Part C - Design for Access, Mobility, OHS and Security

SIGNAGE 750
WAYFINDING
603880
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Provide appropriate and comprehensive wayfinding for all healthcare
facilities. Signage should clearlyidentifystaff, patient and visitor areas and
clearlyidentifyrestricted areas.
Complywith the requirements of the BCA and DDA, and with all relevant
legislation, regulations, codes and policies including those within each
jurisdiction. Complywith the requirements for relevant StatutoryAuthorities
e.g. roads, aviation, local authorities, utilityproviders, etc.
Complywith the relevant securityacts and regulations within each
jurisdiction, and all policies governing the function and use of healthcare
facilities e.g. access, safety, processes, building services / components and
maintenance.
Design wayfinding to assist and enable patients and visitors to navigate
around the facilitywith ease, and adequatelyaddress the needs of persons
with disabilities.
General
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Wayfinding develops and expands upon previous concepts of providing
signage. Corporate identityrequirements mayin turn have an impact on the
wayfinding strategyemployed.
Wayfinding and corporate identityhave become highlyspecialized subjects.
Anysystemdeveloped or adopted should be evidence based. At site level
an approved documented systemis essential and a method of developing a
comprehensive strategyshould be followed rather than the use of a
prescriptive signage manual.
This section provides general guidance where no comprehensive wayfinding
policyor guideline exists. However, in such cases, it is recommended that a
policybe developed with specialist assistance.
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Signage should be used to define those areas where public access is
allowed or restricted, providing a first line of defence against intruders.
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TYPEFACE
The Helvetica typeface has been in general use for public and healthcare
signage since the 1970's, with sign making and engraving equipment set up
for this typeface. It was adopted bythe National Health Service (NHS) in the
UK and byNSWHealth in the TS-2 signposting guide in 1974 (NSWHealth
&CHAA 2009).
The introduction of CADand CAD/CAMexpanded the choice of typeface
and materials. A sans serif lettering style is still recommended for general
healthcare signage. Frutiger Boldprovides improved recognition and
comprehension to Helvetica Medium, and there are other alternatives such
as Meta and Arial.
The use of Title case or Capitalized text - upper case for the first letter and
lower case for the rest of the word - is recommended for legibilityand for
general signage, while upper case is recommended for the Main Entrysign.
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Note: The BCA, some Australian Standards and other regulatorysignage
mayrequire or recommend the use of Helvetica as a typeface.
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PICTOGRAMS
Pictograms aid comprehension, help overcome language difficulties and
provide a means to rapidlyidentifyservices.
Australian and International Standards symbols or pictograms should
generallybe used in preference to customdesigns to avoid ambiguity. The
use of accompanying text with pictograms aids comprehension and is often
required.
Refer to:
AS1428: Design for access and mobility, parts 1 and 2 (Stds Aust 2010).
ISO 7001: Graphical symbols - Public information symbols (ISO 2007).
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Size of letters in relation to readingdistances, mounting heights, etc, should
complywith the relevant signage standards and include Braille and tactile
requirements.
Compliance with the intent of the DDA requires consideration of lighting,
lettering and symbol size, tactile, auditoryand visual safetyinformation.
Ensure that signs do not reflect light and are not affected byglare e.g. in
front of bright backgrounds.
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SIGNAGE MATERIALS
Selection will be influenced bya number of factors including fitness for
purpose, life cycle costs and flexibilityrequirements.
Manyof the traditional signage systems employed powder-coated aluminium
planking with screen-printed lettering. Newproducts and processes now
offer greater design flexibilityand more cost effective solutions.
Vinyl-cut self-adhesive lettering has proved to be a practical and economical
option for internal and external signage, and can be changed easilyover
time. However it is vulnerable to vandalismin public areas and removal can
damage some surfaces.
The use of direct stick lettering on door surfaces should be assessed against
the difficultyin repainting and the incurred cost penalty.
Signs using removable slats mayrequire a locking device to prevent
unauthorized removal.
Acrylic, synthetic and composite boards are increasinglyused, as is
computerized laser cutting of most materials. Sandblasting, in lieu of
engraving, is nowcommon and older machinerywith limited fonts /
pictograms is being replaced bymore versatile modern equipment.
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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
HELIPADS
Ensure that the marking and signage for Helicopter Landing Areas complies
External Signs
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Part C - Design for Access, Mobility, OHS and Security
with the requirements of the Regulating Authority.
Refer to:
CAAP 92-2 (1) - Guidelines for the establishment and
use of helicopter landing sites (Civil Aviation SafetyAuthorityAustralia 1996).
DHS Victoria - Capital Development Guidelines. 6.7: Air Ambulance
Helipads (DHS Victoria 2003).
CASR 133 - Commercial Air Transport Operations - Rotorcraft (Civil Aviation
SafetyAuthorityAustralia 2000).
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GENERAL
External directional signs should have reflective letters on a contrasting
background. A gloss finish that reflects light maybe difficult to read. The
signs should preferablybe steel or aluminiumconstruction with a durable
finish.
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EXTERNAL ILLUMINATED SIGNS
External illuminated signs are used for EmergencyDepartment, the Main
Entryand Night Entry.
Note: EmergencyDepartment or EmergencyUnit is referred to in these
guidelines. The sign however should read EMERGENCY.
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ROAD MARKINGS
Road markings such as parking bays, arrows, symbols and instructions
should followthe relevant Road Authoritypolicies and applicable Australian
Standards. Refer to AS 2890: Parking facilities, parts 1 and 6 (Stds Aust
2009c).
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ROAD SIGNS
Accreditation standards mayrequire that the facilityhas directional road
signs sufficient to enable it to be easilylocated fromthe major access roads
in the area.
The entryto the EmergencyUnit should be clearlysignposted byan
illuminated sign that is visible fromthe main entrypoints to the Hospital site.
For ease of comprehension, all on-site road signage should continue the use
of public road signage that complies with the requirements of the local
council and/or the roads and traffic authorityfor each jurisdiction.
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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Complywith the relevant Acts, regulations and policies of the authorities for
safetysymbols and symbolic signs including all referenced Australian
Standards, Occupational Health and Safetyand DisabilityDiscrimination
requirements, and the policies within each jurisdiction.
Internal Signs
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Part C - Design for Access, Mobility, OHS and Security
603893
BED NUMBERING
Bed numbering should be shown outside the patient bedroomwith one
number per bed.
In bedrooms with more than one bed, all bed numbers or the range of
numbers should be shown on the sign outside the room. For example:
- Beds 78 &79 or
- Beds 78 to 81.
In bedrooms with more than one bed, displaythe bed number at the
bedhead.
Bed numbers outside the roomshould be clearlyvisible fromthe corridor
and not be obscured byother objects or wall returns.
The provision of a roomnumber is optional. When provided it should not
visuallycompete with the bed numbers.
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PATIENT INFORMATION
It is no longer recommended that signs displayinformation about a patient
such as patient details, doctor identification and special instructions at the
patient bedhead or in a visible place within the patient bedroom.
This is considered inappropriate due to the requirement for the privacyof
patient records. Designers and managers wishing to install patient
information holders in the rooms are advised to fullyconsider the impact on
patient privacy.
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DOOR IDENTIFICATION
Door / frame numbering or tags maybe required as part of an asset
management and maintenance system/ register. This constitutes a separate
labelling systemand should not be confused with standard roomsignage.
Unlike roomsigns, door labels are generallysmall, unobtrusive and mayuse
a simple bar code.
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IDENTIFICATION SIGNAGE
Identification signs located on doors or preferablyon walls adjacent to doors
require the following considerations:
- the format used should alloweasy replacement of the sign or sign
message when the roomfunction changes
- it maybe appropriate to deliberatelyomit identification on certain doors
used onlybystaff.
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DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE
Non-illuminated directional and area identification signs should be as follows:
- ceiling or wall mounted
- text on contrasting background - dark lettering on light background
preferred
- a guide for the patient or visitor until theyreach a roomor door sign for the
intended destination
- not obscure other critical ceiling fixtures such as emergencylighting or fire
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Part C - Design for Access, Mobility, OHS and Security
exit signs.
Serious consideration should be given to the provision of alternative /
additional lowlevel signs in Braille in hospital entrance foyers leading to
major departments and lifts. Although this is not a mandatoryrequirement, it
maybecome a requirement of the DisabilityDiscrimination Act
(Commonwealth of Australia 1992) in the future. It is recommended that
such signs be installed immediatelyabove the handrail required byAS1428:
Design for access and mobility(Stds Aust 2010).
603898
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Install fire services and exit signs in accordance with the following as
applicable:
- Building Code of Australia (Australian Building Codes Board 2009).
- AS2444: Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets - Selection and
location, SAI Global (Stds Aust 2001).
- AS2293.3: Emergencyescape lighting and exit signs for buildings, SAI
Global (Stds Aust 2005a).
- AS2419.1: Fire hydrant installations - Systemdesign, installation and
commissioning, SAI Global (Stds Aust 2005b).
- AS2441: Installation of fire hose reels, SAI Global (Stds Aust 2005c).
Note: Cantilevered wall signs in preference to wall or ceiling signs are
recommended for the readyidentification of Fire Service equipment under
emergencyconditions.
Fire Services Signs
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GENERAL
Miscellaneous signs, illuminated and non-illuminated, are to be provided as
required. The signs and colours used should meet the requirements of the
relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Refer to Part B for signs, symbols or marking required for individual HPU
including security, hazard and safetysignage.
In addressing specific location requirements, multi lingual signs and symbols
should also complywith relevant disabilitydiscrimination and associated
regulations and policies.
Signage identifying the presence of CCTV monitoring is recommended in
public areas as a deterrent to antisocial, violent or criminal activities. Refer to
Section790 - Security.
Miscellaneous Signs
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Individual J urisdictions
NSW
NSWHealth &CHAA, UNSW, 2009, TS-2: Wayfinding for Health Facilities,
NSWHealth.
Queensland
References and Further Reading
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Part C - Design for Access, Mobility, OHS and Security
Wayfinding design guidelines, CRC for Construction Innovation, compiled by
Apelt, R., Crawford, J ., Hogan, D, n.d., 18 May2010, supported by
Queensland Government DisabilityServices, http://www.construction-
innovation.info/index.php?id=1097
Victoria
DHS Victoria 2003, Capital development guidelines 6.7: Air Ambulance
Helipads, Department of Human Services, Victoria.
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Further Reading
Australian Building Codes Board 2009, The Building Code of Australia,
Australian Government, State and TerritoryGovernments of Australia.
Barker, P &Fraser, J 2000, Sign Design Guide, J MU Access Partnership
and Sign Design Society, London.
Civil Aviation SafetyAuthorityAustralia 1996, CAAP 92-2: Guidelines for the
establishment and use of helicopter landing sites, Civil Aviation Safety
AuthorityAustralia.
Civil Aviation SafetyAuthorityAustralia 2000, CASR 133: Commercial Air
Transport Operations - Rotorcraft, Civil Aviation SafetyAuthorityAustralia.
Commonwealth of Australia 1992, DisabilityDiscrimination Act 1992, Office
of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Canberra.
ISO 7010 2003, Graphical symbols - Safetycolours and safetysigns - Safety
signs used in workplaces and public areas, International Organisation for
Standardisation.
ISO 7001 2007, Graphical symbols - Public information symbols,
International Organisation for Standardisation.
Miller, C, et al. 1999, Wayfinding: Effective Wayfinding and Signing Systems;
Guidance for Healthcare Facilities, The StationaryOffice, London.
Stds Aust 2001, AS 2444: Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets -
Selection and location, SAI Global.
Stds Aust 2005a, AS2293.3: Emergencyescape lighting and exit signs for
buildings, SAI Global.
Stds Aust 2005b, AS2419.1: Fire hydrant installations - Systemdesign,
installation and commissioning, SAI Global.
Stds Aust 2005c, AS2441: Installation of fire hose reels, SAI Global.
Stds Aust 2009c, AS/NZS 2890 (Set): Parking facilities, SAI Global.
Stds Aust 2010, AS1428 (set): Design for Access and Mobility, SAI Global.
Uebele, A 2007, Signage Systems and Information Graphics, Thames &
Hudson, NewYork.
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