What signage is required at an area of rescue assistance?
The short answer
For Illinois projects, distinguish door-identification signs, directional signs and call-station instructions. The Illinois Accessibility Code addresses each separately; illumination depends on the applicable building code. Confirm the required wording, visual and tactile treatment, placement and code edition with the project's design professional and code official before ordering.
Sources reviewed October 7, 2026.
Answered by Jim Mazzarella, CEO & Managing Partner
The general pattern
- Door identification: §506.9 distinguishes AREA OF REFUGE from EXTERIOR AREA FOR ASSISTED RESCUE; apply its visual, accessibility-symbol and tactile provisions
- Illumination: §506.9 makes it conditional on the applicable building code's exit-sign illumination requirement
- Directions: §506.10 identifies specified exits without approved accessible egress, elevator landings and areas of refuge
- Call station: §506.8.2 requires use and assistance instructions plus written location identification; §506.11 addresses emergency-use instructions
Why we don't publish a spec sheet
The Access Board distinguishes tactile door identification from visual directional and instructional signs; not every instruction sign requires Braille. Illinois CDB also distinguishes jurisdictions with adopted building codes from those without them. Confirm project applicability rather than assuming one statewide code edition or sign specification.
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