How Does One Design a Lecture Hall with a Sloped Floor to be Accessible?

The jurisdiction here is the ADA & ABA Accessibility Guidelines; Final Rule written by the Access Board and published on 07.23.04, with an effective date of 09.21.04.

Chapter 2 Scoping.
221 Assembly Areas.
221.2 Wheelchair Spaces.
221.2.3 Lines of Sight and Dispersion.
“Wheelchair spaces shall provide spectators with choices of seating locations and viewing angles available to all other spectators.”
221.2.3.1 Horizontal Dispersion.
“Wheelchair spaces shall be dispersed horizontally.”
221.2.3.2 Vertical Dispersion.
“Wheelchair spaces shall be dispersed vertically at varying distances from the screen, performance area, or playing field.”

In the opinion of ACCESS, the lines of sight dictate the design.  Divide the lecture hall into 4 equal grids both horizontally and vertically, making 16 equal grids; eliminate the 12 perimeter (yellow) grids, leaving 4 (orange) grids in the center.  Locate the accessible seating in the 4 orange grids and there will be compliance with Section 221.2.3.  Therefore, the design will require a cross aisle with an accessible route to that cross aisle, either from the back or the side.

 


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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.