” by 6” decals alerting tenants that the alarm would sound if the emergency door was opened, rounded out the facilities signage.

It’s important to note that one of the things to recognize about ADA signs and evacuation maps is that there are specific mounting guidelines that must adhered to or the signs can be deemed out of compliance.  Our installers typically will take a measuring tool in order to ensure that the signs are installed at the appropriate height.

If you are a property owner or manager you simply cannot afford to take chances on whether your ADA and evacuation maps comply with guidelines and are properly installed!  Using SignWorks will ensure that you are in compliance!  We hope that your next renovation project gives us the opportunity to work with you.  Give us a call at (510) 357-2000 and one of our knowledgeable team members will be available to assist you.  For more details just visit our website and view recent blog posts and project pictures.