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    Designing for The 2010 ADA for Accessible Design in Multiple Building Types.

     

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    ADA’s 30th Anniversary Edition

    Thursday, July 2nd, 2020
    ADA’s 30th Anniversary
    30 years ago July 26th 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed into law. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. This momentous occasion gave a new freedom to persons with disabilities. The freedom to work, the freedom to participate in all aspects of our society and primarily the freedom to achieve maximum personal independence!
    But even though the ADA has been around for 30 years, we still have so much more to learn. This newsletter will explain a few misunderstood regulations in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and we will try and clarify them for you.
    Also, since COVID-19 there are new ways that people in general are interacting with their environment and how this might affect persons with disabilities.
    Parallel Parking
    The ADA Standards do not specifically require that accessible spaces be perpendicular instead of parallel, but perpendicular parking spaces are preferred at facilities located on sites because most allow users to park facing in or out depending on the side that the access aisle is needed.
    The parking spaces shown above are compliant per the ADA section 502.
    If accessible parking spaces at facilities located on sites (as opposed to those located along public streets) are parallel, they must fully comply with all applicable requirements, including those for access aisles and for van spaces.
    The images above are parallel parking that only has the access aisle in the front of the space rather than the side, so these are not compliant.
    If the parallel parking is located in the public right of way, municipalities and the Department of Transportation have provided requirements. The US Access Board has written guidelines for Public Rights of Way (PROWAAG) that gives guidance on how to achieve accessible parallel parking, but this has not been adopted as law yet.
    How COVID-19 protocols affect persons with disabilities
    This new virus which some experts say spreads through touching surfaces, has made many people nervous to touch their environment. Public restrooms are locations where many surfaces could have the virus. So hands free operation have started to become more popular.
    Hand dryers and automatic faucets are popular for hands free operation
    The toilet accessories should be mounted so that they are within reach, are not protruding objects and will operate per the Standards require.
    One accessory that is beginning to be used more and more are foot openers. These are attachments located at the bottom of the door which allows the door to be opened using your foot.
    These are acceptable only on the pull side of the door. If they are located on the push side, they would violate the “Smooth Surface” rule
    2010 ADA Standards 404.2.10 Door and Gate Surfaces. Swinging door and gate surfaces within 10 inches (255 mm) of the finish floor or ground measured vertically shall have a smooth surface on the push side extending the full width of the door or gate.
    Staying safe during COVID-19 era should also take into consideration persons with disabilities.
    Stay safe everyone!

    April 2020: Inspector’s Corner

    Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

     

    I haven’t shared in a while some errors that I find during my inspections.  This newsletter will highlight a few that I thought would be helpful for you to see.
    Objects within the clear floor space of the Water closet
     
    One of the gray areas of the Standards is the rule that a clear floor space of 60″x56″ min. at the water closet is required, and that it must be “clear” of certain objects.
    604.3.1 Size. Clearance around a water closet shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the side wall and 56 inches (1420 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall.
     
    Paragraph 604.3.2 it gives you a list of the objects and elements that ARE allowed to overlap the clear floor space.  I have highlighted the word “dispensers” because there is a difference of opinion on whether it means “associated” dispensers or any dispenser.  TDLR has decided that the word dispensers are the ones associated with the toilet.  So in essence only the toilet paper dispenser would be allowed to overalp.  Here is the Technical Memo that explains their position
    604.3.2 Overlap. The required clearance around the water closet shall be permitted to overlap the water closet, associated grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal units, coat hooks, shelves, accessible routes, clear floor space and clearances required at other fixtures, and the turning space. No other fixtures or obstructions shall be located within the required water closet clearance.
    This interpretation becomes problematic in tight spaces like single user restrooms where there is not enough wall spaces to locate a paper towel dispenser. Especially if we want to locate it close to the lavatory.  The photograph below shows a typical single user restroom that has the paper towel dispenser overlapping the clear floor space of the toilet.
    Low reach ranges
    Most of us keep in mind the high reach ranges of 48″ a.f.f. maximum that the ADA requires.  But many of us forget that the guidelines are also for low reaching.
    For a person in wheelchairs the lowest they can reach is 15″ a.f.f.  .    New designs in universities and hotels and even restaurants, the facilities are providing “charging” stations in the fixed seating and table areas.  But many of them are located lower than 15″ a.f.f.
    this is a bench at a university corridor that provides outlets for charging
    the outlet is 11″ a.f.f.
    this seat is located at a hotel lobby. Outlet is also less than 15 inches a.f.f.
    this is a cubby at a hotel lobby with a charging outlet lower than 15 inches a.f.f.
    low outlet
    Showers at Fair Housing units
    The ADA allows a roll in shower to be 30″x60″ in size.  But fair housing is a little different.  They require a minimum of 36″ x 36″ to be provided at showers if the shower is the only bathing facility in the unit.
    Page 7.58 Fair Housing Design Manual states:
    Shower as Only Bathing Fixture
    In both Specification A and B bathrooms, when a stall shower is the only bathing fixture in the covered dwelling unit it must be at least 36 inches x 36 inches in size.
     

    This is overlooked because we are so used to the ADA letting us have a smaller depth.  So I have found that in residential dwelling units of multi-family housing projects of Independent Living facilities, they miss that requirement if the shower is the only fixture in the unit.
    plan of reviewed drawings showing no dimensions at the shower
    shower at the unit
    less than 36 inches at the shower
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    Variances

    Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020
    In a perfect world all architectural barriers that prevent persons with disabilities to access and use facilities would be eliminated.
    But we live in an imperfect world where buildings were not designed for accessibility prior to the guidelines being published.  Buildings were built in existing sites that had constraints that may not allow easy access.  Or maybe mistakes were made during construction which prevents access.
    When buildings and facilities cannot easily be made accessible there are avenues that a building owner can use to postpone the corrections or to get permissions from an AHJ (Authority having jurisdiction) to no have to remove the barrier per the standards but possibly find a different solution.  This is sometimes achieved through a “variance” process.
    This newsletter will speak about the process in Texas on variances.  It could apply also to the ADA, although the DOJ does not grant variances.  They expect compliance when it is “readily achievable”.

    When is a variance allowed?
     
    Existing buildings that were built before 1991 which is when the ADA Standards were first published, typically are not accessible.  In order to make them compliant with the current standards it might take some structural changes which may not be easily achieved or it may be cost prohibitive.  The ADA was passed so that persons with disabilities could be included in our society.  It was not meant to make building owners to go bankrupt trying to do make them accessible.  The ADA Standards and other State guidelines have mechanisms in place that allow building owners to request that a standard be waived in certain circumstances.
    In the Standards there are some prerequisites that if present could be used to make the case to an AHJ that the standard could not be followed:
    Disproportionality.
    Alterations made to provide an accessible path of travel to the altered area will be deemed disproportionate to the overall alteration when the cost exceeds 20% of the cost of the alteration to the primary function area.
    all elements shown by a yellow line must be accessible. If they are not and bringing them up to compliance costs more than 20_ of the total cost of construction then it could be considered disproportionate

     

    Technically Infeasible

    With respect to an alteration of a building or a facility, something that has little likelihood of being accomplished because existing structural conditions would require removing or altering a load-bearing member that is an essential part of the structural frame; or because other existing physical or site constraints prohibit modification or addition of elements, spaces, or features that are in full and strict compliance with the minimum requirements.

     
    Making this historic building entry accessible is an example of technical infeasibility

    Exception for structural impracticability.

    (i) Full compliance with the requirements of this section is not required where a public entity can demonstrate that it is structurally impracticable to meet the requirements. Full compliance will be considered structurally impracticable only in those rare circumstances when the unique characteristics of terrain prevent the incorporation of accessibility features.
    Making the sidewalks accessible when they are next to this street would be structurally impracticable

    Technically Infeasible

    One of my review projects was of a high school that was built in 1955.  It had an auditorium with stadium seating where they were going to install a control booth within the seats.  That alteration would then require that the entire seating area be brought up to 2010 ADA compliance, including vertical an horizontal dispersion.  In order to make it happen, the foundation would have to be altered as well.
    the school auditorium
    A variance was requested due to technical infeasibility.  The AHJ did grant them a variance to postpone making the seats accessible.
    An old building had small gang toilet rooms where they were not able to make a larger accessible toilet compartment due to the plumbing code requirements.  The building owner asked for  a variance to add a single user restroom in lieu of updating the existing multi-user restroom.  The variance was granted with the idea that when it was readily achievable they would bring the existing restroom up to compliance.
    the existing multi-user restroom could not be brought up to compliance with the 2010 ADA

    When the ADA Standards conflict with other codes

    In new construction there are times when the ADA conflicts with other codes and standards.  One of those examples is in a hospital which requires the installation of an emergency call pull chord close to the floor.  This requirement comes from the DSHS Standard Title 25, Chapter 133(L)(ii) which requires that the chord be positions within 6″ from the floor.  This is not compliant with the reach range requirements of the ADA which requires a 15″ a.f.f. min. for reaching.
    The emergency pull was lower than 15″ a.f.f. that is required by the ADA
    The building owner requested a variance based on the fact that both standards could not be met at the same time.  They got the variance.
    My last example is also at a hospital.  The DSHS Title 25 Chapter 33 require an assisted bathing room.  This bathing room does not meet the ADA requirements for an accessible restroom.  It would be technically infeasible to meet both standards.  A variance was granted.
    assisted bathing room
    In Texas, TDLR allows the building owner to apply for a variance using the attached form.  It may not take too long, but be prepared for a month or two before you receive a ruling.  You may also appeal their ruling if you think you may not have provided enough information.
    TDLR will most of the time provide a “postponement” rather than an approval (although it is a technically an approval).  This is because they would like for the barrier to be removed and therefore leave it open ended so that when it is readily achievable then it can get it corrected.

    Revisiting Employee Work Areas

    Wednesday, September 4th, 2019
    I am still getting questions about work areas. So in honor of Labor day, let’s revisit what is required. I think one of the things that confuse people is what is a work area.
    This newsletter will  give an overview of what requirements exist in the ADA and TAS about work areas and when the ADA Standards apply.
    —————–

    Work Areas

    According to the ADA the definition of an employee work area is:
    Employee Work Area. All or any portion of a space used only 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.
     
    Per the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design:
    203.9 Employee Work Areas. Spaces and elements within employee work areas shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities can approach, enter, and exit the employee work area.
    An example of a work area that only requires an approach, enter and exit would be a janitor’s closet.  Elements within the janitor’s closet such as the faucet for the mop sink will not be required to comply.
    An exam room is partially a “work” area and partially a “patient” area.  The area that is only used by the doctor (the sink) will be exempted from having to comply.
    Employee work areas, or portions of employee work areas, other than raised courtroom stations, that are less than 300 square feet and elevated 7 inches 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.
    This toll booth is less than 300 s.f. and elevated more than 7″ a.f.f. and therefore do not require an accessible route to it or the ability to approach it and enter it.

    What happens when an employee is disabled?

    The Standards sometimes provide additional guidance through “advisories”.  These are NOT requirements, but they are suggestions that might make your design a better one.  Below are some of the advisories on 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 Title I of 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.
     

    Circulation within a work area

    In addition to approach, enter and exit, if the employee work area is larger than 1,000 s.f.. then a common path within the work area to common use spaces shall be provided

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

     

    Section 402 states that a minimum 36″ width shall be provided along the circulation path.
    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.
    This employee work area is less than 1,000 s.f. and therefore the step is allowed 
    If the path is around work area equipment, then it will not have to comply with the 36″ clear width.
    This commercial kitchen has equipment that is an integral part of the work area.  The 36″ min. circulation path in this space is not required to comply due to the location of the work area equipment.
    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.
    A dumpster is considered an extension of a work area.  Although a circulation path within the work area might be required, because the dumpster is located on the exterior and fully exposed to the weather, a circulation path will not be required.

    Modular furniture that is not permanently installed are not required to comply. This is for any furniture in general.  They also do not require knee clearances, heights of counters etc. (according to Advisory 206.2.8 Employee Work Areas Exception 1)
    The modular furniture in an open office is not required to be installed so that there is a minimum 36″ width is provided.  They are essentially exempted from having to comply (unless they are permanently attached to the ground or wall)

    Employee areas that are not work related

    The requirements thus far have been for areas that are considered part of the “work” areas in a space.  But there are other areas that are also part of an employee area, but are not related to the work they perform.  Those areas that are NOT related to their job description will not be exempted and must comply.  Below are a few examples of areas that might be for employees only, but must be fully compliant with the Standards:
    Break Rooms
    The sink in this break room and the height of the counter are required to comply.  The microwave shown in this photo is not permanently attached and therefore the reach range is not required to comply.  

    LEED Showers for employees
    Some showers that are accessed through a private office have less requirements.  But if it is a common use shower for all employees to use, then they must comply with section 608

    Employee Restrooms
    All restrooms including employee restrooms must comply with the requirements in Sections 603-606

     

    Employee Locker Rooms
    The lockers as well as the bench in this locker/dressing room must comply with the Standards

     

    Employee dining counters
    5% of the dining counter is required to be between 28″-34″ a.f.f. and provide a knee space like the photo above.

    Employee parking

    after
    Parking that is designated for employees should have accessible spaces as well.

    Vocational or Professional schools

    Vocational schools and professional school, such as nursing school, dental school, or medical schools,  and culinary schools, where they teach how to use certain “work area equipment” is not exempted.  Because it is considered a “public accommodation” , the equipment or access to it will have to be provided.
    One example that I have encountered lately is a nursing school with “Exam” rooms that they use to simulate being in a Dr. office examination room.  In the real work area the sinks and counter and equipment in those rooms would be exempted.  But in a school setting, because you cannot discriminate against a student who might be disabled, and must provide the opportunity to attend the course, accommodations will have to be available.
    The number of exam rooms that must be accessible is not scoped.  So in escense all teaching exam rooms would require that everything within be accessible.  Sometimes that is not reasonable, and at that situation, the school will have to get a variance from TDLR or provide reasonable accommodations for the students with disabilities
    medical equipment in a nursing school will have to be within reach
    Equipment in a teaching mechanic shop would have to comply

    Veterans Affairs Accessibility Standards

    Wednesday, May 1st, 2019


    The VA Barrier Free Design Standards

    On May 27th  we remember all the Veterans who have sacrificed with their lives to keep our country safe. According to the Journal of Rehabilitation,  “It is estimated that for every military personnel that we lose in foreign wars and conflicts, there are at least sixteen wounded, and many will return to the United States with some type of disability”.  The Department of Veteran Affairs has facilities to assist those veterans that will need assistance in rehabilitation and treatment.
    To provide building access, Federal government facilities are required to follow the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). Because the percentage of disabled persons at VA hospitals is much higher than the percentage of disabled persons in the general population, The VA developed additional standards that we must follow.  Those requirements are listed in The VA Barrier Free Design Standards This newsletter will give you some examples of the additional requirements found in the Standards.

    .

    Grab bars at toilet compartments

    In the technical chapters of the ABA, just like in the ADA, one toilet compartment should be provided for persons in wheelchairs.  In addition depending on how many compartments you have in the restroom if you have six or more toilets and urinals, you are also required to provide an “ambulatory” compartment.   Both those compartments require that grab bars be installed.
    The VA also requires a wheelchair compartment and ambulatory when applicable.  But in addition to the accessible compartments, every other toilet compartment is required to have grab bars.


    This is a typical public restroom in a VA clinic or hospital where ALL toilet stalls must have grab bars installed.


    In facilities that treat SCI patients, hospitals and long term care facilities the patient toilets must all have pull-down grab bars


    Parking requirements


    The VA requires that its facilities have 1% more parking spaces than the ABA mandates.  in addition, in facilities dealing with Spinal cord Injury (SCI) the number of parking spaces will be determined by the number of beds in the facility.
    0.2 accessible spaces per Inpatient bed; 0.5 per LongTerm Care bed; 5.6 per Outpatient Exam Room Dedicated for SCI/D patients

    The parking spaces also have a slightly different configuration that an ABA parking space.  Each parking space must have their own access aisle.  They are not allowed to share between cars.

    Accessible route differences:

    • The turning space for VA rooms are bigger than the ABA requires.  A turning space must be 6′-0″ rather than 5′-0″ in diameter.  There are requirements for Bariatric patients as well which the ABA does not cover or mention.
    • Carpet padding and cushions are not permitted in a VA facility
    • Curb ramps are wider than an ABA curb ramp. They must be 4′-0″ min. rather than 3′-0″


    • The maximum slope that a VA ramp can be is 1:20 (5%).  ABA allows a maximum of 1:12 (8.33%)
    • The door of an elevator has to be 4′-0″ wide rather than 36″ allowed by the ABA

    Accessible operable parts and mechanisms

    Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018
    One of the guidelines that seem to be misunderstood is for operable parts.  This guideline requires that an accessible operable part have a mechanism that allows for operating or use without tight grasping or pinching, twisting of the wrist, with less than 5 lbs of force and to operate using only one hand.
    ADA section 309.4 Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.
     
    Why this is required?
    There are persons that don’t have proper use of their hands.  People with rheumatoid arthritis for example, or cerebral palsy, have a hard time grasping elements.  Also, there are people, like amputees, or people that were born without hands or fingers that cannot operate elements which require tight pinching.  In addition, some people with disabilities or older people may not have the amount of strength required to operate an element or activate an operable part if the force required is more than 5 lbs.  Therefore, the ADA design guidelines provides rules to assist those people to navigate their environment in an equal manner.

    Scoping:

    Operable parts on accessible elements, accessible routes, and in accessible rooms
    and spaces shall comply with with the standards.  There are some exceptions which explain that certain operable parts do not have to comply:
    1. Operable parts that are intended for use only by service or maintenance personnel
    2. Electrical or communication receptacles serving a dedicated use (like a refrigerator)
    3. Where two or more outlets are provided in a kitchen above a length of counter top that is uninterrupted by a sink or appliance, one  outlet shall not be required to comply
    4. Floor electrical receptacles
    5. HVAC diffusers
    6. Except for light switches, where redundant controls are provided for a single element, one control in each space  shall not be required to comply 
    7. Cleats and other boat securement devices
    8. Exercise machines and exercise equipment
    9. Operable windows that are only operated by staff and not occupants
    There is an advisory  that gives us more guidance and explanation;
    205.1 General. Controls covered by 205.1 include, but are not limited to, light switches, circuit breakers, duplexes and other convenience receptacles, environmental and appliance controls, plumbing fixture controls, and security and intercom systems.
     
    Section 309 
    Operable parts have three requirements:
    1) They must be within reach ranges as spelled out in the Section 308
    the operable part of the coffee maker must be no higher than 48″ a.f.f.
    2) They must have a 30″x 48″ clear floor space to reach the operable part as specified on 305.  The clear floor space should have a slope no steeper than 1:48 (2%) in all directions.
    the slope at the push button door opener was steeper
    than 2%
    3) and the operable part should be the type that will not require tight grasping and twisting of the wrist and no more than 5 lbs, like explained before.
    this feminine napkin dispenser operable part requires tight grasping and pulling to operate
    this faucet has an operable part that requires graping and twisting to activate
    Below are some more examples.

    Fire Extinguisher cabinet

    I get this question a lot about fire extinguisher cabinets:
    “Do we mount the cabinet so that the top of the fire extinguisher is between 15″-48″ a.f.f.?”
    The answer is no.  The reach range is for “operable parts” of fixed elements.  So a fire extinguisher would not be the operable part, but the handle to open the cabinet would be.  So one should locate the fire extinguisher cabinet door handle between 15″-48″ a.f.f.
    the operable part is the handle to open the cabinet door

    Emergency Nurse calling

    Another operating mechanism that is confusing is the emergency call button located in medical care facilities and long term care facilities. They are used when a patient or resident needs a nurse.  They are typically located next to the toilet and in the shower and they are required to have a string that reaches the floor.  The string is used if a patient or resident falls and they need to pull the string if they can’t get up.
    this call button has a red lever that can be pushed down with a closed fist which has a compliant operable part
    this call button also has a lever that can be pushed down with a closed fist which is a compliant operable part
    this call button is only able to be activated by grasping and pulling the string. This would not meet the requirements for accessible operable parts
    In order for the call button to be compliant, it must not only have the string, but it should have a second way of calling the nurse which will not require tight grasping and pulling.

    Adjustable mechanism at the hand held shower

    One of the operating mechanism that is forgotten is the one required to adjust a hand held shower unit.
    the hand held unit height can be adjusted using the wheel next to the vertical bar.  The wheel requires tight grasping and twisting to
    operate it and therefore not a compliant operating mechanism.
    Once the height is adjusted, the mechanism to loosen or tighten the adjustable part is not always used again.  But the initial action to adjust must meet the requirements.  So the adjustable mechanism must also comply.
    this mechanism does not require tight grasping to loosen or tighten
    this adjustable mechanism requires pinching to loosen

    Need Barrier Free CEUs?

    We are giving classes in the following locations:
    Metrocon18-Dallas Texas
     
    Online courses:
    Green CE On Demand webinar “How Accessible is Your work place?”
    Green CE On Demand webinar “ADA and Residential Facilities”
    or
    If you want to learn more about these standards, be sure to check out my books:

    Turning Space Requirements

    Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

    Let’s understand the turning space requirements:

    A turning space within a room or space is typically depicted by a dashed circle or a dashed “T”. It is an imaginary space that we allocate for turning by a person in a wheelchair. But it can really be located anywhere within that room or space as long as there is adequate room and no obstructions. There are some restrictions for the turning space, and this newsletter will explain them.

    Where are turning spaces required?

    A turning space is not required in every space. The ADA requires turning spaces in the following spaces:
    1) Toilet and bathing rooms

    2) Saunas and Steam rooms

    3) Dressing, Fitting and Locker rooms

    4) Patient rooms in medical care and long term care facilities

    5) Kitchens and Kitchennettes

    6) Holding cells
    7) courtrooms
    8) All rooms in a residential dwelling unit served by an accessible route (except if that space is less than 30″ wide or deep)

    9) Amusement ride loading zones
    10) Fishing piers
    11) Play components in the same level (or next to a swing)
    12) Shooting facilities

    ANSI A117.1 also requires turning space at doors in series

    Changes in Level at Turning Spaces

    Besides the size of the turning space as shown in the introduction, the ADA also requires that the turning space have a stable firm and slip resistant ground surface, no slope greater than 1:48 and no changes in level are allowed.

    304.2 Floor or Ground Surfaces. Floor or ground surfaces of a turning space shall comply with 302. Changes in level are not permitted.

    EXCEPTION: Slopes not steeper than 1:48 shall be permitted.

    But in the same section, there is an advisory that explain “changes in level”

    Advisory 304.2 Floor or Ground Surface Exception.
    As used in this section, the phrase “changes in level” refers to surfaces with slopes and to surfaces with abrupt rise exceeding that permitted in Section 303.3.

    In other words, if you have a change in level that meets the exact requirements in section 303, but doesn’t exceed them, then it is permitted within the turning space.

    Below are the figures which illustrate the two changes in level that are permitted within a turning space.

    A change in level that is 1/4″ tall is acceptable in a turning space

    A change in level that is 1/2″ tall with a beveled edge is also acceptable

    So how does this information get applied? One example is a restroom with a roll-in shower.

    Can the turning space be partly inside the shower as shown in the image above? What if the shower had a 1/2″ curb? Then can the turning space be partially inside the shower?

    The answer is, yes, if the curb meets the requirements of Figure 303.3.

    a collapsable curb can be part of a turning space as long as it collapses to 1/4″ max

    Need Barrier Free CEUs?

    Online courses:

    Green CE On Demand Webinar: “Understanding the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design”

    Green CE On Demand webinar “How Accessible is Your work place?”

    Green CE On Demand webinar “ADA and Residential Facilities”

    AIA U online course: “Applying the ADA on Existing and Altered Buildings”
    or
    Green CE “Applying the ADA on Existing and Altered Buildings”

    If you want to learn more about these standards, be sure to check out my books:
    “The ADA Companion Guide” “Applying the ADA” published by Wiley.
    book cover

    (also available as an e-book)

    Accessible Telephones and Emergency Calling Devices

    Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018

    Accessible Telephones

    The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design has a section 217 which tells us which telephones are required to comply with the standards.  The ones listed are coin-operated public pay telephones, coinless public pay telephones, public closed-circuit telephones, public courtesy phones, or other types of public telephones.
    Most people assume the ones that are required to comply are “pay” telephones
    But there are many others that are required to comply that we don’t always think about.  As the list above explains, not just pay telephones, but also courtesy phones, and “other types”.  Other types will also include emergency calling devices.
    this is a courtesy phone that is required to be mounted within reach. This one is higher than 48″ a.f.f.
    This is an emergency calling device that will require compliance

    Requirements for Accessible Telephones

    The ADA section 217 states that the telephones and calling devices that are required to comply should follow section 704
    Section 704 tells us the following:
    1) At least one of the telephones must be designed for the use by people who are in wheelchairs.
    a) A 30″x48″ clear floor space must be provided.  The clear floor or ground space shall not be obstructed by bases, enclosures, or seats
    the clear floor space to approach this phone is less than 36″ wide
    There is a fixed seat in front of this telephone
    The emergency phone was located over the landscaping next to the concrete pad. This is not considered having a “clear floor space”
    This phone is located behind the planter. Even though the planter is not fixed, technically the phone does not have a clear floor space to approach it.
    The phone is located behind a table
    b) If the clear floor space is positioned for a parallel approach, it should be located as shown in the figure below
    c) If the clear floor space is positioned for a forward approach, it should be located as shown in the figure below
    c) Operable parts shall comply with 308 and  309. Telephones shall have push-button controls where such service is available.
    The operable part on this phone (the push buttons) were mounted higher than 48″ a.f.f.
    The button to call the police was mounted higher than 48″  a.f.f.

     
    d) The cord from the telephone to the handset shall be 29 inches (735 mm) long minimum.
    This phone had a cord that was 26″ long
    2. The telephones should also be designed for the hearing impaired to have the ability to use it.  Some telephones are required to provide volume control and TTY (An abbreviation for teletypewriter)
    a) All public telephones are required to have volume controls.  Volume controls shall be equipped with a receive volume control that provides a gain adjustable up to 20 dB minimum. For incremental volume control, provide at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain minimum. An automatic reset shall be provided.
    This phone had a volume control device built in on the handset

     
    Most pay phones have volume controls on the cabinet
    b) TTYs required at a public pay telephone and shall be permanently affixed within, or adjacent to, the telephone enclosure. Where an acoustic coupler is used, the telephone cord shall be sufficiently long to allow connection of the TTY and the telephone receiver.
    some TTY phones are placed on a shelf that is provided on the phone cabinet
    Sometimes the TTY is a permanent part of the cabinet

    Emergency Calling Devices

    Emergency calling devices are not specifically scoped in the 2010 ADA Standards.  Some have considered these emergency calling devices to be subject as a two-way communication element if they only allow communication between the called and one party. The standards only address two-way communication systems under 230 and 708 where admittance to a building or restricted space is dependent on the two-way communication system.  The closest similar device for these emergency calling devices is a “closed circuit telephone” per the definition section of the standards.
    Closed circuit telephones must also comply with the requirements listed above and in section 704.  But volume control is not a common feature for these devices.  The use of the variance process in Texas is the only way you can achieve compliance.  In the ADA there is no variance process and therefore when providing devices that are not fully compliant, you can use “equivalent facilitiation” to achieve compliance and documenting this within the owner’s organization.

    Summary

    The telephones that are required to comply are not just the public pay phones that we are used to seeing in public buildings.  There are many more types of telephones that are provided in different facilities that require compliance.  Airports, Hotels, schools and other places of public accommodations will provide a “courtesy” or “emergency” phones and will also require compliance with the ADA Standards so that persons with different disabilities can also communicate.

    Revisiting Shower Seats

    Thursday, March 1st, 2018

    Shower seat installation, location and the effects of shower controls and other elements

    Seats are not always required at bathing facilities, but there are some situations that will require showers seats to be added.  For instance, a transfer shower always requires a seat. Also, in transient lodging facilities (hotels, halfway houses, dorms), a seat is required not only in transfer showers but also in roll-in showers.

    The shower must be permanently attached to the shower and not be movable.  The one exception will be at residential facilities which require blocking for future seats.

    This article will explain how the seat should be installed and how it affects the location of controls and other elements.

    Shower Seat: Scoping

    There are two types of showers: Transfer showers and roll in showers.  Transfer showers are one’s people with mobility impairment will “transfer” onto.  Roll-in showers are the ones that a person in a wheelchair will roll their wheelchair into.

    ADA Section 608.4 requires permanent shower seats in transfer showers.

    1. These must be either folding or not folding seat.
    2. The only exception is for residential dwelling units required to comply with ADA (not Fair Housing). Reinforcement in the wall for the future installation shall be provided instead.

    Roll-in showers are not required to provide a shower seat per section 608.4.  There are two exceptions where seats are required to be provided in roll-in showers:

    1. In social service establishments (i.e. homeless shelters) with more than 50 beds. (per DOJ’s Subpart D of 28 CFR Part 36) AND
    2. In transient lodging guest rooms with mobility features
    3. If a seat is provided in a roll in shower, either by choice or because it is required as stated above, the seat must be permanent and folding.  This allows a person to either use the shower as a transfer type with the seat or as a true roll-in-shower without the seat in the way.
    4. The same technical requirements must be provided as in a transfer shower with a seat (see next entry)

    This photo shows a folding seat mounted on a roll in shower.  The controls are located in the correct location, but there is a grab bar above it.  A grab bar should not be provided where the seat is located.

    This shower was intended as a roll in shower, but the seat provided is not “folding”, therefore a person in a wheelchair could not roll in and use it easily.

    Shower Seats: Technical

    ​Sections  610.3 describes the types of seats allowed at showers.  There can be a rectangular seat or an “L-shape” seat:

    1) Where a seat is provided, the seat shall extend from the back wall to a point within 3″ of the compartment entry.

    This seat did not extend from the back wall to 3″ of the entry

    The seat is 9″ away from the entry

    Sometimes, the seat is located around a gyp wall and the shower sits back a few inches.  So do we consider the wing wall part of the shower when measuring the location of the seat?  According to the Texas Department of Licensing, the shower begins at the shower pan and therefore the wing wall is not counted as part of the shower.
    This shower seat is located 3″ away from the shower pan which is technically where the shower entry begins.  The gyp wall extension is not technically part of the shower.  We recommend that if at all possible, you make the shower pan flush with the wall.

    2) The top of the seat shall be 17″-19″ above the bathroom finish floor.

    3)They can be rectangular meeting figure 610.3.1

    This seat is 4″ away from the end wall rather than 1 1/2″ max

    4) Or they can be “L-shape” meeting figure 610.3.2

    5) The structural strength should be able to sustain 250 lbs of applied force on the seat, fastener, mounting device or support structure.

     

    Roll-in Showers

     There are two types of roll in shower configurations allowed by the ADA.  The shower seat location in these showers will dictate where the controls and grab bars will be located.

    The Standard Roll-in shower with seat:

    The alternate shower with a seat.  An alternate shower is a combination of a transfer shower and roll in shower, so it is larger in depth than a standard roll-in shower.

    The photo above shows an alternate roll-in shower

     

    Depending on where the seat is located, the controls must be located no farther than 27″ away from the seat.

     

    Clear Floor Space

    In order to transfer onto the seat, there should be a clear floor space that meets the requirements at 305 parallel to the shower seat.  The requirements include the size to be 30″x48″ and that the slope is not steeper than 1:48.
    This shower has a ramp transition up to the entry which creates a slope steeper than 1:48 at the clear floor space of the seat
    This shower entry into a transfer shower has a sloped entry which would have been acceptable if the clear floor space would have been 30″ deep. The slope begins with that 30″ making the slope steeper than 1:48.

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    ADA Accessible Stairs

    Thursday, February 1st, 2018
    The 2010 ADA Standards states that only stairs that are part of a means of egress must comply with the ADA sections 504 and 505.  That means that grand stairs that are typically found in a lobby of an office building, for example, will not have to comply because typically are not part of a means of egress according to the building code.
    ADA 210.1 General. Interior and exterior stairs that are part of a means of egress shall comply with 504
    This stair is not part of a means of egress and therefore the requirements for nosings, closed risers, handrail shape and extensions do not apply.
    What happens when a stair that is part of a means of egress is getting modified or altered?
    According to ADA Section 210 Exception #2, in alterations, existing stairs between levels that are already connected by an accessible route (like an elevator or ramp) is not required to comply with 504, except for the handrails.  The handrails will have to be brought up to compliance with ADA section 505.
    top of stair
    What if you add a new adjoining stair between floors?
    A typical scenario that has been occurring in office buildings is that a tenant will take two floors and create a connection within their suite with an adjoining stair.
    If the stair did not exist in the space before, and even if the building core has an elevator, an accessible route will be required in the same area.   That means that an elevator or wheelchair lift would also would have to be installed in the suite.
    It would not be acceptable to make a person in a wheelchair exit the space and find the elevator in the core and then re-enter the space on the upper floor.
    The Texas Department of Licensing and regulation wrote a technical memo to explain their position.  Click here for the memo