Viking Electronics ARS-IB100 ADA Braille Area of Refuge Instructional Sign
Overview
The Viking Electronics ARS-IB100 is a code-compliant instructional sign designed to be placed directly adjacent to area of refuge emergency phones in commercial and institutional buildings. At 6" wide by 7.5" tall, this sign delivers the raised lettering, contracted grade 2 Braille, and Blue PMS 294 background color mandated by ADA, IBC, NFPA, ICC, and California Title 24 — in one factory-finished panel. If you're commissioning an area of refuge communication system and need the required wayfinding signage to close out an inspection, the ARS-IB100 (often searched as ARS IB100) covers the instructional sign requirement without custom fabrication.
This is a straightforward compliance component. Its value is that it meets the letter of multiple overlapping code frameworks simultaneously, which matters on projects where the AHJ may reference IBC, NFPA, or California Title 24 in the same punch list.
Key Features
- Blue PMS 294 ABS Construction: The specific Pantone color is not decorative — ADA and IBC both prescribe the blue background for area of refuge signage. Using the correct PMS value means you pass visual inspection without a variance request.
- 0.031" Raised White Letters: Raised letter height is a tactile compliance requirement, not aesthetic. The 0.031" relief meets ADA tactile character standards so inspectors can verify conformance with a straightforward measurement.
- Contracted Grade 2 Braille: Grade 2 (contracted) Braille uses abbreviations and is the standard form required for ADA-compliant signage. Grade 1 Braille would not satisfy the requirement on most inspections.
- Non-Glare Finish: The matte, non-glare surface prevents specular reflection that could obscure Braille or raised letters under overhead fluorescent or LED lighting — a practical detail in corridor and stairwell installations where light angles vary.
- UV Stable Material, Rated to 175°F: The ABS substrate holds up to 175°F, which keeps the sign dimensionally stable near stairwell enclosures or mechanical spaces that see elevated temperatures. UV stability means color and legibility hold outdoors or in skylit atriums without fading over time.
- Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape Included: The 0.032" thick double-sided foam tape ships with the sign, so installation doesn't require separate adhesive procurement. Mount flush to the wall surface adjacent to the emergency phone without visible fasteners.
- Multi-Code Compliance (IBC, ADA, NFPA, ICC, California Title 24): Covering five overlapping code frameworks in a single SKU simplifies submittals. On California Title 24 projects in particular, this is the spec to call out — the sign meets the contracted grade 2 Braille requirement that Title 24 adds on top of federal ADA minimums.
- Compact Profile at 0.093" Overall Thickness: The thin panel profile sits nearly flush to the wall surface, which matters in tight corridor clearances where protruding signage can create its own ADA obstruction issue.
Integration & Compatibility
The ARS-IB100 is designed for use alongside Viking Electronics area of refuge emergency phones and communication systems. Viking's ARS Series includes multiple sign configurations for different code scenarios — this instructional variant is specifically sized and worded to satisfy the placement requirement next to the area of refuge phone itself, not the directional signs posted at building entries or elevator landings. Consult your AHJ on exact mounting height and lateral offset from the phone unit, as IBC and local amendments vary.
For complete area of refuge system buildouts, pair this sign with compatible area of refuge emergency phones and verify that your area of refuge communication system meets the 120V AC UPS backup requirements cited in IBC for buildings over 60 ft. The sign itself has no electrical requirements — it's a passive compliance component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What specific codes does the ARS-IB100 satisfy?
A: The ARS-IB100 is designed to comply with IBC (International Building Code), ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), NFPA, ICC, and California Title 24. It meets the tactile character, Braille grade, and color requirements those standards specify for area of refuge instructional signs.
Q: Is the Braille on the ARS-IB100 Grade 1 or Grade 2?
A: Grade 2 (contracted) Braille. This is the form required by ADA signage standards — Grade 1 Braille would not satisfy ADA or California Title 24 requirements on most inspections.
Q: How is the ARS-IB100 mounted?
A: It ships with 0.032" thick double-sided foam tape for adhesive wall mounting. No separate hardware or fasteners are required for standard installations.
Q: Can the ARS-IB100 be used outdoors?
A: Yes. The ABS substrate is UV stable and rated to 175°F, making it suitable for covered outdoor locations such as exterior stairwells or building egress points. It is not rated for submersion or direct water exposure.
Q: Does the ARS-IB100 require any electrical connection?
A: No. The sign is a passive component with no electrical requirements. Power requirements apply to the area of refuge emergency phone unit it accompanies, not the sign itself.
Q: Where exactly should the ARS-IB100 be placed relative to the emergency phone?
A: The sign is designed to be placed adjacent to (next to) the area of refuge emergency phone. Exact mounting height and lateral offset are governed by IBC and local amendments — confirm placement with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) during plan review.
The ARS-IB100 is one of those components that gets overlooked until the final inspection — and then it becomes the thing that holds up the certificate of occupancy. The 0.031" raised letter relief and contracted grade 2 Braille aren't approximations; they're the exact tactile character specifications that ADA and California Title 24 inspectors measure. Getting this wrong with a cheaper sign means remediation after walls are painted and phones are mounted.
Technical Highlights:
- Blue PMS 294 Color Accuracy: Not just 'blue' — the Pantone 294 specification is what ADA signage standards reference for area of refuge. A sign printed to a generic blue can fail a color-matching inspection; PMS 294 is the specified value.
- 175°F Thermal Rating: ABS at this rating handles stairwell enclosures adjacent to mechanical rooms without warping or delaminating. In high-rise construction where mechanical chases run near egress stairwells, this is a real-world concern, not a paper spec.
- 0.093" Overall Profile: The thin panel ensures the sign itself doesn't create a protruding object hazard under ADA's 4" wall-mounted obstruction limits for objects between 27" and 80" AFF — a detail that gets missed when thicker plaques are substituted.
Deployment Considerations:
- Mount the ARS-IB100 at the ADA-required centerline height (60" AFF for tactile signs is a common requirement, but verify with local amendments — California Title 24 and IBC have specific prescriptions that can differ from federal ADA baseline).
- The double-sided foam tape is the intended fastening method — do not substitute with mechanical fasteners that penetrate the sign face, as this can compromise the raised letter integrity and the non-glare finish.
For new high-rise construction, university campus buildings, or hospital wings where California Title 24, IBC, and ADA inspections may all occur on the same project, the ARS-IB100 closes the instructional sign requirement in a single compliant component. It belongs on every area of refuge phone rough-in schedule from day one, not as a last-minute procurement.
