Skip to main content

A Complete Guide to Different Types of Tactile Indicators

Blind men walking on AODA detectable warning surface


 Tactile indicators play a critical role enhancing the accessibility for visually impaired individuals. They are available in different types and colors which make it easy for the people with visual impairment to navigate easily and at the same time improve the appeal of the space. They are either CSA attention domes tiles or directional bars that are built into or applied to the existing surface. They are designed to give warnings of hazards in the continuous accessible path of travel and directional information to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. The color contrast helps pedestrians in detecting modules visually.

Let’s  talk about the two essential types of tactile indicators

  • Warning tactile indicators: Contractors also refer to them as hazard tactile indicators. They are the textured surface features that contractors can add to the walking surfaces that act like a stop sign. Their main job is to alert pedestrians who are blind or have vision-impaired in their line of travel. However, they don’t indicate what the hazard is about.

  • Directional tactile indicators: they consist of directional bars that are applied to the walking surfaces to give directional orientation to people with low vision. These Code Compliant Tactile Solutions help people with visual impairment to easily navigate in the open spaces and also designate the accessible route that pedestrians can take. Directional tactile indicators allow people to safely access a crossing point, public transport access point and the entrance of a significant public facility.

After determining the types of tactile indicators like IFC Fire resistant Tactile, it’s essential to talk about what types of tactile indicator area suitable for your project.

For the outdoor applications, Polyurethane tactile is preferred. You can also opt for stainless steel tiles.  For the interior applications, Polyurethane tactile indicators are highly recommended.  To ensure the tactile indicators comply with the project standards, contractors have to follow AODA detectable warning surface installation guidelines to ensure there are no deviations from standards.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tactile Ground Surface Indicators: Attention vs. Guiding Domes

While boarding a train or crossing a street, you might have noticed small rounded domes, slightly raised bars firmly placed on the ground. These tiles can be felt by cane or underfoot. They are referred to as  tactile ground surface indicators .  A very usual type of detectable warning plate use attention patterns that uses rows of rounded narrow bars as  indicators.  This attention paving conveys a message about the danger or navigation to visually challenged persons. In addition, these detectable warning plates mark the transition when placed at curb ramps or guide the pedestrians to take caution measures before taking stairs. Types of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators Tactile paving indicators indicate warnings and cautions or may mark safe areas. It allows pedestrians with visual impairment to identify their milieu and navigate it unconventionally by offering a palpable way. Attention pattern Attention patterns are a series of rows of truncated domes. There are t...

Everything you Need to Know about Tactile Walking Surface Indicators

Tactile walking surface indicators play a crucial role in making the facility accessible to pedestrians, especially those with visual impairment. The tactile attention indicators convey information to people about the surroundings through texture and sometimes sound. In most situations, contractors are aware of the importance of installing tactile indicators but are unaware of the code requirements for installing tactile walking surface indicators pathways in Toronto. From the color compliance to design basics and size requirements, contractors have to take various things into account. One thing contractors must note is that the TWSI must provide high tonal contrast with the surrounding surface. Also, most of the indicators installed in the city of Toronto are made of cast iron. Cast iron develops a rusty color in the first year of installation, but the color will fade eventually as cast iron will develop a natural patina. The natural patina provides even greater tonal contrast with...

Best 3 Tips to Enhance Egress Safety in Your Building

  Any commercial or residential building is prone to the most common predictable natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados. Therefore, one should observe some common protocols when confronted by these unpredictable events. These rules entail avoiding some actions and following certain ones to ensure escape from injury or death.   Being prepared for any such emergency is critical to the health and safety of the people in the building. So, they should have time to exit the building when the emergency strikes safely. In addition, it means they should have the right tools to help them save lives and limit injuries.   Improving egress safety is an important step to ensuring the overall safety of the building. Here are the key ways you can enhance the egress safety you're building.   1. Provide Visible Wayfinding   In case of an emergency, many potential lifesaving decisions are based on the actions and decisions we take during that ...