1994 Architectural Barriers Texas Accessibility Standards (1994 TAS)
Please note: The 2012 TAS became effective March 15, 2012. The 1994 TAS appears below for your convenience.
Section 4 - Accessible Elements and Spaces: Scope and Technical Requirements
4.30 Signage.
4.30.1* General. Signage required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.30.
4.30.2* Character Proportion. Letters and numbers on signs shall have a width-to-height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1 and a stroke-width-to-height ratio between 1:5 and 1:10 using an upper-case "X" for measurement. Lower case letters are permitted.
4.30.3 Overhead Signs. Characters and numbers on overhead signs shall be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read. The minimum height is measured using an upper case X. Lower case characters are permitted.
Table 5
Height Above Finished Floor - Suspended or Projected Overhead in compliance with 4.4.2
Minimum Character Height - 3 in (75 mm) minimum
4.30.4* Raised and Brailled Characters and Pictorial Symbol Signs (Pictograms). Letters and numerals shall be raised 1/32 in, upper case, sans serif or simple serif type and shall be accompanied with Grade 2 Braille. Raised characters shall be at least 5/8 in (16 mm) high, but no higher than 2 in (50 mm). Pictograms shall be accompanied by the equivalent verbal description placed directly below the pictogram. The border dimension of the pictogram shall be 6 in (152 mm) minimum in height.
4.30.5* Finish and Contrast. The characters and background of signs shall be eggshell, matte, or other non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background --either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height. Where permanent identification is provided for rooms and spaces, signs shall be installed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door. Where there is no wall space to the latch side of the door, including at double leaf doors, signs shall be placed on the nearest adjacent wall. Mounting height shall be 60 in (1525 mm) above the finish floor to the centerline of the sign. Mounting location for such signage shall be so that a person may approach within 3 in (76 mm) of signage without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of a door (see Fig. 43(e)).
4.30.7* Symbols of Accessibility.
(1) Facilities and elements required to be identified as accessible by 4.1 shall use the international symbol of accessibility. The symbol shall be displayed as shown in Fig. 43(a) and 43(b).
(2) Volume Control Telephones. Telephones required to have a volume control by 4.1.3(17)(b) shall be identified by a sign containing a depiction of a telephone handset with radiating sound waves.
(3) Text Telephones. Text telephones required by 4.1.3(17)(c) shall be identified by the international TDD symbol (Fig. 43(c)). In addition, if a facility has a public text telephone, directional signage indicating the location of the nearest text telephone shall be placed adjacent to all banks of telephones which do not contain a text telephone. Such directional signage shall include the international TDD symbol. If a facility has no banks of telephones, the directional signage shall be provided at the entrance (e.g., in a building directory).
(4) Assistive Listening Systems. In assembly areas where permanently installed assistive listening systems are required by 4.1.3(19)(b) the availability of such systems shall be identified with signage that includes the international symbol of access for hearing loss (Fig. 43(d)).
4.30.8* Illumination Levels. (RESERVED).
(a) Proportions International Symbol of Accessibility
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(b) Display Conditions International Symbol of Accessibility
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(c) International TDD Symbol
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(d) International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss
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| Fig. 43 (a-d) International Symbols |
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| Fig. 43 (e) Signage Mounting Location and Height |
4.31 Telephones.
4.31.1 General.
(1) Public telephones required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with 4.31.
(2) For mounting heights suitable in schools and other facilities used primarily by children see section 2.1.1.
4.31.2 Clear Floor or Ground Space. A clear floor or ground space at least 30 in by 48 in (760 mm by 1220 mm) that allows either a forward or parallel approach by a person using a wheelchair shall be provided at telephones (see Fig. 44). The clear floor or ground space shall comply with 4.2.4. Bases, enclosures, and fixed seats shall not impede approaches to telephones by people who use wheelchairs.
4.31.3* Mounting Height. The highest operable part of the telephone shall be within the reach ranges specified in 4.2.5 or 4.2.6.
4.31.4 Protruding Objects. Telephones shall comply with 4.4.
4.31.5 Hearing Aid Compatible and Volume Control Telephones Required By 4.1.
(1) Telephones shall be hearing aid compatible.
(2) Volume controls, capable of a minimum of 12 dbA and a maximum of 18 dbA above normal, shall be provided in accordance with 4.1.3. If an automatic reset is provided then 18 dbA may be exceeded.
4.31.6 Controls. Telephones shall have pushbutton controls where service for such equipment is available.
4.31.7 Telephone Books. Telephone books, if provided, shall be located in a position that complies with the reach ranges specified in 4.2.5 and 4.2.6.
4.31.8 Cord Length. The cord from the telephone to the handset shall be at least 29 in (735 mm) long.
4.31.9* Text Telephones Required by 4.1.
(1) Text telephones used with a pay telephone shall be permanently affixed within, or adjacent to, the telephone enclosure. If an acoustic coupler is used, the telephone cord shall be sufficiently long to allow connection of the text telephone and the telephone receiver.
(2) Pay telephones designed to accommodate a portable text telephone shall be equipped with a shelf and an electrical outlet within or adjacent to the telephone enclosure. The telephone handset shall be capable of being placed flush on the surface of the shelf. The shelf shall be capable of accommodating a text telephone and shall have 6 in (152 mm) minimum vertical clearance in the area where the text telephone is to be placed.
(3) Equivalent facilitation may be provided. For example, a portable text telephone may be made available in a hotel at the registration desk if it is available on a 24-hour basis for use with nearby public pay telephones. In this instance, at least one pay telephone shall comply with paragraph 4.31.9(2) of this section. In addition, if an acoustic coupler is used, the telephone handset cord shall be sufficiently long so as to allow connection of the text telephone and the telephone receiver. Directional signage shall be provided and shall comply with 4.30.7.
4.32 Fixed or Built-in Seating and Tables.
4.32.1 General.
(1) Fixed or built-in seating or tables required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with 4.32.
(2) For mounting heights suitable in schools and other facilities used primarily by children see section 2.1.1.
4.32.2 Seating. If seating spaces for people in wheelchairs are provided at fixed tables or counters, clear floor space complying with 4.2.4 shall be provided. Such clear floor space shall not overlap knee space by more than 19 in (485 mm) (see Fig. 45).
4.32.3 Knee Clearances. If seating for people in wheelchairs is provided at tables or counters, knee spaces at least 27 in (685 mm) high, 30 in (760 mm) wide, and 19 in (485 mm) deep shall be provided (see Fig. 45).
4.32.4* Height of Tables or Counters. The tops of accessible tables and counters shall be from 28 in to 34 in (710 mm to 865 mm) above the finish floor or ground.
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| Fig. 45 Minimum Clearance for Seating and Tables |
4.33 Assembly Areas.
4.33.1 Minimum Number. Assembly and associated areas required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with 4.33.
4.33.2* Size of Wheelchair Locations. In assembly areas having a seating capacity in excess of 25, each wheelchair location shall accommodate two persons in wheelchairs by providing minimum clear ground or floor spaces as shown in Figs. 46(a) and 46(b).
EXCEPTION: When seating capacity of an assembly area exceeds 500, the number of wheelchair spaces required to be in pairs may be reduced to 50 percent of the minimum number of wheelchair spaces required by Table 4.
4.33.3* Placement of Wheelchair Locations. Wheelchair areas shall be an integral part of any fixed seating plan and shall be dispersed so as to provide people with physical disabilities a choice of admission prices and lines of sight comparable to those for other members of the audience. They shall adjoin an accessible route that also serves as a means of egress in case of emergency. At least one companion fixed seat shall be provided next to (shoulder-to-shoulder) each wheelchair seating space. Readily removable seats may be installed in wheelchair spaces when the spaces are not required to accommodate wheelchair users.
EXCEPTION: Accessible viewing positions may be clustered for bleachers, balconies, and other areas having sight lines that require slopes of greater than 5 percent. Equivalent accessible viewing positions may be located on levels having accessible egress.
4.33.4 Surfaces. The ground or floor at wheelchair locations shall be level and shall comply with 4.5.
4.33.5 Access to Performing Areas. An accessible route shall connect wheelchair seating locations with performing areas, including stages, arena floors, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and other spaces used by performers.
4.33.6* Placement of Listening Systems. If the listening system provided serves individual fixed seats, then such seats shall be located within a 50 ft (15 m) viewing distance of the stage or playing area and shall have a complete view of the stage or playing area.
4.33.7* Types of Listening Systems. Assistive listening systems (ALS) are intended to augment standard public address and audio systems by providing signals which can be received directly by persons with special receivers or their own hearing aids and which eliminate or filter background noise. The type of assistive listening system appropriate for a particular application depends on the characteristics of the setting, the nature of the program, and the intended audience. Magnetic induction loops, infra-red and radio frequency systems are types of listening systems which are appropriate for various applications.
4.33.8 Toilet Room Requirements. See 4.1.3(19)(c) for expanded requirements for Toilet Rooms in some larger assembly areas.
(a) Forward or Rear Access
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(b) Side Access
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| Bleacher Seating |
(c) Forward or Rear Access
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(d) Side Access
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Theater Seating
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| Fig. 46 Space Requirements for Wheelchair Seating Spaces in Series |
4.34 Automated Teller Machines.
4.34.1 General. Each automated teller machine required to be accessible by 4.1.3 shall be on an accessible route and shall comply with 4.34.
4.34.2 Clear Floor Space. The automated teller machine shall be located so the clear floor space complying with 4.2.4 is provided to allow a person using a wheelchair to make a forward approach, a parallel approach, or both, to the machine.
4.34.3 Reach Ranges.
(1) Forward Approach Only. If only a forward approach is possible, operable parts of all controls shall be placed within the forward reach specified in 4.2.5.
(2) Parallel Approach Only. If only a parallel approach is possible, operable parts of controls shall be placed as follows:
(a) Reach Depth Not More Than 10 in (255 mm). Where the reach depth to the operable parts of all controls as measured from the vertical plane perpendicular to the edge of the unobstructed clear floor space at the protrusion of the automated teller machine or surround is not more than 10 in (255 mm), the maximum height above the finished floor or grade shall be 54" (1370 mm).
(b) Reach Depth More Than 10" (255 mm). Where the reach depth to the operable parts of any control as measured from the vertical plane perpendicular to the edge of the unobstructed clear floor space at the farthest protrusion of the automated teller machine or surround is more than 10 in (255 mm), the maximum height above the finished floor or grade shall be in conformance with Table 6.
Table 6
| Reach Depth |
Maximum Height |
| In |
Mm |
In |
Mm |
| 11 |
280 |
53 |
1360 |
| 12 |
305 |
53 |
1345 |
| 13 |
330 |
52 |
1335 |
| 14 |
355 |
51 |
1310 |
| 15 |
380 |
51 |
1295 |
| 16 |
405 |
50 |
1285 |
| 17 |
430 |
50 |
1270 |
| 18 |
455 |
49 |
1255 |
| 19 |
485 |
49 |
1245 |
| 20 |
510 |
48 |
1230 |
| 21 |
535 |
47 |
1205 |
| 22 |
560 |
47 |
1195 |
| 23 |
585 |
46 |
1180 |
| 24 |
610 |
46 |
1170 |
(3) Forward and Parallel Approach. If both a forward and a parallel approach are possible, operable parts of controls shall be placed within at least one of the reach ranges in paragraphs (1) or (2) of this section.
(4) Bins. Where bins are provided for envelopes, waste paper, or other purposes, at least one of each type provided shall comply with the applicable reach ranges in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this section.
4.34.4 Controls. Controls for user activation shall comply with 4.27.4.
4.34.5 Equipment for Persons with Vision Impairments. Instructions and all information for use shall be made accessible to and independently usable by persons with vision impairments.
4.35 Dressing and Fitting Rooms.
4.35.1 General.
(1) Dressing and fitting rooms required to be accessible by 4.1 shall comply with 4.35 and shall be on an accessible route.
(2) For mounting heights suitable in schools and other facilities used primarily by children see section 2.1.1.
4.35.2 Clear Floor Space. A clear floor space allowing a person using a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn shall be provided in every accessible dressing room entered through a swinging or sliding door. No door shall swing into any part of the turning space. Turning space shall not be required in a private dressing room entered through a curtained opening at least 32 in (815 mm) wide if clear floor space complying with section 4.2 renders the dressing room usable by a person using a wheelchair.
4.35.3 Doors. All doors to accessible dressing rooms shall be in compliance with section 4.13.
4.35.4 Bench. Every accessible dressing room shall have a 24 in by 48 in (610 mm by 1220 mm) bench fixed to the wall along the longer dimension. The bench shall be mounted 17 in to 19 in (430 mm to 485 mm) above the finish floor. Clear floor space shall be provided alongside the bench to allow a person using a wheelchair to make a parallel transfer onto the bench. The structural strength of the bench and attachments shall comply with 4.26.3. Where installed in conjunction with showers, swimming pools, or other wet locations, water shall not accumulate upon the surface of the bench and the bench shall have a slip-resistant surface.
4.35.5 Mirror. Where mirrors are provided in dressing rooms of the same use, then in accessible dressing rooms, a full-length mirror, measuring at least 18 in wide by 54 in high (460 mm by 1370 mm), shall be mounted in a position affording a view to a person on the bench as well as to a person in a standing position.
