Building Codes and Barrier-Free Design 271
Accessibility Guidelines.
The site surrounding the facility should be surveyed during the review for handicapped accessibility and
pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and layout should be reviewed for unimpeded access to the en-
trance of the facility. Likewise, the accessibility of the parking area, including the adequacy of location,
dimensions, and identification of parking stalls, should be reviewed and recorded. Walkways should pro-
vide adequate access between various site areas and the building. These walkways should not be less
than 48 inches wide and should not have a slope in excess of 5 percent (1 foot, 0 inches rise in 20 feet,
0 inches).
Accessibility is achieved by addressing the requirements of the ADA and other applicable codes as
well as state and local regulations. There are essentially three accessibility documents that designers
and consultants most frequently use and should be familiar with:
- ANSI A117.1 was developed by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and is one of
the first accessibility guidelines to be used in the United States. The latest edition of ANSI
A117.1/ICC is the 1998 edition, which was developed jointly with the International Code Coun-
cil and the Access Board. This edition has been modified to be more in step with the ADAAG. - The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) was developed by the Ar-
chitectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB or Access Board) as a
guideline for ADA legislation. It was based on the 1986 ANSI A117.1, but after the incorporation
of additional requirements it became stricter than ANSI. The Access Board is responsible for
making revisions to the ADAAG and is currently working with the DOJ on updating the ADAAG. - The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) are based on the 1980 ANSI standard and
applies mostly to government buildings and organizations that accept federal funding. These
buildings are not currently required to conform to ADA regulations.
The ADA stipulates that new construction and alterations to existing facilities comply with the
ADAAG. For example, a new tenant space within an existing building is now considered by the ADA to
be new construction and must comply with the ADAAG. Rules of compliance for alterations and renova-
tions to existing buildings are sometimes complex, and under Title III of the ADA altered buildings must
be made accessible if that is readily achievable. When prevailing conditions prevent barrier removal, a
public accommodation has to make its services available through alternative means, such as relocating
activities to accessible locations.
Accessible Routes.
The ADAAG defines an accessible route as, “a continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible
elements and spaces in a building or facility.” This includes pathways, corridors, doorways, floors,
ramps, elevators, and clear floor space at fixtures. Designing safe and barrier-free accessible routes is
essential for people with disabilities, and enhancing their movement is critical to their wellbeing.
Adequate corridor width is essential to passage for someone with mobility or vision impairment. The
ADAAG puts great emphasis on the provisions for access and egress and clearly delineates the require-
ments for length, space, lighting, signage, and safety measures. Corridors, for example, should ideally
be a minimum of 42 inches (1065 mm) wide and not more than 75 feet (22.9 m) long. They should be
well lit with indirect lighting to prevent glare. Wall finishes should incorporate blends of contrasting col-
ors to increase visual acuity. Openings that form part of an accessible route should not be less than 32