University Building Official

Accessibility

A building code is a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for buildings. The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.

A building built to the building code is the least safe building you can legally build.

Building Code

ADAAG

Authority to use ADAAG◦ Design Standards◦ Clarifications

Tolerances

Construction Details

Accessibility

Authority◦ HECO Manual 7A.1

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), published July 23, 2004 and excluding the Architectural Barriers Act [ABA] Scoping Requirements.

Standards of VUSBC Chapter 11 and the IPC §405 do not apply to University facilities on Commonwealth property.

◦ Facilities Design Guidelines GR.2.1 ADAAG is applicable to Commonwealth of Virginia

new and renovated construction projects.

Accessiblity

HECO Manual 7A.2.1

◦ Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, July 23, 2004.

◦ Available on-line http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/index.htm

◦ Clarifications for University Owned Buildings

Design Standards for Accessibility

◦ Accessible facilities must be provided at the completion of construction.

◦ Adaptable facilities do not meet the requirements for accessibility unless demonstrated to the University Building Official to be readily implemented on demand.

◦ All stairways shall be accessible to the disabled.

Clarifications

Facilities shall be designed so that accessibility does not stand out or draw attention to it when other architectural alternatives are available.◦ Example, restroom lavatories shall be of uniform

design with all lavatories meeting accessibility standards rather than just one unit meeting the standards.

◦ This would not apply to toilet stalls, urinals or water closets.

Facilities Design Guidelines

Teaching and research laboratories shall have a minimum of five percent, but not less than one, work station for each type of facility (fume hood, bench, sink, etc.).

Compliance may be achieved using readily adjustable modular casework and equipment.

Facilities Design Guidelines Cont

ADAAG has some minimum and maximum dimensions for some of the elements. If a minimum and maximum is given, there is no tolerance for the element being outside of that range. (ADAAG Advisory 104.1.1)

If a minimum or maximum is given there is some tolerance, but the tolerance is not defined. ◦ Element should be dimensioned to ensure the

minimum or maximum is not exceeded. Don’t show the limit.

Tolerances

Chapter 3 - Building Blocks◦ 302 - Floor and ground surfaces◦ 303 - Changes in level◦ 304 - Turning space◦ 306 - Knee and Toe clearances◦ 307 - Protruding Objects◦ 308 - Reach Ranges

Chapter 4 - Accessible Routes◦ 403 - Walking surfaces◦ 404 - Doors◦ 405 - Ramps

Construction Details

Chapter 5 - General Site and Building Elements◦ 504 - Stairways◦ 505 - Handrails

Chapter 6 - Plumbing elements◦ 602 – Drinking Fountains◦ 603 – Toilet and Bathing Rooms◦ 604 – Water Closets and Toilet Compartments◦ 605 – Urinals◦ 606 – Lavatories and Sinks◦ 608 – Shower Compartments

Construction Details Cont.

Chapter 6 - Plumbing elements◦ 609 – Grab Bars◦ 610 – Seats

Chapter 7 – Communication Elements and Features◦ 703 – Signs

Chapter 9 – Built-In Elements◦ 903 - Benches

Construction Details Cont.

Chapter 3Building Blocks

Openings in floor or ground surfaces shall not allow passage of a sphere more than ½ inch diameter. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long

dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel.

302 - Floor and ground surfaces

302 – Floor and ground surfaces

Raised thresholds and changes in level at doorways shall be ½ inch maximum.

¼ vertical and ¼ at a slope of 1:2.

303 – Changes in level

Raised thresholds and changes in level at doorways shall be ½ inch maximum.

¼ vertical and ¼ at a slope of 1:2.

303 - Changes in Level

306.3 Knee clearance

306 – Knee clearances

Protruding ObjectsObjects over a walking surface (VUSBC 1003.3.3) or into the circulation path (ADAAG 307.2).

307 – Protruding objects

307 - Protruding objects

307 - Protruding objects

Light switches, coat hooks, electrical outlets.

308 – Reach ranges

Chapter 4Accessible Routes

Walking surface on accessible route◦ Cannot be steeper than 1:20

Ramp◦ Slope cannot exceed 1:12◦ Ramps require handrails if the ramp rise is greater

than 6”

Grades steeper than 1:12 are not accessible

403 - Walking Surfaces

Chapter 5General Site and Building

Elements

Tread and riser dimensions are no different that what is required in the VUSBC.

Open risers are not permitted.

504 - Stairways

Height of handrails is measured to the top of the gripping surface.

34 inches minimum and 38 inches maximum above the walking surfaces, stair nosings and ramp surfaces.

Handrails shall be continuous from the top to the bottom of the stair flight.

505 - Handrails

Extend beyond and in the same direction of the stair flight or ramp run. 505.10

Ramp handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches minimum beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. 505.10.1

505 – Handrail extensions

The difference between the Building Code and ADAAG is that ADAAG says the extensions shall continue in the direction of the stair flight or ramp run.

Handrail Extensions

The 2009 International Building Code has changed the wording concerning handrail extensions for exit ramps and exit stairs to be in line with ADAAG.

Handrail Extensions

At the top of a stair flight, handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches minimum beginning directly above the first riser nosing. 505.10.2

At the bottom of a stair flight, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance at least equal to one tread width beyond the last riser nosing. 505.10.3

Stair Handrail extensions

ADAAG Figure 505.10.2

Handrail extension at top of steps

ADAAG Figure 505.10.3

Handrail extension at the bottom of stairs

All handrail extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight or ramp run.

Handrail extensions

The handrail extensions shall return to a wall, guard or the landing surface.

Handrail Extensions

The handrail extensions shall return to a wall, guard or the landing surface.

Handrail Extensions

Handrail location

Chapter 6Plumbing Elements

Turning space is required.

Mirrors. Bottom of the reflective surface no more than 40 inches above the floor.

Coat hooks within reach ranges.

Shelves - 40 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum above the finish floor.

Toilet and Bathing Rooms

604 – Water closets

604 – Water closets

Even at the rough-in stage issues can be identified.

604 – Water closets

Clearance at accessible water closets.

604.3.2 – Overlap

604.3.2 - Overlap

604.5.1 – Side Wall Grab Bar

604.5.1 – Side Wall Grab Bar

604.5.2 – Rear Wall Grab Bar

604.5.2 – Rear Wall Grab Bar

604.5.2 – Rear Wall Grab Bar.

Doors into accessible stalls shall be self closing. A door pull shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch.

604.8.1.2 – Compartment Doors

Doors into accessible stalls shall be self closing. A door pull shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch.

If more than one urinal is installed, then at least one shall be accessible.

Height of the urinal shall be 17 inches maximum and the urinal shall be 13 ½ inches deep minimum.

605 – Urinals

606.3 - Lavatories and sinks shall be installed with the front of the higher of the rim or counter surface 34 inches maximum above the finish floor or

ground.

606 – Lavatories and sinks

606.3 - Water supply and drain pipes under lavatories and sinks shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact.

606 – Lavatories and sinks

Location of controls are key in shower compartments.

608 – Shower compartments

A seat is required in transfer type shower compartments.

608.4 – Seats

Location of controls are key in shower compartments.

608 – Shower compartments

609.4 - Height of grab bars shall be between 33 inches minimum and 36 inches maximum above the floor. The grab bar is measured from the top of the

gripping surface.

609 – Grab Bars

Chapter 9Built-In Elements

903.3 - Benches shall have seats that are 42 inches ling minimum and 20 inches deep minimum and 24 inches deep maximum.

903 - Benches

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