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Building codes for disabled individuals vary from state to state and even from states to large cities within a state. Nevertheless these codes are often similar and they address the same areas of concern. Many of the codes refer to the American National Standard A117.1 "Providing Accessibility and Usability for Physically Handicapped People,"* which is the criteria that we used to develop this guide. This publication is not intended to define specific code requirements, but instead its purpose is to take the reader, specifically a wheelchair user, through a typical building that is accessible and show how most codes address particular situations. Page 2 illustrates the exterior of our hypothetical building and site with specific elements numbered. Page 4 shows the interior of the same building, and again the areas of interest are numbered for reference. We will take you to the site and through the building from the point of view of a disabled user beginning with his arrival either by accessible public transportation or private vehicle.
* Available from the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway. New York. NY 10018
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Key Plan Exterior
The plan shows a typical office building with pedestrian access from the sidewalk or from accessible public transportation via the sidewalks. CURB RAMPS 1 are indicated where the walks terminate at a curb and also between the accessible PARKING SPACES 3 and the paved walk leading to the main entrance. There is another RAMP 2 going up the 3 steps at the entrance. This ramp needs handrails on both sides because it rises more than 6 inches. If there were a passenger loading area for vehicles by the entrance this, too, would have to be accessible.
Key Plan Interior
The plan points out the entrance VESTIBULE 4, DRINKING FOUNTAINS 5 and ELEVATORS 6 in the lobby. Off the lobby there is an ASSEMBLY SPACE 7 with an emergency exit and behind the elevators are the TOILET ROOMS 8 that are accessed via the CORRIDOR 9. Farther down the corridor is an office followed by a typical DOOR 10 leading to a room with VENDING MACHINES and a PUBLIC TELEPHONE 11. At the lower left is an office space with WORK AREAS 12 and an emergency exit. REFUGE AREAS 13 are on the floors above. There is another emergency exit in the upper left by the stairs coming from the upper levels.
Curb Ramps
The curb ramp shown is typical but is not the only kind allowed. The flared sides are to prevent pedestrians from tripping if they were to walk across the ramp. Curb ramps are not required to have handrails but they must be at least 3 feet wide and can be no steeper than 1 on 12, meaning that for every 12 inches of horizontal distance covered, the ramp cannot rise more than 1 inch. The ramp surface must be non-slip.
Handrails
For comfort and ease of use by the largest segment of the population, handrails must be 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" in diameter and be mounted between 30" and 34" above the ramp surface. They must also be 1 1/2" from the wall if they are on a wall. This is far enough away to prevent scraping the knuckles but not far enough to allow an arm to slip between the rail and wall. The handrails must also extend 1 foot beyond the top and bottom of the ramp so that a person who has difficulty walking will be able to grab the rail while on the level platform.
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Parking
There should be at least one accessible parking space that is 8 feet wide with a 5 foot wide access aisle. In a few jurisdictions, 8 foot wide access aisles are required at reserved parking spaces which accommodate vans equipped with wheelchair lift devices. The larger the parking lot, the greater the number of accessible spaces, but the number of spaces required varies between jurisdictions. In most instances it will not be less than 2% of the total. The accessible spaces should be designated with a sign such as the one shown. Some states also post the fines for unauthorized parking. The symbol of accessibility painted on the parking space is not acceptable as a substitute for the sign. From the accessible parking spaces, which are the ones closest to the building, there is an accessible route to the building entrance which may include sloped walks or ramps provided they comply with the code.
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Vestibules
The entrance vestibule presents a situation that is often encountered of doors in series. While this plan shows all the doors swinging in the same direction, some series doors may swing in while others swing out. In either case, there must be at least 4 feet of clear space between when the doors are open. This is to prevent wheelchair users from getting trapped by the closing doors. The force needed to push or pull these doors open may be up to 8 1/2 pounds and if there is a threshold at a door, it cannot be higher than 1/2 inch and it must be beveled.
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Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains and water coolers when provided must be available to wheelchair users. In other words, they must be located on an accessible route and have the required clear floor space. The spout can be no higher than 36" above the floor and the controls must be near the front of the unit. Some ambulatory persons find this too low to be used comfortably. This is why some codes call for only 50% of the fountains to be accessible permitting one high and one low fountain to be mounted next to each other. The units with a clear knee space below are easier to use but built-in models requiring a side approach are also acceptable. As with all other controls, the water fountain's controls must be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping to use.
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Elevators
For a building to be accessible, the spaces within must be on an accessible route. Freight elevators are not part of an accessible route and wheelchair lifts may or may not be, depending on how they are used. Passenger elevators are part of an accessible route and they are required to have specific features and to be at least as large as the elevator car shown. The elevator must operate automatically and the call buttons and car controls must be within the reach of someone in a wheelchair and have tactile indicators and audible signals for the visually impaired. Also, when a car arrives at a floor, it must remain long enough for a mobility impaired person to get to and enter the car.
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Assembly Spaces
Wheelchair seating at auditoriums and other assembly areas must be comparable to other seating positions and must be dispersed throughout the area to permit wheelchair users to sit with companions. If there is a fixed seating plan, the wheelchair positions must be part of it. The individual positions must be level and on an area that is slightly larger than the minimum clear floor space. If the auditorium has a sound system, a listening system must be provided for persons with severe hearing loss. Wheelchair access must also be provided to the stage, dressing rooms, and any other spaces used by the performers.
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Toilet Rooms
For most jurisdictions, in new construction and alteration work, all toilet rooms provided are required to be accessible. The International Symbol of Accessibility is often seen at or alongside the entrance door. Each fixture in the room must have at least a 30" x 48" clear floor space for the wheelchair user and enough space to enter the room, use any fixture, turn around, and exit. If showers or bathing facilities are constructed, these must also be accessible, meaning that clear floor spaces, grab bars, hand-held showers, and transfer seats must be provided.
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Toilet Stalls
The stall shown is one of only two 5' wide stall designs that are referred to by ANSI as "standard stalls." They are the minimum dimensions permitted in most new construction and alteration work. The transfer technique shown illustrates why this space is needed. ANSI also shows two alternate stall designs that do not allow a side transfer. These are sometimes permitted in alteration work, but only when it is impossible to provide the standard stall. The standard mounting height for a water closet is 14" to 15" above the floor and is considered accessible in some jurisdictions. ANSI, however, calls for a mounting height of 17"-19" above the floor. The tissue dispenser and grab bars must be mounted as shown. Floor to wall "L"-shaped grab bars are sometimes added in these stalls in an effort to aid some disabled persons in lifting themselves. These bars are definitely not allowed because they effectively make the stall unusable by those who cannot stand.
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Sinks and Lavatories
If a sink is mounted in a counter, as is shown, then the counter can be no higher than 34" above the floor and the sink cannot be deeper than 6 1/2" to allow for knee space. Wall-mounted lavatories do not have a maximum mounting height. Instead, they are required to have minimum spaces below so that adequate knee space is afforded the user. The bottom edge of mirrors must be no higher than 40", and easy-to-use faucets such as the lever type shown are required. Soap and towel dispensers must be within the reach of wheelchair users and clear floor space must be provided at each fixture.
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Widths for Wheelchairs
There is a minimum clear width for wheelchair passage in ANSI A117.1 that is just that, a minimum acceptable standard. This was determined by input from many organizations representing nondisabled and disabled groups alike. The minimum width for a stationary wheelchair is 30". This would be the minimum width required at a water fountain, a sink, a desk, or any other fixed object. The minimum passage width required at a doorway is 32" whereas the minimum width for a single wheelchair to move continuously, such as a hallway, is 36". If two wheelchairs are to pass each other, 60" is required; and if space is needed for one wheelchair to pass an ambulatory person, 48" is the minimum.
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Door Approaches
The spaces required at doors are shown opposite. We have included the wheelchair figures to show why such spaces are required. Some of the previous standards required metal kick plates at the bottom of doors and glass vision panels so one could see a person coming from the other side of the door. While the kick plates may protect the door, it is up to the owner to decide if their use is justified. The vision panels are also good but their use should be dependent on location and use of the door, not on whether the door is being used by an able-bodied or a disabled user. If a vision panel is required in a door, it should be low enough for a wheelchair user.
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Doors
The use of doors by the disabled is a function of their location with respect to how the door is approached, as well as the door size and the hardware used. An accessible door must provide a 2'-8" clear space for passage. This may be provided with a 2'-10" wide door but more often a 3'-0" wide door is needed. The handle or latch must be easy to use and not require tight grasping or twisting of the wrist to open, prohibiting use of the common globe-shaped knob. The force to push or pull the door open on interior doors cannot be more than 5 pounds.
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Operable Controls
Vending machines, telephones, electrical outlets, fire alarms, and other items used by the general public should be mounted within the reach of wheelchair users. If, as the illustration shows, an approach parallel to the wall is permitted, the objects can be mounted from 9" to 54" above the floor. If the location only permits a forward (perpendicular) approach, the range must be reduced to between 15" and 48" above the floor. In all instances, a 30" x 48" minimum clear and level floor space must be provided, and any controls must be operable with one hand and not require tight grasping or twisting of the wrist.
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Work Areas
Work areas must be on an accessible route but the desk or table is considered furniture, and is therefore not part of the building code. For a table top to be convenient for a person seated in a wheelchair to use, ideally it should be between 26" high for short women doing manual work, to 34" high for tall men doing detailed work. A typical desk height of 29" will work for most, provided the clear floor space is provided, but a more accommodating height should be used if the type of work performed or the person's size demand it.
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Refuge Areas
During fires and other emergencies, the elevators in high-rise buildings are shut down and occupants are required to use the exit stairs to evacuate. People who cannot use the stairs must await help in an area designated by the fire department as a refuge area. This may be a large section of the building, a single room or an area such as the stair landing that is separated from the danger area by smoke barriers, and in many instances, fire walls and doors. Communication by intercom or telephone should also be provided. Fire evacuation chairs are another possibility. These are chairs that can easily descend stairs and can be controlled by a small able-bodied person. Unfortunately, the user must be able to transfer, and respirators and other equipment may have to be left behind. In emergencies, fire personnel make the determination whether to "protect in place," use the elevators to evacuate, or evacuate persons in wheelchairs by the stairway.
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