There are many regulations and codes that make up all the rules necessary for achieving a safe building, and signage is no different. Most signage requirements are found within each jurisdiction’s building codes. As a broad category, “building codes” refer to the myriad of technical specifications that govern each element of a new project, with specifications such as fire protection, emergency egress, and related signage. With so many different codes and just as many editions of those codes, it can be difficult to know exactly what’s required. The following information will explain the two main non-governmental code organizations that predominate in the United States and how they may affect different projects. Also discussed is the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (SfAD) and the ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, namely how these apply to all public accommodation signage.
The ICC Has the Widest Range of Any Organization
One of the biggest names when it comes to governing a building’s signage is the International Code Council (ICC) organization, which offers the broadest range of building codes. These codes cover fire safety, swimming pool and spa use, plus the functionality of several other areas of a building. In their own words, “The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.”
In an effort to provide such a wide range of standards, experts from a whole host of different industries help to develop and author these codes. While there’s a government relations office within the ICC, the codes and standards published do not automatically operate with the force of law. There are several factors to consider, which include the particular edition adopted, overlap with other regulations, and any possible conflicting issues with federal law.
The National Fire Protection Association Deals With More Specific Issues
On the other hand, there’s the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which develops and drafts building fire protection standards. They’re described as “a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.” While many of these standards are incorporated by reference within other building codes or directly adopted by a jurisdiction, the two primary NFPA standards applicable to crafting interior signage are the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the Fire Code (NFPA 1). Similar to the ICC, the standards drafted by the NFPA are directed to commercial building projects, but must be formally adopted to become legally binding on a specific project.
Whether the ICC, NFPA, or both apply to your jurisdiction depends on whether one of them has been formally adopted by the respective state or local government. Again, that can be an adoption by reference within a directly adopted code. Typically, this isn’t the case for signage, and what HOTELSIGNS.com has discovered is that each respective jurisdiction has adopted a combination of codes, whatever the organization, through direct, legislative means. Florida, for example, has adopted the ICC International Building Code (IBC), but opted to adopt the NFPA Fire and Life Safety codes as well. Although there are material differences to be found with such a regulatory scheme, there’s no difference when it comes to interior signage. Regulatory signage guidelines, whether found within the ICC or the NFPA, effectively involve the same rules and content. While formatted differently, at the end of the day, the ICC and NFPA will produce essentially the same signage.
How Does the ADA Come Into Play?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by president George H.W. Bush, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) tasked with enforcing it. It’s meant to accommodate Americans with disabilities in nearly every aspect of public life, ensuring that facilities and services are as accessible as possible. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (SfAD) are found within the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically, 28 CFR part 36 subpart D (Title III), Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities (e.g. hotels). Given this important task, it’s no wonder that the ADA is strictly a product of federal statutory law, and as such, states and local governments must comply. While compliance is mandated, however, from the perspective of the states, and particularly inspection offices, these entities help enforce state building codes.
ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
In a practical sense, it’s okay to say signage must comply with the SfAD, but at the state and local levels, respective governments will actively enforce something else. This is the ICC A117.1, a standard drafted by the ICC. Basically a carbon copy of the SfAD, it effectuates the intent of federal law, and as such, needs to meet the minimum standards set by federal law. States are more than welcome to draft their own accessibility standard, but it needs always be equal to or greater than the SfAD in terms of barrier removal.
It’s worth noting that the ICC A117.1 is not automatically law, but it becomes the “law” if formally adopted. On the other hand, there are pages found throughout local jurisdiction codes that make numerous references to the A117.1, which itself is not a “code” but a standard, meaning it is widely followed but is not legally enforced. Whether it involves building codes or general accessibility signage, all signage integral to the building must ultimately comply with the minimum standards set by the DOJ, whatever form it takes.
Some of this may still sound confusing or like it’s all some random legal jargon, making it hard to visualize how truly pertinent it is to your hotel. The biggest factor that will ultimately decide things is your local jurisdiction, so get in touch with local authorities to determine which one ultimately affects your hotel. If you’re still confused, we can help! Just contact the customer service reps at HOTELSIGNS.com to get a better idea of what your signs need. From there, we can guide you in pointing out the requirements for any particular regulations organization, ensuring that your signs are informative and compliant.