Evaluating the Accessibility of a Building

Flad Architects of 2 Flad Code Forum Notes : 11 February 2016

Flad Code Forum Notes 11 February 2016 1. Code Forums

a. Notes of past code forums are posted at : i. Flad Home Page / Resources / Codes / Forums / Year / Date of Forum.

b. Next Code Forum: 02/25/16 : Bldg Code Provisions for Fire & Smoke Compartments c. This Code Forum will Discuss : Evaluating the Accessibility of a Building d. Additional information is contained in attached power point slides: PP-pages.

Evaluating the Accessibility of a Building – Refer to PP-01 through PP-65 2. Codes & Standards: PP-03 - PP-14

a. Federal : 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (“Standards”) b. State (IBC Reference) : ICC A117.1-2009 (“A117”)

i. State or local provisions take precedence over Federal law when their requirements are more stringent.

ii. Dept of Justice (DOJ) has certified the following state’s accessibility requirements as being equivalent to the “Standards.” (1) Maryland (2) North Carolina (3) Washington (4) Texas (5) Maine (6) Florida (7) Indiana (8) California (9) Utah (10) Michigan (11) New Jersey

c. Standards i. Full compliance with the Standards is required only for new construction and

alterations. ii. Barrier removal requirement for existing facilities is new under the Standards and

supersedes less stringent local or state codes. iii. Includes safe harbor under which those elements in facilities built or altered in

compliance with the 1991 Standards are not required to be brought into compliance with the 2010 Standards until those elements are scheduled for alterations.

iv. Includes “exceptions” of areas that are not required to be accessible. d. A117

i. Full compliance with A117.1 is required new construction, alterations and existing buildings.

ii. (46) “Existing” references e. Terminology : the correct term is "disability“ C a “person with a disability.” f. Process : Plans, survey, document.

3. Accessible approach and entrance: PP-15 - PP-30 a. Route of Travel (RT)

i. Includes arrival to the site, approach to the building, and entrance into the building. ii. RT cannot include stairs, must be stable, and be 36” wide (min)

b. Ramps i. Running slope greater than 1:20 (min) but not steeper 1:12 ii. Example

Flad Architects of 2 Flad Code Forum Notes : 11 February 2016

iii. 1:20 = Rise : Run (1) 1 : 20 = 30” : Run, Run = 30” x 20 = 600” = 50’-0”

(a) Every 30” of rise, required to have a 5’ long landing (b) 50’ (Run) + 5’ (Landing) = 55’ Total

c. Parking and Drop-Off Areas i. Accessible Parking Spaces (APS) : closest to the accessible entrance ii. Parking Facilities include surface lots and parking structures

d. Entrance i. Entrances are categorized per the following :

(1) Public Entrance (PE) (2) Service Entrance (SE) (3) Restricted Entrance (RE)

ii. Minimum number of accessible PEs changed from 50% (1991 Standards) to 60% (Standards).

4. Access to goods and services: PP-31 - PP-45 a. Horizontal Circulation

i. Accessible entrance must provide direct access to the main floor, lobby, or elevator. ii. Accessible routes must be 36” minimum and provide areas to reverse direction iii. Accessible routes less than 60” shall provide passing spaces every 200’ max. iv. Accessible routes must be to ALL public spaces

(1) Example (Flad - MSN) : includes numerous conference rooms on all levels that should all be accessible (see dark red filled spaces on PP-38).

b. Accessible spaces that require more than (1) Means of Egress must be provided with at least (2) accessible Means of Egress i. Example (Flad - MSN) : In addition to the central stairway, at least (1) of the end

stairways must be on an accessible route (see light red filled spaces on PP-41). c. Doors : 32” clear opening (minimum), Pull/Push side clearances d. Rooms & Spaces : Aisles/Pathways 36” clear (minimum)

5. Access to rest rooms : PP-46 - PP-51 a. If a non-accessible toilet room is on an accessible route, a sign indicating the nearest

accessible toilet room is required. 6. Any other measures necessary: PP-52 - PP-53 7. Employee Work Areas: PP-54 - PP-65

a. Spaces used only by employees and used only for work i. Corridors, toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee work areas.

b. Individuals with disabilities can approach, enter, and exit the employee work area. c. Exceptions for Employee Work Areas (EWA)

i. Modular office furniture ii. Stairs/walkways as part of a piece of equipment (e.g. electric turbines)

d. Changes to EWA Access i. 1991 Standard : Maneuvering within the work area or to be accessible. ii. 2010 Standards : Requires that common use circulation paths inside employee work

areas greater than 1,000 square feet be accessible. e. Common Use Areas (CUA) : corridors, toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms

i. All CUAs are required to be accessible T:\twyatt\Code\Code Forums\2016 0211\2016 0211 Code Forum Notes.docx

F L A D C O D E F O R U M

Evaluating the Accessibility of a Building

02/11/2016 Flad Code Forum 1

O U T L I N E

• Codes & Standards

• Process

• Priorities

– P1 : Accessible approach and entrance

– P2 : Access to goods and services

– P3 : Access to rest rooms

– P4 : Any other measures necessary


Codes & Standards


ADA Standards for Accessible Design

• Full compliance with the Standards is required

only for new construction and alterations

• Each state has its own regulations regarding

accessibility

• Use the more stringent technical requirement

• Barrier removal requirement for existing

facilities is new under the ADA and

supersedes less stringent local or state codes.


ADA Standards for Accessible Design

• The new regulations include a general safe harbor under which those elements in facilities built or altered in compliance with the 1991 Standards are not required to be brought into compliance with the 2010 Standards until those elements are scheduled for alterations.


General Exceptions

• 203.2 Construction Sites

• 203.3 Raised Areas– Prison guard towers, fire towers, or life guard stands

• 203.4 Limited Access Spaces– Spaces accessed only by ladders & catwalks

• 203.5 Machinery Spaces– Spaces frequented only by service personnel (elevator pit)

• 203.6 Single Occupant Structures– Toll booths accessed only by underground tunnels

• 203.7 Detention and Correctional Facilities– Common use areas not serving holding cells or housing cells


General Exceptions

• 203.8 Residential Facilities– Common use areas not serving units required to provide

mobility features

• 203.9 Employee Work Areas– Individuals with disabilities can approach, enter, and exit the

employee work area

• 203.10 Raised Refereeing, Judging, and Scoring Areas

• 203.11 Water Slides

• 203.12 Animal Containment Areas– Public circulation routes where animals may travel (e.g. petting

zoos) are not eligible for the exception.

• 203.13 Raised Boxing or Wrestling Rings

• 203.14 Raised Diving Boards and Diving Platforms


ANSI - A117.1

• Chapter 2. Scoping

– 201 General This standard provides technical criteria for making sites, facilities, buildings, and elements accessible … These scoping provisions shall address the application of this standard to: each building and occupancy type; new construction, alterations, temporary facilities, and existing buildings; specific site and building elements; and to multiple elements or spaces provided within a site or building.

• “Existing” = (46) references– 308.3 Side Reach. Existing elements that are not altered

shall be permitted at 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum above the floor.


ANSI - A117.1 : Existing References

• 308.3 Side Reach

• 404.2.4 Thresholds

• 405 Ramps : 405.2 Slope

• 407 Elevators– 407.2.1 Call Controls

– 407.2.1.5 Signals

– 407.2.2.1 Visible and Audible Signals

– 407.2.2.2 Visible Signals

– 407.2.2.3 Audible Signals

– 407.3 Elevator Door Requirements• 407.3.2 Operation.

• 407.3.3 Reopening Device

• 407.3.6 Width

– 407.4 Elevator Car Requirements• 407.4.1 Inside Dimensions

• 407.4.6 Elevator Car Controls

• 407.4.7 Designations and Indicators of Car Controls

– 408.4 Elevator Car Requirements

• 410 Platform Lifts – 410.5.2 Lifts with Doors on Adjacent

Sides

• 608 Shower Compartments – 608.6 Thresholds

• 805 Transportation Facilities – 805.5 Rail Platforms

– 805.9 Escalators

• 1002 Accessible Units – 1002.5 Doors and Doorways

• 1103 Recreational Boating Facilities– 1103.3.1 Boat Slip Clearance

• 1108 Play Areas


Terminology

• Disabled or handicapped?– A disability is the result of a medically definable condition that

limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

– A handicap is a barrier or circumstance that makes progress or success difficult, such as an impassable flight of stairs or a negative attitude toward a person who has a disability.

• The correct term is "disability“ … a person with a disability. – Person-first terminology is used because the person is more

important than his or her disability.

• Accessible means in compliance with the Federal accessibility guidelines and standards. – Accessible sites and facilities do not contain barriers limiting

their use by people with disabilities.


Process


Process

• Obtain Floor & Site Plans

• Conduct the Survey– 2 Surveyors : 1 takes notes, Both take measurements

– Consider people with physical, hearing, visual, and cognitive disabilities

• Summarize Barriers and Solutions

• Make Decisions and Set Priorities– Decide which solutions will best eliminate barriers at a

reasonable cost

• Maintain Documentation

• Make Changes– Implement changes as planned


P1 : Accessible approach and entrance



• Route of Travel

• Ramps

• Parking and Drop-Off Areas

• Entrance



• People with disabilities should be able to

– arrive on the site,

– approach the building,

– and enter as freely as everyone else.

• At least one route of travel should be safe and

accessible for everyone, including people with

disabilities.


Route of Travel

• Is there a route of travel that does not require the use of stairs?– Add a ramp or an alternate route on level ground.

• Is the route of travel stable, firm and slip-resistant?– Repair uneven paving.

• Is the route at least 36 inches wide?– Widen route.

• Do curbs on the route have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs?– Install curb cuts.


Route of Travel


Ramps


Ramps


78’

180’

Ramps


78’ : X’ = 1 : 20 … X = 20’ x 78’ = 1560’ long ramp (estimate)

Every 2.5’ of Rise = 50’ ramp + 5’ landing = 55’

78’ / 2.5’ = 31.2 … 31.2 x 55’ = 1716’ long ramp (1/3 of a mile)

78’

180’

Parking and Drop-Off Areas

• Location:– IBC: “Accessible parking stalls shall be located on the

shortest route possible to the accessible entrance.” Refer to IBC-09: 1106.6.

– ADA: “Parking spaces … shall be located on the shortest accessible route from parking to an entrance, per ADA 208.3.1. At least 60% of all public entrances (including entrances used by employees that are not service entrances or restricted entrances) are to be accessible, per ADA 206.4.1. • Note : Minimum number of accessible entrances changed from

50% to 60%.

• Example: If there are two public entrances, both would need to be accessible.



• Minimum Numbers of Accessible Parking:

– Parking requirements apply to ALL “facilities”, including surface lots and parking structures.

– Each “parking facility” is to provide the required number of spaces based on the numbers of overall parking stalls in each “parking facility.”




(135) Parking Spaces = (130) PS + (5) Accessible PS



(135) + (78) = (213) Total Parking Spaces

(7) Accessible Parking Spaces required = (2) short

Entrances

• Any access point to a building or portion of a building or facility used for the purpose of entering.

• An entrance includes the approach walk, the vertical access leading to the entrance platform, the entrance platform itself, vestibule if provided, the entry door or gate, and the hardware of the entry door or gate.

• Public Entrance (PE)

• Service Entrance (SE)

• Restricted Entrance (RE)



PE

SE

RE

RE

P2: Access to goods and services


P2: Access to goods and services

• Horizontal Circulation

• Doors

• Rooms and Spaces

• Emergency Egress

• Signage for Goods and

Services

• Controls

• Seats, Tables, and

Counters

• Vertical Circulation

• Stairs

• Elevators

• Lifts


Horizontal Circulation

• Does the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor, lobby, or elevator?

• Are all public spaces on an accessible route of travel?

• Is the accessible route to all public spaces at least 36 inches wide?

• Is there a 5-foot circle or a T-shaped space for a person using a wheelchair to reverse direction?




Lobby

Elevator

Main Floor

Public Spaces


• Does the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor, lobby, or elevator?

– YES

• Are ALL public spaces on an accessible route of travel?

– YES

• Is the accessible route to ALL public spaces at least 36 inches wide?

– YES

• Is there a 5-foot circle or a T-shaped space for a person using a wheelchair to reverse direction?

– YES




Public Toilets

2012 IBC : SECTION 1007

ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS

1007.1 Accessible means of egress required.

Accessible means of egress shall comply with this section. Accessible spaces shall be provided with not less than one accessible means of egress. Where more than one means of egress are required by Section 1015.1 or 1021.1 from any accessible space, each accessible portion of the space shall be served by not less than twoaccessible means of egress.


2012 IBC : SECTION 1007

ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS1007.2 Continuity and components.

Each required accessible means of egress shall be continuous to a public way and shall consist of one or more of the following components:

1. Accessible routes complying with Section 1104.

2. Interior exit stairways complying with Sections 1007.3 and 1022.

3. Interior exit access stairways complying with Sections 1007.3 and 1009.3.

4. Exterior exit stairways complying with Sections 1007.3 and 1026 and serving levels other than the level of exit discharge.

5. Elevators complying with Section 1007.4.

6. Platform lifts complying with Section 1007.5.

7. Horizontal exits complying with Section 1025.

8. Ramps complying with Section 1010.

9. Areas of refuge complying with Section 1007.6.

10. Exterior area for assisted rescue complying with Section 1007.7.


Doors

• Do doors into public spaces have at least a 32-inch clear opening?

• On the pull side of doors, next to the handle, is there at least 18 inches of clear wall space so that a person using a wheelchair or crutches can get near to open the door?


Doors

• Can doors be openedwithout too much force (5 lbf maximum for interior doors)?

• Are door handles 48 inches high or less and operable with a closed fist?

• Are all threshold edges 1/4-inch high or less, or if beveled edge, no more than 3/4-inch high?


Rooms and Spaces

• Are all aisles and

pathways to materials

and services at least 36

inches wide?

• Is there a 5-foot circle

or T-shaped space for

turning a wheelchair

completely?


Rooms and Spaces

• Are all aisles and

pathways to materials

and services at least 36

inches wide?

• Aisle between library

shelving is less than 36

inches wide.


P3: Access to rest rooms


P3: Access to rest rooms

• Getting to the Rest Rooms

• Doorways and Passages

• Stalls & WCs

• Lavatories


Getting to the Rest Rooms

• If rest rooms are available to the

public, is at least one rest room (either

one for each sex, or unisex) fully

accessible?

– YES

• Are there signs at inaccessible rest

rooms that give directions to

accessible ones?

– NA


Doorways and Passages

• Is there tactile signage identifying rest rooms?

– YES

• Is the doorway at least 32 inches clear?

– YES

• Are doors equipped with accessible handles (operable with a closed fist), 48 inches high or less?

– YES

• Can doors be opened easily (5 lbf maximum force)?

– YES

• Does the entry configuration provide adequate maneuvering space for a person using a wheelchair?

– YES

• Is there a 36-inch-wide path to all fixtures?

– YES


Stalls & WCs

• Is the centerline of the WC no less than 16 inches and no greater than 18 inches from the side wall or partition? YES

• Is clearance provided around the WC measuring at least 60 inches from the side wall and at least 56 inches from the rear wall? YES* (Corner bump-out)

• Is the height of the WC no less than 17 inches and no greater than 19 inches above the floor measured to the top of the seat? YES


Lavatories

• Does at least one lavatory have a clear floor space for a forward approach at least 30 inches wide and 48 inches long? YES

• Is the front of the lavatory or counter surface, whichever is higher, no more than 34 inches above the floor? YES

• Are pipes below the lavatory insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact? NO


P4: Any other measures necessary


P4: Any other measures necessary

• Drinking Fountains : OK

• Telephones : NA

• Fire Alarm Systems : NA


Employee Work Areas

• Employee Work Area. All or any portion of a space usedonly by employees and used only for work. Corridors, toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee work areas.

• Work Area Equipment. Any machine, instrument, engine, motor, pump, conveyor, or other apparatus used to perform work. – As used in this document, this term shall apply only to

equipment that is permanently installed or built-in in employee work areas.

– Work area equipment does not include passenger elevators and other accessible means of vertical transportation.


Employee Work Areas

203.9 Employee Work Areas.

Spaces and elements within employee work areas shall only be required to comply with 206.2.8, 207.1, and 215.3 and shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities can approach, enter, and exit the employee work area.

Employee work areas, or portions of employee work areas, other than raised courtroom stations, that are less than 300 square feet (28 m2) and elevated 7 inches (180 mm) or more above the finish floor or ground where the elevation is essential to the function of the space shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.


Employee Work Areas

Advisory 203.9 Employee Work Areas.

Although areas used exclusively by employees for work are not required to be fully accessible, consider designing such areas to include non-required turning spaces, and provide accessible elements whenever possible. Under the ADA, employees with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in the workplace; accommodations can include alterations to spaces within the facility.

Designing employee work areas to be more accessible at the outset will avoid more costly retrofits when current employees become temporarily or permanently disabled, or when new employees with disabilities are hired.


Employee Work Areas

206.2.8 Employee Work Areas. Common use circulation paths within employee work areas shall comply with 402.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Common use circulation paths located within employee work areas that are less than 1000 square feet (93 m2) and defined by permanently installed partitions, counters, casework, or furnishings shall not be required to comply with 402.

2. Common use circulation paths located within employee work areas that are an integral component of work area equipment shall not be required to comply with 402.

3. Common use circulation paths located within exterior employee work areas that are fully exposed to the weather shall not be required to comply with 402.


Employee Work Areas

Advisory 206.2.8 Employee Work Areas Exception 1.

Modular furniture that is not permanently installed is not directly subject to these requirements. The Department of Justice ADA regulations provide additional guidance regarding the relationship between these requirements and elements that are not part of the built environment. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) implements title I of the ADA which requires non-discrimination in the workplace. EEOC can provide guidance regarding employers’ obligations to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Advisory 206.2.8 Employee Work Areas Exception 2.

Large pieces of equipment, such as electric turbines or water pumping apparatus, may have stairs and elevated walkways used for overseeing or monitoring purposes which are physically part of the turbine or pump. However, passenger elevators used for vertical transportation between stories are not considered “work area equipment” as defined in Section 106.5.


Employee Work Areas

1991 Standards

• No accessibility requirements applicable to the interior of an employee work area

• Did not require an employee work area to be constructed to permit maneuvering within the work area or to be accessible.


Employee Work Areas

2010 Standards

• Requires that common use circulation paths insideemployee work areas greater than 1,000 square feet be accessible.

• Existing facilities that already comply with the 1991 Standards and do not make any alterations to their facilities after March 15, 2012, do not need to comply with 2010 Standards.


Work or Common Use Areas ?


F L A D C O D E F O R U M

T H A N K Y O U F O R

AT T E N D I N G


Evaluating the Accessibility of a Building

Engineering

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