This document presents uniform standards for the design, construction and alteration of buildings so that physically handicapped persons will have ready access to and use of them in accordance with the Architectural Barriers Act, 42 U.S.C. 4151-4157. The document embodies an agreement to minimize the differences between the standards previously used by four agencies (the General Services Administration, the departments of Housing and Urban Development and Defense, and the United States Postal Service) that are authorized to issue standards under the Architectural Barriers Act, and between those standards and the access standards recommended for facilities that are not federally funded or constructed.
The four standard-setting agencies establish and enforce standards for design, construction, and alteration of particular types of buildings and facilities. The General Services Administration (GSA) prescribes standards for all buildings subject to the Architectural Barriers Act that are not covered by standards issued by the other three standard-setting agencies; the Department of Defense (DoD) prescribes standards for DoD installations; the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) prescribes standards for residential structures covered by the Architectural Barriers Act except those funded or constructed by DoD; and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) prescribes standards for postal facilities. Each of the four agencies issues standards in accordance with its statutory authority.
To ensure compliance with the standards, Congress established the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) in Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. 792.
The ATBCB is composed of members representing eleven Federal agencies (the four standard-setting agencies; the departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Interior, Justice, Labor, and Transportation; and the Veterans Administration) and eleven members appointed by the President from the general public. A 1978 amendment to Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act added to the ATBCB's functions the responsibility to issue minimum guidelines (Guidelines) and requirements for the standards established by the four standard-setting agencies. The final rule that established the Guidelines now in effect was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on August 4, 1982 (47 FR 33862) and is codified at 36 CFR part 1190.
The four standard-setting agencies determined that the uniform standards adopted by them would, as much as possible, not only comply with the Guidelines adopted by the ATBCB but also be consistent with the standards published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for general use. ANSI is a nongovernmental national organization that publishes a wide variety of recommended standards. ANSI's standards for barrier-free design are developed by a committee made up of 52 organizations representing associations of handicapped people, rehabilitation professionals, design professionals, builders, and manufacturers. The standards, which are called ANSI Al17.1, "Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and Usable by, Physically Handicapped People," are developed using the consensus process.
The original ANSI A117.1, adopted in 1961, formed the technical basis for the first accessibility standards adopted by the federal government and most state governments. The current edition, ANSI A117.1-1980, is based on research funded by HUD. It has generally been accepted by the private sector and has been recommended for use in model state and local building codes by the Council of American Building Officials.
In keeping with the objective of uniformity between federal requirements and those commonly applied by state and local governments, the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) follows ANSI A117.1-1980 in format. Both the UFAS scope provisions, which establish the minimum number of elements and spaces required to comply with standards, and the UFAS technical requirements meet or exceed the comparable provisions of the Guidelines.
The UFAS was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on August 7, 1984 (49 FR 31528). Each of the standard-setting agencies has taken action in accordance with its own procedures, including internally prescribed rulemaking and the Administrative Procedure Act where applicable, to incorporate the UFAS in its own standards, regulations, or other directives. GSA adopted the UFAS in 41 CFR 101-19.6, effective August 7, 1984. HUD adopted the UFAS in 24 CFR part 40, effective October 4, 1984. USPS adopted the UFAS in Handbook RE-4, "Standards for Facility Accessibility by the Physically Handicapped," effective November 15, 1984. DoD adopted the UFAS by revising Chapter 18 of DoD 4270.1-M, "Construction Criteria," by memorandum dated May 8, 1985.
[Note: Handbook RE-4, was amended effective April 16, 1986, by the addition of Interim Standards, Section 4.1.8, "Accessible Buildings: Leasing of Space in Existing Buildings." While Handbook RE-4, not UFAS, sets forth the governing standards for Postal facility accessibility. Handbook RE-4 may be further amended.]
This document sets standards for facility accessibility by physically handicapped persons for Federal and federally-funded facilities. These standards are to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration of buildings and facilities to the extent required by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended.
These standards were jointly developed by the General Services Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Defense, and the United States Postal Service, under the authority of sections 2, 3, 4, and 4a, respectively, of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended, Pub. L. No. 90-480, 42 U.S.C. 4151-4157.
The specifications in these standards are based upon adult dimensions and anthropometrics.
Graphic conventions are shown in Table 1. Dimensions that are not marked "minimum" or "maximum" are absolute, unless otherwise indicated in the text or captions.
All dimensions are subject to conventional building industry tolerances for field conditions.
The text of these standards does not contain notes or footnotes. Additional information, explanations, and advisory materials are located in the Appendix. Paragraphs marked with an asterisk have related, nonmandatory material in the Appendix. In the Appendix, the corresponding paragraph numbers are preceded by an A.
comply with Meet one or more specifications of this standard if, if. then a specification that applies only when the conditions described are present may an option or alternative shall a mandatory specification or requirement should an advisory specification or recommendation
An accessible site shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) At least one accessible route complying with 4.3 shall be provided within the boundary of the site from public transportation stops, accessible parking spaces, passenger loading zones if provided, and public streets or sidewalks to an accessible building entrance. (2) At least one accessible route complying with 4.3 shall connect accessible buildings, facilities, elements, and spaces that are on the same site. (3) All objects that protrude from surfaces or posts into circulation paths shall comply with 4.4. (4) Ground surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible spaces shall comply with 4.5. (5) (a) If parking spaces are provided for employees or visitors, or both, then accessible spaces, complying with 4.6, shall be provided in each such parking area in conformance with the following table:
| Total Parking in Lot | Required Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1000 | 2 percent of total |
| 1001 and over | 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 |
EXCEPTION: The total number of accessible parking spaces may be distributed among parking lots, if greater accessibility is achieved. EXCEPTION: This does not apply to parking provided for official government vehicles owned or leased by the government and used exclusively for government purposes. (5) (b) If passenger loading zones are provided, then at least one passenger loading zone shall comply with 4.6.5. (5) (c) Parking spaces for side lift vans are accessible parking spaces and may be used to meet the requirements of this paragraph. (5) (d) Parking spaces at accessible housing complying with 4.6 shall be provided in accordance with the following: (i) Where parking is provided for all residents, one accessible parking space shall be provided for each accessible dwelling unit; and (ii) Where parking is provided for only a portion of the residents, an accessible parking space shall be provided on request of the occupant of an accessible dwelling unit; (iii) Where parking is provided for visitors, 2 percent of the spaces, or at least one, shall be accessible. (5) (e) Parking spaces at health care facilities complying with 4.6 shall be provided in accordance with the following: (i) General health care facilities, employee and visitor parking: Comply with Table 4.1.1(5)(a); (ii) Outpatient facilities: 10 percent of the total number of parking spaces provided; (iii) Spinal cord injury facilities, employee and visitor parking: 20 percent of total parking spaces provided. (6) If toilet facilities are provided on a site, then each such public or common use toilet facility shall comply with 4.22. If bathing facilities are provided on a site, then each such public or common use bathing facility shall comply with 4.23. EXCEPTION: These provisions are not mandatory for single user portable toilet or bathing units clustered at a single location; however, at least one toilet unit complying with 4.22 or one bathing unit complying with 4.23 should be installed at each location whenever standard units are provided. (7) All signs shall comply with 4.30. Elements and spaces of accessible facilities which shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility are: (a) Parking spaces designated as reserved for physically handicapped people; (b) passenger loading zones; (c) accessible entrances; (d) accessible toilet and bathing facilities.
Accessible buildings and facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) At least one accessible route complying with 4.3 shall connect accessible building or facility entrances with all accessible spaces and elements within the building or facility. (2) All objects that overhang circulation paths shall comply with 4.4. (3) Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces shall comply with 4.5. (4) Stairs connecting levels that are not connected by an elevator shall comply with 4.9. (5) One passenger elevator complying with 4.10 shall serve each level in all multi-story buildings and facilities. If more than one elevator is provided, each elevator shall comply with 4.10. EXCEPTION: Elevator pits, elevator penthouses, mechanical rooms, piping or equipment catwalks are excepted from this requirement. EXCEPTION: Accessible ramps complying with 4.8 or, if no other alternative is feasible, accessible platform lifts complying with 4.11 may be used in lieu of an elevator. (6) Windows. (Reserved). (7) Doors: (a) At each accessible entrance to a building or facility, at least one door shall comply with 4.13. (b) Within a building or facility, at least one door at each accessible space shall comply with 4.13. (c) Each door that is an element of an accessible route shall comply with 4.13. (d) Each door required by 4.3.10, Egress, shall comply with 4.13. EXCEPTION: In multiple-story buildings and facilities where at-grade egress from each floor is impossible, either of the following is permitted: the provision within each story of approved fire and smoke partitions that create horizontal exits, or, the provision within each floor of areas of refuge approved by agencies having authority for safety. (8) At least one principal entrance at each grade floor level to a building or facility shall comply with 4.14, Entrances. When a building or facility has entrances which normally serve any of the following functions: transportation facilities, passenger loading zones, accessible parking facilities, taxi stands, public streets and sidewalks, or accessible interior vertical access, then at least one of the entrances serving each such function shall comply with 4.14, Entrances. Because entrances also serve as emergency exits, whose proximity to all parts of buildings and facilities is essential, it is preferable that all or most exits be accessible. (9) If drinking fountains or water coolers are provided, approximately 50 percent of those provided on each floor shall comply with 4.15 and shall be on an accessible route. If only one drinking fountain or water cooler is provided on any floor, it shall comply with 4.15. (10) If toilet facilities are provided, then each public and common use toilet room shall comply with 4.22. Other toilet rooms shall be adaptable. If bathing facilities are provided, then each public and common use bathroom shall comply with 4.23. Accessible toilet rooms and bathing facilities shall be on an accessible route. (11) If storage facilities such as cabinets, shelves, closets, and drawers are provided in accessible spaces, at least one of each type provided shall contain storage space complying with 4.25. Additional storage may be provided outside of the dimensions shown in Fig 38. (12) Controls and operating mechanisms in accessible spaces, along accessible routes, or as parts of accessible elements (for example, light switches and dispenser controls) shall comply with 4.27. (13) If emergency warning systems are provided, then they shall include both audible alarms complying with 4.28.2 and visual alarms complying with 4.28.3. In facilities with sleeping accommodations, the sleeping accommodations shall have an alarm system complying with 4.28.4. Emergency warning systems in health care facilities may be modified to suit standard health care alarm design practice. (14) Tactile warnings shall be provided at hazardous conditions as specified in 4.29.3. (15) If signs are provided, they shall comply with 4.30.1, 4.30.2 and 4.30.3. In addition, permanent signage that identifies rooms and spaces shall also comply with 4.30.4 and 4.30.6. The provisions of 4.30.4 are not mandatory for temporary information on room and space signage, such as current occupant's name, provided the permanent room or space identification complies with 4.30.4. (16) Public telephones: (a) If public telephones are provided, then accessible public telephones shall comply with 4.31, Telephones, and the following table:
| Number of public telephones provided on each floor | Number of telephones required to be accessible:* |
|---|---|
| 1 or more single unit installations | 1 per floor |
| 1 bank** | 1 per floor |
| 2 or more banks** | 1 per bank. |
Table Legend: * Additional public telephones may be installed at any height. Unless otherwise specified, accessible telephones may be either forward or side reach telephones. ** A bank consists of two or more adjacent public telephones, often installed as a unit. *** EXCEPTION: For exterior installations only, if dial tone first service is not available, then a side reach telephone may be installed instead of the required forward reach telephone (i.e., one telephone in proximity to each bank shall comply with 4.31). (b) At least one of the public telephones complying with 4.31, Telephones, shall be equipped with a volume control. The installation of additional volume controls is encouraged, and these may be installed on any public telephone provided. (17) If fixed or built-in seating, tables, or work surfaces are provided in accessible spaces, at least 5 percent, but always at least one, of seating spaces, tables, or work surfaces shall comply with 4.32. (18) Assembly areas: (a) If places of assembly are provided, they shall comply with the following table:
| Capacity of Seating & Assembly Areas | Number of Required Wheelchair Locations |
|---|---|
| 50 to 75 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 4 |
| 101 to 150 | 5 |
| 151 to 200 | 6 |
| 201 to 300 | 7 |
| 301 to 400 | 8 |
| 401 to 500 | 9 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 2 percent of total |
| over 1,000 | 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 |
(b) Assembly areas with audio-amplification systems shall have a listening system complying with 4.33 to assist a reasonable number of people, but no fewer than two, with severe hearing loss. For assembly areas without amplification systems and for spaces used primarily as meeting and conference rooms, a permanently installed or portable listening system shall be provided. If portable systems are used for conference or meeting rooms, the system may serve more than one room.
Accessible housing shall comply with the requirements of 4.1 and 4.34 except as noted below:
(1) ELEVATORS: Where provided, elevators shall comply with 4.10. Elevators or other accessible means of vertical movement are not required in residential facilities when: (a) No accessible dwelling units are located above or below the accessible grade level; and (b) At least one of each type of common area and amenity provided for use of residents and visitors is available at the accessible grade level. (2) ENTRANCES: Entrances complying with 4.14 shall be provided as necessary to achieve access to and egress from buildings and facilities. EXCEPTION: In projects consisting of one-to-four family dwellings where accessible entrances would be extraordinarily costly due to site conditions or local code restrictions, accessible entrances are required only to those buildings containing accessible dwelling units. (3) COMMON AREAS: At least one of each type of common area and amenity in each project shall be accessible and shall be located on an accessible route to any accessible dwelling unit.
Buildings and facilities shall comply with these standards to the extent noted in this section for various occupancy classifications, unless otherwise modified by a special application section. Occupancy classifications, and the facilities covered under each category include, but are not necessarily limited to, the listing which follows:
(1) GENERAL EXCEPTIONS: Accessibility is not required to elevator pits, elevator penthouses, mechanical rooms, piping or equipment catwalks, lookout galleries, electrical and telephone closets, and general utility rooms. (2) MILITARY EXCLUSIONS: The following facilities need not be designed to be accessible, but accessibility is recommended since the intended use of the facility may change with time. (a) Unaccompanied personnel housing, closed messes, vehicle and aircraft maintenance facilities, where all work is performed by able-bodied military personnel and, in general, all facilities which are intended for use or occupancy by able-bodied military personnel only. (b) Those portions of Reserve and National Guard facilities which are designed and constructed primarily for use by able-bodied military personnel. This exclusion does not apply to those portions of a building or facility which may be open to the public or which may be used by the public during the conduct of normal business or which may be used by physically handicapped persons employed or seeking employment at such building or facility. These portions of the building or facility shall be accessible. (c) Where the number of accessible spaces required is determined by the design capacity of a facility (such as parking or assembly areas), the number of able-bodied military persons used in determining the design capacity need not be counted when computing the number of accessible spaces required. (3) MILITARY HOUSING: In the case of military housing, which is primarily available for able-bodied military personnel and their dependents, at least 5 percent of the total but at least one unit (on an installation-by-installation basis) of all housing constructed will be designed and built to be either accessible or readily and easily modifiable to be accessible, but in any event, modification of individual units (including the making of adaptations), will be accomplished on a high priority basis when a requirement is identified. Common areas such as walks, streets, parking and play areas, and common entrances to multi-unit facilities shall be designed and built to be accessible. (4) ASSEMBLY: Assembly occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering together of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, or awaiting transportation. A room or space used for assembly purposes by less than fifty (50) persons and accessory to another occupancy shall be included as a part of that major occupancy. For purposes of these standards, assembly occupancies shall include the following:
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Amusement arcades, Amusement park structures, Arenas, Armories, Art galleries, Auditoriums, Banquet halls, Bleachers, Bowling alleys, Carnivals, Churches, Clubs, Community halls, Courtrooms (public areas), Dance halls, Drive-in theaters, Exhibition halls, Fairs, Funeral parlors, Grandstands, Gymnasiums, Motion picture theaters, Indoor & outdoor swimming pools, Indoor & outdoor tennis courts, Lecture halls, Libraries* (See Part 8 for special applications.), Museums, Night clubs, Passenger stations, Pool & billiard halls, Restaurants** (See Part 5 for special applications), Skating rinks, Stadiums, Taverns & bars, Television studios admitting audiences, Theaters | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(5) BUSINESS: Business occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service type transactions, including storage of records and accounts.
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Animal hospitals, kennels, pounds, Automobile and other motor vehicle showrooms, Banks, Barber shops, Beauty shops, Car wash, Civic administration, Clinic (outpatient), Dry cleaning, Educational above 12th grade, Electronic data processing, Fire stations, Florists & nurseries, Laboratories: testing & research, Laundries, Motor vehicle service stations, Police stations, Post offices* (See Part 9 for special applications.), Print shops, Professional services: attorney, dentist, physician, engineer, etc., Radio & T.V. stations, Telephone exchanges | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(6) EDUCATIONAL: Educational occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, by six or more persons at any time for educational purposes through the 12th grade. Schools for business or vocational training shall conform to the requirements of the trade, vocation or business taught.
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Academies, Kindergarten, Nursery schools, Schools | All areas shall comply. |
(7) FACTORY INDUSTRIAL: Factory industrial occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, processing or other operations that are not classified as a Hazardous Occupancy.
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Aircraft, Appliances, Athletic equipment, Automobile and other motor vehicle, Bakeries, Beverages, Bicycles, Boats, building, Brick and masonry, Broom or brush, Business machines, Canvas or similar,Cameras and photo equipment, Carpets & rugs, including cleaning, Ceramic products, Clothing, Construction & agricultural machinery,,Disinfectants, Dry cleaning & dyeing, Electronics, Engines (including rebuilding),Film (photographic), Food processing, Foundries, Furniture, Glass products, Gypsum, Hemp products, Ice, Jute products, Laundries, Leather products, Machinery, Metal, Motion pictures & television film, Musical instruments, Optical goods, Paper products, Plastic products, Printing or publishing, Recreational vehicles, Refuse incineration, Shoes, Soaps & detergents, Steel products (fabrication, assembly), Textiles, Tobacco, Trailers, Upholstering, Wood (distribution), Millwork, Woodworking (cabinet), Postal mail: processing facilities* (See Part 9 for special applications.) | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(8) Hazardous: Hazardous occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of corrosive, highly toxic, highly combustible, flammable or explosive materials that constitute a high fire or explosive hazard, including loose combustible fibers, dust and unstable materials.
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Combustible dust, Combustible fibers, Combustible liquid, Corrosive liquids, Explosive material, Flammable gas, Flammable liquid, Liquified petroleum gas, Nitromethane, Oxidizing materials, Organic peroxide | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(9) Institutional: Institutional occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or any portion thereof, in which people have physical or medical treatment or care, or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall include the following subgroups: (a) Institutional occupancies for the care of children, including:
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Child care facilities | All public use, common use, or areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(b) Institutional occupancies used for medical or other treatment or care of persons, some of whom are suffering from physical or mental illness, disease or infirmity, including:
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Long Term Care Facilities: (including Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities, Bed & Care, and Nursing Homes). | At least 50 percent of patient toilets and bedrooms; all public use, common use or areas which may result in employment of handicapped persons. |
| Outpatient Facilities | All patient toilets and bedrooms, all public use, common use, or areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
| Outpatient Facilities | All patient toilets and bedrooms, all public use, common use, or areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
| Hospital* (See Part 6 for special applications.): General Purpose Hospital | At least 10 percent of toilets and bedrooms, all public use, common use, or areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
| Special Purpose Hospital: (Hospitals that treat conditions that affect mobility) | All patient toilets bedrooms, all public use, common use, or areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(c) Institutional occupancies where the occupants are under some degree of restraint or restriction for security reasons including:
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Jails, Prisons, Reformatories, Other detention or correctional facilities | 5 percent of residential units available, or at least one unit, whichever is greater; all common use, visitor use, or areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(10) MERCANTILE (See Part 7 for special applications.): Mercantile occupancy includes, among others, all buildings and structures or parts thereof, for the display and sale of merchandise, and involving stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public.
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Department stores, Drug stores, Markets, Retail stores, Shopping centers, Sales rooms | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(11) RESIDENTIAL: Residential occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, for sleeping accommodations when not classed as an institutional occupancy. Residential occupancies shall comply with the requirements of 4.1 and 4.34 except as follows: (a) Residential occupancies where the occupants are primarily transient in nature (less than 30 days) including:
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Hotels, Motels, Boarding houses | 5 percent of the total units, or at least one, whichever is greater, and all public use, common use, and areas which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons. |
(b) Residential occupancies in multiple dwellings where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, including:
| Facilities Multifamily housing (Apartment houses) | Application |
|---|---|
| Federally assisted | 5 percent of the total, or at least one unit, whichever is greater, in projects of 15 or more dwelling units, or as determined by the appropriate Federal agency following a local needs assessment conducted by local government bodies or states under applicable regulations. |
| Federally owned | 5 percent of the total, or at least one unit, whichever is greater. |
| Dormitories | 5 percent of the total or at least one unit, whichever is greater. |
(c) Residential occupancies in one (1) and two (2) family dwellings where the occupancies are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as preceding residential categories or as institutional.
| Facilities One and two family dwelling | Application |
|---|---|
| Federally assisted, rental | 5 percent of the total, or at least one unit, whichever is greater, in projects of 15 or more dwelling units, or as determined by the appropriate Federal agency following a local needs assessment conducted by local government bodies or states under applicable regulations. |
| Federally assisted, homeownership | To be determined by home buyer. |
| Federally owned | 5 percent of the total, or at least one unit, whichever is greater. |
(12) STORAGE: Storage occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, for storage that is not classified as a Hazardous Occupancy.
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Metal desks, Electrical coils, Electrical motors, Dry cell batteries, Metal parts, Empty cans, Stoves, Washers & Dryers, Metal cabinets, Glass bottles with noncombustible liquid, Mirrors, Foods in non-combustible containers, Frozen foods, Meats, Fresh fruits and vegetables, Dairy products, Beer or wine up to 12 percent alcohol, Distribution transformers, Cement in bags, Electrical insulators, Gypsum board, Inert pigments, Dry insecticides | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons shall comply. |
(13) UTILITY AND MISCELLANEOUS. Utility and miscellaneous occupancies include, among others, accessory buildings and structures, such as:
| Facilities | Application |
|---|---|
| Fences over 6 ft. high, Tanks, Cooling towers, Retaining walls, Buildings of less than 1,000 sq. ft. such as: Private garages, Carports, Sheds, Agricultural buildings | All areas for which the intended use will require public access or which may result in employment of physically handicapped persons shall comply. |
Each addition to an existing building shall comply with 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 of 4.1, Minimum Requirements, except as follows:
(1) Entrances: If a new addition to a building or facility does not have an entrance, then at least one entrance in the existing building or facility shall comply with 4.1.4, Entrances. (2) Accessible Route: If the only accessible entrance to the addition is located in the existing building or facility, then at least one accessible route shall comply with 4.3, Accessible Route, and shall provide access through the existing building or facility to all rooms, elements, and spaces in the new addition. (3) Toilet And Bathing Facilities: If there are no toilet rooms and bathing facilities in the addition and these facilities are provided in the existing building, then at least one toilet and bathing facility in the existing building shall comply with 4.22, Toilet Rooms, or 4.23, Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms. (4) Elements, Spaces, And Common Areas: If elements, spaces, or common areas are located in the existing building and they are not provided in the addition, then consideration should be given to making those elements, spaces, and common areas accessible in the existing building. EXCEPTIONS: Mechanical rooms, storage areas, and other such minor additions which normally are not frequented by the public or employees of the facility are excepted from 4.1.5. (5) HOUSING: (Reserved).
(1) General: Alterations to existing buildings or facilities shall comply with the following: (a) If existing elements, spaces, essential features, or common areas are altered, then each such altered element, space, feature, or area shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 of 4.1, Minimum Requirements. (b) If power-driven vertical access equipment (e.g., escalator) is planned or installed where none existed previously, or if new stairs (other than stairs installed to meet emergency exit requirements) requiring major structural changes are planned or installed where none existed previously, then a means of accessible vertical access shall be provided that complies with 4.7, Curb Ramps; 4.8, Ramps; 4.10, Elevators; or 4.11, Platform Lifts; except to the extent where it is structurally impracticable in transit facilities. (c) If alterations of single elements, when considered together, amount to an alteration of a space of a building or facility, the entire space shall be made accessible. (d) No alteration of an existing element, space, or area of a building shall impose a requirement for greater accessibility than that which would be required for new construction. For example, if the elevators and stairs in a building are being altered and the elevators are, in turn, being made accessible, then no accessibility modifications are required to the stairs connecting levels connected by the elevator. (e) If the alteration work is limited solely to the electrical, mechanical, or plumbing system and does not involve the alteration of any elements and spaces required to be accessible under these standards, then 4.1.6(3) does not apply. (f) No new accessibility alterations will be required of existing elements or spaces previously constructed or altered in compliance with earlier standards issued pursuant to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended. (g) Mechanical rooms and other spaces which normally are not frequented by the public or employees of the building or facility or which by nature of their use are not required by the Architectural Barriers Act to be accessible are excepted from the requirements of 4.1.6. (2) Where a building or facility is vacated and it is totally altered, then it shall be altered to comply with 4.1.1 to 4.1.5 of 4.1, Minimum Requirements, except to the extent where it is structurally impracticable. (3) Where substantial alteration occurs to a building or facility, then each element or space that is altered or added shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 of 4.1, Minimum Requirements, except to the extent where it is structurally impracticable. The altered building or facility shall contain: (a) At least one accessible route complying with 4.3, Accessible Route, and 4.1.6(a); (b) At least one accessible entrance complying with 4.14, Entrances. If additional entrances are altered then they shall comply with 4.1.6(a); and (c) The following toilet facilities, whichever is greater: (i) At least one toilet facility for each sex in the altered building complying with 4.22, Toilet Rooms, and 4.23, Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms. (ii) At least one toilet facility for each sex on each substantially altered floor, where such facilities are provided, complying with 4.22, Toilet Rooms; and 4.23, Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms. (d) In making the determination as to what constitutes "substantial alteration," the agency issuing standards for the facility shall consider the total cost of all alterations (including but not limited to electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural changes) for a building or facility within any twelve (12) month period. For guidance in implementing this provision, an alteration to any building or facility is to be considered substantial if the total cost for this twelve month period amounts to 50 percent or more of the full and fair cash value of the building as defined in 3.5. EXCEPTION: If the cost of the elements and spaces required by 4.1.6(3)(a), (b), or (c) exceeds 15 percent of the total cost of all other alterations, then a schedule may be established by the standard-setting and/or funding agency to provide the required improvements within a 5-year period. EXCEPTION: Consideration shall be given to providing accessible elements and spaces in each altered building or facility complying with: (i) 4.6, Parking and Passenger Loading Zones, (ii) 4.15, Drinking Fountains and Water Coolers, (iii) 4.25, Storage, (iv) 4.28, Alarms, (v) 4.31, Telephones, (vi) 4.32, Seating, Tables, and Work Surfaces, (vii) 4.33, Assembly Areas. (4) Special technical provisions for alterations to existing buildings or facilities: (a) Ramps. Curb ramps and ramps to be constructed on existing sites or in existing buildings or facilities may have slopes and rises as shown in Table 2 if space limitations prohibit the use of a 1:12 slope or less.
| Slope* | Maximum Rise | Maximum Run |
|---|---|---|
| Steeper than 1:10 but no steeper than 1:8 | 3 in (75 mm) | 2 ft (0.6 m) |
| Steeper than 1:12 but no steeper than 1:10 | 6 in (150 mm) | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
Table Legend: * A slope steeper than 1:8 not allowed.
(b) Stairs. Full extension of stair handrails shall not be required in alterations where such extensions would be hazardous or impossible due to plan configuration. (c) Elevators (i) If a safety door edge is provided in existing automatic elevators, then the automatic door reopening devices may be omitted (see 4.10.6). (ii) Where existing shaft or structural elements prohibit strict compliance with 4.10.9, then the minimum floor area dimensions may be reduced by the minimum amount necessary, but in no case shall they be less than 48 in by 48 in (1220 mm by 1220 mm). (d) Doors (i) Where existing elements prohibit strict compliance with the clearance requirements of 4.13.5, a projection of 5/8 in (16 mm) maximum will be permitted for the latch side door stop. (ii) If existing thresholds measure 3/4 in (19 mm) high or less, and are beveled or modified to provide a beveled edge on each side, then they may be retained. (e) Toilet rooms. Where alterations to existing facilities make strict compliance with 4.22 and 4.23 structurally impracticable, the addition of one "unisex" toilet per floor containing one water closet complying with 4.16 and one lavatory complying with 4.19, located adjacent to existing toilet facilities, will be acceptable in lieu of making existing toilet facilities for each sex accessible.
EXCEPTION: In instances of alteration work where provision of a standard stall (Fig. 30(a)) is structurally impracticable or where plumbing code requirements prevent combining existing stalls to provide space, an alternate stall (Fig. 30(b)) may be provided in lieu of the standard stall. (f) Assembly areas (i) In alterations where it is structurally impracticable to disperse seating throughout the assembly area, seating may be located in collected areas as structurally feasible. Seating shall adjoin an accessible route that also serves as a means of emergency egress. (ii) In alterations where it is structurally impracticable to alter all performing areas to be on an accessible route, then at least one of each type shall be made accessible. (5) Housing: (Reserved).
(1) Applicability: (a) As a general rule, the accessibility provisions of part 4 shall be applied to "qualified" historic buildings and facilities. "Qualified" buildings or facilities are those buildings and facilities that are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or such properties designated as historic under a statute of the appropriate state or local government body. Comments of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation shall be obtained when required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470 and 36 CFR Part 800, before any alteration to a qualified historic building. (b) The Advisory Council shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether provisions required by part 4 for accessible routes (exterior and interior), ramps, entrances, toilets, parking, and displays and signage, would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility. (c) If the Advisory Council determines that any of the accessibility requirements for features listed in 4.1.7(1) would threaten or destroy the historic significance of a building or facility, then the special application provisions of 4.1.7(2) for that feature may be utilized. The special application provisions listed under 4.1.7(2) may only be utilized following a written determination by the Advisory Council that application of a requirement contained in part 4 would threaten or destroy the historic integrity of a qualified building or facility. (2) Historic Preservation: Minimum Requirements (a) At least one accessible route complying with 4.3 from a site access point to an accessible entrance shall be provided.
EXCEPTION: A ramp with a slope no greater than 1:6 for a run not to exceed 2 ft (610 mm) may be used as part of an accessible route at an entrance. (b) At least one accessible entrance which is used by the public complying with 4.14 shall be provided.
EXCEPTION: If it is determined that no entrance used by the public can comply with 4.14, then access at any entrance not used by the general public but open (unlocked) with directional signs at the primary entrance may be used. (c) If toilets are provided, then at least one toilet facility complying with 4.22 and 4.1.6 shall be provided along an accessible route that complies with 4.3. Such toilet facility may be "unisex" in design. (d) Accessible routes from an accessible entrance to all publicly used spaces on at least the level of the accessible entrance shall be provided. Access should be provided to all levels of a building or facility in compliance with 4.1 whenever practical. (e) Displays and written information, documents, etc, should be located where they can be seen by a seated person. Exhibits and signage displayed horizontally, e.g., books, should be no higher than 44 in (1120 mm) above the floor surface.
The minimum clear width for single wheelchair passage shall be 32 in (815 mm) at a point and 36 in (915 mm) continuously (see Fig. 1 and 24(e)).
The minimum width for two wheelchairs to pass is 60 in (1525 mm) (see Fig. 2).