Monday, October 24, 2011

Condominiums: Most Common Non-Compliant Condition?

We are still on condominiums, and the question is what do we see as the most common non-compliant condition? 

Well, it's the cross slope on sidewalks, and this is true on all buildings where there is site work or sidewalks.  We check every side wall panel in our audit process and anytime we find a reading on our smart level over 2.0%, we have a cross slope that is not in compliance.  Seldom do we see a pool or spa that is compliant (or even a steam room). 

Most vending machines are not complaint, because controls are above 48".  It would be very unusual not to find something not compliant in a restroom, but I would have to say they are certainly getting better from what we saw 20 years ago.  Some are just good housekeeping measures, such as being sure the landscape items do not protrude onto the sidewalk.

We use to see a lot of public telephones that were not compliant, but today we are seeing fewer public telephones, as everyone has their own cell phone.  Some condominium will have a social area that has a partial kitchen, and when we see that configuration, seldom is that area compliant.  Such as; sink, counter tops, serving areas, range, refrigerator, microwave, oven, etc.  I can tell you that seldom do we go on a building audit and see something that we have not seen before.

That's really why I enjoy getting out of the office and do building audits.  I always find a challenge or two in a building-audit.  From my experience about 95% of an audit is black and white.  There is 5% that I call the gray area and that is where I find the challenges.  Very seldom will I say "we do not know".  So, what we look for is similar conditions and use that as a basis of opinion regarding compliance with the ADA.

Let us know your thoughts, or if you have any questions about the above article.  You can post your comments here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730.  You can also contact us at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575.

Hank


The above are opinions of Hank Falstad, AIA, Managing Senior Associate of Access Technologies Services, Inc. (ACCESS).  See our web site for additional information:  www.accessts.net.

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