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ADA‑Compliant
Signage Installation

Need help hanging those new healthcare signs? We've got you covered! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a DIY newbie, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of signage installation to ensure your facility complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

While there are specific ADA sign installation mounting height requirements, we recommend installing your signs at 54" from the center of the sign to your healthcare facility's floor. Although not required, this mounting height is both ADA code‑compliant and also ensures visual consistency. The installation video and guides below will help walk you through every step of the ADA sign placement process. And if you have any other ADA sign installation questions, please reach out to customer service.

4 Easy Steps for
Signage Installation:

Step 1: Prep Wall or Ceiling Surface Step 2: Determine Where to Hang the Sign Step 3: Measure and Mark Step 4: Install Using Appropriate Method
Need sign installation mounting supplies or additional sign installation tools? Shop our healthcare sign installation supplies for everything you need.

ADA Sign Placement Steps:

We highly recommend watching our sign installation video before installing your ADA signs. Our sign expert will walk you through the process of how to install ADA‑compliant signs.
1. Surface Prep. Ensure that all wall or ceiling treatments, such as wallpapering or painting, are fully completed and dry before installing ADA signs. Then, using a lint free cloth or towel, begin by wiping down the wall or ceiling surface, ensuring it is free of any dust or dirt.
2. Determine Where to Install the ADA Sign or Visual Sign. Here are the most common installation situations. See one of our downloadable guides for California ADA sign installation requirements, New York City sign installation, and NFPA Stairway Identification sign installation:
  • ADA Braille Signs - Wall Installation. In order to properly install braille signs, they must be installed at an ADA‑compliant height. For ADA tactile signs, the ADA requires that the baseline of the lowest raised character be a minimum of 48" above the finished floor, and the baseline of the highest raised character be a maximum of 60" above the finished floor. We recommend installing our ADA signs at 54" from the center of the sign to your healthcare facility's floor. For ADA wall signs located near a door, the ADA requires braille signs to be installed on the latch side of the door. When there is no wall space on the latch side of a single door, ADA braille signs should be installed on the nearest adjacent wall.
    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on a wall. Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on a wall.
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    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on a wall.
  • ADA Braille Signs - Door Installation. Can I hang an ADA Sign on a Door? In some cases, you may install your ADA tactile signs directly on the door, but only in certain circumstances. All three conditions listed below must be met in order to install ADA tactile signs directly on a door:
    • The ADA sign is mounted on the push side of the door.
    • The door has an automatic closer that is ADA‑compliant.
    • The door does not have a hold open device.
    The ADA requires that the baseline of the lowest raised character be a minimum of 48" above the finished floor, and the baseline of the highest raised character be a maximum of 60" above the finished floor. We recommend installing our ADA braille signs at 54" from the center of the sign to the floor.
    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on a door. Click to zoom. Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on a door.
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    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on a door.
  • Double-Door Installation. Install the tactile sign centered on the inactive (locked) leaf of a double-door. If the double-door contains two active leafs (neither door is locked in place), the ADA sign should be mounted on the wall to the right of the double-doors.
    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on an inactive (locked) leaf of a double-door. Click to zoom. Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on an inactive (locked) leaf of a double-door.
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    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on an inactive (locked) leaf of a double-door.
    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on the wall to the right of a double-door with two active leafs. Click to zoom. Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on the wall to the right of a double-door with two active leafs.
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    Illustration of the mounting location for a sign with braille installed on the wall to the right of a double-door with two active leafs.
  • Floor Clearance. In the case of outward swinging doors, ADA braille signs must be installed on the wall outside of the arc of the door swing. The ADA sign must be centered on the letters in a clear floor space of 18" minimum by 18" minimum. If there is no room on the latch side of the door, the ADA sign must be installed on the nearest adjacent wall with the 18" minimum clear floor space.
    Illustration showing the 18 inch by 18 inch minimum clear floor space required for signs with raised characters when there is room on the latch side of the door. Click to zoom. Illustration showing the 18 inch by 18 inch minimum clear floor space required for signs with raised characters when there is room on the latch side of the door.
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    Illustration showing the 18 inch by 18 inch minimum clear floor space required for signs with raised characters when there is room on the latch side of the door.
    Illustration showing the 18 inch by 18 inch minimum clear floor space required for signs with raised characters when there is no room on the latch side of the door. Click to zoom. Illustration showing the 18 inch by 18 inch minimum clear floor space required for signs with raised characters when there is no room on the latch side of the door.
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    Illustration showing the 18 inch by 18 inch minimum clear floor space required for signs with raised characters when there is no room on the latch side of the door.
  • Visual Character Signs. Visual character signs or non-tactile signs do not have as strict ADA installation requirements as braille sign installation requirements. The only visual character sign requirement is that visual signs with text 2" and under in height should be installed with the baseline of the lowest visual character a minimum of 40" above the finished floor, and the bottom of the highest visual character a maximum of 70" above the finished floor. In order to achieve a visually appealing and cohesive look, we recommend installing our healthcare signs at 54" from the center of the sign to the floor.
    Illustration of the recommended mouting location for visual character signs. Click to zoom. Illustration of the recommended mouting location for visual character signs.
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    Illustration of the recommended mouting location for visual character signs.
  • Perpendicular & Ceiling Signs. The ADA requires signs that project from the wall (perpendicular signs) or ceiling (overhead signs) to have a clearance of 80" from the finished floor to the bottom of the sign. Signs should not interfere with or block the function of any doors, emergency equipment, or sprinklers.
    Illustration of the minimum mounting height for signs that project from the wall or ceiling. Click to zoom. Illustration of the minimum mounting height for signs that project from the wall or ceiling.
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    Illustration of the minimum mounting height for signs that project from the wall or ceiling.
3. Measure and Mark. Using a pencil and tape measure, mark the correct placement for the sign. We suggest following the steps shown in the installation video.
4. Install Using the Appropriate Method: Install your new signs using the mounting method best suited for your sign and wall type. Adhesive strips are often used for mounting and should be included with your order. We also suggest using a level to help keep the sign straight and even while installing.
  • Adhesive Tape. Remove the adhesive tape backing. Using a level to ensure the sign is straight, press the sign firmly to the wall.
  • Screw Mounting. Using a level to ensure the sign is straight, mark the wall through the screw holes. Drill holes and the insert anchors into the wall. Holding sign in place, fasten screws into wall anchors. For signs with frames and screw holes, first remove the sign face. Next, position the frame on the wall, and follow the above instructions. Then replace the sign face.
  • Silicone Adhesive. For heavy signs, exterior signs, or when applying to textured wall surfaces, it is recommended to use a silicone construction adhesive* in addition to the adhesive tape on the back of the sign. Apply silicone adhesive to the back of the sign and remove the adhesive tape backing. Using a level to ensure the sign is straight, press the sign firmly to the wall.
    *Silicone sealant is different from silicone adhesive. Please be sure to use a silicone adhesive to guarantee proper adhesion. When installing signs requiring silicone adhesive, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Bracket & Hardware. For overhead signs, mount to the wall or ceiling with the supplied bracket and hardware. Use a level to ensure the sign is straight. Depending on the wall or ceiling type, you may need to insert anchors prior to fastening hardware.
Browse our ADA signage requirements for more information on the American Disabilities Act and its guidelines.

Common Installation Questions

Q. Where do I hang my ADA braille sign?
An ADA sign must be mounted on the wall next to the latch side of the door. (door handle side)
Q. What is the ADA sign height?
The height of an ADA sign must be between 48-60 inches. We recommend installing with the center of the sign at 54 inches from the floor. Here is an installation video and guides below will help walk you through every step of the ADA sign placement process.
Q. What is the ADA restroom sign height?
ADA restroom sign height is the same as all ADA sign requirements, between 48-60 inches.
Q. How far from the door do I hang my ADA sign?
There is no regulation on distance from sign to door, but we recommend 2-3 inches.
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