Blog
‘Vertical Access’ Category
Parking Structures and Access
A question has come up about accessible parking and dispersement within parking structures. Standard accessible and van accessible spaces can be looked at a bit differently within a structure. Under the ADA Standards, the height clearance for van accessible spaces is to be 98″ minimum clear for the full vehicular route to and from the space, which includes both the space and its access aisle. The California Building Code (CBC) requires this height clearance for both standard and van accessible spaces, except in existing parking structures.
Lifts vs Elevators – Pros and Cons
The question has come up several times of why and where one would use a wheelchair lift versus an elevator and what would be the advantage of one over the other, presuming there is a choice.
Pool Lifts – How to get in, out, up, and down
Pool lifts have very specific requirements which many times have been overlooked – from the mechanism itself to the level clear floor space adjacent to the water edge. Lifts are typically required for both pools and spas, although there are other alternative means of entry into the water that are also acceptable. This requirement first became mandatory on March 15, 2012 but an extension was provided until January 31, 2013 for existing pools. What was cause for great confusion at the time was the difference between the industry language of portable lift versus fixed and the ADA requirements. Basically the ADA states that the lift has to be fixed – whether this means a portable lift that is fixed in place or a typical fixed lift – both appear to be acceptable as long as they meet the other lift requirements.
Elevators
You have an older two-story commercial building and the question is whether you are required to install an elevator. The answer to this, of course, is it depends. If your building has less than 3,000 SF per floor or is a 2-story building, generally an elevator is not required. But this is based upon what […]