ADA / Accessibility Requirements For Room Identification Signs

Accessibility & The ADA 2010 Standard (SAD) For Room Identification Signs

An AIA Continuing Education Program Program # 2010 Standard | Provider # K325

Nova Polymers, Inc. is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems.

Credit earned on completion of the program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Copyright Materials This presentation is protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited.

Course Objectives • • • • • • • • • •

What Is ADA? Regulations Relating To ADA Compliance 2010 Standard - Standard For Accessible Design (SAD) California Building Standards Code - Title 24 Access To Premise Standards - Australia International Accessibility Standard for Canada General Terminology Signage Design Restrictions Areas That Require ADA Compliant Signage Technical Specifications Of Photopolymer

6

What is ADA? What is ADA?

What Is The ADA The ADA is broken into sections (Title II, Title III) and enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Â

Title III of the ADA applies to places of public accommodation and commercial facility open to public access and is enforced by the DOJ. Title III includes, but is not limited to, restaurants, schools, museums, public office buildings, retail and social service establishment.

What Is The ADA The most prevalent area of signage affected by the ADA under Title III is Room Identification and Wayfinding.

The ADA creates the opportunity for people with disabilities to navigate the built environment.

What Is The ADA Under the ADA any person may file a federal lawsuit, either for individual discrimination or as a class action.

Under the ADA any person may request the DOJ to investigate and act upon an ADA discrimination claim.

The attorney General may also file a civil action suit in cases of general public importance.

What Is The ADA Penalties

Although the ADA covers all public facilities, the court can order any facility ADA accessible.

The court can also award monetary damages of up to $55,000 for the first ADA violation and up to $110,000 for each subsequent violation, emphasizing the importance of understanding how to comply with ADA laws.

Why Are ADA Signs Important Without proper signs a blind person cannot find their way around a building.

By not being able to find doorways and other amenities; they face functional barriers.

These barriers are every bit as daunting as structural barriers are to those who require a ramp to access a building but it is not there.

ADA: Two Groups There are two primary groups of people the ADA focuses on relating to signage; the blind and the visually impaired.

The Blind The functionally blind make up 2-3% of the population and cannot see signs, interior changes, color, or type.

When walking, they expect information to be where their hands fall and where their feet and cane follow.

The Visually Impaired The visually impaired can distinguish type and color, but with an increased level of difficulty thus requiring different means of accessibility.

People with visual disabilities make up at least 25% of the population and among people older than 65, this figure can be as high as 75%.

ADA Regulations‌ The Process

American National Standards Institute ANSI A117.1

The ICC/ANSI A117.1 primarily provides the basis of the accessibility sections of the International Building Code (IBC) and is the basis for the federal ADAAG published by the Access Board.

The A117.1 Committee consists of several trade organization, design associations, disability advocacy organizations, and other experts.

American National Standards Institute ANSI A117.1

The committee concluded the 2008 cycle in 2011which will undoubtedly be seen in future code updates.

Changes relating to Signage in the 2008 cycle involve regulating VMS (Variable Message Signs).

Access Board ADA Accessibility Guidelines - ADAAG

The Unites States Access Board develops the ADAAG. These guidelines serve as the baseline for standards used to enforce the ADA by the DOJ and DOT. The ADAAG derives from an earlier Federal standard called the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS).

Source: American with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines

Access Board Guidelines & Standards

The Board’s guidelines serve as the baseline for standards used to enforce the ADA. It is these standards (2010 Standard for example), not the Board’s guidelines, which the public must follow.

Source: American with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines

Access Board Guidelines & Standards

Guidelines versus standards ‌ Guidelines are issued by the Access Board, standards are issued by designated agencies such as DOJ and DOT. Standards are what the public must follow to comply with the laws; the guidelines are what these agencies must follow in setting or updating their standards.

Source: American with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines

2010 Standard DOJ Takes Action

On July 23, 2010 the DOJ signed final regulations revising the ADA to include the 2004 ADAAG. This was published in the Federal Register September 15, 2010 and took effect March 15, 2012.

2010 Standard DOJ Takes Action

Compliance with the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (SAD) is permitted as of September 15, 2010, but was required starting March 15, 2012.

2010 Standard DOJ Takes Action

The language in the 2010 Standard is NOT new.

It is derived from the 2004 ADAAG. What is new, is that it is now enforceable on the Federal Level

States and the ADA

States & The ADA State Enforcement The new 2010 Standard (derived from 2004 ADAAG) became enforceable on March 15, 2012.

While all projects are subject to the Federal ADA, many states have already adopted the newer 2004 ADAAG or, in the case of California, have their own state regulations.

A state can modify their building codes as long as they get approval from the DOJ.

States & The ADA State Enforcement Enforcement of state codes is done by local state officials who interpret the codes and guidelines.

If there is any discrepancies or confusions as to what the code means, then consulting with your local official to get his or her interpretation is highly recommend.

California Codes - Title 24 Title 24 contains the regulations that govern the construction of buildings in California. As noted, states can modify their respective building codes.

Title 24 has a few important differences related to signage. While there are others, we're going to focus on three key areas relating to permanent room identification signage.

California Codes - Title 24 Braille

Grade II Braille incorporates the use of 189 contractions and short-form words, and is now the standard Braille used in most applications across the states.

Title 24, which uses Grade II Braille, requires in section 1117B. 5.6 that the spacing of the individual Braille cells be further apart than what is required under the 2010 Standard.

California Codes - Title 24 Braille

California Codes - Title 24 Braille Placement

All codes require Braille to be a minimum of 3/8" from tactile characters and raised boards.

Title 24 in section 1117B.5.5 however places a maximum distance of 1/2" from the raised characters.

California Codes - Title 24 International Symbol Of Accessibility

California Codes - Title 24 YES – this means that in addition to the sign mounted on the door, you still need to have an ADA Compliant Room Identification Sign mounted on the latch side of the door.

California Codes - Title 24 International Symbol Of Accessibility

The men’s sanitary facilities are required to be identified by an equilateral Triangle ¼” inch thick with edges 12” inches long and a vertex pointing upward (see figure 2.1).

figure2.1

California Codes - Title 24 International Symbol Of Accessibility

The women’s sanitary facilities are required to be identified by a Circle, ¼” inch thick and 12” inches in diameter (see figure 2.2).

figure2.2

California Codes - Title 24 International Symbol Of Accessibility

Unisex sanitary facilities is required to be identified by a Circle ¼” thick, 12” inches in diameter with a ¼” thick Triangle superimposed on the circle and within the 12” inch diameter (see figure 2.3)

figure2.3

Signs Covered by ADA

Exempt From ADA Requirements Temporary Signs

Building Directories Personnel Signs Menu-boards Hours of Operation, etc.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted What Constitutes A Permanent Room Or Space?

Where are tactile signs required?

Restrooms Exits Room Numbers Other rooms with designations not likely to change

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted Current Guidelines

Required to be Tactile with 1/32” minimum raised copy, accompanied by Grade II Braille.

Tactile character height minimum is 5/8”, maximum 2”

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

703.3.1 Dimensions and Capitalization.

Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape and shall comply with Table 703.3.1

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted Table 703.3.1 Braille Dimensions

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted Braille Position 703.3.2 Position. Braille shall be positioned below the corresponding text. If text is multi-lined, Braille shall be placed below the entire text.

Braille shall be separated 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from any other tactile characters and 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum from raised borders and decorative elements.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

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.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted Braille Placement - Directly below corresponding text.

Not Allowed

Correct

Not Allowed

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

Finish & Contrast Characters must be eggshell, matte or non-glare finish.

Characters must contrast with background (light on dark) or (dark on light)

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

703.5 The new provision for Separate Tactile and Visual Messages is becoming highly recommended as part of the 2010 Standard, as the attributes that make type legible to the visual reader are different than for the tactile reader.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

Tactile characters shall be: 1. 1/2 inch minimum height.

2. 3/4" maximum height.

3. Not required to contrast with the background.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

Visual characters shall be: 1. Uppercase and/or lowercase.

2. Style shall be conventional in form.

Simple serifs are allowed.

3. Stroke thickness shall be 10 percent minimum and 30 percent maximum of the letter height.

4. Spacing between characters shall be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of the character height.

5. Min. character height is 5/8", providing height above floor is below 70 inches and min. viewing distance is 6 feet or less.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

VISUAL: Serifs, Upper & Lower Case, Variable Stroke Width, Color, etc‌ TACTILE: Requires tracing finger along a thin character bead with very wide letter spacing.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted

Character Spacing: Distance between characters must be a minimum of 1/8� and a maximum of 4 times the character stroke width.

Distances are measured between the closest points of adjacent characters.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted Mounting Height Permanent room I.D. signs must be mounted on the latch side of the door, 48" minimum and 60� maximum from the finished floor to the bottom baseline of text.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted Location

What if there is no wall space on the latch side of the door?

Double Doors?

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted 703.4.2 Location Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with two active leafs, the sign shall be located to the right of the right hand door.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted 703.4.2 Location Where there is no wall space at the latch side of a single door or at the right side of double doors, signs shall be located on the nearest adjacent wall. Signs containing tactile characters shall be located so that a clear floor space of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position.

EXCEPTION: Signs with tactile characters shall be permitted on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.

Permanent Room ID - Wall Mounted 703.4.2 Location

Directional and Informational Signs Finish & Contrast

Characters & background must be eggshell, matte or non-glare finish.

Characters must contrast with background‌ (light on dark) or (dark on light)

Directional and Informational Signs Symbols The size of symbols used for directional signs is not regulated.

Directional and Informational Signs Tactile & Minimums Obviously not required to be tactile.

Table 703.5.5

Min. to be 2” height, providing sign is no higher than 10’ above floor.

Min. character heights established based on viewing distance.

Mount high enough so that 80” clear head space is maintained.

Directional and Informational Signs Minimums Letters Minimum to be 2� height, providing sign is no higher than 10’ above floor. Minimum character heights established based on viewing distance.

Accessibility Standards - Canada

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Summary

Canada does not have a single consistent national standard for accessible signs. The country has a Canadian Disability Act which requires that public spaces be made accessible, but the provinces, localities, and agencies are allowed to design their own codes and guidelines.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Summary

Many groups in Canada build their own code off of the guidelines established by the Canadian Standards Association, a non-profit membership organization charged with establishing standards that can be employed by different groups in the country.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Summary

The Canadian Standards Association’s guideline is CAN/CSA B-651 95 Barrier-Free Design. Currently the following codes and guidelines are built off of the CSA’s work.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Ontarian's With Disabilities Act

Currently in the process of developing a guidelines that can be incorporated into municipal codes. In the meantime municipalities can develop their own sign codes.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Canadian National Institute For The Blind

This group establishes additional language and best practices that can be incorporated into codes.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Federal Identity Program Guidelines 4.3B Tactile Signage

Sign System and Installation Guide: This set of standards for federal buildings is based on the CSA Barrier Free Design Guidelines and is used for federal buildings.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada International Codes

A number of municipalities based their sign codes off of more detailed information found in the International Building Code (Which the ADA is in part based off of).

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Canadian Transportation Agency

The agency has adopted its own set of guidelines for transportation facilities.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada

Highlights from the CSA Barrier-Free Design Guidelines Adapted for the Ontarian’s with Disability Act (In Progress) and Federal Identity Program Note that individual agencies and municipalities can alter the guideline. These general guidelines are being noted because they are the most commonly used in Canada. Be sure to identify the specific code be used in a specific project.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Scope

Tactile sign guidelines are applicable for regulatory, warning , and permanent room identification signs.

Visual guidelines are applicable to orientation and informational signs. This approach is similar to the American’s with Disabilities Act guidelines.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Braille

Grade 1 Braille is used in Canada, a form of Braille that complies with the Unified Braille Code, a form of Braille where all letters and numbers are given a Braille equivalent.

This form of Braille is not used on signs in the United States and is the primary difference between the two guidelines.

Grade 1 Braille also meets the multi-lingual standards in Canada.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Visual Characters

Visual character guidelines are closely aligned with the International Building Code including color contrast, letter heights for minimum viewing distances as well as specific ratios for stroke width and width to height ratios.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Tactile Characters

Upper/lower case tactile letters are allowed as opposed to the upper case only requirement in the United States.

Characters are between 16-50 mm (0.6-2 in) high.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Tactile Characters

All characters whether they are visual or tactile should have minimum width to height ratios of 3:5 to 1:1. They must have a minimum stroke width ration of 1:5 to 1:10.

All tactile characters as well as the sign itself should be smoothly edged.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Sign Height & Location

Sign heights are recommended at 1500mm (59 inches) off the ground surface.

If at all possible the sign should be placed on the latch side with a clear area of a minimum 75 mm (3 inches) from the door frame. The sign should be a minimum of 140 mm (app. 6 inches) from the adjacent wall surface.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Contrast & Lighting

There are no color contrast recommendations but a minimum lighting level of 200lx is required.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Symbols

All symbols should meet international standards and be within a minimum 150mm (6 inch) field. Corresponding text and Braille must be below the symbol.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Multi-lingual Standards

Though not in the CSA or the Ontarian’s with Disabilities Act federal program signs are required to be in English and French including all tactile information and Braille. There are a number of sign systems with template approaches to multi-lingual accessibility signs.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Design Recommendations

Unlike other countries including the United States, England, and Australia; Canada has not developed one consistent national guideline for individual provinces or specific facilities.

It is important to know the pertinent guideline for the municipality, province, or building type.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Design Recommendations

Government signs fall under the Federal Identity Guidelines which mandate the use of multi-lingual signs as well as other specific approaches to sign development.

Multi-lingual requirements may also be applicable in other provincial or local codes.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Design Recommendations

Use only metric units when working with Canadian codes.

English equivalents are only approximate and will not be approved by code officials.

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Design Recommendations

Be sure to measure the lighting level when developing the sign program.

Grade 1 Braille takes up a significant amount of space on a sign can potentially limit the amount of information that can be used

International Accessibility Standard - Canada Design Recommendations

The Canadian code guidelines are moving towards harmonization with the International Building Code.

Where the Barrier Free Access Act is in effect and there is no local code it may be possible to substitute the International Building Code.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia

Access To Premise Standard - Australia International Symbol Of Accessibility

After more than 10 years of negotiations, the Australian Government has introduced new standards for access to buildings for people with disability.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia International Symbol Of Accessibility

The standards, approved by the Parliament in November 2010, and entering into force in May 2011, clarify how to ensure buildings are accessible to people with disability and meet the requirements of discrimination law.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia International Symbol Of Accessibility

From 1 May 2011, any new building open to the public, or existing buildings undergoing significant renovation, is required to comply with the standards.

The Commission is providing training to the building industry in the lead up to this commencement date.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Overview

These standards, developed into formal language by Standards Australia, a non-profit standards development organization (Documented as AS14281.1) is integrated into the national Building Code for Australia and located in section D3.6.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Overview

Braille standards are developed by the Australian Braille Authority.

The national building code is enforced by local code officials.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Braille

Grade 1 Braille is used in Australia, a form of Braille that complies with the Unified Braille Code, a form of Braille where all letters and numbers are given a Braille equivalent. This form of Braille is used throughout the world but is different from the Grade 2 standard found in the United States.Â

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Braille

Braille must be domed, right justified to raised text, and be 8mm (5/16 inches). When multiple lines of text are used a semicircular text locator must be used aligned with the first line of text. Arrow used on a tactile sign small arrow must be included alongside the Braille.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Tactile Characters

Upper/lower case tactile letters are allowed as opposed to the upper case only requirement in the United States. Lower case tactile letters are mandated to have a height of no less than 50% of the upper case letters.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Tactile Characters

Upper case tactile characters must have a height of between 15-55mm (app. 9/16-2 1/16 inch). These characters must have a stroke with a stroke width of between 2-7mm (app.

1/16-1/4 inch). Only fonts with consistent stroke thickness (San Serif) must be used)

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Tactile Characters

Characters must be a minimum of 17.5 mm (11/16 inch in height) per meter of viewing distance. Most viewing distances are 1-2 meters for signs.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Tactile Characters

Text must have a minimum character spacing of 2 mm (1/16 inch) and a minimum word spacing of 10 mm (3/8 inch) All tactile characters as well as the sign itself must have rounded edges.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Sign Details

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Sign Height & Location

Sign heights and character heights off the ground surface are mandates.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Sign Height & Location For sign heights the sign should be between 1200-1600 mm (app. 47-63 inches) while signs with a single line of characters should be between 1250-1350 mm (app. 49-53 inches).

In some cases sign including high traffic areas signs can be placed slightly above the heights outlined.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Sign Height & Location

If at all possible the sign should be placed on the latch side of the door between 50-300 mm (2-6 inches) from the door moulding. If this is not possible the sign can be placed on the latch side of the door or the door itself.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Luminance (Contrast)

Australia has a formal contrast requirement for both signs and characters of 30% minimum luminance ratio (Similar to light reflectance value). A sign must contrast with the wall behind it, as well as the sign and the characters on the sign. If the sign does not sufficiently contrast with its background a minimum 5mm(3/16 inch) contrasting border must be put on the sign.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Luminance (Contrast)

The codes also mandate minimum lighting levels to ensure adequate contrast. This includes monitoring lighting levels in all public areas during open hours.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Luminance (Contrast)

All sign characters must have a matte or a low gloss finish.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Symbols

The international symbol of accessibility must be used in a strictly mandated approach. It must be a white character on a blue square background (B21 Ultramarine) and the character must be facing the direction of traffic. For identification signs the symbol must be facing to the right.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Design Recommendations

The code of Australia is similar to many international codes, but deviates in significant ways from the American’s with Disabilities Act. Be sure to identify these changes and similarities if developing a multi-national sign system.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Design Recommendations

Use only metric units when working with Australian codes.

English equivalents are only approximate and will not be approved by code officials.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Design Recommendations

Be sure to measure the lighting level when developing the sign program.

Access To Premise Standard - Australia Design Recommendations

Grade 1 Braille takes up a significant amount of space on a sign can potentially limit the amount of information that can be used.

Make sure to note the difference between character distances and sign distances. Both metrics are used in the code.

Understanding Photopolymer

Photopolymer & It’s Applications What is Photopolymer for ADA Compliant Signage?

For ADA Compliant signage, a 1/32” layer of photopolymer is extruded to a variety of base substrates. The extrusion process in the manufacturing facility, combined with the cross linking of the photopolymer molecules when exposed to UV light (at the sign fabrication facility) creates a chemical weld between the two surfaces; creating an integral bond.

The extrusion process is very important as it will ensure a consistent 1/32” height for all tactile surfaces. Mechanical processes used to manufacture ADA signage do not ensure this consistency.

Photopolymer & It’s Applications What is Photopolymer for ADA Compliant Signage?

Compared to engraving and other alternative processes that are labor intensive, photopolymer signs are a high quality, cost-effective and process driven method of creating ADA Compliant integrally constructed signage.

Photopolymer & It’s Applications What is Photopolymer for ADA Compliant Signage?

Photopolymer used to manufacture ADA compliant signage has a moisture absorption ratio of .001 with a hard “acrylic-like” PETG plastic base.

The unique combination of PETG with a moisture resistant photopolymer layer makes the most versatile sign material on the market today.

Photopolymer & It’s Applications What is Photopolymer for ADA Compliant Signage?

Polymer layer will not decay in most environments and can be easily machined without cracking or chipping. This is beneficial to the fabricator as it helps shorten cycle times and reduce cost.

All photopolymer sign material is not created equal. Make sure the material you are specifying or fabricating has a low moisture absorption ratio.

What is PETG?

What is PETG? PETG, glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate, is a co polyester that is a clear amorphous thermoplastic.

PETG exhibits has high stiffness, hardness, and good impact strength.

What is PETG? PETG exhibits good resistance to dilute aqueous solutions of mineral acids, bases, salts, and soaps. PETG also has good resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and a variety of oils.

What is PETG? The clear PETG base of all sheets contains a co-extruded UV inhibitor to block unwanted light contamination and increase the longevity and resilience of the material.

What is PETG? Recyclable & Biodegradable PETG waste can be sent to recycling facilities to be incorporated into post industrial waste content materials.

The photopolymer effluent is 100% biodegradable and can be disposed of into any public sewer system.

Code Requirements Flammability

Signs made from photopolymer or PETG thermoplastic will meet all flammability requirements for light transmitting plastics specified by

BOCA Building Officials and Code Administrators SBCCI Southern Building Code Congress International ICBO International Conference of Building Officials

Code Requirements Burn Rate

Signs made from photopolymer on PETG thermoplastic when tested according to ASTM D 635 will burn less than one inch. It therefore meets the requirements for classification CC1 at a nominal thickness of 1/16".

Code Requirements Vertical VerticalBurn Burn

Products made from photopolymer on PETG thermoplastic is classified by UL as 94V-2 in a thickness of 1/8" or greater.

A sheet thickness less than 1/8" is classified as 94 HB.

How to Fabricate

Manufacturing Photopolymer Signs HOW TO MAKE

PHOTOPOLYMER SIGNS

5 Easy Steps

5

STEP 1

STEP 2

Contact With Flim Negative

Exposure with UV Light

The first step is to place a high density film negative on top of the photopolymer sheet.

There is a bank of UV lamps that shine down and pass through the clear areas of the film negative and expose the photopolymer material.

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP

process of making photopolymer signage:

5 Easy Steps

STEP 3

Wash in Plain Tap Water

The unexposed photopolymer gets washed away during the washout process in plain tap water.

The photopolymer effluent is 100% biodegradable and goes right down the drain. You are left with the exposed raised images.

Drying

Dry the moisture off the material.

The photopolymer and the base PETG does not absorb moisture during the washout - drying is to evaporate any standing moisture left on the sheet.

Post Exposure

Post exposure is a second exposure to fully cure, harden and activate the photpolymer. This is the final step in processing photopolymer.

Setting Up Photopolymer Panel For Exposure

Negative On Photopolymer Panel Under Vacuum

Photopolymer Panel During Washout

Photopolymer Panel In Dryer

Processed Photopolymer Sheet

Manufacturing Photopolymer Signs Based on the processing times of photopolymer, the fabricator can yield 11 production cycles through the equipment each hour.

Based on an average sign panel size of 8� x 8�, the fabricator is capable of producing over 400 ADA compliant signs each work shift.

Using materials that have patterns or colors extruded into the material will further reduce the amount of time required to decorate the panel.

Since signs are typically the last component to be manufactured, using a material that has a short cycle time will help in eliminating delays, while complimenting the design of your project.

Conclusion Accessible (ADA Compliant) Signs manufactured using PETG photopolymer meet ALL US and International Laws & Standards, including Title 24 & The 2010 Standard for Accessible Design (2004 ADAAG Update) Accessible (ADA Compliant) Signs manufactured using PETG base photopolymer are integrally (single piece) constructed.

Accessible (ADA Compliant) Signs manufactured using PETG base photopolymer have a .001 moisture absorption ratio.

Accessible (ADA Compliant) Signs manufactured using PETG base photopolymer meet or exceed burn/vertical burn standards for ALL international standards.

This concludes the AIA Continuing Education Program

Credits for this course will be filed with the AIA and Certificates of Completion provided within 2 weeks

Eight Evans Street Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 info@novapolymers.com NovaPolymers.com