Accessibility

Chapter 2 – Accessibility

Within this chapter in our building codes textbook, The Codes Guidebook for Interiors by Katherine E. Kennon and Sharon K. Harmon, we take a deeper dive in the different sections of codes. In this case, we understand building codes as they relate to occupants or visitors with any kind of disability and how to keep them just as safe as everyone else in the event of an emergency.

Certain Cases and Guidelines

The book describes the objective of accessibility requirements to create an

General Layout of an
ADA bathroom stall

atmosphere that allows an individual to approach and enter a building, perform the intended task, and then leave the structure independently and in the safest way possible. Most buildings are required to be accessible to people with disabilities, however, not all buildings expect people with disabilities to be able to leave the structure effectively or safely. In these cases, codes and requirements for areas of refuge are followed to create a space for those unable to use a stairway or elevator to await further instructions or assistance.

Codes and Standards

The most widespread accessibility requirements is the ADA’s 2010 Standards with its applicability to most projects, however, the local code official does not have the responsibility of reviewing against the document due to the fact that is a federal law, not a state one. This often drives state and local jurisdiction to adopt or develop a document they want to use and enforce. The overall scope of these documents is to determine “the number of elements or types of areas that must meet the requirements” (pg. 40).

Example of a Technical Requirement

Technical requirements are indicated when only one accessible toilet, for example, is required or half of all provided. This means that indications of dimensions, description, diagrams, and physical details that explain how to configure a space fall under technical requirements. Due to this, more than one document and/or accessibility guidelines can apply to one project. These requirements can also be found in the ICC A117.1.

Certain books acquire at least one chapter of accessibility and within each of these, a “scope of compliance for specific elements and areas of a project” are established (pg.41). Most jurisdictions, if they adopt the IBC or NFPA, will by default include some sort of applicable accessibility requirements. On the other hand, others amend their adoption of the IBC of NFPA 5000 specifically to exclude the accessibility chapter and reference a different document instead.

The majority of jurisdictions rely heavily on the combination of accessibility chapters within the building codes and the ICC A117.1, however, some state and local governments have and sue their own unique set of accessibility codes. Typically, these are based on the ICC A117.1 or the 2010 ADA Standards, but often they vary between organizations. No matter what, when working on a project in a new place it is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of codes used.

Level of Accessibility

No matter what kind of project you are on – renovation, demolition, or starting from

Accessibility within a kitchen

the ground up – accessibility should always be considered within the design. In some cases, certain areas cannot accommodate ADA standards – although they are expected to require the highest level of accessibility – in which cases they provide for allowable variations. This makes it crucial to establish the level of accessibility the project needs to meet early on in the design process.

Research: Using the Codes

As briefly touched on earlier, regulations regarding accessibility requirements come from both local and federal codes, or at least indicate them. It is critical for the designer(s) to look into what jurisdiction uses what type of codes and which ones directly apply to their project. Having a hard or electronic copy of the regulations associated with your project during the development of the design is helpful in instances that need constant checking of regulations within the project.