|
|
|
|
|
|
| To err is human... July 2008 |
| Since 1994 when TAS was adopted as Texas accessibility standards, there have been mistakes found in the document. Since it takes an act of Congress (literally) to change TAS, then TDLR will inform us as they are discovered. Below are a few examples of some mistakes for you to note and correct in your TAS accessibility manual. |
| 4.2 Space Allowances Fig. 1, P. 23 |
|
Where Fig. 1 shows the 24" min depth dimension, it should really say 24" maximum depth if your opening is 32" wide.
|
|
 |
| Sign up to receive our E-news letter! |
|
|
|
| 4.21.3 Shower Stalls Fig 37, letter (a) |
 Letter (a) shows the height of the shower seat as 18" clear. The text which references that figure states "The seat shall be mounted 17" to 19" from the bottom of the shower floor..." |
| Section 9 Accessible Transient Lodging, Table 9 page 86 |
Both columns on the table say the word "elements" in reference to how many assistive listening devices are required in the transient lodging rooms. One column lists the "Number of Elements" and the other columns lists "Accessible Elements". The first column should say "Number of Rooms" so you can determine how many elements (i.e. assistive listening devices on telephones, doors etc.) you need to provide as a factor of the number of rooms provided.
FYI- an element is any architectural or mechanical componet ofa building, facility, space or site (e.g. telephone, curb ramp, door, drinking fountain, seating or water closet) |
| Inspector's corner: Equivalent Facilitation |
An inspector is allowed to make judgment calls on certain items that do not meet the exact standard word for word, as long as the design solution provided is equivalent or greater for accessibility. This is called "Equivalent Facilitation" which is similar to a variance but it does not require a fee and the inspector must file it on behalf of the Owner.
Some examples are 4.1.6(3)(c) Elevators in Alterations and 7.2 Sales and Service counters, teller windows, information counters where a different solution was installed.
This list left out Equivalent Facilitation for 9.3.2 Portable Visual Alarms and Communication Devices. Which allows the use of a portable visual alarm in lieu of a permanent one as long as it is available 24 hours a day.
An example of this is a room may not have a hard wired strobe on the door which let's a person with a hearing impairdness know of someone knocking, but a portable one may be provided by the hotel via an equivalent facilitation that the inspector will fill out for them. | |
|
|
If you have any questions on these or any other topics relating to accessibilty, feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Marcela Abadi Rhoads, RAS #240
Abadi Accessibility
214. 403.8714
|
|
|
