As you are aware, one of the most under-appreciated elements of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the placement of handicap parking signs. It is the duty of the business owners, property managers, or HOA boards to make sure that they properly mark their lots. Errors not only lead to fines but can also result in accessibility and safety problems for those who rely on designated parking spaces. To know more about ADA compliance, click this link.

Understanding the handicap parking sign requirements is just as necessary as properly marking the pavement or painting the stalls. Below are the basic sign requirements that every property must follow.

ADA Sign Height Requirements

The ADA specifications indicate a height at which a handicap parking sign must be mounted. The bottom of the sign must be 60″ tall off the ground. This height allows for visibility of the sign from people in vehicle and from those pedestrians who are using the curb cut.

If a parking lot is installed properly, the use of asphalt paving and concrete curbing are extremely important for placing signs in a way that commonly gets damaged by vehicles and snow removers. A contractor paving roads and driveways in Nashville is likely to suggest that when using a mounted overhead sign to be placed on a metal post cemented into the ground for maximum durability over time. Height requirements also tend to decrease the chance of bending the sign accidentally by car bumpers and snow-removal equipment. Determining van-accessible sign differences.

Van-Accessible Sign Differences

Not all handicap spaces are equivalent and van-accessible spaces also have their own requirements. Van-accessible spaces have to have an additional wide access aisle, and the signage should clearly state that it is “Van Accessible.”

Property owners may be collaborating with a paving contractor and need to assure both the painted markings and signage comply with Federal and state requirements. Writing the letters clearly during parking lot striping will avoid confusion. The business that purchase handicap parking space marking Nashville services, typically get the art for the ground striping and the signage in an appropriate place before the contractor leaves to assure full compliance.

Reflective Material for Visibility

In terms of disability accessibility, the handicap parking sign must use a reflective material system. Check out https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/reflective-material to learn more.

This ensures visibility at night when the sign is illuminated by vehicle headlights.

• Signs must meet the reflectivity specification requirements as per the federal highway administration.
• Weather resistant materials ensure that a sign won’t fade or peel.
• Similar to sealing your pavement, regular sign maintenance of cleaning, or painting a sign, will positively affect the amount of time the sign remains readable.

Ultimately, having a reflective sign and clear pavement striping will give safety and protection for both drivers and pedestrians, both day and night. In certain poorly illuminated areas, reflective signs support the primary information for drivers to designated spaces. Property managers will often develop a habit of inspecting signage visibility after storm events and heavy use.

Placement at Front of Spaces

Placement is also very important in addition to height. Signs should be mounted or placed at the front of parking space (most often centered on the stall) so that the driver can read the designation before pulling into the stall.

For larger parking lots, particularly if they are part of shopping centers or where there is any HOA type of board, uniform placement keeps a parking lot orderly and easier to use. Similar to road construction crews, who will develop the best layering method to establish a good roadbed, common placement of parking signs provides a good flow of conformity and compliance. A sign placement at the front of a stall, will provide use in busy lots where multiple vehicles can obstruct pavement marking from view.

Common Sign Violations

Clearly, there are standards; however, violations still take place at business and residential properties. The most common deficiencies are:

• Signs too low and behind vehicles – almost impossible to find.
• Missing the corresponding location for wide stall Van Accessible label.
• Using non reflective or faded materials.
• Installing the signs off center, and/or with landscaping in front of them.

In nearly all cases it will be less expensive to fix these types of problems versus penalizes, fines, or responding to accessibility compliant complaints. Just like regular parking lot striping maintain safe movement of traffic for patrons, properly placed signs also improve and protect business operations from liability claims. Regular inspections, audits, and updates to signage will help properties eliminate possibilities of compliance failure or place themselves in bad situations.

Conclusion

Handicap parking is far more than just painting blue spaces. There will be the attention to detail required to meet obligations with the appropriate signage & associated notice. If you follow the ADA sign requirements, use quality materials, and work with a reputable sign contractor property owners can enjoy overall compliance and access through the parking space.