CSA Z317.14:25

Preface This is the second edition of CSA Z317.14, Wayfinding for health care facilities . It supersedes the first edition published in 2017. This Standard defines the essential elements in planning, implementing, and continually improving wayfinding systems in health care facilities. The following are the major changes to this edition: a) acknowledgement of neurodiversity, lived experience, and varying abilities of users of the wayfinding system in HCFs (see Clause 0 and Annex C); b) a new clause on spatial wayfinding (see Clause 4.1.10); c) expanded guidance for the wayfinding multidisciplinary team (see Clause 4.2.2); d) updated guidance for washrooms (see Clause 5.6); e) a new clause for pre-work and information sharing (see Clause 6.1); f) new examples for wing and building allocation (see Clause 6.8 and Clause D.1); g) updated guidance and new examples for room and floor numbering systems (see Clause 6.9 and Clause D.2); h) expanded guidance on security issues (see Clause 6.13); i) expanded guidance on temporary signs and messages (see Clause 6.17); j) new clauses on placemaking elements (see Clause 6.20); k) updated guidance on evolving technology (see Clause 6.21); and l) updated examples of effective wayfinding and program elements (see Annex A) and symbols (see Clause B.2). CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, as administered by Canada’s Drug Agency. This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Wayfinding in Health Care Facilities, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Health Care Facilities and the Strategic Steering Committee on Health Care Technology and Systems, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 General 1.1.1 Overview This Standard establishes requirements for the planning, design, implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and continual improvement of wayfinding systems for HCFs. 1.1.2 Components This Standard addresses the following components of wayfinding: a) place; b) people; c) elements; and d) continual improvement. Note: Wayfinding is a user experience, a process, a plan, and a system. 1.2 Inclusions This Standard sets out requirements for intuitive, accessible, and understandable wayfinding through the following: a) facility design as the starting point of a user-friendly wayfinding system; b) natural orientation concept in wayfinding strategy; c) consistency in sign content, layout, and program organization; d) visual continuity and order in signage for all types of HCFs; e) the number of decision-making points through HCFs; f) clarity and consistency in all forms of communication to the patients, visitors, and staff; g) the number of signs in existing HCFs; h) memorable wayfinding cues for return patients, visitors, and staff; i) accessible wayfinding elements; j) applicable multicultural and multilingual requirements; k) digital and emerging technologies; and l) a sustainable approach in the implementation of wayfinding strategies. 1.3 Exclusions This Standard does not include emergency and life safety aspects of egress as determined by the authority having jurisdiction. 1.4 Health care facilities This Standard applies to all classes of HCFs. 1.5 Terminology In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.