In a hospital, a campus or a multi floor office, people get lost in ways that cost time and patience. A 1990 Georgia Tech study of Emory University’s hospital estimated that giving directions to lost visitors cost more than $220,000 a year, about 4,500 staff hours, as reported by the University of Salford. The fix is not more signs. It is a system.
Gogi Signs plans and builds sign systems for large buildings across New Jersey and New York City. This guide shows how to build one, using the methods in federal wayfinding standards, and which signs the codes require.
In this guide
Plan From Macro to Micro
The Defense Health Agency’s wayfinding standards require systems to be organized in a macro to micro format: site, building, floor, then room. Each level answers one question and hands off to the next. Primary directories go near main entrances, and secondary directories go at elevator lobbies and major intersections.
Build the System From Sign Families
A sign family is a set of signs that share one look: identification, directional, informational and regulatory signs, as HOK describes in its wayfinding primer. HOK also notes that the more complex the wayfinding problem, the simpler the solution needs to be. Keep the number of sign types small and use each one the same way everywhere. Our sister graphics shop, Pixel Wraps, applies the same idea to fleets in how to adapt one wrap design to different vehicles.
Fix the Names and Numbers First
Based on DHA and VA wayfinding standards
- Consistent numbers. Room numbers must be consistent from floor to floor and area to area, with even and odd numbers on opposite sides of a corridor, according to the Defense Health Agency.
- Floor first. Start each room number with the floor, so 512 is on the fifth floor.
- Same words. Always use the same words, names or titles throughout the sign program, according to the VA's signage design guide.
- Plan for change. Federal standards ask for systems that let you change departments and occupants with minimal cost.
Use Zones and Color With Care
Large buildings are easier to understand when they are split into zones, such as North Tower and South Tower or Blue Zone and Green Zone. The Defense Health Agency requires zone or color coding designations. HOK notes that color can work as a beacon for an area, and gives each floor of one research institute its own color. Do not rely on color alone. Always pair it with a name or number for people who cannot tell the colors apart.
Floors, Elevators and Directories
The VA says floor identification signs should go next to or near elevators and exits. In New Jersey, elevator identification numbers must be at least 1 1/2 inches high and contrast with the background, under N.J.A.C. 5:23 12.12, as quoted by the Department of Community Affairs. A floor directory facing the elevator doors tells people where they are and which way to turn. See our floor number signs and directory signs.
The Signs the Codes Require
Source: ICC Building Safety Journal; check your local code edition
- Stair identification signs. Required at each floor landing in exit stairs connecting more than three stories. The bottom of the sign goes 5 feet above the floor, the sign is at least 18 by 12 inches and the floor number is at least 5 inches tall, according to the ICC.
- Tactile exit signs. At doors leading into exit stairs and at the exit discharge door.
- Elevator fire signs. Next to each call button, saying elevators are out of service in a fire and to use the exit stairs, as listed in a code checklist from Arizona State University.
- Room signs. Tactile signs for permanent rooms under the ADA. See our ADA sign requirements guide.
NYC Stair and Elevator Rules
New York City has its own long standing rule for buildings with an elevator. Every floor except the main entrance floor needs an elevator landing sign that reads In case of fire, use stairs unless otherwise instructed, with a floor diagram showing the stairs and each elevator bank, and the top of the sign no higher than six feet. Inside each stair, floor numbers must be at least three inches tall, under rule 1 RCNY 27 01. Our sister company in New York covers building signs for NYC owners in its HPD building signs guide.
Floor diagrams show the way to the stairs
Parking Garages
Garages are where many visits start. The VA says parking structures over three levels should consider color coding each level, and that local images, such as landmarks or sports teams, can also identify levels. It also says text read from a moving car should never be smaller than 3 inch capital letters, compared with a 1 1/2 inch minimum for people on foot, in its parking structure guide.
Plan Outside In and Early
Start with how people arrive: the road, the garage and the main doors. Then work inward. The AIA recommends addressing signage in early design and suggests 5 to 7 percent of buildout cost as a realistic budget, in its best practices guide. Planning early lets you set room numbers, power and blocking before construction. Read planning customer wayfinding for the route walk method.
Fire and evacuation signs are part of the system, not an afterthought
Static and Digital Directories
Digital directories are easy to update and can show maps, but they need power, data, software and someone to keep them current. Static directories with changeable inserts cost less, never go dark and meet most needs. Many large buildings use both: a digital screen in the main lobby and static directories at each elevator lobby. Whatever you choose, use the same names and zones as every other sign.
Accessibility Across the System
Every room sign in the system must meet the ADA tactile rules, and every directional sign must meet the visual rules for size and contrast. The Defense Health Agency recommends a background contrast of at least 70 percent compared with the text. Build these rules into the sign family from the start so every new sign complies.
Keep It Current
Departments move and tenants change. Use modular directories, changeable inserts and a master sign schedule so updates take hours, not weeks. Assign one person to own the system and approve every new sign so it matches the family. If you manage several sites, read multi location signage best practices.
Test Before You Install Everything
Before ordering every sign, mock up the key ones in paper or temporary vinyl and ask first time visitors to find a few destinations. Watch where they hesitate. The AIA also recommends a review after people move in, to catch problems the plans did not show.
Common Questions About Large Building Signage
What is a wayfinding signage system?
A planned set of sign families, names and numbers that guide people from the site to the room, using the same look and words everywhere.
Which wayfinding signs are required by code?
Usually stair identification signs, tactile exit signs, elevator fire signs, exit signs and tactile room signs. NYC adds its own elevator landing and stair sign rule.
How should rooms be numbered in a large building?
Start with the floor number, keep numbers consistent from floor to floor, and put even and odd numbers on opposite sides of each corridor.
Should we use color coding?
It helps in large buildings and garages, but always pair colors with names or numbers so no one has to rely on color alone.
What goes on a stair identification sign?
The floor number as the largest item, the stair name, the top and bottom levels of the stair and whether there is roof access.
When should wayfinding be planned in a new building?
In early design, so names, numbers, power and blocking are set before construction.
One System, Every Floor
We plan, build and install complete sign systems. See our wayfinding signs, then request a free quote.
Sources and further reading
- University of Salford: wayfinding in hospital environments
- Defense Health Agency: wayfinding guidelines and signage standards
- HOK: wayfinding primer
- Pixel Wraps: adapt one wrap design to different vehicles
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: signage design guide, parking structures
- NJ DCA: notice of administrative corrections, ICC A117.1
- ICC Building Safety Journal: stairway signage demystified
- Arizona State University: code required building signage checklist
- NYC rule 1 RCNY 27 01: stair and elevator signs
- Signs NY: HPD building signs guide
- AIA best practices: wayfinding signage
