Ever walked through a building where every door looks the same? For someone with a visual impairment, that’s not a minor inconvenience—it’s a daily barrier. Under the Equality Act 2010, accessible signage isn’t optional. This guide unpacks BS 8300 in plain English so you can specify door signs that look professional, pass audits, and make every user feel considered.
If your signage doesn’t meet BS 8300, you risk breaching Building Regulations Part M and the Equality Act 2010—exposing your organisation to legal claims and potential fines up to £250,000. Let’s make sure that never happens. We’ll cover colour contrast, tactile and braille requirements, typography, mounting, lighting, sector-specific tips, costs, and a case study you can point to in your audit pack.
1. What BS 8300 Actually Means (and Why It Matters)
Plain-English overview
BS 8300:2018 is the UK benchmark for accessible, inclusive design—from wayfinding and lighting to the signs on your doors. It replaced older versions back in 2018 and remains the standard architects, access consultants, and auditors reference daily. In short: it’s how you translate equality legislation into real-world, user-friendly design decisions.
Part M vs BS 8300
Think of Part M as the legal minimum and BS 8300 as best practice. Part M keeps you on the right side of the law; BS 8300 proves you take accessibility seriously and helps you avoid disputes under the Equality Act 2010. When tenders, planning conditions, or landlord approvals ask for “evidence of inclusive design”, they almost always mean BS 8300 alignment.
Who it applies to
- New commercial buildings and major refurbishments
- Public buildings and offices (including local authority properties)
- Healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, care homes)
- Educational settings (schools, colleges, universities)
- Workplaces with 10+ employees
What we’ve found: signage is often the last-mile blocker at handover. Fixing it late is costly; specifying it right from the start is painless.
Common failure patterns we see
- Attractive brushed-metal plates with pale lettering (fail under corridor lighting)
- All-caps serif fonts chosen for “heritage feel” (looks good, reads badly)
- Mounting at eye level for tall adults only (excludes wheelchair users)
- Missing braille on accessible toilets and refuge points (automatic fail)
- Signs mounted tight to frame or on the wrong side of the door (missed by users)
The antidote is a repeatable specification: compliant colours, tactile depth, legible type, correct mounting, and an audit trail. We’ll give you that below.
2. Colour Contrast: The 30% LRV Rule (Don’t Skip This)
If you remember one thing, make it this: your sign text and background must differ by at least 30 points in Light Reflectance Value (LRV). LRV runs from 0 (black) to 100 (white) and indicates how much light a colour reflects. That 30-point gap is what keeps signs readable for people with low vision or contrast sensitivity.
| Colour Combination | LRV Difference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black on white | ≈ 80 | Excellent ✓ |
| Dark blue on cream | ≈ 45 | Recommended ✓ |
| Navy on light grey | ≈ 35 | Acceptable ✓ |
| Red on white | ≈ 30 | Minimum ✓ |
| Light grey on white | ≈ 10 | Non-compliant ✗ |
How to check LRV quickly
- Grab the manufacturer’s LRV values for your colours.
- Subtract the lower from the higher.
- If the result is ≥ 30, you’re compliant.
- Test samples in the real space—daylight and LED can change perception.
Real-world nuance
Painted walls vary in sheen and age; vinyl films differ in finish. A colour that looks fine in a studio render can wash out under 4000K LED. We recommend matte or satin finishes and a site lighting check before bulk manufacture.
3. Tactile Door Signs: Where They’re Required and How to Specify
Raised-character (tactile) signs help users identify rooms by touch. They’re mandatory on: accessible toilets, evacuation and refuge points, fire exits, lift controls/floors, and key wayfinding junctions. If someone needs to find a space during an evacuation or power cut, tactile and braille cues can be the difference between hesitation and action.
Specification at a glance
| Character height | 15–50 mm (based on viewing distance) |
|---|---|
| Raised depth | 0.8–1.5 mm above background |
| Typeface | Sans serif (Arial, Helvetica) |
| Spacing | ≥ 6 mm between characters |
| Position | Centre at 1400–1600 mm from finished floor |
Braille that’s consistent and comfortable
Use Grade 2 braille, positioned directly beneath the raised text. Follow BS EN ISO 17049 for dot height, spacing, and layout. Keep edges smooth, avoid sharp laminates, and ensure strong contrast even on raised lettering.
Material choices we trust
- Laser-engraved acrylic: crisp tactile edges, wipe-clean, cost-effective.
- Photopolymer: robust and highly tactile for high-traffic environments.
- Etched metal with infill: premium, durable, but watch glare—matte finishes only.
Tip: pair brand colours with a compliant backplate to keep identity without sacrificing LRV contrast.
4. Fonts, Sizes, and Layout That Stay Readable
Typeface & weight
- Use sans serif (Arial, Helvetica, Calibri)
- Choose medium to bold weight (400–700)
- Prefer mixed case (ALL CAPS slows reading)
- Pick matte finishes to avoid glare
Text size by viewing distance
Formula: Character height (mm) = Viewing distance (mm) ÷ 200.
- 1 m → 5 mm
- 2 m → 10 mm
- 5 m → 25 mm
- Typical door signs (1–2 m): 10–15 mm
Spacing & layout
Use at least 150% line height, left-align text, and keep line lengths short for fast scanning. Avoid centred paragraphs on multi-line labels; they look neat but reduce rapid recognisability in corridors.
Icons and pictograms
Where symbols are used (e.g., accessible WC), follow consistent forms (ISO 7001) and ensure the icon itself meets contrast requirements. Pair with text—never icon-only for critical information.
5. Mounting Height & Lighting: Small Details, Big Impact
| Door sign centre | 1400–1600 mm above floor |
|---|---|
| Clearance from frame | ≥ 100 mm |
| Viewing angle | Perpendicular to user (≤ 30° tilt) |
| Illumination | ≥ 100 lux, avoid glare |
For wheelchair users, seated eye height is typically 1000–1200 mm. That’s why a 1500 mm centre height tends to work for everyone. Check lighting in corridors and evening conditions—not just during daytime. For exterior doors, consider night-time visibility and supplementary lighting that doesn’t create specular highlights on glossy materials.
Positioning to avoid collisions
Install on the latch side of the door, away from swing arcs and handles, so users can approach and read without obstruction. On double doors, keep signage consistent across the elevation to prevent the “which leaf?” confusion.
6. Applying BS 8300 by Building Type
Healthcare (hospitals, clinics, care homes)
- Non-porous, wipeable materials for infection control
- Dementia-friendly, consistent colour schemes
- Clear tactile room ID; braille on critical areas
- Include floor identifiers near lifts and stair cores
Education (schools & universities)
- Mount slightly lower for primary settings
- Pair text with symbols for SEN support
- Use impact-resistant materials for high-traffic doors
- Number rooms logically; avoid alphanumeric jumps
Offices & commercial spaces
- Accessible toilet signage is mandatory
- Consistent meeting-room numbering with tactile text
- Blend brand colours with compliant backplates
- Wayfinding from reception should be continuous and consistent
7. Specification & Procurement Process (Step-by-Step)
- Audit: Walk the site and list every door requiring identification, safety, or wayfinding signage.
- Colour proof: Confirm LRVs for chosen colours; choose finishes (matte/satin).
- Typography: Select sans serif family, weight, and minimum sizes per viewing distance.
- Tactile & braille: Specify tactile depth (0.8–1.5 mm) and Grade 2 braille locations.
- Drawings: Provide elevations marking centre heights (1400–1600 mm) and clearances.
- Samples: Approve physical samples under real lighting.
- Installation: Use laser levels and document heights/locations.
- Post-install audit: Photograph, record measurements, and file the checklist for Building Control.
We can supply samples, compliant specs, and a signed compliance statement for your O&M manual.
8. Compliance Audit Checklist
- Colour contrast: LRV ≥ 30; legible under all lighting; no colour-only info
- Typography: Sans serif; correct size for distance; adequate spacing; medium–bold weight
- Tactile: Raised 0.8–1.5 mm; Grade 2 braille where required; mounted at 1400–1600 mm
- Positioning & lighting: ≥ 100 mm from frame; perpendicular viewing; ≥ 100 lux
- Documentation: Photos, height logs, LRV data sheets included in handover pack
9. Costs & Procurement
| Type | Typical Price (excl. VAT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard vinyl (may not be compliant) | £8–12 | Often fails LRV or glare tests |
| High-contrast vinyl (compliant) | £12–18 | Great for interim or budget projects |
| Tactile acrylic | £25–40 | Durable, wipeable, crisp tactile edges |
| Braille + tactile acrylic | £35–55 | Required for critical wayfinding and accessible WCs |
| Premium metal tactile | £60–90 | Long life; confirm matte finish to avoid glare |
Volume orders typically receive 15–25% discounts. Always schedule a post-install audit to document compliance for Building Control.
10. Case Study: Community Hospital Retrofit
A 120-bed hospital failed its accessibility audit due to low-contrast vinyl and missing braille. We replaced 380 signs with high-contrast tactile acrylic, added Grade 2 braille, and standardised mounting at 1500 mm centre height. Cost: £14,820 (≈ £39/sign). Result: full compliance, an 18% improvement in wayfinding satisfaction, and zero complaints over 12 months.
“It seems simple, but the new signs transformed how patients move. We saw fewer enquiries at reception and faster route-finding to clinics.” — Estates Manager
Conclusion
Accessible door signs aren’t a nice-to-have—they’re a legal and ethical commitment. Aim for 30+ LRV contrast, specify tactile and braille where required, mount at 1400–1600 mm, and verify lighting. Do that, and you’ll pass audits—and welcome every user.
FAQs
What is BS 8300 and who must comply?
BS 8300:2018 is the UK standard for accessible building design. It applies to new and refurbished commercial, public, healthcare, and educational buildings under Building Regulations Part M.
What colour contrast is required for door signs?
A minimum 30-point LRV difference between text and background. Example: black (LRV 5) on white (LRV 85) = 80—easily compliant.
Do all door signs need braille?
No. Braille is required on accessible toilets, refuge points, lift controls and main wayfinding locations. Tactile raised characters are more widely required.
What height should signs be mounted?
Centre at 1400–1600 mm from floor, with at least 100 mm clearance from the door frame, and positioned for perpendicular viewing.
How much do BS 8300-compliant signs cost?
High-contrast vinyl: £12–18; tactile acrylic: £25–40; braille + tactile: £35–55; premium metal tactile: £60–90. Volume discounts usually apply.