Volume V  Number 2  February 2010
ADAAG, TAS, Title 24, ANSI, FHA,UFAS....So many codes, so little time!  What happens if your project falls in a jurisdiction that requires not only the ADA requirements but their own accessibility standard?  What happens if they differ?  How should you design?  Regulatory agencies recommend that you should select the most stringent.  Here are some examples of the differences between the codes, but remember to always check what jurisdiction you are working under to see what code needs to be utilized:
Water Closet Layout
 
The ADAAG has figure 28 which shows you the three layouts you can use for a water closet not located in a stall. 
 
fig 28 .
 
Depending on the direction of travel this Figure guides you in the amount of clear floor space required at the water closet and the location of an adjacent lavatory.
 
ANSI, on the other hand, only has one way that they allow it. Figure 604.3. This figure describes not only the clear floor space required, but also that a fixture may not overlap the space.
 

ANSI 604.3

 When designing in a municipality that requires the use of IBC and ANSI, make sure you don't design per ADAAG, or you would miss this one.
Grab Bars
ADAAG, TAS and ANSI requires that a 36" long min. grab bar be used in the rear of the water closet.
 
 
fig. 29
 
ANSI and Fair Housing Act will allow a 24" long grab bar in certain situations. ANSI has an exception where a 24" grab bar is allowed if there is not enough room for a 36" long bar.  And Fair Housing will allow it in the accessible units to have a 24" rear grab bar . 
 
fha grab bar 
But unless you are strictly dealing with ANSI, in a non-residential restroom, the rear grab bar must be 36" min.
 
In This Issue
Water Closet Layout
Grab Bars
Inspector's Corner: Parking
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Inspector's Corner: Parking
The ADAAG requires that parking spaces be provided, but it does not require one access aisle per parking space.  So ganging together of parking spaces is acceptable.  
 

gang parking

 
However, the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) states that
 
(5) Accessible routes shall be located so that users are not required to wheel or walk behind parked vehicles (except the one they operate or in which they are a passenger) or in traffic lanes. 

This rule would require an access aisle between every parking space (access aisles can be shared by two parking spaces), and an accessible route in front of the spaces connected to the access aisle.  This would be the more stringent rule. 

tas parking 
We are proud to announce that we have been asked by John Wiley & Sons to compile a book to explain the 2004 ADAAG.  It is called "The ADA Companion Guide" and will be released in April 2010.  
 
For our Abadi Accessibility News subscribers, we are offering the book at 20% off the list price.  Please visit our website to purchase your discounted copy today.

book cover

If you have any questions about these or any other topics, please feel free to contact me anytime.
 
Sincerely,
 
Marcela Abadi Rhoads, RAS #240
Abadi Accessibility
214. 403.8714