| New building on an existing campus site |
I am reviewing a new building that is being added to an historic campus. The question came up whether an accessible route is required from the new building to the public street?
Because this is a new construction (even though it is an existing site), per 4.3.2(1)
"At least one accessible route within the boundary of the site shall be provided from ....public sidewalk to the accessible building entrance they serve."
In this situation, an accessible was provided, but it was not a concrete walkway. The ground surface was grass. Is this acceptable or would they have to build a brand new sidewalk made of concrete?
As long as the slopes are acceptable, and the grass is kept neatly cut (no more than ¼" high), and as long as the changes between the grass and the concrete of the existing sidewalk in the Public Right of Way (P.R.O.W) did not exceed the 1/4" mentioned in 4.3.8 and Fig. 7, then TDLR and the Access Board agree that grass is a "stable" and "slip resistant" ground surface material.
So they did have an acceptable accessible route, even if it was not a traditional hardscape surface with striping.
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| Inspector's corner: Where to put a knee space? |
| The counter shown below provides a knee space at a counter. The same counter also has a sink. However the knee space is located in the wrong place. Section 4.24.3 specifies a knee space that is at least 27" high, 30" wide and 19" deep be provided under a sink (that is in a common area-not a work area). Therefore, this counter is not compliant.
If the counter was being used as an eating counter and had a fixed seat, then 4.32 Fixed or Built-in Seating and Tables (including counters), would require a knee space (per Fig. 45) where it is shown.
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