Just imagine the dilemma our property management client had when the suite numbering needed to be changed on their floor directory! This update could have had disastrous results had SignWorks not had a fabricator in its arsenal that specializes in custom fabrication and color matching. Our repeat client provided us with the old floor directory, along with the suite number and copy changes they wanted. We shipped the directory to our wholesaler and got busy working on a proof for our client to approve. Once approved we sent the art to our fabricator for production. The pictured 10 inch by 12 inch Suite Directory with updated copy is an exact match to other directional and suite signs at the building giving it a professional and uniform appearance from area to area and floor to floor.
The 22 Battery Street building where the directory is located is and eleven story commercial property in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district. It contains more than 66K square feet of usable space and houses many commercial tenants making periodic updates to directories and suite signs a necessity. The project also included updates to the slide in suite sign and a new engraved slat for the main building directory.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Tactile & Braille Signage Code is based on civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination based on disabilities. The lack of accessibility to buildings and other essential services can be considered discriminatory, regardless of who it actually affects. The result is a need for ADA compliant signs to ensure access to buildings and services that are generally available to the general public. These laws make sure that individuals with disabilities can navigate commercial buildings based on signs that facilitate such navigation. This allows them full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations available to everyone else!
When these laws initially came into effect ADA signs were not particularly pleasing to the eye but thankfully this has changes over time and the color and contrast choices are many. Our company continues to with property managers, architects and contractors to design and fabricate ADA compliant signs for restrooms, stairwells, room and tenant signs, directories and parking stalls. In addition, evacuation maps, including those with Braille, like the ones we did years ago for Muni in San Francisco, require that the Braille be certified as accurate by organizations like Light House for the blind.
SignWorks has been involved with lots of projects involving ADA compliant signs. We invite you to take a look at our website and familiarize yourself with the ADA signage projects we have been a part of. Please connect with us if a recent or upcoming renovation requires an update to your building and/or evacuation signs, or involves matching existing onsite ADA compliant signs. You can reach us at (510) 357-2000 or through via the contact form on our website. Check out our blog posts and pictures to see if your project is similar to one you’re anticipating and let us know if we can help.