September 2011 Abadi Accessibility News: ANSI vs. ADAAG

Volume VI Number 9 September 2011

The 2010 ADA Standards are almost identical to the 2003 ANSI A117.1, but not quite. The main difference is that ANSI is part of the model code and will continue to change as the building code changes. The ADA is a civil rights law which gives us guidelines on how not to discriminate against the disabled community. Below are some examples of how the Title III of the ADA is different from the ANSI building accessibility standards.

Doors in Series

Section 404 in both the ADAAG and the ANSI discusses doors and manuevering clearances. But ANSI is more stringent when it comes to doors in series. These type of doors are the one's that are more typically found in vestibules and are such that you open one and have to go through the next one to enter the space.

The ADAAG has figure 404.2.6. which shows you a requirment to have the manuevering clearance at the door plus 48" distance between door swings or between walls, depending on the door swing.

ADA door in series

ANSI has a different requirement, where the vestibule itself must have a 60" turning diameter within.

ANSI door in series

Grab bars

The ADAAG has a requirement for the side grab bar at restrooms, shown in figure 604.5.1 which states that the side grab bar should be horizontal and 42" long min and an overall distance from the back wall of 54".

side gb

ANSI requires the same from the side grab bar, but it also requires a vertical grab bar that is 18" min and mounted between 39"-41" away from the back wall and 39"-41" a.f.f.

side gb-ansi

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For Texas only

ANSI and ADA are not the only guidelines that differ. Most States have their own standards that differ from the ADAAG. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued two new technical memoranda: one revises the curb ramp TM 08-01 and a new one TM11-01 discusses requirements for electric vehicle charging stations. These memos only apply to the Texas Accessibility Standards that were published and in place since 1994.

The curb ramp memo explains and modifies their ruling on parallel curb ramps and where the detectable warning occurr. The new memo allows the landing to not have the detectable warnings, but rather they need to be on the ramps themselves, unless they are in the public right of way and exit onto a vehicular way.

The 2010 ADA Standards no longer requires detectable warnings at curb ramps. They do, however, allow for parallel curb ramps because flared sides at every curb ramp is not required.

What's next....

Remember that March 15, 2011 is when the new Standards became effective in the Federal level. They will be mandatory on March 15, 2012. And each State will adopt it or not at their discretion.

TDLR posted a draft of the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards. It is open for public comment at their website.

The US Access Board posted Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way

If you want to learn more about the new Standards, The ADA Companion Guide has the 2004 Guidelines with commentary and explanations throughout.

Upcoming CEU opportunities:

September 14th Dallas AIA Procrastinator's day. 2 p.m. 1 hr of Barrier Free HSW class

Online course by the AIA National : The ADA and Urban Regeneration (as presented in the 2011 National convention)

If you have any questions about these or any other topics, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Marcela Abadi Rhoads, RAS #240
Abadi Accessibility

214. 403.8714

marhoads@abadiaccess.com