Hospital Passenger Loading Zones

I have had some questions regarding loading zones.  So lets look at Section 209.2.1.

• 209.2.1 Passenger Loading Zones.  Passenger loading zones, except those required to comply with 209.2.2 and 209.2.3, shall provide at least one passenger loading zone complying with 503 in every continuous 100 linear feet (30m) of loading zone space, or fraction thereof.

So what is applicable here for hospitals? 

Section 209.2.2 is for bus loading zones and Section 209.2.3 is for on-street bus stops, but is not applicable here for hospitals.

The words "at least one" means there may be conditions where more than one accessible passenger loading zone will be required.  Section 209.2.1 does not say accessible, it is inferred as it is in the ADA and ABA Accessible Guidelines; Final Rule.  Section 209.2.1 says every continuous 100 linear feet; if the loading zone is over 100 feet, two accessible passengers loading zones would be required.  That would also hold true for each 100 linear feet; 450 linear feet would have 5 accessible passenger loading zones.  Really, where are these

 hospital accessible passenger loading zones?

A hospital is a very complicated facility with many entrances.  Each entrance is required to have an accessible passenger loading zone.  When there are two entrances that are designed to work together, one accessible passenger loading zone may work. 

Now for the real challenge: Where is an accessible passenger loading zone?  In architecture, we say design follows function.  I always look and see where people are being dropped-off, or picked-up.  That is the areas that is functioning as a loading zone and where an ADA accessible passenger loading zone is required. 

One thins is for sure, and that is hospitals will have more than one accessible passenger loading zone.

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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.