A practical key to the ADA

By Mark Hafen, AIA, Gates Hafen Cochrane Architects PC, Boulder, Colo.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) made discrimination based on physical disability illegal. The law was originally designed to eliminate employment discrimination, but it applies to public access as well. Any new facility, addition, or significant remodel built after Jan. 26, 1992, must conform to the ADA. The act specifies that second-floor offices, apartments, and conference rooms be accessible as well. While the following isn't an exhaustive list of ADA requirements, it does offer common compliance guidelines that can help prevent a lawsuit.

Paper-towel holders, vending machines, and other wall-mounted items must be no higher than 48 inches above the floor and shouldn't protrude into the traffic flow.

Entrances, exits, and hallways throughout the building must have a 36-inch-wide path.

Disabled parking spaces must be 12 feet wide with an adjoining "curb cut" ramp with a 1-in-12 maximum slope.

Fire, smoke, and other emergency alarms must be both visible and audible.

Carpets must have a firm pad, and the pile should be no thicker than half an inch.

The spout of mounted drinking fountains must be mounted at a 36-inch height.

All doors must be 36 inches wide and equipped with a lever handle. There should be enough room to maneuver a wheelchair while reaching the latch and opening or closing the door easily.

Stairway handrails must extend 12 inches beyond the top stair tread and 12 inches plus the tread width beyond the bottom step on at least one side. Handrails must be 1 1/2 inches in diameter, 34 inches to 38 inches high above the nosings, and mounted 1 1/2 inches from the wall. The ends of the handrails must return to the wall.

Public phones must be mounted no higher than 48 inches with a 30-by-48-inch front clear space; the phones must also include volume controls.

Part of the reception counter must be a maximum of 36 inches high.

Sinks, toilets, and doors in an accessible bathroom must be free of obstructions in a 60-inch circle. Thirty-six-inch-high grab bars must be mounted on the walls to the side of and behind the toilet.

Accessible sinks must be no higher than 34 inches with 27 inches clear beneath them and 19 inches minimum depth to the wall. Mirrors should be a maximum of 40 inches above the floor.

Shower stalls must be a minimum of 36 inches square without front lips and with grab bars on two sides. You must supply hand-held shower heads and provide a 60-inch obstruction-free circle in front.

Sidewalks must be 36 inches wide with a maximum 1-in-20 slope. Ramps can have a 1-in-12 slope as long as the maximum rise in a single run is 30 inches. Handrails must be installed.

Signs must be mounted on the latch side of doors, no higher than 60 inches above the floor. The letters must be raised 1/32 inch and upper case, 5/8 to 2 inches high. Type must be sans serif or simple serif type and Grade 2 Braille.

Although the ADA is a federal law, states, cities, and counties have taken it upon themselves to enforce construction requirements. Conformance for remodeling projects often depends on local requirements. In some instances, you may be able to appeal the local requirements to a state accessibility board. The regulations are interpreted differently depending on the jurisdiction, so contact your architect or local building inspector to make sure your building or remodeling project meets the ADA requirements.

July 1996 Veterinary Economics