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Answers to the ADA Self-Test - ADA TIPS
The
short answer is that all of the answers to
the questions are false, except for questions 9, 11 and 15, which
are true.
Here is why:
- False. Owners of public
accommodations must make their facilities accessible to the extent that it is
"readily achievable". That is, able to be accomplished without great
expense of difficulty. This, unfortunately, is not a simple answer.
- False. A 1:2 beveled edge is required at
thresholds for swing doors between 1/4" and 1/2" high. Higher than
1/2", it requires a ramp, which must be a 1:12 slope (8.33%). For example, a
1" level change will require a 12" long ramp.
- False. In calculating the accessible stall
requirement, one of the six required stalls would be van accessible, not in addition to
six.
- False. The projecting, built-up asphalt curb
ramp projects into the side access aisle, which is supposed to be very level, 1:50
slope. Recessing a curb ramp into the walkway at the head of the stall is a
compliant solution. FYI, Requiring people to move behind the parked cars to get to a
walkway is not accessible.
- False. Interior doors require 5lbf.
force to open them. This is very little force. Exterior door force is not
stated, but rather "reserved" for future requirements. Compliance with UBC
building code would require 8.5 pounds force. The primary reason for this is that
wind force and positive air pressure in most buildings would prevent full door closure at
5lbf. force.
- False.
A 5'-0" pair of doors would
require a person to open both at once, which is very difficult for many disable
people. However, a good solution would be to provide a power assisted door opener
for both leaves, with a push button and timed opening period, which would enable both
doors to open and close at the same time. Power assisted doors are not required by
the ADA. There are other solutions to this situation as well.
- False. This toilet may have been compliant
in another era. Current accessible stalls are much wider, enabling easier, and
different ways to for user transfer to the toilet.
- False. Accessible parking stalls may share a
common access aisle. Van accessible stall access aisles are 8' wide. Standard
accessible stall access aisles are 5' wide. The stalls themselves are 8' wide.
- False. For existing public accommodation
buildings there is a specific, limited exemption as follows. " Elevators are
not required in places of public accommodation and commercial facilities that are less
than three stories or that have less than 3000 square feet per story unless the building
is a shopping center, a shopping mall, or professional office of a health care provider,
or other type of facility as determined by the Attorney General." - ADAAG 4.1.3
(5)(a) This exemption does not apply to buildings owned by public entities per ADA
Title II or Federal Buildings, for which the ADA does not apply.
- False. In addition to clearance and hardware,
there are other parameters for door approach. 18" clear is required on the pull
side of the door at the latch side. 12" clear is required on the push side of a
door where there is a latch set and door closer. Varying degrees of maneuvering
space is required, depending from which direction a door is approached. This is not
terribly simple to keep in your head. For your reference, we have attached the ADAAG Figure 25, Maneuvering Clearances at Doors.
- True. Except for curb ramps or
ramps with a rise of less than 6". A ramp has a slope between 1:20 (5%) and a
the maximum of 1:12 (8.33%). Compliant ramps have compliant handrails
on both sides, landings,
edge protection etc.
- False. This is a bit of a trick
question. An Architect designing a building is required to comply with all
applicable codes and regulations. A building department, from which a building
permit is obtained, does not typically check for compliance in detail. They may or
may not pick up some non-compliant items. Therefore, in the real world, buildings
do get built that are substantially compliant, but may not meet all requirements. We
consult to other design professionals, because ADA is a specialty area.
False.
Power
assisted door openers are excellent for accessibility, but not required. In fact,
the maximum door operating force for exterior doors is not specified, but is best
set at the 8.5 lbs. maximum per the UBC. Interior doors require 5 lbs. maximum
force. Power assisted door operators can also solve many sloped approach and narrow
door pair problems.
True.
ADAAG
does specify detectable warnings (raised truncated dome pattern) to assist the vision impaired
now that s temporary suspension of the requirement has been lifted, effective
July 26, 2001. (The
requirement at curb ramps had been suspended for a number of years until July 26, 2001 pending further study.)
Detectable warning are also required at railroad platform edges, for which they
were originally developed.
- True. Anyone with
"legal standing" can file a complaint with the Justice Department if they
believe there are barriers in public accommodations in your facility.
Per Standards Section 36.501, "Any person who is being subjected to
discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the Act or this part
or who has reasonable grounds for believing that such person is about to be
subjected to discrimination...may institute a civil action for preventative
relief..." The Attorney General may also file suit
following a compliance review if there is reasonable cause to believe there is
a pattern or practice of discrimination. We highly advise Owners to
have at least made a "good faith effort" at removing barriers. A Facility
Accessibility Survey is a good first step.
False. Not
necessarily. The push button also must require 5 lbs. force or less, and should also
be designed to stay on for a reasonable amount of time. This latter item may be
specified in the Building Code. The push button requirements would also apply to
push button toilet flush valves, which usually also have the issue of not being on the
wide side of the toilet stall.
False. The stated
dimensions are compliant only if there is a 48" landing at the top of the curb ramp.
If there is less, then the slope of the flared sides needs to be 1:12 (8.33%), the same as
the face. This enables a wheelchair user to turn in an arc on the ramp.
False. A built-up
curb ramp of 1:12 slope (8.33%) and 1:10 (10%) side flares is compliant , but not in all
situations. The projecting curb ramp is not allowed to project into the access aisle of an
accessible parking stall. It would have to be adjacent to it, effectively making a wider
access aisle. Access aisles are allowed a maximum 1:50 (2%) slope.
We hope you found these answers informative.
 
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ADA - FHA Compliance
