8th Jul 2024
In today's world, universal design and human-centric thinking have become indispensable pillars of any well-planned built environment. The idea of designing for all people, regardless of physical ability, age, or other factors, creates welcoming public realms that integrate accessibility seamlessly.
Tactile solutions play a vital role in putting human-centric design into practice. As a leading Canadian provider of tactile warning systems for over a decade, we at Tactile Solution Canada recognize how thoughtful tactile design caters to diverse needs and creates intuitive spaces.
This blog explores how tactile technologies enhance the human experience through an accessibility lens. We discuss key principles of human-centric design, showcase innovative applications of tactile solutions, and provide guidance on elevating tactile user experience.
The Basics: What is Human-Centric Design? -centric design, also known as user-centric or human-focused design, puts human perspectives and needs at the core of planning. It views problems through a human lens, aiming to deeply understand contextual factors that shape user interactions, pain points, and behaviors.
Armed with human insights, the design process then shapes solutions to enhance usability, accessibility, and experience quality for diverse users.
Here are 10 key principles for a human-focused approach with tactile systems:
Research targets users' abilities, limitations, and accessibility needs. For example, understand how vision impairment impacts public space navigation.
Engineer empathy for the user perspective through immersive observation and feedback. Test designs from a user viewpoint.
Consider the complete user journey. How can tactile guidance enhance wayfinding, safety, independence, and confidence?
Consider the physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of user experience. How do tactile textures make people feel? How usable are the patterns?
Seamlessly integrate accessibility into designs to be useful naturally, not as an afterthought. Tactile cues should enable intuitive navigation.
Design for diverse physical and mental faculties. Children, the elderly, and those with disabilities have specialized needs.
Intuitive controls, options, and modifications give users more autonomy over environments. Tactile wayfinding enables independent mobility.
Employ agile design improvements based on human feedback. Be open to critiques, suggestions, and new perspectives.
Exceed legal compliance. Champion innovative accessibility solutions and set best practice benchmarks like CSA B651.
Tactile accessibility features give users of all abilities better experiences. Curb cuts aid parents with strollers, too!
By internalizing such human-focused principles, tactile system design can evolve beyond essential compliance into an art form that intimately serves user needs.
Canada's vibrant public spaces and business landscape have seen highly innovative adaptations of tactile solutions to enhance the human experience. Some stellar examples of human-centric tactile design thinking include:
Ontario Science Centre's renowned interactive exhibit on the human body features a giant walk-through heart with tactile textures to explore blood flow. Tactile elements allow visually impaired visitors to engage fully.
Canada's Wonderland has started incorporating tactile maps, guides, and interactive exhibits into its rides to create multi-sensory magical experiences for visitors with visual disabilities.
Vancouver's Museum of Anthropology offers monthly touch tours where blind patrons can appreciate historical objects through 3D-printed replicas and tactile diagrams.
Toronto's Lynett Memorial Park contains a "sensory garden" with scented plants, auditory elements, and tactile gravel walkways tailored to users with special needs.
Cities like Toronto are rolling out platform edge tiles with bright color contrasts and anti-slip coatings to prevent accidents in subway systems.
CIBC Square's modern offices integrate porcelain tactile flooring with an elegant arrow pattern to guide users to reception areas.
Some airports have pioneered interactive tactile installations where patterns shift dynamically based on passenger footsteps and ambient sounds.
Through such creativity, businesses and public spaces are pioneering more inclusive environments attuned to diverse needs.
Here are some professional tips on enhancing tactile user experience based on human factors:
Design mock-ups and engage visually impaired users for feedback through controlled tests. Address any detectability, safety, or usability issues.
Consistently employ familiar tactile, easily interpretable tactile patterns, like truncated domes, for hazard warnings.
Combine tactile experience with audio, visual, and olfactory cues for enhanced detectability. Bright contrasts aid those with low vision.
Offer flexibility in solutions like removable versus permanent tiles. Cater to varied needs and contexts.
Modular tiles allow affordable replacement of damaged sections. Minimize user disruption during maintenance.
Standardized tactile surfaces ensure uniform user experience across different locations, enabling instinctive learning.
Actively engage and incorporate ideas from accessibility advocates to continually optimize designs.
Account for decreased tactile sensitivity with age. Ensure high detectability even with minimal pressure.
Collaborate with accessibility consultants and providers like Tactile Solution Canada to engineer best-in-class human experiences.
Pilot innovative solutions that exceed standards. Forge ahead of competitors in enhancing inclusion, safety, and experience.
Tactile solutions can genuinely empower and delight by ensuring attention to user-centric detail.
Thoughtful human-centric design has profound positive impacts on quality of life:
Human-focused thinking creates more liveable, resilient, and ethically evolved societies. Tactile technologies positively impact millions of lives when designed thoughtfully.
At Tactile Solution Canada, enhancing user experience motivates our mission to make infrastructure accessible. Our extensive range of tailored tactile solutions, from durable metal plates to interactive tiles, aims to give users excellent safety, independence, and ease of access.
Reach out to our experts today to explore how our human-centric approach can craft custom tactile innovations that work for your users and needs.
8th Jul 2024
In public infrastructure projects across Canada, from interior streetscapes to transit hubs, ensuring accessibility and safety for all users is a key priority. This is especially crucial when accommodating the needs of citizens with visual disabilities. Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs) provide an invaluable communication interface between pedestrians and the built environment.
Advantage Tactile Systems offers robust and durable stainless steel tactile solutions engineered to deliver long-lasting performance even under punishing loads. Their single domes and bars are designed to withstand decades of heavy foot traffic while providing essential textured cues.
Advantage Tactile Systems provides individual stainless steel domes and bars as part of their code-compliant detectable warning systems. These are available with a choice of textures and finishes.
Key products include:
These domes and bars are designed to be surface-applied onto existing concrete or asphalt. The installation involves drilling into the substrate and securing each piece individually with adhesive anchors. The products can also be customized with radial edges to accommodate curved boundaries.
Stainless steel and cast iron give Advantage single domes and bars unmatched durability compared to traditional polymer tactile products. These robust metals withstand decades of intensive foot traffic, vehicle loads, extreme weather, and maintenance abrasion - still providing continuous slip resistance and hazard warnings.
Key properties that make these single domes/bars extraordinarily sturdy include:
By harnessing the innate advantages of steel and iron, Advantage Tactile Systems engineered single domes and bars that truly stand the test of time despite punishing conditions.
Proper installation is crucial to actualize the full durability benefits of these robust single domes/bars. Certified installers undertake the following key steps:
The domes/bars must be left undisturbed during curing. When cured, the adhesive creates a tenacious bond between the metal and substrate. Additionally, sealant is applied around the perimeter of each dome/bar for waterproofing. These measures result in a long-lasting installation able to withstand heavy loads.
Advantage Tactile single domes and bars meet stringent accessibility requirements. Key compliance features include:
These domes and bars can be customized to specifications like:
The ideal code-compliant tactile solution can be tailored to any public project by consulting designers and installers.
Advantage Tactile’s robust single domes and bars are commonly seen enhancing accessibility and safety in settings like:
Advantage single domes and bars are designed for minimal maintenance. However, some care is needed:
With simple care, Advantage single domes and bars reliably indicate hazards and guide accessibility for decades.
Tactile Solutions Canada proudly supplies and installs Advantage Tactile Systems’ premium single domes and bars to enhance public realm accessibility from coast to coast. These products withstand heavy foot traffic and ensure safer movement across the facilities.
5th Jul 2024
Creating accessible and navigable public spaces is a key priority for architects, contractors, and facility managers in Canada. For individuals with visual disabilities, navigating unfamiliar environments poses numerous challenges. Photoluminescent wayfinding offers an effective solution to enhance accessibility and safety.
As per Canadian codes and standards like the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and UL 1994, photoluminescent wayfinding systems are mandated in many public buildings and spaces. When thoughtfully designed and installed, these self-illuminating systems provide visual guidance similar to exit signs, even in dark conditions.
This article explores the key factors contractors, architects, and building owners must consider when specifying photoluminescent wayfinding solutions in Canada.
Photoluminescent wayfinding uses glow-in-the-dark signs, strips, and markers to delineate paths of travel within buildings and public spaces. It guides occupants to key areas and amenities even in dark conditions.
Photoluminescent wayfinding relies on special phosphor materials that absorb, store, and emit light. These materials charge themselves using any ambient light source and then illuminate in low-light conditions without electricity.
Strategically placed photoluminescent wayfinding indicators outline safe exit routes, mark stair edges, identify amenities, and provide directional cues that enhance accessibility for those with visual disabilities.
When integrating photoluminescent wayfinding, consider:
Photoluminescent products must comply with various Canadian codes and standards like the NBC, AODA, OBC, NFPA, UL 1994, and provincial codes. Compliance ensures legal conformity and proper performance.
Determine appropriate locations for wayfinding indicators like paths of travel, stairwells, amenities, direction changes, obstructions, etc., based on standards.
Follow specified size criteria for indicatory, like minimum widths for pathway strips, minimum sign heights relative to viewing distance, etc., as per codes.
Ensure proper installation into substrates as per manufacturer instructions using recommended adhesives, anchors, mounts, etc.
Select optimal wayfinding materials and colors to provide sufficient visual contrast against surroundings for high visibility in both light and dark conditions.
Choose durable, long-lasting photoluminescent materials that withstand high-traffic weather and meet all performance specifications.
7. Maintenance
Follow maintenance schedules like cleaning routines and damage inspections to ensure photoluminescent indicators retain visibility and glow intensity.
Investing in compliant photoluminescent wayfinding offers key upsides:
Photoluminescent wayfinding uses various standardized indicators to facilitate navigation:
By incorporating compliant photoluminescent wayfinding elements, public spaces can be made safer and more accessible for the visually impaired.
Various Canadian regulations mandate compliant photoluminescent wayfinding solutions:
Other relevant provincial building codes may also apply based on location. Following applicable standards ensures optimal wayfinding performance and legal conformity.
Tactile Solutions Canada offers a selection of compliant photoluminescent wayfinding solutions like step edge nosing and running man exit signs from trusted manufacturers like Ecoglo to enhance accessibility. Our offerings are:
We provide end-to-end support, from product selection and recommendations to post-installation guidance. Contact Tactile Solution Canada today to make your next public project more accessible with energy-efficient, code-compliant photoluminescent wayfinding solutions.
Common indicators include directional signs, stair edge demarcations, door frame outlines, informational signage, and hazard object markings.
They are mandated in public buildings like transit hubs, offices, malls, healthcare facilities, etc., as per various provincial and national building codes.
It provides clear visual guidance in low-light conditions to enable safe navigation for those who have vision disabilities.
With 1 hour of LED ambient light charging, photoluminescent signs and markers will emit over 70 hours of visibility.
Occasional cleaning every few months, damage inspections, glow testing, and light source access maintenance are advised.
5th Jul 2024
Navigating through public spaces can be challenging for individuals with visual impairments. Having proper wayfinding solutions in place is crucial to ensure accessibility and safety for the visually impaired. Tactile wayfinding uses specialized textures and indicators to guide users and provide important spatial information non-visually through the sense of touch.
As per accessibility legislation in Canada, implementing compliant tactile wayfinding solutions in public spaces is a legal obligation. This guide will explore what tactile wayfinding entails, how it helps the visually impaired, types of solutions and standards for optimal implementation. Read out to know:
Tactile wayfinding utilizes standardized ground surface textures comprising raised bars or indicators installed in walking areas. These tactile cues serve to outline paths of travel and key points like amenities, exits, and turnings through distinctive patterns that can be felt underfoot or with a cane.
There are two main purposes tactile wayfinding serves:
Well-executed tactile wayfinding enables visually impaired individuals to navigate safely and independently within environments by providing physical directional prompts detectable through touch.
Thoughtfully implemented tactile wayfinding confers several advantages for enhancing accessibility:
There are multiple options available when specifying tactile wayfinding solutions:
These are installed on existing hard surfaces using adhesive. It is ideal for retrofit projects with no demolition needed.
These are installed directly into freshly poured concrete. It is suited for new construction. Provide permanent tactile guidance.
Discrete bars screwed into existing surfaces. It is for smaller-scale applications.
Uses glow-in-the-dark photoluminescent strips. It provides illumination in the darkness.
Based on factors like setting, foot traffic, visibility needs and budget, appropriate solutions can be adapted to provide compliant and consistent tactile wayfinding.
To ensure effectiveness, tactile wayfinding solutions must adhere to certain guidelines and codes. Key specifications as per CSA B651 include:
Following recognized standards ensures tactile wayfinding is implemented thoughtfully by maximizing accessibility, detectability and safety.
Here are some key public environments that benefit from properly integrated tactile wayfinding:
Careful installation of compliant tactile wayfinding networks spanning key pedestrian zones makes public spaces more usable for citizens of all abilities.
Proper installation and care ensure longevity of tactile wayfinding solutions:
With conscientious installation and maintenance, tactile wayfinding solutions will provide enhanced accessibility and experience for years.
Tactile Solution Canada offers the widest range of compliant tactile wayfinding solutions from trusted brands like Access Tile, Armor Tile, Advantage Tile and Ecoglo. Our offerings are:
To learn more about tactile wayfinding or to get product recommendations from our experts, contact Tactile Solutions Canada today!
The two main purposes are to provide directional guidance along appropriate pedestrian paths and circulation routes and enable spatial mapping of environments.
Tactile wayfinding is mandated in all public spaces like sidewalks, parks, transit platforms, airports, office lobbies, retail stores, government buildings as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Major types are surface-applied tactile tiles, cast-in-place tactile tiles, metal tactile tiles, individual embedded bars, and photoluminescent wayfinding strips.
Key considerations are indoor/outdoor setting, new or retrofit construction, expected footfall, ability to replace tiles, costs, visibility needs and compliance with standards.
With high-quality installation and materials, tactile wayfinding solutions can last 10-15 years with minimal replacement needs beyond periodic replacement of damaged tiles
5th Jul 2024
In public buildings across Canada, glowing green emergency exit signs are becoming a more common sight. But how exactly do these photoluminescent exit signs work their magic to illuminate emergency exit routes even when the lights go out? Read on for a science explainer demystifying the inner workings of photoluminescent exit signs and their benefits.
Photoluminescent exit signs rely on the phenomenon of “photoluminescence” to operate without electricity. Photoluminescence refers to the ability of certain materials to absorb, store, and emit light energy. These photoluminescent materials include phosphors like strontium aluminate and zinc sulfide.
When exposed to ambient light, the phosphors get energized. The absorbed photons excite the phosphors’ electrons to a higher energy state. When the ambient light source disappears, these excited electrons fall back to their normal state, emitting the excess energy as visible light. Hence the photoluminescent material seems to “glow in the dark” after being charged.
Photoluminescent exit signs contain non-toxic photoluminescent materials integrated into panels or strips. These get charged when exposed to any ambient light source, whether natural daylight entering through windows or ordinary indoor overhead lighting.
Once fully charged, the energized phosphor-infused panels glow brightly in dim or dark conditions. The glow emitted is a lime green color that meets international standards for exit sign illumination.
The glow duration depends on the strength and duration of the initial charging:
This ability to “recharge” themselves using surrounding environmental light makes photoluminescent exit signs completely self-powered and sustainable. They require no external electricity or batteries to operate in dark conditions.
Photoluminescent exit signs offer numerous advantages that make them an ideal emergency lighting solution:
Photoluminescent exit signs are completely unaffected by electricity disruptions and will keep glowing in blackouts when traditional electric exit signs may fail. This unmatched reliability during emergencies ensures exit routes remain visible for safe egress.
By tapping into ambient light, photoluminescent signs consume zero energy. This saves on electricity costs and carbon footprint. They are an eco-friendly, sustainable solution.
3. Durable for Years
Photoluminescent materials retain their luminosity for over a decade. The signs have a lifespan of 15+ years, unlike electric exit signs requiring regular battery replacements.
4. Highly Visible Photoluminescent Glow
The bright green glow of the signs is designed to meet international standards for exit sign illumination. This high visibility captures attention quickly.
5. Fire and Moisture Resistant
The photoluminescent material is non-flammable and continues glowing even in humid or wet conditions. This makes the signs suitable even for outdoor applications.
6. Easy Maintenance
Photoluminescent exit signs have no electrical components and require only occasional cleaning. This saves on maintenance overhead.
Photoluminescent exit signs meet rigorous visibility standards defined in building codes and EN standards for emergency lighting. This ensures legal compliance.
Photoluminescent exit signs are fast replacing traditional electrically-powered exit signs as the new code-compliant standard across Canada and worldwide.
The incentive is the latest building codes and accessibility regulations that promote sustainable designs. For example:
The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) states that newly constructed buildings must incorporate designs and technology that reduce environmental impact and energy consumption. This makes photoluminescent exit signs an ideal eco-friendly solution for new buildings.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or AODA mandates enhanced visibility of exit routes through photoluminescent markings. Photoluminescent exit signs help fulfill this legislation.
Provincial codes like the Ontario Building Code (OBC) also reference NBC and AODA in their standards for increased accessibility. By aligning with the latest codes, builders, and facility managers ensure their projects meet regulatory standards while benefiting from the advantages and energy savings that photoluminescent exit signs offer.
To comply with emergency lighting codes, photoluminescent exit signs are required in nearly all public buildings. Some key locations include:
Unlike photoluminescent exit signs, traditional electrical exit signs rely on external power and have high operating and maintenance costs.
Electric exit signs require professional hardwiring into the electrical system. Their illumination depends entirely on the power supply. In a power outage, they cease functioning, causing emergency visibility issues.
Electric exit signs consume energy continuously, even when the building is unoccupied, leading to high energy bills. Battery-powered variants need frequent and costly battery replacements every 1-2 years.
In contrast, photoluminescent signs leverage natural or ambient light at no added energy cost. Their simple plug-and-play installation also saves on labor costs compared to electrical hardwiring. With a lifespan of 15+ years, they have minimal maintenance needs.
By choosing sustainable photoluminescent exit signs, builders and facility managers see a quick return on investment while enhancing building safety and meeting codes.
They contain non-toxic phosphors that get energized by surrounding ambient light. The energized phosphors emit a green glow when the lights go out, illuminating the exit signs in darkness.
Canadian codes mandate photoluminescent exit signs in nearly all public buildings and facilities, including offices, malls, airports, health facilities, educational institutes, and residential complexes.
No, photoluminescent exit signs are 100% self-powered and require no electrical connection or batteries. They operate by absorbing surrounding ambient light.
After 30-60 minutes of charging under indoor lighting, photoluminescent exit signs emit 70+ hours of visibility in darkness. Brighter ambient light results in a longer glow duration.
Key benefits are no wiring required, zero energy consumption, a long 15+ year lifespan, high emergency reliability, and low maintenance.
As a leading Canadian supplier of accessible building solutions, Tactile Solution Canada offers UL-certified photoluminescent running man exit signs from trusted manufacturers like Ecoglo.
Our Ecoglo exit signs offer bright green photoluminescent illumination visible up to 75 feet. Some key features:
Our team of experts can recommend the ideal exit signage to enhance emergency preparedness, meet Canadian codes, and create a sustainable building equipped for the future.
To make your next project safer, greener, and more code-compliant, explore our range of Exit Signs today!
5th Jul 2024
Access to indoor and outdoor spaces like corridors, lobbies, staircases, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings is a fundamental right for all individuals-regardless of their physical abilities. Access® Tile is an innovative Detectable Warning systems provider set to transform how we approach accessibility! Access to public spaces, buildings, and transportation systems is a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities. Introducing Access® Tile, an innovative Detectable Warning systems provider that is set to transform how we approach accessibility!
Delivering the best walking and accessibility systems to accessibility professionals, specifiers, installers, and contractors, Access® Tile strives to enhance public places with the utmost safety and accessibility. This write-up explores the comprehensive details of Access® Tile systems and their types in detail. Let's get started -
Access® Tile is a leading code-compliant detectable warning and guidance system provider to help visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings safely & confidently. These warning and guidance systems are not only a way to comply with accessibility guidelines but also a legal requirement under the CSA Canadian Standards Association) Act and other international standards.
Access® Tile detectable warning systems are exclusively made to be installed in public spaces to alert visually impaired pedestrians of potential hazards or safe directions. These flooring systems are strategically placed in curb ramps, information kiosks, registration desks, stairways, elevators, escalators, store or service doors, transit platforms, stairwells, and marinas to help visually impaired individuals navigate while walking.
Attention and wayfinding systems include tactile paving or tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs). These indicators can be detected by a cane or foot, providing important information about environmental changes.
Access® Tile has designed a highly advanced, durable, tactile walking surface indicator system. Their Cast-in-Place tiles are made with top-notch processing, material technologies, and engineered polymers, resulting in a durable and intelligent design. These tiles can be installed into wet concrete, offering the industry-leading replaceability feature.
Access® Tile cast-in-place tiles with attention domes are necessary for all environments to meet Canadian accessibility code standards. Providing a detectable warning surface that contrasts with the ground alerts pedestrians to potential hazards. Put simply, attention domes convey the walkers about the hazardous path they are approaching, so they can walk on the safer side! These attention domes are durable, weather-resistant tiles available in various sizes and colors.
Access® Tile has crafted durable and lightweight cast-in-place tiles with wayfinding bars—for accessible pedestrian navigation. The tiles are designed to comply with Canadian accessibility codes that can be installed only on wet concrete surfaces. These tiles provide visually impaired and blind travelers with a safe tactile indication about the safe path!
The installation of wayfinding warning and guidance surfaces indicates the direct routes of travel within a public space in a non-visual way. Their non-slip surface and wayfinding bars ensure safe passage for all pedestrians.
Access® Tile surface applied tiles are the ultimate Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI) solution-perfect for unpredictable site conditions with easy handling and cutting. These tiles significantly benefit individuals with visual impairments, alerting pedestrians to hazardous edges and safe walking paths.
The word attention says it all! Access® Tile surface-applied tiles with attention domes are affordable, slip-resistant warning tiles that can be used in various settings to alert people of hazardous edges. Providing tactile warnings for walkers, surface-applied tiles with attention dome are durable, corrosion-resistant, and available in 8 colors for visual contrast—benefiting those with visual impairments through tactile cues about the upcoming unsafe surface.
Access® Tile surface, applied tiles with wayfinding bars, is a cost-effective solution for Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI). They can be easily installed on existing surfaces, providing safe navigation for walkers, especially people with visual impairments. Access® Tile offers these wayfinding bars for creating accessible pathways and assures people that the way they walk is a safe path. These are specially designed for barrier-free navigation in public spaces.
Beyond enhancing accessibility, solutions by Access® Tile also offer remarkable efficiency benefits for everyone. If you are a contractor, builder, building manager, landscaper or architect, contractor or builder, you must consider Access® Tile for the best Detectable Warning systems! Tactile Solution takes pride in being one of Canada's leading suppliers of Access® Tile! Since we have the most extensive sales and distribution network of Access® Tile systems, you can always reach us to get Access® Tile systems for your projects.
5th Jul 2024
In Canada, where accessibility and safety regulations are strictly enforced, finding innovative solutions that prioritize both accessibility and protection is crucial. This is where Access Tile® Surface Applied Fire-Resistant Tile comes in. It's specially designed to meet all the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and other Canadian codes
At Tactile Solution, we understand the importance of creating safe environments that cater to everyone's needs. Our Access-tile surface-applied tiles offer an unparalleled level of safety while ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. To learn more about Acess tiles, read the below blog post:
The Access Tile® Surface Applied Fire Resistant Tactile is a necessary product for buildings that are higher than 7 floors. It provides tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI) with truncated domes for indoor use, particularly in high-rise buildings. This product is designed to warn individuals with visual impairments of any potential hazards or changes in direction on the floor surface.
The Access Tile® Surface Applied Fire Resistant Tactile not only is compliant with building code but also with Fire Code - that makes it unique.The FIRESENTRY-X Composite Technology used in Access Tile Surface Applied Fire Retardant ensures maximum resistance against fire. Access Tile FR is an affordable option for adding tactile warning surface indicators (TWSI) to interior floors, such as exit stairwells, vestibules, lobbies, and corridors. This product is highly slip-resistant, durable, and strong, which means it can be used in a variety of environments and traffic conditions.
At Tactile Solution, we believe that safety should never be compromised when it comes to creating accessible environments. Our Access-tile fire-resistant surface applied tiles provide an innovative solution that combines functionality and aesthetics without compromising on quality or compliance. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how they can revolutionize safety in your space.
5th Jul 2024
In today's fast-paced world, where time is a precious commodity, seamless navigation and flow of people in commercial and public spaces is paramount. Directional signage inside buildings plays a pivotal role in facilitating an unhindered journey through a venue by providing visual cues and prompts to direct visitors to key locations and points of interest.
Code compliance and workplace safety are two of the most crucial aspects of any facility. In Canada, directional signage is an indispensable tool that aids in safeguarding visitors in hazardous environments or emergency situations inside facilities. However, traditional directional signage solutions are ill-equipped to optimally facilitate egress during power outages or in low-lighting conditions inside the buildings. This is where innovative photoluminescent directional signage products from Ecoglo come to the fore.
Ecoglo is a pioneering manufacturing company that specializes in fashioning intelligent safety solutions for commercial and other facilities. Their Ecoglo Directional Signs are manufactured using a proprietary photoluminescent compound that absorbs and stores ambient light to emit a glow in low or dark conditions. This unique quality renders Ecoglo Directional Signage ideal for installation in environments where traditional electrically-powered signs would be ineffective or in case of power failures. They are eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and compliant with the latest National Building Code of Canada’s requirements for photoluminescent exit signs and directional indicators.
For general contractors and builders working on commercial construction projects across Canada, Ecoglo Directional Signage offers significant benefits for workplace safety as well as code compliance:
The photoluminescent nature of Ecoglo Directional Signs allows for improved emergency wayfinding and evacuation during power outages, low light, or zero visibility conditions. The signs absorb and store ambient light and re-emit it in the form of a bright glow for up to 70 hours in complete darkness. This failsafe visibility aids occupants in seamlessly navigating toward emergency exits, fire escapes, or muster points.
Ecoglo Directional Signage meets or exceeds CSA and ULC standards for photoluminescent exit signs in Canada. They are fully compliant with the NBC, OBC, and other provincial building codes for photoluminescent exit signage and directional indicators. Using these signs allows contractors to achieve certification and pass inspections with flying colors.
Unlike electrical signs that require wiring, charging, and bulb replacements, Ecoglo Directional Signs are completely self-powered and maintenance-free. They operate independently even during power outages and only need exposure to light for recharging. The photoluminescent compound in this signage is highly durable and very long-lasting, allowing for longer usage.
Ecoglo Directional Signs eliminate the need for any electrical wiring, charging, or illumination to function. This makes them significantly more cost-effective in the long run compared to powered exit signs that entail high installation and ongoing maintenance expenses. The signs have an operational lifespan of over 25 years, so they do not require frequent replacement either.
Ecoglo Directional Signs come with universally compatible mounting hardware that allows for simple installation on any indoor surface, like walls, floors, staircases, doorways, walkways, etc. They can even be used as freestanding signs with additional mounting stands. The variety of sizes and mounting options available make integration into any space quick and easy.
Ecoglo Directional Signs offer the optimal solution for facility safety, emergency preparedness, and building code compliance for any building or construction project. Their self-illuminating photoluminescent quality makes them ideal for installation indoors where traditional signs would be ineffective. By choosing these innovative exit signs available at Tactilesolution.ca, Canadian contractors and builders can achieve the highest safety and risk mitigation standards on their projects.
5th Jul 2024
CIBC Square is a stunning office complex with two office towers spanning over 3 million square feet. Undoubtedly, CIBC Square is setting the new standard for community in terms of innovation, transformation and accessibility. A perfect workspace, place to socialize and celebrate cuisine and culture, CIBC Square connects the Waterfront and Financial District, expanding and glorifying this stretch of Toronto.
CIBC SQUARE, a location for business, pleasure, and community, offers an unmatched experience in the heart of Toronto. This modern-marvel provides exceptional work environment equipped with modern-thinking features.
It is really important to be empathetic towards your target audience to find the reliable solutions. The same goes with businesses and CIBC Square understands this in all sense.
“Listening exercises have focused on barriers created by remote and hybrid work, as well as concerns and considerations for return to work. Topics that are brought up during the listening exercises are leveraged to enhance our human capital strategy.”
The above statement is made by Claudette Knight, vice-president of workplace design and transformation at CIBC. Let’s go a little deeper.
CIBC hosts annual listening sessions to understand the constraints and barriers disable people face every day at the building premises.
An inclusive design strategy was created and applied to the whole CIBC campus, including-
The design strategy fulfills the building code and industry standards for well-being, accessibility and inclusion by incorporating built-environment design principles that state the complete range of human diversity.
CIBC also incorporated accessibility elements across the structure that meets legislative requirements. Elevator destination dispatch with audio and visual indicators; accessible, all-gender washrooms on every floor; a relief area for service animals; and code-compliant tactile solutions on cautionary places and Braille signage for improved way-finding are among the features of the accessible CIBC campus.
All the new branches are built considering the accessibility needs of clients. CIBC, at a minimum, follows industry standards for all new branches, including the Barrier Free Design Standards and the Barrier Free Design for Automated Banking Machines that were established by Canadian Standards Association International.
One of our brands, a reliable tactile solutions provider, Kinesik has a major role in making CIBC Square the most accessible public and commercial space. We leverage the power of intelligent design and precision engineering. Our products enhance the quality of CIBC Square’s infrastructure and ensure safe passage and code-compliant exit signs.
Let’s see which products from the Kinesik’s arsenal made CIBC Square accessible.
Ensuring the safety of the building’s occupants is a top priority, and floor-level exit signs play a critical role in achieving this goal. The photoluminescent egress path marking system includes floor identification signs (FID) that enhance egress speeds and provide essential information for egress safety in CIBC Square.
Photoluminescent handrail markings have been expertly engineered, and rigorously tested, to enhance both the ease and speed of egress for stairs with railings. Our handrail strips are versatile enough to fit in any space without distracting from the design of the CIBC Square building while providing an excellent handrail marking solution for CIBC’s infrastructure.
They were proven to be highly resistant to UV/weathering, which helped reduce the building’s depreciation.
With unique ridges and integrated anti-slip contrast strips, these nosings ensure all-weather slip resistance making CIBC Square’s premises much more secure. Thanks to its leading-edge technology, it is a pioneer in the emerging supplemental (or passive) emergency lighting market.
18th May 2021
The City of Toronto Accessibility Project explained
As a Certified Distributor of Kinesik & Ecoglo Brands we Make Your Next Project a Huge Success
As a contractor you are responsible for constructing easily accessible buildings and premises for people with physical impairments, you are well-acquainted with tactile indicators and its applications. These are mandatory products in varied materials installed into or onto the ground with raised domes or bars.
Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI) serve the purpose of giving pedestrians who are blind, or who have vision impairment directional information and warning of hazards to assist with safe navigation. You must follow the code standards and proper installation guidelines. Sometimes, it becomes challenging for contractors to comprehend the installation guidelines, even if they are aware of them. That is where our website comes into the picture. Our website can make it easy for contractors to navigate the codes, the installation guidelines and provides resources to choose the best option
IBI Group has been appointed to Lead TheCity of Toronto Accessibility Project
IBI Group is a globally integrated planning, architecture, engineering, and technology firm with more than 2,600 professionals around the world. They take pride in helping clients create liveable, sustainable, and advanced urban environments.
Retrofitting more than 350 buildings this creates one of the most spectacular opportunities for contractors in Toronto. IBI Group will be responsibleto create plans to introduce accessibility including the introduction of tactile solutions.
IBI Group Approvedour Kinesik and Ecoglo Branded Tactile Products for all these Projects.
IBI Group will be requesting contractors to bid on those projects with a mandatory use of the Kinesik and Ecoglo products for tactile.
Tactile Solutions- is the certified and leading Distributor of Kinesik&EcogloProducts.
If you are bidding on projects of the Toronto Accessibility Project, you'll need the Kinesik and Ecoglo products specified by IBI GROUP which you find with US - we are a licensed nationwide distributor for the Kinesik and Ecoglo products. Browse through our website - use our quote requesting tool or call us.
Tactile Solutions is a leader in providing Canadian business with compliant workplace solutions since 2008. We strive to help contractors find the best and most-effective code-compliant tactile solutions for their projects. We take pride in becoming your ultimate source for code-compliant solutions. Our mission is to provide our customers with accessibility solutions. These solutions are intricately designed to meet all current, federal, provincialand municipal standards.
All products offered on our website meet the most rigorous test requirements and comply with AODA, CSA, ISO, FADS, and IFC standards to ensure you achieve the highest compliance in your projects.
When you need mandatory code-compliant accessibility solutions for the next project you win you can always count on us.
