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On this page,
E&A would like to offer accessibility recommendations that we have learned from
our years of experience in plan reviews, construction observation, surveys and
litigative consulting.
Drawing Tips for Compliant Drawings & Construction
 As E&A reviews more and more construction documents, and surveys
completed projects, we observe a wide range of quality in construction
documents. Besides knowing the requirements of all the accessibility regulations
– Code, ADA, FHA, ANSI, and State statutes – it is important the architect
document them in a way that the building will get constructed properly. Good
documentation will serve a second important need of leaving a paper trail that
can be used to reduce potential future compliance issues. Here are a few tips:
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Specify Less
than Maximum Allowable Slopes - Accessible routes should be designed by
architects and detailed by civil engineers to be less than maximum allowable.
For example, specify maximum 4.5% running slope, not the maximum 5%.
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 Specify
maximum 7.8 or 8% for ramps, wherever possible. This gives some
headroom for construction deviations, which will occur. Cross slope MUST
be maintained at 2% (1/4" per foot) maximum.
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Door
Maneuvering Space at Public / Common Use Areas - An 18” minimum pull side
dimension should be provided at any interesting wall condition. Also at
common use areas, provide 12” push side where there is a latch and closer.
This often gets built incorrectly in the field.
Civil engineers need to specify maximum 2% door maneuvering space slope at
exterior walks and patios, and show dimensions 60” perpendicular to the door.
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| Provide An
Analysis Trail – Show the accessibility requirements on your Cover Sheet
and Notes Sheet. It is often not clear what standards the architect used , and what
alternative methods of complying were chosen as the design basis. Especially for
multi-unit housing, show specifically which units are required to be FHA compliant, which
meet more stringent Code requirements, etc. Accessible parking is another essential
analysis area. The notes will serve both as a double check that you are, in fact,
accurately following the respective standards. It will also make it clearer to contractors
how various units are to be built differently.
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| Note Critical
Accessibility Dimensions – There are certain key dimensions in the ADA,
Code and FHA that if not held exactly, the item will not comply. Even if the size of a
room is designed to accommodate accessibility, if a small dimensional change were to occur
in the field, the contractor might not know that he may be compromising a requirement. One
solution we have been recommending is to put a special symbol next to any accessibility
critical dimension.
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| Be Sure Product Specifications Don‘t Compromise Compliant Drawings – One very common issue is that actual refrigerators and plumbing fixtures are
sized differently from those shown as compliant on the drawings. This can easily, and
unwittingly, compromise FHA maneuvering space requirements in kitchens and bathroom.
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| Shop Drawings Can Compromise Compliance
- Sometimes when submittals are reviewed, the focus is on product details,
rather than whether the proposed changes compromise overall kitchen and
bathroom layouts. Architects need to review them with a strong eye on
FHA and Code compliance. |
Architects
- Add an Accessibility
Design Review (plan Review)
Into Your Project Budget
Reduce the Owner's
and your liability, expand your services, and provide universal design for your next
project by contractually budgeting Accessibility Design Review Services into your project.
A cost effective review during preliminary design phases can prevent costly
mistakes. Accessibility is a specialty like many others in our profession. It
might surprise you how many new buildings do not fully comply with ADA and State
Barrier-Free Codes. Let us demonstrate how we can support your design efforts as
part of your team.
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ADA - FHA Compliance
