accessibility in alberta - safety codes council · the code recognized barrier-free design as early...
TRANSCRIPT
Safety Codes Council #SCCon17
Samantha Proulx, C.E.T.
Accessibility Specialist,
and Building Code Consultant
Accessibility in Alberta
This presentation is protected by Canadian and
International Copyright laws.
Reproduction, distribution, display, and use of this
presentation without written permission of the
speaker is prohibited.
© Jensen Hughes, Inc. 2017
Copyright Materials
These slides are only meant to be cue points, which
are expounded upon verbally by the presenter and
are not meant to be comprehensive statements of
the literal application of the Code or Standards and
their interpretations.
It is advised to use the information learned today, in
conjunction with the applicable Codes and
Standards.
Disclaimer
How is each Province working towards making
Canada more accessible?
Accessibility design requirements of the 2014
Alberta Building Code (ABC),
Accessibility design as it relates to:• Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guideline
• Edmonton Checklist for Accessibility and Universal
Design in Architecture
• Calgary Access Design Standard
Today’s Discussion
At the end of this seminar, participants will be
able to:
1. Understand the principles behind Universal
Design,
2. Understand the intent of key barrier-free design
requirements outlined by the Alberta Building
Code (ABC), and
3. Immediately apply the requirements of Section
3.8. of the ABC and other Albertan Accessibility
Standards to their design projects.
Learning Objectives
ABC – Alberta Building Code
BF – Barrier-Free
BFPT – Barrier-Free Path of Travel
A.F.F. – Above Finished Floor Level
A, A1, A2, A3, A4 – Assembly Occupancies
B, B1, B2, B3 – Care and Treatment Facilities
C – Residential
D – Business and Personal Services
E – Mercantile
F1, F2, F3 – High, Medium, Low Hazard Industrial
Abbreviations
Recommendation BOX
2008 Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide
Edmonton Checklist for Accessibility and Universal Design in Architecture
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 117
Note / Recommended Best Practise
Brief History
7
Safety
Health
Fire and Structural Fire Protection
Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
Purpose of the Building Code
The Code recognized barrier-free design as early as
1985, and quite possibly earlier
Since than barrier-free design has been slowly evolving
to become more accessible not only for wheelchair users
but for individuals with varying abilities (sensory, vision,
physical, mental)
Accessibility + Alberta Building Code
First Edition: 1974
9th Edition: 2014
Statistics Canada
10
Canada’s Disability Statistics
Approx 15 % of Canada’s population reports having a disability
Albertan Disability Statistics
Approx. 13 % of Albertans report having a disability
Fact: By the early 2030’s Calgary’s population will consist of more
seniors than youth
Statistics Canada
What’s Alberta doing to help create a barrier-free built
environment?
12
Alberta
Has a partnership with the Barrier-Free Sub Council of the Safety Codes
Council
Developed a Barrier-Free Design Guide• improved interpretation of Section 3.8. of the Alberta Building Code (ABC)
Barrier-Free Design Guide, 2006 • Fourth Edition published July 2008
• Where accessibility items are prescribed beyond those outlined by the Code, such
items are considered recommendations not requirements.
• Recommendations must be reasonably accommodated for within government
facilities.
• 2017 Edition – Coming Soon
2016 Calgary Access Design Standards
Edmonton – Checklist for Accessibility and Universal Design in Architecture
Various Accessibility Committees • Calgary and Edmonton Accessibility Advisory Committees
• Premieres Council on Albertans with Disabilities
Everyone Belongs Outside: Alberta Parks Inclusion Plan 2014
Inclusion Alberta
Accessibility Plans For Alberta
What’s the rest of Canada doing?
14
Ontario
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Customer Service, Employment, Built Environment,
Transportation, and Information and Communications. Goal: To be an Accessible Province by 2025
British Columbia
Accessibility 2024 Legislated 10-year action plan to become more accessible:
• government, delivery services, internet, built environment, housing, transportation, income support, employment, customer experiences, and emergency preparedness
Accessibility in Other Provinces
Saskatchewan
The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act National Building Code Saskatchewan Human Rights Accessibility Guidelines
Manitoba
Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) Launched on December 05, 2013 Province to develop mandatory accessibility standards Customer Service, Employment, Built Environment, and
Transportation, Information and Communications.
Accessibility in Other Provinces
Nova Scotia
Currently, the Minister of Community Services’ Advisory Panel of Accessibility Legislation has begun the discussion on developing accessibility standards for their Province.
Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut, P.E.I, Newfoundland, New Brunswick
North West Territories Disability Committee • Accessibility Action Plan geared to improving
the built environment Yukon Disability Rights Committee Whitehorse Persons with Disabilities Advisory
Committee
Accessibility in Other Provinces
Canada
Canadians with Disabilities Act Goal: to increase the Countries inclusion and
promote equality by removing barriers serving federal jurisdiction.
Accessibility in Canada
The Seven Principles of Universal Design
“Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or
specialized design”
- Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide (Summarised Definition from The Disability Act 2005)
19
“The Design must be useful and marketable to
people with varying abilities.”
“The Design will accommodate a wide range of
individual preferences and abilities”
Everything in a building accessible to occupants should
be accessible to all users.
Design for universal inclusion NOT segregation.
Make the design appealing to everyone.
View a design from all heights, and perspectives.
Equitable Design and Flexible in Use
“Use of the design is easy to understand,
regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge,
language skills or current concentration level”
Balance and uniformity
Simplex NOT Complex
Maintain consistency throughout the building
Simple and Intuitive Use
“The design communicates necessary
information effectively to the user, regardless of
ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities”
Signage: Pictoral, Verbal, Tactile
Colour and tactile contrasting
Easy directional wayfinding
Perceptible Information
“The design minimizes hazards and the adverse
consequences of accidental or unintended
actions”
Avoid hazards (projections, lowered ceiling heights etc.)
Provide warnings where there may be a hazard
Tolerance for Error
“The design can be used efficiently and
comfortably with minimum fatigue”
Allow users to maintain their natural postures and neutral
body position.
Consider operational forces for all controls and
mechanisms.
Minimize sustained physical effort.
Low Physical Effort
“Appropriate size and space is provided for
approach, reach, manipulation and use
regardless of user’s body size, posture or
mobility”
Provide clear lines of sight (except where privacy may be of concern)
Consider reaching distances from the seated position or a shorter to
taller stature
Consider clear, level approach spaces where a device must be
functional
Size and Space for Approach and Use
Accessibility
(Barrier-Free Design)
Prescribed by 2014 Alberta
Building Code (ABC)
27
Fire and Life Safety
• Fire alarm systems with
audible and visual signal
devices (3.2.4.)
• Protection of barrier-free
paths of travel (3.3.1.7)
Barrier-Free Design (3.8.)
Barrier-Free Design
ABC
Fire and Life Safety
Fire Alarm System
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Visual signal devices must be installed in
addition to audible signal devices if a
building is equipped with a fire alarm
system.
• VISUAL– provides strobe like warning
signals for individuals who may be hard of
hearing or deaf
• AUDIBLE – provides sound wave
warning signals for individuals who
may be blind or have vision
impairments
Visual and Audible Signal Devices 3.2.4.20.
Protection of Floor Areas
3.3.1.7.
Section 3.8 provides guidance towards designing
barrier-free accessibility throughout a building.
Section 3.8 addresses the well-being and comfort
of persons with disabilities within a building.
Nowhere in Section 3.8 is the safety of the disabled
addressed in the event of a fire.
In the entirety of the Code, only Article 3.3.1.7.
addresses the provision of life safety, in the event
of a fire, to persons with disabilities.
Areas of Refuge3.3.1.7.
An area of refuge is a safe waiting
area in the event of a building
evacuation.
In the event of a fire, an area of
refuge provides a well known place
for fire fighters to help anyone
unable to use stairs or the elevator.
Areas of Refuge
Three acceptable approaches are given in the Code to provide adequate safety for persons with limited abilities within a floor area:
Sprinkler the building,
Provide a pressurized elevator,
Fire separate the floor area into two, 45 min/1 h fire rated, smoke-tight zones,
Provide balconies for residential occupancies
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 117:
Unless otherwise exempted, all buildings are required to have areas of refuge
whether or not they are sprinklered.
Barrier-Free Design (3.8)“Buildings required to be barrier-free must comply
with all requirements designed to assist persons
with physical, sensory and development
disabilities.”
– ABC Sentence 3.8.1.1.(2)
34
Barrier-Free Requirements DO NOT apply to …3.8.1.1.
Residential Homes:
• Single dwellings, townhomes, triplexes, boarding houses
• Except for those used for social programs (i.e. group homes,
halfway houses)
Re-locatable industrial accommodations
Group F, Division 1 major occupancies
• Except requirements pertaining to hearing sensory impairments
still apply
Areas Requiring a Barrier-Free Path of Travel3.8.2.1.(1) / 3.8.2.2.(1) / 3.8.1.2.(5)
A BFPT is required: From a barrier-free entrance to accessible parking,
From a barrier-free entrance to all normally occupied
floor areas, and
Between two connected buildings
Areas NOT required to be
Served by a Barrier-Free Path of
Travel
Storeys not more than 600 m², that are located above
or below the first storey of a two-storey building
(assuming those floors are not served by an
elevating device).
Areas NOT Requiring Barrier-Free Path of Travel3.8.2.1.(2)
To any storey above or below the first storey in a Group C residential occupancy that:
is three or fewer storeys in building height
has a building area not exceeding 600 m2,
is not served by a passenger elevating device.
Also:
Floor levels within a suite of residential occupancy that are not at the same level as the entry level to the suite, or
Within a suite of residential occupancy that is not required to be served by a barrier-free path of travel.
Areas NOT Requiring Barrier-Free Path of Travel
Areas NOT Requiring a Barrier-Free Path of Travel
Service rooms, elevator machine rooms, janitors
rooms,
Service spaces, crawl spaces, attic or roof spaces,
Mezzanines not served by an elevating device,
To assembly seating spaces that are not served by a
barrier-free path of travel,
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 93:
Mezzanines are required to be served by a barrier-free path of travel.
to portions of floor areas where the same amenities
and uses are provided on other BF levels within that
floor area
Areas NOT Requiring Barrier-Free Path of Travel
Entering A Building
“Entrances must be easily identified. Good
lighting is essential to their identification.”
– Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide
43
Entrances3.8.1.2.
Minimum Number of BF Entrances
Minimum Number of Pedestrian Entrances
Required to be BF
All occupancies (except F1) Not less than 50%
Assembly (A2),
Business (D), and
Mercantile (E)
Completely separate from
and without access to the
remainder of the building
Not less than 1
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
In new construction, the identified primary entrance of the building is required
to be barrier-free.
Service Dog Relieving Areas 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 79/80 Figure C.80
• Service dog relieving areas must be provided within 50 m of at least
one barrier-free entrance,
• Be at least 7.4 m2 capable of fitting a 3000 mm turning circle, and
• Be connected to the barrier-free path of travel.
Access to Parking
Accessibility begins once an individual
approaches the building, whether it be by foot, by
vehicle, or by transit.
46
A barrier-free entrance must provide a barrier-free path of
travel to:
an exterior parking lot,
at least one parking level in a parking structure, and
to every parking level in a parking structure if served by a
passenger elevating device.
Access to Parking Areas3.8.2.2.
Edmonton Checklist: Parking Areas
• Barrier-free path of travel from parking areas (to be located closest to the
accessible entrance), to be clear of snow, garbage cans and other
obstacles, and be well lit.
Where there is an exterior passenger loading zone:
the access aisle must be not less than 1500 mm wide by
6000 mm long
have a clearance height of not less than 2750 mm at the
vehicle pull-up space and along the vehicle access and
egress routes
Passenger Loading Zones 3.8.2.2.
Passenger Loading Zones 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Figure A.9/14
Passenger Loading Zones must be provided:
• Where it is not feasible to position barrier-free parking spaces within 50 m of
the barrier-free entrance(s), and
• Where Calgary Transit vehicles stop near a buildings barrier-free entrance.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) by the Municipal Government Act
Number of Parking Stalls 3.8.2.2.
Table 3.8.2.2.
Designated Parking Spaces
Number of Parking Stalls
Required
Number of Designated
Barrier-Free Stalls
2-10 1
11-25 2
26-50 3
51-100 4
101 + 1 for each additional
increment of 100 stalls
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
Additional barrier-free stalls should be considered, if the facility anticipates a
larger number of seniors, or persons with disabilities.
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 10:
Where staff and pedestrian parking lots are separate, barrier-free stalls should
be equally distributed.
Parking Stall Design 3.8.2.2.
Designing a Barrier-Free Path of Travel
52
Exterior: 1100 mm
Interior: 920 mm wide (except all main aisles must be 1100 mm wide)
Design of Barrier-Free Paths of Travel 3.8.1.3.
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
Two wheelchair users passing: 1500 mm
One wheelchair user and One Walker: 1200 mm
One Wheelchair user: 920 mm
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 18:
Exterior: 1500 mm
Interior: 1500 mm along a corridor used by the public having an occupant load
is more than 200 persons
Permitted to include ramps, passenger elevating devices to overcome
differences in level.
Design of Barrier-Free Paths of Travel 3.8.1.3.
Barrier-Free Paths of Travel – Plus 15 Bridges 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 82
Standards for Plus 15 Bridges MUST be barrier-free
Lane Links: 4500 mm wide min.
Elevators: Required to serve both Ground Level and Plus-15 Levels
Entrance Doors: Automatic Sliding or Swinging Doors
No openings to permit a sphere more than 13 mm,
Thresholds not more than 13 mm
Design of Barrier-Free Paths of Travel 3.8.1.3.
Lay-By Spaces 3.8.1.3.(4)
Where a BFPT is 30 m + in length, an unobstructed space
of 1500 mm by 1500 mm is required at 30 m intervals.
Overhead Obstruction3.3.1.9.(3)
Horizontal Projection3.3.1.9.(4)
A downward change in elevation must be signalled
by the use of a 600 mm wide tactile warning strip that:
is located 250 mm from the edge,
extends the full width of the
stair, escalator, moving walkway,
ramp or platform, and
is identified using
colour and brightness
contrast.
Ramps
62
Ramps3.8.3.4.
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
Ramps with a slope greater than 1:12 can be difficult for individuals to maneuver
along.
Recommendation:
Where possible slopes of ramps should be 1:15 to 1:20.
Controls
64
Controls (i.e., electrical switches, thermostats and
intercom switches, etc.) located in a BFPT must be:
accessible to a person in a wheelchair,
operable with one hand, and
mounted between 400 mm and 1200 mm a.f.f.
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
Outlets: 500 mm a.f.f.
Remainder of Controls: 800 mm to 1400 mm
(Anything beyond 1200 mm is NOT COMPLIANT with the ABC)
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard
Outlet: 600 mm a.f.f.
Pull Station: 1200 mm a.f.f. (Complies with CAN/ULC)
All other Controls: 1000 mm +/- 50 mm
Recommendation: provide power strip extensions to overcome having to reach
Doors and Doorways
66
Clear Width / Threshold / Opening Force 3.8.3.3.
Minimum Clear Width: 850 mm
Edmonton Checklist: Suggests 920 mm wide entrance doors
Threshold: 13 mm max.
Force Operation: Interior 22 N, Exterior 38 N
Door Hardware 3.8.3.3.
NO YES
Operable Devices: No tight grasping or twisting of the wrist
(ie. Lever devices or “D” Pulls)
Latch-Side Clearance / Maneuvering Space3.8.3.3.
Latch-Side Clearance:
• Pull Side - 600 mm
• Push Side – 300 mm
Door Maneuvering Clearance:
• Pull Side – As wide as the door + 600 mm latch-side
• Push Side – As wide as the door + 300 mm latch-side
• Depth: Not less than the path of travel serving the door, but need not be more than 1500 mm deep.
Example Image of Door Clearances 3.8.3.3.
Vestibules 3.8.3.3.
Vestibule: 1200 mm between two doors in series
Power Door Operators 3.8.3.3.
Power door operators are required on BF entrances (including
both doors of a vestibule) serving:
A hotel, A B2 major occupancy (hospital, hospice etc.) An Assembly (A), Business (D), Care (B3), or Mercantile (E)
occupancy more than 500 m² in building area• Or if such occupancies are separated from and without access to the
remainder of the building, and have a suite area more than 500 m².
Doors not provided with
the required latch-side clearances.
Protection of Persons due to Door Opening 3.8.3.3.
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 94:
Where doorways open into a barrier-free path of travel they are required to be recessed.
Recommendation:
Where doorways open into a barrier-free path of travel, especially those equipped with a
power door operator, such doors should have cane-detectable guardrails or other barriers
installed at right angles to the wall containing the door to prevent “run-in” hazards.
Assembly Seating
74
Number of Designated Wheelchair SeatingTable 3.8.2.1.
Table 3.8.2.1.
Designated Wheelchair Spaces
Number of
Fixed Seats in
Seating Area
Minimum Number of
Spaces Designated
for Wheelchairs
2-100 2
101-200 3
201-300 4
301-400 5
401-500 6
501-900 7
901-1300 8
1301 - 1700 9
1701 + 10 + 1 additional
space for each
increment of 400
Design of Designated Wheelchair Seating3.8.3.6.
At least two wheel chair spaces must be located side by side. Each space having
an unobstructed level area that is:
900 mm wide and not less than
1 525 mm long for side approach
1 220 mm long for front or rear approach
Must be served by a BFPT without infringing on egress.
Must be designated as part of the seating plan to provide
a choice of viewing location and
a clear view of the event taking place.
Designate Wheelchair Spaces and Adaptable Seating
Assistive Listening Devices3.8.3.7.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD’s) are required in a building of assembly occupancy:
in rooms or suites with an area greater than 100 m²
to encompass the entire seating area, or
one half of the seating area if using an induction loop
Signage
(Wayfinding)
79
Accessibility Signs3.8.3.1.
International Symbol of Accessibility otherwise referred to as the International
Symbol of Access (ISA) are required to identify:
Barrier-free entrances, washrooms, showers, elevators, and parking spaces.
Tactile Signage:
Be not less than 60 mm high, raised 0.7 mm from the surface,
Not more than 1200 mm a.f.f.
Begin not more than 150 mm from the door or entrance,
Be colour contrasting to the surface to
which it is applied, and
Include Braille dots not less than
1 mm in relief, located directly below
the tactile sign. Edmonton Checklist:
• Signage would be white on blue background (high colour contrast),
• Use of symbols, braille and large print,
• Consistency in design and easy to identify,
• Signage lettering to be in Sans Serif (Verdana, Arial, Helvetica)
Washrooms REQUIRED
to be
Barrier-Free
81
Washrooms Required to be Barrier-Free
3.8.2.3.
All washrooms located in a barrier-free path of travel.
Where water closets are required by ABC Subsection 3.7.2., at least one barrier-free water closet is required to provided in the entrance storey, unless:
a bfpt is provided to barrier-free water closets elsewhere in the building, or
the water closets required by 3.7.2., are for dwelling units only.
Multi-stall washrooms must include 1 barrier-free stall for every 10 stalls (this includes multi-stall washrooms used for temporary events)
Washrooms NOT Required to be Barrier-Free 3.8.2.3.
Washrooms are not required to be BF provided:
they are located within residential suites or care suites,
not designed as accessible suites under 3.8.4.1.(1),
they are located in an individual suite less than 500 m²,
and there is another barrier-free washroom located within
45 m.
Washroom Renovations
3.8.2.3.(4)
Where renovations are made to an existing building,
universal toilet rooms are permitted to be constructed in lieu
of provided in lieu of updating, renovating, or constructing
additional multi-stall washrooms.
Barrier-Free
Washroom Design
85
Water Closet Stalls3.8.3.8.
A BF water closet stall must:
have a clear turning space at least 1500 mm in diameter,
be equipped with a door that:
has a clear opening of 800 mm, or
swings outward, unless sufficient space is provided to permit
the door to be closed without interfering with the wheelchair
have a door pull on both sides,
be aligned with a clear transfer space
capable of having the latch required by Subclause (i) released
from the outside in case of an emergency
Water Closet Stalls3.8.3.8.
Grab Bars
horizontal grab bar, and a
rear grab-bar (if no tank).
Water Closet
seat must be located between 400 mm and 460 mm a.f.f.
be situated with its centre line 460 mm to 480 mm from an adjacent side wall,
hand-operated flushing controls or be automatically operable,
have a seat lid or other back support, and
have no spring-actuated seat.
Water Closet Stalls3.8.3.8.
Urinals3.8.3.10.
Wall mounted
Floor mounted
Clear Approach
Space: 800 mm
wide
Grab Bars: Both
Sides
Lavatories
3.8.3.11.
Recommendations:
ABC – “soap and hand towel dispenser to be located
close to the lavatory”
approximately 600 mm measured horizontally from
the front edge of the lavatory
Wheelchair users should not have to touch their
wheels to lather, or dry their hands.
Universal Washrooms3.8.3.12.
All universal washrooms must be designed in
accordance with ABC Article 3.8.3.12., which includes
the following major items:
1500 mm turning circle
No internal dimension less than 1700 mm
875 mm wide transfer space
Lavatory conforming to 3.8.3.11.,
Water closet conforming to 3.8.3.9., however, located not
less than 285 mm and more than 305 mm from an adjacent
side wall
Universal Washrooms3.8.3.12.
Amenities
(ie. Counters, Telephones,
Drinking Fountains)
93
Counters3.8.3.14.
Every counter more than 2 m long, at which the public is served must have an accessible portion not less than 760 mm long centred over a knee space
Counter height: 865 mm max. Knee Space: Width: 760 mm min.
High: 685 mm min. Depth: 485 mm min.
A counter used in a Cafeteria design, or where movement takes place parallel to a counter, such counter would not require a knee space.
Shelves or Counters for Telephones3.8.3.15.
Where built-in shelves or counters are provided for the public, such shelves or
counters are required to be barrier-free.
At least one telephone with a built-in telecommunication device is required to
be provided where public telephones are installed.
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
A telephone that is barrier-free must be served by a clear unobstructed front approach space
of 1500 mm by 1500 mm.
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 176:
Where pay telephones are installed, at least one is required to be accessible to people in
wheelchairs and have variable volume control.
Drinking Fountains3.8.3.16.
If drinking fountains are provided, at least one is required to be barrier-free.
Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide:
Varying heights of fountains serve a greater number of individuals with varying abilities.
2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 152:
In each location where a drinking fountain is provided, one fountain spout is required to be
located between 750 mm and 915 mm a.f.f.
Barrier-Free
Residential Suites
97
Government Funded ONLY projects
Buildings with 10 + dwelling units require 1 adaptable
dwelling unit for every 10 dwelling units (based on the total
number of units)
Adaptable Unit to be served by a barrier-free path of travel
and have it extend into and throughout the unit.
Kitchens, washrooms, entry ways, laundry rooms, etc. to
incorporate a 1500 mm turning circle
Bathrooms to conform to Articles 3.8.3.8. to 3.8.3.11.,
Showers and bathtubs to conform to select requirements
outlined in Articles 3.8.3.13./17.
Kitchens to provide accessible countertop portion and
lowered kitchen sink and cooktop with accessible knee
clearances beneath, and accessible overhead cabinets.
Adaptable Dwelling Units New Subsection 3.8.4.
Presented by: Samantha Proulx, C.E.T.
Accessibility Specialist
1
For more information visit:
www.jensenhughes.com
Questions? Comments? Contacts.