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‘Multi-Family Residential’ Category

Bathrooms in Residential Dwelling Units – What Needs To Be Done?

Posted on January 3rd, 2024

Explore guidelines for designing accessible bathrooms in public dwelling units, with focus on fixture requirements, mobility, and adaptability.

The Elderly – Toilets & Grab Bars – Some Thoughts

Posted on September 12th, 2022

The requirements in the ADA Standards apply to toilets and grab bars used by people for independent use and include medical and long-term care facilities. But in housing that supports seniors such as in nursing facilities and assisted living residential communities, there is also the necessity to provide for assisted-use for toileting needs.

Handrails with Crash Rails and Bumper Guards

Posted on August 16th, 2022

What are crash rails and bumper guards and what is the difference? What are the exceptions under the ADA Standards 505.6 for gripping surfaces on handrails?

senior housing in california

Senior Housing in California

Posted on April 22nd, 2022

As the Silver Tsunami increases with the aging of the baby boomer generation we will see more and more senior housing. In California with the Unruh Civil Rights Act, Section 51.2 thru 51.4 there are specific stipulations of what to provide for senior housing. Section 51.3.5 has specific requirements for senior living in intergenerational housing as well.

manufactured bathtubs

Manufactured Tubs & Showers with Integral Surrounding Walls – What Do You Need to Know About Their Grab Bars?

Posted on November 11th, 2021

An item that has come up a number of times is tubs and showers that come with integral manufactured surrounding walls that do not necessarily meet the ADA requirements for grab bars even though the manufacturer states they do. It is important that grab bar blocking and its attachments be engineered to meet the vertical and horizontal force of 250 lbs. This is an important element that should not be left to rule of thumb and should be carefully engineered and tested to meet the exact regulation and code requirements.

Countertop Requirements for Accessible Kitchens Under ADA

Posted on April 5th, 2021

Counters come in many varieties from transaction to service to work surfaces just to name a few. We will look closer at kitchen countertops located in dwelling units, employee lounges, and common-use spaces.

The Kitchen Sink – or everything you ever wanted to know about faucets

The Kitchen Sink – or everything you ever wanted to know about faucets

Posted on June 8th, 2020

What do you need to provide for an accessible sink? One of the more difficult issues about making a kitchen sink accessible is reaching the faucet controls.

Grab bars stepping thru accessibility

Blocking for Grab Bars – What is There to Know?

Posted on April 8th, 2020

Recently something has come to my attention, namely what are the requirements for blocking for grab bars? When I review drawings I typically see the bar location specified and then a graphic rectangle to show diagrammatically the extent of the backing. But I have rarely seen the size of the actual blocking or its specific location and attachment.

Parking for Multi-Family Housing with Public Funding or Public Programs

Parking for Multi-Family Housing with Public Funding or Public Programs

Posted on September 13th, 2019

Parking for multi-family housing can be one of the more perplexing items for scoping. The easy part is, if you have one space per unit, then you need one accessible parking space per mobility feature dwelling unit which should be located as close as feasible to each of the mobility units. But how to determine the requirements in other situations is not laid out as clearly. 

what makes a closet accessible?

Closet Space – What Is Required for Access?

Posted on April 9th, 2019

Closet space, whether common shared storage for employees, or within mobility feature guest rooms in hotels, student housing, or public dwelling units, needs to be accessible under the ADA.