BCA & Australian Standards
All standard signs supplied by Bractile Signs are compliant with Building Code of Australia (NCC) 2022 Volume One, Part D4D7 and Specification 15, and Australian Standards AS1428.1-2021.
BCA/NCC 2022 Volume 1 Specification 15
Braille and tactile signage must be designed and installed in accordance with Specification 15 of the National Construction Code (NCC), ensuring accessibility for all building users.
Sign Location & Installation
Braille and tactile signs must be installed:
- Between 1200mm and 1600mm above finished floor level.
- For single-line signs, tactile text must be positioned between 1250mm and 1350mm above floor level.
- Room identification signs are typically mounted on the latch side wall of the door, with the leading edge positioned 50mm–300mm from the door architrave.
- Where wall mounting is not practical, signs may be installed directly on the door.
- Exit identification signs must be located on the side facing occupants seeking egress and positioned in accordance with NCC requirements.
Tactile Lettering Standards
All tactile characters must:
- Be raised between 1.0mm and 1.5mm.
- Use Title Case lettering.
- Have uppercase characters between 15mm and 55mm high (20mm minimum for designated exit signs).
- Have lowercase characters at least 50% of the corresponding uppercase height.
- Feature rounded edges for improved readability.
- Use Arial typeface.
- Be left-aligned (single-word signs may be centre aligned).
Additional requirements include:
- Minimum letter spacing: 2mm
- Minimum word spacing: 10mm
- Stroke thickness: 2mm–7mm
- All sign edges and frames must be rounded.
Finish & Contrast
To maximise visibility:
- Sign backgrounds, lettering, symbols and logos must have a matt or low-sheen finish.
- Tactile elements must achieve a minimum 30% luminance contrast with their mounting surface.
- Sign backgrounds or borders (minimum 5mm wide) must also provide at least 30% luminance contrast with surrounding surfaces.
- Contrast requirements must be maintained under the actual lighting conditions where the sign is installed.
Illumination
Braille and tactile signs must be adequately illuminated whenever they are required to be read, ensuring luminance contrast requirements are maintained at all times.
Braille Requirements
All braille must:
- Be Grade 1 (uncontracted) braille in accordance with Australian Braille Authority standards.
- Be raised and domed.
- Be positioned 8mm below the bottom line of tactile text.
- Be left-aligned.
- Include a solid directional arrow where arrows are used.
- Incorporate a semicircular braille locator on multi-line signs, aligned with the first line of braille text.
AS1428.1-2021 Section 5
Where required, signs for sanitary facilities include:
- Raised tactile text in Title Case (e.g. Male Toilet, Female Toilet, Accessible Toilet).
- Raised and visual accessibility symbols.
- Raised and visual male and female symbols where applicable.
- Grade 1 Unified English Braille (UEB) that accurately describes all information shown on the sign.
Unisex Accessible Facilities
Unisex accessible toilet signs include transfer direction indicators:
- LH – Left-Hand Transfer
- RH – Right-Hand Transfer
These indicators assist users in identifying the most suitable facility and are displayed using compliant sans-serif lettering.
Airlock & Facility Identification Signs
Where sanitary facilities are accessed through an airlock, entry signs include:
- Raised tactile text.
- Grade 1 Braille.
- Raised and visual symbols identifying the facilities located beyond the door.
Sign Design & Layout
For maximum accessibility and readability:
- Text, Braille and symbols are presented in a clear, logical format.
- Sign elements may be arranged individually or in modular layouts.
- All wording is displayed horizontally.
- Additional symbols may be incorporated where required.
Installation Height
Facility identification signs are installed between 1200mm and 1600mm above finished floor level, ensuring accessibility for both standing and seated users.
Braille Compliance
All Braille signage is produced using:
- Unified English Braille (UEB)
- Grade 1 (uncontracted) Braille
- Australian Braille Authority (ABA) specifications
Braille numerals include the required numeric indicators to ensure accurate interpretation.
Ambulant Accessible Facilities
Signs identifying ambulant accessible sanitary compartments are manufactured in accordance with the applicable Australian Standard requirements.
Accessibility Symbols
The International Symbol of Access and the International Symbol for Deafness may be used without additional explanatory text, providing immediate recognition of accessible facilities and services.
