This Signage Design Guide updates the previous Environmental Graphics Design Program Guide
published in September 1996.
It provides guidelines for the design of signs and provides detailed information on the development of a
signage system to assist VA veteran customers, visitors, and others as they approach the property,
locate buildings, and proceed to functions inside.
The Signage Design Guide has been completely updated. These revisions are the result of regulatory
changes, including UFAS, ADAG, and NFPA, expansion and growth of VA facilities, procedural
changes, and practical knowledge gained from field experience. Complete new sections have been
added to address the needs of VA facilities considering both small room renumbering programs and/
or a complete upgrade of their existing signage. These sections inform program officials, planners, and
designers how to identify the need for a signage program and steps on interviewing and selecting an
environmental graphics design firm. It also includes an in depth section on parking lots and parking
structures. The following are highlights in both the updated sections and the newly added sections:
Updates to facility names on site identification
Expanded construction details for exterior signs;
signs, including consolidated Medical Centers,
A new section, "Parking Lots and Parking
Congressionally named facilities, combined VHA
Structures". This section includes signs, details,
and VBA facilities, outpatient clinics, community
construction, and installation specifications;
based outpatient clinics, and VBA regional
offices;
A new section on room re-numbering with
criteria and implementation on room re-
Special sub-sections devoted to National
numbering as well as offering suggestions on
Cemetery signs;
fixing "broken" room numbering systems;
Signage related to a HopTel;
A new section titled, "Need a New Sign
Program" that assists a facility in the project
Various interior and exterior sign types and their
process from beginning to end, including all the
specifications, construction, and installation
steps from identifying the need for a new sign
guidelines;
program through implementing the new program.
Expanded Code & Life Safety signs section that
Subsections include sample questions for
interviewing a prospective Environmental
includes a pictorial for installation of stairwell
Graphics Design Firm, rating factors, sample of
signs and other associated signs;
Statement of Work, etc.; and
Specialty signs that include freestanding signs
Mandatory VA policy signs that contain specific
for display of various information, card and file
holders, and door knob signs for multipurpose
text, layout, size, placement, and location
requirements that cannot be altered or changed;
uses;
Examples of marquee signs that incorporate
electronic messages;
This has been a collaborative effort, with extensive input from VAMC and VISN officials, VACO
program officials including designers, fire and safety, security and law enforcement professionals, and
other Veterans Health Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and Veterans Benefits
Administration staff. This will be a living document that will be periodically updated. When significant
changes do occur, "Design Alerts" will be e-mailed with the included changes.
Lloyd H. Siegel, FAIA Associate Chief Facilities Management Officer for Strategic Management
August 2005
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