Tactile Braille Fire Safety Signs

[Rob P]

Has any one had any experiences of siting these type of signs and to what standards they should be sited.

[wee brian]

They are a silly idea, there aren't any standards.

[colin todd]

Why don't you just say what you mean Brian, and stop pussyfooting around with diplomacy.

[fred]

Good luck with that one Rob  - even the DDA Code of Practice does not specifically recommend the use of tactile braille fire safety signs - I quote - apologies for the small print !

"Visual impairments
5.31 For people with visual impairments, the range of auxiliary aids
or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure
that services are accessible might include one or more of
the following:
• readers;
• documents in large or clear print, Moon or Braille;
• information on computer diskette;
• information on audiotape;
• telephone services to supplement other information;
• spoken announcements or verbal communication;
• accessible Websites;
• assistance with guiding;
• audiodescription services;
• large print or tactile maps/plans and three-dimensional
models;
• touch facilities."

Such wisdom from a 101 page document that doesn't mention the word 'egress' or 'means of escape' once.

[Rob P]

Thanks Fred.

Dont suppose you'd feel that way if you were Deaf and Blind Wee Brian

[OneOffDave]

It's my understanding that a specific code of practice relating to means of escape is currently being drafted. Wehn I get more information I'll let the forum know.

One reason for having tactile versions of fire escape signs is to differentiate them from signs for the gents etc which blind people would be using when navigating in a non-emergency situation.

[wee brian]

If I was deaf and blind. (how do you know I'm not?)

Well if I was, I would find it pretty hard to find a small piece of plastick stuck to the wall.

Even if I could find it, most blind people can't read braille.

So they are a silly idea.

[colin todd]

Most Welsh people don't speak Welsh but the still have Welsh signs everywhere.

[OneOffDave]

If I was deaf and blind. (how do you know I'm not?)

Well if I was, I would find it pretty hard to find a small piece of plastick stuck to the wall.

Even if I could find it, most blind people can't read braille.

So they are a silly idea.

They usually have raised english lettering also for those non-braille readers. Best practice for promoting independant internal navigation for visually impaired people recommends consistency in all signage in terms of format and location. Also these are useful for landmarking the exit during non-emergency situations for incorporating into the person's mental 'map' of the building.

Dave

[wee brian]

Colin - The welsh signs are a silly idea too, but at least they are good for tourism.

What best practice guidance is this Dave?

[OneOffDave]

What best practice guidance is this Dave?

I'll check our library here and get back to you with a 'proper' reference.

Dave

[OneOffDave]

There is no statutory reference to wayfinding that I can currently find. What is considered best practice is the approach covered by The Centre for Accessible Environments' guide to Designing for Accessibility, available through the RIBA.

JMU Access Partnership also cover this on their Signage and Wayfinding course.

These relate to access as a whole rather than fire egress specifically.

Dave

[wee brian]

Nice one dave. I'm not convinced but I will try and find a copy.

[Apollo_SG]

other then this, you can consider directional voice sounder from Notifier/ System sensor.

[Adam Jackson]

While they're at it, perhaps we should have Braille road signs so blind drivers don't get lost...?