CAN-ASC-2.3 - 6. Building facilities and systems

6.1 Public counters and work surfaces

6.1.1 Public counters

The public portion of public counters shall have at least one section that:

1. have a clear floor area for a parallel approach along the entire length of the counter in conformance with Clause 4.3.1 b) ii),
2. provide a clear floor area for a forward approach at a minimum of one point along the length of the counter in conformance with Clause 4.3.1 a) and provide knee and toe clearance at that location in conformance with Clause 4.4,
3. have a counter surface height at the point of forward approach identified in b) between 660 mm minimum and 865 mm maximum above the finished floor surface,
4. have no obstructions within 305 mm above the counter surface,
5. have no vertical barriers between the public and any non-public portion of the counter that is more than 1,090 mm above the finished floor surface unless the barrier is transparent security glazing,
6. have a non-glare finish, and
7. have no sharp edges.

6.1.2 Work surfaces

Work surfaces shall:

1. provide a clear width below the work surface of 900 mm minimum,
2. have a clear floor area centered on the clear width for a forward approach in conformance with Clause 4.3.1 a),
3. have a knee and toe clearance centered on the clear width in conformance with Clause 4.4,
4. have a surface height between 660 mm minimum and 865 mm maximum above the finished floor surface,
5. have a low-glare finish,
6. have no sharp edges, and
7. be illuminated in conformance with Clause 4.8 .

6.3 Signs and wayfinding

6.3.1 Locations

Signs shall be provided:

1. so as to avoid shadow areas and surface glare,
2. directional and functional signage shall be located between 1,200 mm minimum and 1,600 mm maximum above the finished floor surface,

Note: Functional signs contains explanatory information.

3. at changes in direction,
4. 2,100 mm minimum above the finished floor surface where a sign can be obstructed, and
5. at consistent locations on each floor of a building.

6.3.2 Illumination

Signs shall be illuminated in conformance with Clause 4.8.

6.3.3 Tactile sign height

Tactile characters shall be 60 mm minimum in height.

6.3.4 Tactile maps

Tactile maps shall:

1. be angled between 20° minimum and 30° maximum from the horizontal,
2. have the bottom edge 900 mm minimum above the finished floor surface,
3. have the key located at the bottom of the map and left justified, and
4. have a recessed braille locator provided on the left-hand side to assist in locating the legend.

6.3.5 Visual characters

6.3.5.1 Case

Visual characters shall be uppercase for up to 3 words maximum and a mix of uppercase and lowercase for 4 or more words.

6.3.5.2 Type

Visual characters shall be conventional in form, not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
Note: Examples of acceptable visual character types are those of sans serif type including Helvetica, Arial, or Open sans.

6.3.5.3 Character height

6.3.5.3.1 General

The uppercase letter “I” shall be used to determine the allowable height of all characters of a font in conformance with Table 9.

 

Table 9
Visual character height
(See Clause 6.3.5.3)

Required viewing distance (m)	Minimum height of letters (mm)
2	6
4	12
6	20
8	25
12	40
15	50
25	80
35	100
40	`130
50	150

6.3.5.3.2 Viewing distance

Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and:

1. an obstruction preventing further approach towards the sign.

2. where someone is expected to view the sign.

6.3.5.3.4 Character width

The uppercase letter “O” shall be used to determine the allowable width of all characters of a font and shall be between 55% minimum and 110% maximum of the height of the uppercase “I” of the font determined in conformance with Clause 6.3.5.3.1.

6.3.5.3.5 Stroke width

The uppercase letter “I” shall be used to determine the allowable stroke width of all characters of a font and shall be between 10% minimum and 30% maximum of the height of the uppercase “I” of the font determined in conformance with Clause 6.3.5.3.1 of the font.

6.3.5.3.6 Character spacing

Spacing between individual characters shall be 10% minimum and 35% maximum of the character height and shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent characters within a message, excluding word spaces.

6.3.5.3.7 Line Spacing

Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of characters within a message shall be 135% minimum and 170% maximum of the character height.

6.3.5.3.8 Height above floor

Visual characters shall be 1015 mm minimum above the finished floor surface of the viewing position, measured to the baseline of the character.

6.3.5.3.9 Finish and contrast

Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish and shall have a high luminance contrast with their background.

6.3.5.3.10 Glare

The glare from coverings, the finish of characters and their background shall be 19 gloss units (gu) maximum as measured on a 60 ° gloss meter.

6.3.6 Raised characters

6.3.6.1 General

Raised characters shall be duplicated in braille.

6.3.6.2 Case

Raised characters shall be uppercase.

6.3.6.3 Depth

Raised characters shall be raised 0.8 mm minimum above the surface.

6.3.6.4 Style

Raised characters shall be sans serif, not be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative or of other unusual forms.

6.3.6.5 Character height

The uppercase letter “I” shall be used to determine the allowable height of all characters of a font and the height of the uppercase letter “I” of the font, measured vertically from the baseline of the character, shall be between 16 mm minimum and 51 mm maximum.

6.3.6.6 Character height exception

Where separate raised and visual characters with the same information are provided, the height of the raised uppercase letter “I” shall be permitted to be 13 mm minimum.

6.3.6.7 Character width

The uppercase letter “O” shall be used to determine the allowable width of all characters of a font and shall be between 55% minimum and 110% maximum of the height of the uppercase “I” of the font determined in conformance with Clause 6.3.5.3.1 of the font.

6.3.6.8 Stroke width

The uppercase letter “I” of the font shall be used to determine the allowable stroke width of all characters of a font and shall be:

1. 15% maximum of the height of the uppercase letter “I” measured at the top surface of the character,

2. 30% maximum of the height of the uppercase letter “I” measured at the base of the character, and
3. 10% minimum of the height of the uppercase letter “I”, when characters are both visual and raised.

6.3.6.9 Character spacing

6.3.6.9.1 Character to character spacing

Character spacing shall be measured between the two closest points of adjacent raised characters within a message, excluding word spaces and shall be

1. 3.2 mm minimum measured at the top surface of the characters,

2. 1.6 mm minimum measured at the base of the characters, and
3. a maximum of four times the raised character stroke width.

6.3.6.9.2 Character to other elements spacing

Characters shall be separated from raised borders and decorative elements 9.5 mm minimum.

6.3.6.10 Line spacing

Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of raised characters within a message shall be between 135% maximum and 170% minimum of the raised character height.

6.3.6.11 Height above floor

The height of raised characters above the finished floor surface shall be:

1. 1200 mm minimum measured to the baseline of the lowest raised character, and

2. 1525 mm maximum measured to the baseline of the highest raised character.

6.3.6.12 Location at doors

6.3.6.12.1 Single door

Where a sign containing raised characters and braille is provided at a door, the sign shall be:

1. located alongside the door, at the latch side of the door on the wall space,

2. located to have a clear wall area of at least 75 mm wide,
3. located with the leading vertical edge of the sign placed 140 mm minimum to 160 mm maximum from the edge of the door frame, or
4. on the nearest adjacent wall, where there is no wall space on the latch side of the door.

6.3.6.12.2 Double door – one active leaf

Where a sign containing raised characters and braille is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf.

6.3.6.12.3 Double door – two active leaves

Where a sign containing raised characters and braille is provided at double doors with two active leaves, the sign shall be:

1. to the right of the right-hand door.

2. on the nearest adjacent wall, where there is no wall space to the right side of double doors.

6.3.6.12.4 Clear floor area at a door

Signs containing raised characters and braille shall be located so that a clear floor area 455 mm minimum in width and 455 mm minimum in depth, centered on the raised characters is provided on the latch side of the door. (See Clause 6.3.7.5).

6.3.6.12.5 Doors with closers and without hold-open devices

Signs containing raised characters and braille shall be on the push side of doors with closers and without hold-open devices.

6.3.6.13 Finish and contrast

Except where separate raised characters and visual characters with the same information are provided, characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish and a high luminance contrast with their background.

6.3.7 Braille

6.3.7.1 Uppercase letters

The indication of an uppercase letter or letters shall only be used before the first word of sentences, proper nouns and names, individual letters of the alphabet, initials or acronyms.

6.3.7.2 Dimensions

Braille dots shall have a domed or rounded shape and shall be in conformance with Table 10.

Table 10
Braille dimensions
(See Clause 6.3.7.2)

Measurement range	Min and max
Dot base diameter	1.5 mm to 1.6 mm
Distance between two dots in the same cell	2.3 mm to 2.5 mm
Distance between corresponding dots in adjacent cells	6.1 mm to 7.6 mm
Dot height	0.6 mm to 0.9 mm
Distance between corresponding dots from one cell directly below	10.0 mm to 10.2 mm

6.3.7.3 Position

Braille shall be:

1. left justified,

2. below the corresponding text and if text is multilined, shall be placed 8 mm minimum below the entire text, and
3. be separated 9.5 mm minimum from:
   1. any other raised characters, and
   2. raised borders and decorative elements.

6.3.7.4 Mounting height

Braille shall be between 1,220 mm minimum and 1,525 mm maximum above the finished floor surface, measured to the baseline of the braille cells.

6.3.7.5 Clear floor area

A clear floor area shall be provided in front of and centered on tactile and braille signs in conformance with Clause 4.3.1 a) for a forward approach.

6.3.7.6 Arrows

Where an arrow is used in the tactile sign, a small arrow shall be provided for braille readers.

6.3.7.7 Braille numerals

Braille numerals shall be preceded by a braille numerical sign.

6.3.7.8 Multiple lines of text and characters

On signs with multiple lines of text and characters, a semi-circular braille locator on the left margin shall be horizontally aligned with the first line of braille text.

6.3.8 Graphic symbols

6.3.8.1 Graphic symbol field

Graphic symbols shall have a field that is 150 mm minimum in height and characters or braille shall not be located in the graphic symbol field.

6.3.8.2 Finish and contrast

6.3.8.2.1 General

Graphic symbols and their fields shall have a nonglare finish and shall have a high luminance contrast with their fields.

6.3.8.2.2 Nonglare finish

The glare from coverings and the finish of graphic symbols and their fields shall be 19 gloss units (gu) maximum as measured on a 60 ° gloss meter.

6.3.8.2.3 Character contrast

Characters shall have a high luminance contrast with their background.

6.3.9 Graphic symbols of accessibility

6.3.9.1 Finish and contrast

Graphic symbols of accessibility and their backgrounds shall have a nonglare finish and shall have a high luminance contrast with their backgrounds.

6.3.9.2 Nonglare finish

The glare from coverings and the finish of graphic symbols of accessibility and their backgrounds shall be 19 gloss units (gu) maximum as measured on a 60 ° gloss meter.

6.3.9.3 Graphic symbols

6.3.9.3.1 International symbol of access

The International Symbol of Access shall consist of two elements: a stylized figure in a wheelchair pointing to the right on a plain square background:

1. the proportional layout of the symbol of access shall be in accordance with ISO 7001:2007 “Graphical symbols—Public information symbols,”

2. the colour of the figure shall be white on a blue background and the blue shall be B21 ultramarine, or similar, and
3. for signs indicating the direction to a facility, an arrow shall be used in combination with the international symbol of access.

6.3.9.3.2 International symbol of access for hearing loss

The International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss shall include the following:

1. symbol for deafness shall consist of two elements - a stylized ear and a diagonal slash on a plain square background,

2. proportional layout of the symbol for deafness shall be in accordance with ISO 7001:2007 “Graphical symbols—Public information symbols,” and
3. the colour of the symbol shall be white on a blue background and the blue shall be B21, ultramarine, or similar.

6.3.9.3.3 Symbol of accessible egress

Signage indicating the accessible egress route to an area of refuge shall be in conformance with Figure 38 a) of CSA B651-23, “Accessible design for the built environment.”

6.3.10 Attention Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI)

6.3.10.1 General

Attention tactile walking surface indicators shall be:

1. composed of truncated domes in conformance with Clause 6.3.10.2, and

2. slip-resistant and durable and shall have a high luminance contrast with adjacent surfaces.

6.3.10.2 Truncated domes

6.3.10.2.1 Size

Truncated domes shall have

1. a base diameter between 23 mm minimum and 36 mm maximum, and

2. a top diameter between 50% minimum and 65% maximum of the base diameter.

6.3.10.2.2 Height

Truncated domes shall have a height between 4 mm minimum and 5 mm maximum, and shall be detectable when walked upon as being different from the surrounding surface.

6.3.10.2.3 Spacing

Truncated domes shall have a:

1. center-to-center spacing between 41 mm minimum and 61 mm maximum, and

2. a base-to-base spacing of 16.5 mm minimum, measured between the most adjacent domes on the grid.

6.3.10.2.4 Alignment

Truncated domes shall be aligned in a square grid pattern.