Regulatory compliance on both the national and state level should be a top priority, especially when it concerns any revisions to codes that affect interior signage. An example of this is the 2022 edition of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, which is scheduled to be released this summer. Intersign has been keeping track of these and other developments to best ensure that all of our signage remains compliant for our clients.
Title 24, also known as the California Building Standards Code, is the collection of building and fire safety codes which set the structural safety and sustainability standards. These standards affect California’s public schools, community colleges, and state essential services buildings, as well as the accessibility of state public buildings. While California state law allows local governments to amend the codes to meet their needs, most of the requirements for public buildings in California are made at the state level. This makes Title 24 the primary source of information on requirements for interior signage in California. With new editions compiled every three years, 2022’s version goes into effect on January 1, 2023.
Mostly affecting new buildings for now, these changes involve making buildings “electric-ready,” even if they’re already equipped with natural gas appliances. Other goals are improved storage standards and usage of solar energy, as well the improvement of indoor air quality. The new code will also extended solar and battery storage standards from the 2019 code for a wider variety of buildings. Some of these changes will be implemented through incentivizing builders to install heat pumps.
Before the publication of each new edition the California Building Standards Commission reviews and approves standards proposed and adopted by various state agencies, and ultimately approves the Title 24 standards. As each agency advocates for its field and submits their proposals, we can use the information in these proposals to gain an understanding of the coming updates.
The current California accessibility standards are based on the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. When it comes to the accessibility code, the building standards proposed by the Division of State Architect do not include any updates that would significantly affect interior signage in California. Likewise, the 2021 International Building and Fire Codes (IBC/IFC), which are issued by the International Code Council and influence how interior signage is designed and crafted, are being adopted as written. The signage Intersign currently offers is already compliant with the 2010 ADA Standards and the current IBC and IFC codes. This means that when the 2022 edition of Title 24 is adopted this summer, our signage will already comply with it. Another welcome change is that adopting the 2021 Building and Fire Codes will provide greater clarity about signage safety in California.
Intersign pledges to continue monitoring the California Title 24 revision and adoption process, and will make sure to keep you informed of any relevant updates. The same goes for any other sweeping change to sign regulations, as we remain committed to providing only the best, most accurate, and compliant signage for your school, government facility, or religious facility.