ACCESS

Yes, I know the condominium elevators and exit stairways are common areas and need to be ADA compliant.  Let's take the stairway first.

The width of the stairway is now a building code issue, in that the new ADA Guidelines defers to building code, Chapter 10 on Means of Egress.  The width is a gray area in the opinion of ACCESS.  We think it should be a minimum of 48" measured between handrails, found in the original ADA Guidelines.  We see the usual door clearance issues and when there is a vestibule, the clearances found in ICC/ANSI A117.1 are more stringent than those found in the ADA Guidelines.  It is not unusual to find something not compliant with the handrails.

Now, more fun with the elevators.  Here we have more requirements in building code and they seem to be changing as technology changes.  The International Building Code (IBC) is on a three year cycle where a new IBC comes out every three years.  So, every three years we review the IBC for any changes as they may apply to the ADA.  Some of the common ADA issues are the emergency telephone, controls above 48" off the finish floor, the door reopening time, signage, cab size, emergency elevator with stand by power supply, etc.  One of the more interesting is the railing in the elevator cab.  Some think this railing is exempt from ADA compliance, I do not.  Call it whatever you want, but we say it is a handrail and functions like a handrail.  We use Section 505 Handrails for our ADA compliance opinion. 

Give us your questions or thoughts on the above article.  You can post them here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730.  You can also reach us at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575.  We look forward to hearing from you.

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.