MIL-HDBK-1191
SECTION 21:
WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE
21.1
General. Wayfinding and signage includes all visual messages
extending from the site boundary of a Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) to
an individual room designation. Wayfinding systems used within the site
of a medical facility should provide a clear and concise means for
patients, staff, and visitors to move about the site and facility as
efficiently as possible. Wayfinding systems should be user-friendly to
the first time user; those who are reading-disabled, non-English speaking
or with English as a second language; those who are color blind, or
visually impaired; and those who might be distressed, disoriented, or
with poor direction sense. Wayfinding systems serve three functions:
direction, identification, and information.
21.1.1
Sign Colors, Finish, Contrast and Typeface. Exterior sign
colors shall be coordinated with military installation guidelines. The
internally illuminated EMERGENCY sign shall have a red background with
white lettering. Interior sign colors may be coordinated with the
interior design palette if desired; a more neutral, long-term color
choice may be preferred. Signs are more legible to persons with low
vision when characters contrast with their background by at least 70
percent. Light-colored characters or symbols on a dark background are
required. Characters and their background shall be non-glare with a
recommended 11 to 19 degree gloss on 60 degree glossmeter. Helvetica
Medium typeface is preferred; however, Helvetica Regular is acceptable.
Only san serif fonts are allowed if other than Helvetica Medium or
Regular is proposed. Upper and lower case characters are preferred to
all upper case characters, except for the message "EMERGENCY" sign.
21.1.2
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
(ADAAG)and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) Compliance.
Signs used throughout a medical facility shall conform to the
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines (ADAAG) (reference 21a) or the Uniform Federal Accessibility
Standards (UFAS) (reference 21b), whichever is more restrictive.
Permanent information on room identification signs shall include
characters raised 0.8mm minimum above the background with accompanying
Grade II Braille. Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape.
Permanent information includes the room designation on all room
identification signs, symbol and message on all toilet rooms, message on
janitor closets, mechanical, electrical and communications rooms,
messages at stairways and rooms whose functions are unlikely to change in
the foreseeable future due to the nature of the function.
21.2
Exterior Signs. Signs providing direction from around the
military installation to the MTF site and back to major roads are part of
the overall installation sign plan and generally not included within the
Military Construction (MILCON) project. All signs located on the Medical
Treatment Facility (MTF) site shall be included in the Military
Construction (MILCON) project.
21.2.1
Placement of highway standards must be in accordance with
Federal Highway Administration standards. Other signs must be placed far
enough away from these to avoid visual clutter, which creates confusion.
Directional signs must be placed far enough ahead of intersections to
allow motorists to decide which way to go in time to make a safe turn.
21.2.2
Keep the number of directional signs and the information
presented on each sign to a minimum, to prevent confusion. Begin
directional signs for commonly used major services at campus boundaries
21-1
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