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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13478h1141k, ORDINANCE NO. 13,478 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 12,649 KNOWN AS THE BUILDING CODE OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS; PROVID- ING FOR THE ADOPTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF STANDARDS FOR MAKING BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES ACCESSIBLE TO, AND USABLE BY, THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, SECTION 1. The Building Code of the City of Little Rock as adopted by Ordinance No. 12,649 is hereby amended by adding a new section which hereafter shall be known and referred to as "SECTION 517 - ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND /OR HANDICAPPED." SECTION 2. Section 517 of the Building Code of the City of Little Rock as adopted by Section 1 of this Ordinance, shall read as follows: Section 517. ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND /OR HANDICAPPED Section 517.1 Application The requirements of this section shall apply to all levels and areas of buildings and structures except as modified by Section 517.4(a), 517.4(b), 517.4(c) and to all occupancy classifications except Group H "Hazardous" and except single family structures of Group A "Residential." Section 517.2. Standards and Definitions (a) The provisions of this section may not adequately provide for every contingency relating to environmental barriers faced by handicapped individuals. In situations not contemplated by the provisions of this section, compliance with the standard "Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and Usable by, the Physically Handicapped ", American National Standards Institute A117.1 - 1961 (R 1971) shall be evidence of compliance with the intent of this section. (b) The term "accessible ", as used in this section, means minimally that: (1) Paths have been provided for the physically disabled and /or handicapped and which are unobstructed, and devoid of curbs, stairs, or other abrupt changes in elevation. (2) Ramps, where provided along such paths, are in compliance with the requirements of Section 517.3 and 1118. Ramps shall be constructed of non -slip material and shall be lighted with not less than five foot candles per square foot if ramps are avail- able or intended for use after dark. (3) Corridors included in such paths are of a width between walls not less than forty -four inches (44 "). (4) Doorways in such paths are of a width sufficient to provide a thirty -two inch (32 ") clear passage when any single closure leaf or any one of manually- operated multiple leaf closures is in fully opened position or when automatically- operated sliding closures are in fully opened position. - 2 - (5) Curb cuts connecting sidewalks or other paths of travel will be within the limits (either marked or unmarked) normally used as a crosswalk and will have tactile markings for identification by blind individuals, but in no case may a change in level exceed 1/2 ". Additionally, all sidewalks or pathways designed for public use will have a curb cut or equivalent inclined surface at its terminus or where the path crosses (or would cross if extended) streets, parking lots, drives or other sidewalks. Section 517.3. REQUIREMENTS (a) Access to Buildings (1) Accessibility to such buildings shall be provided from right -of -way and parking areas by means of a pathway lead- ing to at least one entrance generally used by the public. Such pathway shall have been cleared of non - structural related to construction activity, prior to the opening of the building to the general public. Where curbs exist along such pathway, as between a parking lot surface and a side- walk surface, inclined curb approaches or curb cuts having a gradient of not more than one foot (1') in twelve feet (12') and a width of not less than four feet (4') shall be provided for access by wheelchairs. The sidewalls of a curb cut shall not exceed an inclination ratio of 8:1. (2) A parking lot serving each such entrance pathway shall have a number of level parking spaces, as set forth in the follow- ing table, identified by above -grade signs as being reserved for physically handicapped persons. Each parking space so reserved shall be not less than twelve feet (12') in width. Such spaces shall be level or have a maximum slope of 2 %, (50:1 ratio) and marked with the International Symbol of Access. PARKING SPACES FOR HANDICAPPED Total Spaces in Lot up to 25 26 to 50 51 to 75 76 to 100 101 to 150 151 to 200 201 to 300 301 to 400 401 to 500 501 to 1000 over 1000 Required Number of Reserved Spaces 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2% of total 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 Parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall be located as close as possible to elevators, ramps, walkways and entrances. Parking spaces should be located so that physically handicapped persons are not compelled to wheel or walk behind parked cars to reach entrances, ramps, walkways and elevators. (3) All buildings that have their main floor level above or below ground level shall have at least one ramp at a public entrance to the building accessible and available for use by physically handicapped persons using wheelchairs, braces, crutches or other devices. Ramps for use by physically handicapped persons shall not have a slope greater than one (1) foot rise in twelve (12) feet, or eight and one -third (8.33%), or four (4) degrees fifty (50) minutes. Ramps shall have landings at the top and bottom. Top landing will be a minimum of 5' x 5' with 1 1/2' clearance on either side of a door that swings outward onto the landing. Bottom landing shall provide at least 6' of straight clearance uninterrupted by gratings, drain covers, or other change in level. - 3 - (4) Landings shall be provided at 20' intervals for a ramp over 20' in length. Each landing shall have a minimum length of five (5) feet except the bottom landing which shall have a length of six feet (6'). Ramps over 20' in length shall not exceed a slope ratio of 20:1 (5%). (5) Projections into the required ramp and landing width shall be limited to handrails (3 1/2" max.) and stringers (1 1/2" max.). Doors opening onto a ramp or landing shall not reduce the clear width to less than forty -two (42) inches. Where changes in elevations exist in exit access corridors, exits and exit discharges, ramps shall be used when the difference in elevation is less than twenty -one (21) inches. Handrails shall be provided on both sides of a ramp, shall be between 30" and 34" high and extend one (1) foot beyond top and bottom steps (except where the extension would in itself create a hazard). (6) All controls, emergency equipment, alarms, etc. shall be mounted no higher than 48 ". (7) All alarms shall be both visual and audible; visual alarms will be designed to raise the overall light level sharply and be visible from all public areas (such as library stacks, or individual reading rooms). (8) If the use of an exit is "controlled" by such devices as narrow checkout lanes, turnstiles, etc. there shall be at least one (1) lane of 32" clear opening path of exit which will be open and available for use whenever other controlled exits are available for use. "Express lanes" or other exits shall provide 32" clear width in addition to other controlled exits. (9) At least one main entrance door designed for use by the handicapped and equipped with door closer shall have kick - plates extending the width of the door of at least 12" width. This main entrance door shall be operable by single effort and opening pressure shall not exceed 8 lbs. pressure. (b) Access Within Buildings (1) Accessibility within buildings shall be provided utilizing at least one of the required means of egress at ground level, preferably an entrance generally used by the public, and shall include access provisions to each floor. Where provided, elevators shall be included in the access patterns. (2) Elevator entrances shall be identified as to each floor level by means of a plaque located five feet (5') above the floor on the right jamb of such entrances, bearing square -edged numerals at least one and one -half inches (1 1/2 ") high, raised at least twenty -five thousandths of an inch (0.025 ") and adjacent braille symbols. Elevator control panels shall bear identification of buttons by means of square -edged numerals or letters at least one -half inch (1/2 ") high, raised at least twenty -five thousandths of an inch (0.025 ") and bear adjacent braille symbols. Emergency telephone shall have a cord at least 24" long. Normal operating controls shall be no higher then 48 ". Heat sensitive elevator buttons are expressly prohibited. Braille or regular letter markings shall be included on closing surface of the right exterior door (as viewed from the inside of the car) at a height of 60" to identify the floor at which the elevator has stopped. - 4 - (3) Common facilities of Group A "Residential" Occupancies, provided for the use of all residents and their guests, such as pools, patios, sauna rooms, recreational build- ings, laundry rooms and similar areas shall be included in access patterns. (4) Rooms included in access patterns which do not have a depth of seven feet (7') or a turning space of four feet (4') by five (5') shall be equipped with outward- swinging doors if hinged door leaves are installed. Doors equipped with automatic door closers shall be operable by a single motion not exceeding 8 lbs. force. (5) In buildings equipped with water fountains, at least one such shall have a spout between 20" and 30" of the floor and shall be equipped with front - mounted hand and /or hand and foot operated control. When accessible fountains are located in alcoves, the alcoves shall be of a width not less than thirty -two inches (32 ") in width. (6) Where banks of public telephones are provided, at least one shall be so installed that the headset, dial and coin receiver are within forty inches (40 ") of the floor. Un- obstructed access to within twelve inches (12 ") of the telephone shall be provided. Such access shall be not less than thirty -two inches (32 ") in width. In banks of more than one telephone, 5% or not less than 1 shall be equipped with volume control and braille markings for instructions, emergency phone numbers, etc. When telephones are located within 75' of each other, at least one (1) shall meet the afore mentioned standards. (c) Restroom Facilities (1) In buildings equipped with restrooms for use by the public or by the general tenancy, at least one (1) restroom for males and one (1) for females on each floor shall be made accessible to and usable by the handicapped. Such restrooms shall be marked by the International Symbol of Access for the Handi- capped (white design on blue or black background). Where such restrooms are not visible from all public areas on the floor, the direction thereto shall be indicated by use of the same symbol and appropriate directional signs. (2) Any abrupt changes in floor level at doorways to restrooms shall be ramped, or have beveled threshold not exceeding 1/2 ". Where the entrance to the restroom is a vestibule containing privacy screens or a series of doors, there shall be un- obstructed space between screens or doors of not less than four feet (4') in width and five feet (5') in length. At least one urinal shall be either floor mounted or wall mounted with bowl height of 15" or less. Where parallel exterior and interior privacy doors are provided the space between these doors shall be at least 6 feet (6'). (3) Each such restroom shall be provided with at least one toilet stall approachable through an unobstructed passage forty -four inches (44 ") in width and with a space not less than five feet (5') square for 180 degree turns by wheelchairs. (4) Where mirrors, towel dispensers, and disposal units are provided, at least one of each shall be installed within forty inches (40 ") of the floor. (d) Seating Accommodations Places of assembly with fixed seating arrangements shall provide viewing positions for persons in wheelchairs in accordance with the following schedule: - 5 - Viewing positions for persons in wheelchairs shall be provided in a reasonable and convenient section or sections of the facility by one of the following methods: (1) By providing portable seats which can easily be removed; (2) By providing clear space devoid of any portable or fixed seating arrangement. These positions shall be so conveniently located as not to substantially interfere with egress from any row of seats, shall be reached by means of ramps and /or elevators, and shall not substantially infringe upon aisle requirements. There shall be no steps in the aisles or in the access route used by the physically handicapped to reach the viewing positions, but the aisles shall be inclined according to the provisions of Section 517.3 (a) 3. Section 517.4. EXCEPTIONS (a) The provisions of this section need not apply to maintenance and storage areas of buildings which are frequented only by employees and where the work within such areas cannot reasonably be performed by the handicapped unless such areas lie in the path of egress from areas normally used by the handicapped. (b) The provisions of this section need not apply to the floors above grade in buildings of Occupancy Classifications Group B "Business" or Group F "Storage ", where buildings do not exceed five thousand square feet (5,000 sq. ft.) in area per floor, do provide access- ibility at grade levels, and do not provide elevator service. (c) Buildings of Occupancy Classification Group A "Residential" are exempt from the provisions of this section only in the following respects: (1) Floors above grade, need not comply where the building height does not exceed three (3) stories; accessibility is provided at grade floor levels, and there is no elevator service. (2) Hallways within dwelling units which serve as a single room, may be less than forty -four inches (44 ") in width, but shall be not less than thirty -six inches (36 ") wide. (3) In residential complexes containing twenty (20) or more units, individual dwelling units of multi - family residential use other- wise covered by this code shall be exempt from all provisions of this section except that ten (10) percent of such units shall meet minimum space requirements such as door widths, widths of interior corridors, wheelchair turning space requirements, etc., and height requirements of built -in equipment and controls such as light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, etc. Such accessible dwelling units shall be located in various locations throughout the building so as not to tend to segregate disabled persons to a particular area, building, or price range or otherwise interfere with or prohibit reasonable freedom of choice of housing accommodations by handicapped persons. Number of Capacity of Assembly Spaces Viewing Positions up to 25 1 26 to 50 2 51 to 75 3 76 to 100 4 101 to 200 5 201 to 300 6 301 to 400 7 401 to 500 8 501 to 1000 2% of total over 1000 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1000 Viewing positions for persons in wheelchairs shall be provided in a reasonable and convenient section or sections of the facility by one of the following methods: (1) By providing portable seats which can easily be removed; (2) By providing clear space devoid of any portable or fixed seating arrangement. These positions shall be so conveniently located as not to substantially interfere with egress from any row of seats, shall be reached by means of ramps and /or elevators, and shall not substantially infringe upon aisle requirements. There shall be no steps in the aisles or in the access route used by the physically handicapped to reach the viewing positions, but the aisles shall be inclined according to the provisions of Section 517.3 (a) 3. Section 517.4. EXCEPTIONS (a) The provisions of this section need not apply to maintenance and storage areas of buildings which are frequented only by employees and where the work within such areas cannot reasonably be performed by the handicapped unless such areas lie in the path of egress from areas normally used by the handicapped. (b) The provisions of this section need not apply to the floors above grade in buildings of Occupancy Classifications Group B "Business" or Group F "Storage ", where buildings do not exceed five thousand square feet (5,000 sq. ft.) in area per floor, do provide access- ibility at grade levels, and do not provide elevator service. (c) Buildings of Occupancy Classification Group A "Residential" are exempt from the provisions of this section only in the following respects: (1) Floors above grade, need not comply where the building height does not exceed three (3) stories; accessibility is provided at grade floor levels, and there is no elevator service. (2) Hallways within dwelling units which serve as a single room, may be less than forty -four inches (44 ") in width, but shall be not less than thirty -six inches (36 ") wide. (3) In residential complexes containing twenty (20) or more units, individual dwelling units of multi - family residential use other- wise covered by this code shall be exempt from all provisions of this section except that ten (10) percent of such units shall meet minimum space requirements such as door widths, widths of interior corridors, wheelchair turning space requirements, etc., and height requirements of built -in equipment and controls such as light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, etc. Such accessible dwelling units shall be located in various locations throughout the building so as not to tend to segregate disabled persons to a particular area, building, or price range or otherwise interfere with or prohibit reasonable freedom of choice of housing accommodations by handicapped persons. / 74-. (4) In residential complexes containing less than twenty (20) units, individual dwelling units are exempt from all provisions of this section. Section 517.5 MANDATORY REVIEW At the end of the second year from the passage date of this ordinance, it shall be mandatory that a review of the effectiveness and implement- ation of the provisions of the ordinance be conducted. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect_- thirty (30) days from and after the passage and publication of this ordinance in accordance with law; and no ordinance or resolution or part of any ordinance or resolution shall be deemed repealed hereby except to the extent of any conflict herewith. SECTION 4. PENALTIES. The penalty for violation of any provisions of this ordinance shall be as established in Section 114 of the Building Code of the City of Little Rock. PASSED: August 1, 1978 ATTEST City Clerk APPROVED: Vice Mayor