Viking Electronics ARS-DRB100 Blue Right Arrow Area of Refuge Directional Sign

The Viking Electronics ARS-DRB100 is a 12" wide x 4" tall blue right arrow directional sign engineered for Area of Refuge (AoR) applications adjacent to exit doors where a dedicated refuge space is not present. Built from Blue PMS 294 ABS plastic with a non-glare finish, this sign delivers the visual clarity and code compliance required in commercial and institutional buildings without the installation complexity of lighted or powered signage.

Overview

Area of Refuge signage is a code-mandated element in multi-story commercial, healthcare, education, and government buildings — not an optional upgrade. The ARS-DRB100 is specifically designed for placement next to exit doors that do not have an adjacent Area of Refuge, directing building occupants — particularly those with mobility limitations — toward the correct egress path. The sign satisfies the simultaneous demands of fire and life safety compliance officers, AHJs, and accessibility consultants by meeting IBC, ADA, NFPA, and ICC requirements in a single, low-profile unit. For a broader look at Viking's emergency communication and signage offerings, explore the Viking Electronics product line.

Key Features

• IBC, ADA, NFPA, and ICC Compliance: Meeting all four of these code bodies simultaneously matters when a project faces multi-jurisdiction review. A single non-compliant sign can trigger a failed inspection on an otherwise complete buildout — the ARS-DRB100 is specified to avoid that outcome.
• Blue PMS 294 ABS Construction with Non-Glare Finish: The standardized PMS 294 blue is the internationally recognized color for accessibility and AoR signage. The non-glare finish prevents specular reflection under fluorescent or LED corridor lighting, ensuring legibility from oblique viewing angles — relevant in high-traffic stairwells and lobby corridors.
• 12" Wide x 4" Tall Form Factor (0.032" thick): At under one-sixteenth of an inch thick and mounting flush to the wall via double-sided foam tape, the ARS-DRB100 adds no protrusion hazard. The 12" width meets ADA's minimum horizontal dimension requirements for directional signs at exit doors.
• Engraved White Text with Raised Elements: Engraved and raised lettering ensures the directional message is tactilely distinguishable, which is required under ADA for signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces. Surface-printed text fades and fails ADA tactile inspection; engraved does not.
• UV Stable Material, Rated to 175°F: ABS plastic with UV stabilization resists color shift and brittleness in sun-exposed stairwells, covered walkways, and any installation near skylights or exterior glazing. The 175°F operating ceiling covers typical building envelope conditions without derating.
• Double-Sided Foam Tape Mounting: No drilling, no anchors, no conduit — the included foam tape mounting system allows installation by a single technician in minutes. This matters on retrofit projects where core drilling or patching is cost-prohibitive.
• 0.032" Thickness — Tamper and Impact Resistant Profile: The thin profile eliminates grab-and-pull leverage that causes thicker placard signs to delaminate from walls over time. ABS at this thickness flexes rather than cracks under incidental impact.

Integration and Compatibility

The ARS-DRB100 pairs directly with complementary signs in the Viking Electronics ARS Series. The Area of Refuge signage category includes tactile signs (ARS-TB100), left arrow directional signs (ARS-DLB100), and Braille/raised letter instructional signs (ARS-IB100) — allowing a complete AoR sign package to be sourced from a single manufacturer, simplifying submittals and specification. For projects requiring two-way communication at the refuge point, Viking's AoR intercom stations integrate with this signage series as part of a complete intercom and emergency communication system. Consult your local AHJ for mounting height requirements, as ADA mandates specific centerline heights for tactile and directional signs depending on door-adjacent versus overhead placement. Pairing this sign with an access control or emergency communication panel in the same stairwell is common on new commercial construction and major renovation projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the ARS-DRB100 used for, and where should it be installed?

A: The ARS-DRB100 is a blue right arrow directional sign for Area of Refuge applications. It is specifically designed for placement next to exit doors that do not have an adjacent Area of Refuge, directing occupants — especially those with mobility limitations — toward the nearest refuge point or accessible egress path.

Q: What building codes does the ARS-DRB100 comply with?

A: The ARS-DRB100 complies with IBC (International Building Code), ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), and ICC (International Code Council) requirements for Area of Refuge directional signage.

Q: How is the ARS-DRB100 mounted?

A: The sign uses 0.032"-thick double-sided foam tape for wall mounting. No drilling or anchors are required, making it suitable for retrofit installations where surface modification is not practical.

Q: Is the ARS-DRB100 suitable for outdoor or sun-exposed locations?

A: Yes. The ABS material is UV stable and rated for temperatures up to 175°F, making it appropriate for covered exterior stairwells, vestibules, and interior spaces with significant solar exposure through glazing.

Q: What are the exact dimensions of the ARS-DRB100?

A: The sign measures 12" wide x 4" tall x 0.032" thick and weighs 3.2 oz. The low-profile thickness means it adds negligible protrusion from the wall surface.

Q: Does the ARS-DRB100 include Braille?

A: The ARS-DRB100 is a directional arrow sign with engraved white text. For Braille and raised letter instructional content at the Area of Refuge station, use the companion ARS-IB100 instructional sign from the same Viking Electronics ARS Series.

James Everett

The ARS-DRB100 is one of those spec items that looks simple on a submittal but causes real delays when the wrong sign ships — wrong arrow direction, wrong color standard, or missing code citations. Viking's Blue PMS 294 ABS construction and explicit IBC/ADA/NFPA/ICC compliance listings mean the submittal package closes cleanly without back-and-forth with the AHJ.

Technical Highlights:

• PMS 294 Blue ABS: Standardized color designation, not a generic