ADA in Details

Janis Kent, Architect, FAIA, CASp, is a licensed California Architect involved with accessibility in the built environment since the mid-1980’s. She is a California Certified Access Specialist and is the Founding President of the Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI) serving those involved with access in the built environment. As a subject matter expert, Ms. Kent has been asked to write articles for publications on accessibility and has been called as an expert witness to testify in court cases. She has advised on the California CASp certification exam, has participated in code development at the state level, and assisted numerous administrative authorities at the local level. Ms. Kent has presented nationally on a variety of accessibility topics and has provided quality control and surveyed numerous facilities for accessibility throughout the country working with owners, architects, and code regulators. In 2015, she was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in recognition for her work in Access.

Preamble xiii

To Begin With xiii

Color Blindness or Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) xiv

Designing Beyond Mobility xvi

Access Overall xix

Chapter 1 Review of Project Types & Uses

1.1 Existing Projects 23

Existing Buildings – In General 23

ADA Title II for Public Entities – 28 CFR Part 35 24

ADA Title III for Public Accommodation & Commercial – 28 CFR Part 36 25

Supplemental Requirements Under the ADA Standards 28

Federal Facility Requirements 29

Alterations & Local Requirements 30

Historical Facilities 31

1.2 Retail, Restaurants, Cafeterias, & Bars 35

Retail – In General 35

Restaurants, Cafeterias, & Bars – In General 36

1.3 Assembly, Sports, & Entertainment 41

Assembly & Entertainment – In General 41

Wheelchair & Companion Seating Requirements 41

Wheelchair & Companion Seating – Scoping & Location 43

Other Seating Types 44

Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) 45

1.4 Hotels, Inns, & Transient Lodging 49

In General 49

Mobility Guest Rooms 51

Communication Feature Guest Rooms 55

Non-Mobility Guest Room Requirements 55

Student Housing at a Place of Education 56

1.5 Residential Under the ADA 59

Multi-Family Residential – In General 59

Alterations to Dwelling Units 60

Communication Feature Dwelling Units 61

Mobility Feature Dwelling Units 61

Kitchens in Mobility Feature Dwelling Units 62

Bathrooms in Mobility Feature Dwelling Units 64

Social Service Center Establishments 66

Housing at a Place of Education 68

Adaptable Dwelling Units [CBC] 68

Kitchens in Adaptable Dwelling Units [CBC] 69

Bathrooms in Adaptable Dwelling Units [CBC] 69

Senior Housing [CBC] 71

1.6 The Youngers, the Olders, & In-Between 75

Considerations for the Youngers 75

Handrails for Children 75

Drinking Fountains for Children 75

Toilet Rooms & Fixtures for Children 76

Tables, Counters, & Play Surfaces for Children 77

Play Areas for Children 78

Considerations for the Olders 79

Light & the Aging Eye 79

Toileting & Bathing Needs As One Ages 80

The In-Betweens – Employees 81

Employee Only Work Areas 82

1.7 Storage, Locker & Dressing Rooms 87

Storage – In General 87

Self-Storage Facilities 88

Locker, Dressing, & Fitting Rooms 89

Storage Lockers 90

Chapter 2 Accessible Routes

2.1 Circulation Paths & Accessible Routes 95

Paths & Routes In General 95

Route Clearances 98

Accessible Routes in Specific Types of Spaces 99

Assembly Areas 100

Public Residential Dwelling Units 100

Employee Only Work Areas 101

2.2 Walking Surfaces 105

In General 105

Thresholds & Carpets 106

Openings in Walking Surfaces 107

2.3 Clear Floor & Turning Spaces 113

Clear Floor, Turning, Maneuvering, & Passing Spaces In General 113

Turning Spaces 114

Clear Floor Spaces 116

Aisles & 90° Turns 117

Aisles at 180° 'U'-Turns – Around Narrow Elements 118

Aisles at 180° 'U'-Turns – Around Wide Elements 119

2.4 Protruding & Overhanging Objects 123

In General 123

Protruding Objects 123

Post-Mounted Objects 125

Overhanging Objects 127

2.5 Doors & Gates – Overview 131

Entrances In General 131

Security, Restricted, & Service Entrances 131

Specific Facility Type Entrances 131

Door & Gate Notes 132

Hardware Notes 134

2.6 Doors & Gates – Maneuvering Clearances 139

In General 139

Forward Approach – Swinging Doors & Gates 140

Parallel Approach – Swinging Doors & Gates 141

Sliding & Folding Doors & Gates – All Approaches 142

Openings Without Doors 144

Doors & Gates In Series 145

Recessed Doors & Gates 146

2.7 Powered Doors & Gates 151

In General 151

Power-Assist Swinging Doors [BHMA] 152

Low-Energy Power-Operated Door [BHMA] 152

Automatic Power-Operated Door [BHMA] 153

Automatic Power-Operated Swinging Doors [BHMA] 154

Automatic Power-Operated Folding Doors [BHMA] 154

2.8 Specific Use Doors, Gates, & Windows 157

Security, Restricted, & Service Entries 157

Doors & Gates in Specific Uses 157

Windows 158

Security & Service Glazing, & 2-Way Communication 159

Chapter 3 Site Elements

3.1 Accessible Parking – In General 165

In General 165

Parking & Accessible Routes 167

Parking Spaces Required per Facility 168

Additional Requirements for Residential-Type Facilities 170

Existing Parking Facilities 170

3.2 Accessible Parking Signage 175

Parking Signage In General 175

California Tow-Away Sign [CBC] 176

3.3 The Accessible Parking Space 179

In General 179

Standard Accessible Spaces 180

Van Accessible Spaces 180

Access Aisles 181

On-Street Parking 182

3.4 Valet & Passenger Loading Zones 185

In General 185

The Accessible Passenger Loading Zone 186

Valet Parking 187

3.5 Transportation 189

In General 189

Bus Loading Zone Requirements 189

Bus Boarding & Alighting Area Requirements 190

Bus Informational Signage 191

Rail & Platform Requirements 191

Rail Informational Signs 192

Variable Message Signs (VMS) 192

3.6 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations 195

In General 195

New and Altered EVCS General Requirements 196

EV Charger Requirements 198

Accessible Charging Stations and Their Access Aisles 198

EVCS Signage [CBC] 200

Ambulatory EVCS [CBC] 200

Drive-Up EVCS [CBC] 201

3.7 Curb Ramps 203

In General 203

Perpendicular Curb Ramps 205

Parallel Curb Ramps 206

Corner Curb Ramps 208

Curb Ramps in the Public Right-Of-Way 211

3.8 Islands & Blended Transitions 215

In General 215

Islands with Curb Ramps 215

Islands with a Cut-Thru 215

Blended Transitions & Zero Curbs in Islands and Elsewhere 217

3.9 Detectable Warnings 219

In General 219

Truncated Dome Requirements 220

Locations 221

Transportation & Directional Texture 224

Chapter 4 Recreation

4.1 Pools & Spas 229

Pools & Spas In General 229

Pools – Swimming, Wading, Wave, Catch, Leisure Rivers, etc 229

Spas & Hot Tubs 230

Pool Lift Requirements & Considerations 230

Sloped Entry Requirements & Considerations 232

Pool Stairs – Requirements & Considerations 233

Transfer System – Requirements & Considerations 234

Transfer Walls – Requirements & Considerations 235

4.2 Fitness & Recreation 239

Exercise Equipment & Fitness Areas 239

Saunas & Steam Rooms 239

Sports & Court Sports 241

Golfing 242

Miniature Golf 242

Amusement Rides & Attractions 242

4.3 Recreation & Play 247

In General 247

Recreational Boating Facilities – In General 247

Piers at Boat Slips 248

Boarding Piers at Boat Launch Ramps 249

Fishing 249

Shooting Facilities 250

Play Areas – In General 250

Play Areas – Accessible Routes 251

Play Areas – Components 251

Play Areas – Vertical Access 252

Gaming Machines & Tables 253

Landscape Elements & Wilderness 254

Beaches 256

Chapter 5 Vertical Access – Manual

5.1 Edge Protection & Handrails 263

Edge Protection In General 263

Edge Protection – Pedestrian Ramp 263

Handrails 264

Handrail Gripping Surfaces 265

Handrail Extensions – In General 266

Handrails & Extensions – Pedestrian Ramp 267

Handrails & Extensions – Stairs 268

5.2 Pedestrian Ramps 273

In General 273

Pedestrian Ramps 273

Pedestrian Ramp Landings 275

Pedestrian Ramp Landings & Door Maneuvering Space 278

5.3 Steps & Stairs 283

In General 283

Treads & Nosings 283

Risers 285

Stairways 286

Escalators 286

Chapter 6 Vertical Access – Mechanical

6.1 Elevator, Lobby, & Landings 291

Elevators & Vertical Height Transitions In General 291

Title II Public Building Accessible Routes & Elevators 293

Hall Call Controls 293

Hall Signals 294

Hoistway Jamb Signs 295

Elevator Landings 296

Destination-Oriented Elevators 297

Limited-Use/Limited-Application Elevators (LU/LA) – Inside & Out 298

Dwelling Unit Private Residence Elevators – Inside & Out 299

6.2 Elevator Car 303

In General 303

Elevator Doors 303

Elevator Car Sizes & Door Location 304

Car Control Panels 305

Car Position Indicators 305

6.3 Platform Lifts 309

Platform Lifts In General 309

Vertical Platform Lifts & Accessible Routes 310

Vertical Lifts With & Without Runway Enclosures 310

Inclined Platform Lifts 313

Chapter 7 Communication Elements

7.1 Sign Types & Components 319

Sign Types – In General 319

Directional Signs 320

Informational Signs 321

Signs Identifying Permanent Rooms & Spaces 321

Egress-Related Signs 322

Toilet & Bathing Room Signs 323

Sign Components – Visual Characters 323

Sign Components for Tactile Characters – Raised Characters 325

Sign Components for Tactile Characters – Braille 327

Tactile Sign Location 329

Pictograms Identifying Rooms Or Spaces 330

International Symbols Identifying Accessible Elements 331

7.2 Communication Features 335

Communication Features – In General 335

Sign Language Interpreters – Station Requirements [A117.1] 335

Security Glazing & 2-Way Communication 335

Variable Message Signs (VMS) 336

Doorbells & Visual Door Notification Devices 337

Fire Alarms 337

7.3 Telephones 341

Telephones – In General 341

Telephones for Wheelchair Access 341

Telephones – TTY 342

TTY — Specific Use Locations 343

Chapter 8 Controls & Building Elements

8.1 Reach Ranges, Controls, & Machines 347

In General 347

Forward Reach with a Forward Approach 348

Side Reach Range with a Parallel Approach 349

Controls In General 350

Reach Ranges & Controls for Specific Items 350

Residential Facilities – Reach Ranges & Controls 351

ATMs, POS Devices, and Input & Display Screens 351

Window Controls 353

8.2 Plumbing – Public & Common Use 357

Drinking Fountains 357

Low Drinking Fountains 358

Low Drinking Fountains – Controls & Spouts 358

High Drinking Fountains 359

Bottle Filler 359

Washing Machines & Dryers 360

Public & Common Use Sinks 361

Faucets & Other Sink Controls 363

8.3 Counters – Sales, Service, Work & Food 367

In General 367

Sales & Service Counters 367

Check-Out Aisles & Counters 370

Work Surfaces 371

Food Service Lines & Condiment Counters 372

Bars & Counters for Drink or Food 372

Seating at Tables 374

8.4 Kitchens, Kitchenettes, & Wet Bars 381

Accessible Kitchen Spaces – In General 381

Cabinetry 384

Shelving Calculations for Kitchen Cabinets 387

Kitchen Work Surfaces in Mobility Dwelling Unit Kitchens 390

Wet Bars 391

Non-Mobility Kitchens 391

Kitchen Design Considerations for Aging 392

8.5 Kitchens – Appliances & Fixtures 395

Appliances & Fixtures – In General 395

Refrigerators 396

Ranges, Rangetops, Cooktops, & Ovens 397

Sinks 398

Dishwashers & Clear Floor Spaces 400

Electrical for All of the Small Countertop Appliances 401

Chapter 9 Toilet Rooms & Bathing Facilities

9.1 Signage for Toilet & Bathing Rooms 407

Signage – In General 407

Permanent Toilet & Bathing Room Signs 407

Pictograms & Symbols 408

California Geometric Door Symbols [CBC] 408

9.2 Accessories in Toilet & Bathing Rooms 411

Accessories – In General 411

Specific Accessories 411

9.3 Lavatories 419

Lavatories – In General 419

Clear Floor Space at a Lavatory 421

Faucets & Other Controls 422

Accessories at Lavatories 422

9.4 Toilets 425

Toilets – In General 425

Toilet Seats 426

Flush Controls 426

Toilet Clear Floor Spaces 427

Toilet Grab Bars 428

Dispensers 428

9.5 Urinals 433

Urinals – In General 433

Urinals – Technical Requirements 433

9.6 Grab Bars and Shower & Tub Seats 437

Grab Bars – In General 437

Grab Bars at Toilets 439

Grab Bars at Showers 441

Grab Bars at Bathtubs 443

Shower & Bathtub Seats – In General 445

Shower Seats 445

Bathtub Seats 446

9.7 Bathing – Tubs 451

Bathtubs – In General 451

Water Controls & Shower Spray Units 453

9.8 Bathing – Showers 457

Showers – In General 457

Transfer Showers 458

Standard Roll-In Showers 459

Alternate Roll-In Showers 461

Water Controls, Faucets, & Spray Units 462

Shower Accessories 464

9.9 Single-User Toilet & Bathing Rooms 467

In General 467

Specific Single-User Facility Requirements 468

Medical & Long-Term Care – Patient & On-Call Sleeping Rooms 471

Family & Assisted-Use Toileting & Bathing [IBC] 472

Adult Changing Facilities [CBC] 472

9.10 Multi-User Toilet Rooms 477

Multi-User Toilet Rooms – In General 477

Accessible Toilet Compartments – In General 478

Accessible Toilet Compartment Doors 479

Accessible Toilet Compartments 481

Ambulatory Toilet Compartments 484

Index

A 489

B, C 491

D 494

E 495

F, G 497

H 498

I, J, K 499

L, M 500

N, O 501

P 502

Q, R 504

S 505

T 508

U, V 510

W, Y, Z 511

Colophon 512