Accessibility & Tactile Signs — Buyer's Guide (AS 1428.4.1)
Accessibility signs under AS 1428.4.1 are mandatory at any door or wayfinding decision point used by the public — toilets, lifts, stairwells, emergency exits, reception counters. They combine tactile raised letters, uncontracted (Grade 1) braille, standardised pictograms and strict luminance contrast between text and background.
This guide covers the technical spec buyers need to specify correctly — raised-letter height, braille positioning, contrast ratios, typeface selection — and the mounting rules (900-1200mm centreline on the latch side of the door).
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Toilet identification, lift braille, exit tactile, wayfinding — AS 1428.4.1 compliant, Australian-made.
The AS 1428.4.1 spec in one table
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Raised letter height | 15-55mm (door signs typically 20-25mm) |
| Letter raised above surface | 1.0-1.5mm |
| Braille grade | Grade 1 (uncontracted), positioned below text |
| Braille dot height | 0.6-0.9mm |
| Typeface | Sans-serif (Arial, Helvetica, Frutiger) |
| Luminance contrast | Minimum 30% between text and background |
| Mounting centreline | 1200-1600mm AFFL, on latch side |
| Distance from door edge | 50-300mm |
Production methods
- CNC-routed acrylic with braille drilled + spherical domes inserted — most common
- Laser-engraved two-colour laminate with applied braille domes — budget option
- Photopolymer tactile (ADA-style) — premium, used in high-end buildings
- Metal (stainless, brass) with etched text + applied braille — heritage buildings
Written by
Platinum Signs
Sydney-based commercial signage manufacturer
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