Welcome to the newest post in our blog series, Top 20 ADA Compliance Issues Seen in Truckstops and Travel Plazas. Join guest post by contributor Brad Gaskins, The McIntosh Group on the second Friday of every month for his monthly column.
/// Guest post by contributor Brad Gaskins, The McIntosh Group
Are the entry door thresholds at your truck stops and travel plazas ADA compliant? This post will give you information to determine the answer to this question. Thresholds that are too high at front entry doors are one of the top 20 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues we see in truckstops and travel plazas.
We’ll start at the beginning in section 302 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. It states that all floor surfaces should be stable, firm and slip resistant. This applies to thresholds.
Moving onto section 303, the Standards discuss requirements for changes in level. Changes in level between 1/4 inch high minimum and 1/2 inch high maximum should be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.
This brings us to the section of the Standards that specifically covers thresholds, 404.2.5. Thresholds, if provided at doorways, should be a maximum height of 1/2 inch. Any changes in level of 1/2 inch are permitted to be 1/4 inch vertical plus 1/4 inch beveled 1:2. The 2010 Standards state that changes in level greater than 1/2 inch high are considered to be ramps, and should comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps) which we covered in last month’s post.
An exception is made for existing or altered thresholds in buildings built prior to January 2, 1993, which must comply with the 1991 Standards. Existing or altered thresholds that are a maximum height of 3/4 inch that have a beveled edge on each side with a slope not steeper than 1:2 are not required to comply with 404.2.5.
Below are diagrams that illustrate threshold requirements. I have also included example photos of incorrect and correct thresholds we’ve seen while conducting our accessibility surveys. The tool used in the photos is The McIntosh Group’s SmartGadget. We designed the tool for use by our surveyors to measure items for ADA compliance. The tool is available at www.tmgada.com.
/// Read more Top 20 ADA Compliance Issues Seen in Truckstops and Travel Plazas posts here.
Photo Credit: The McIntosh Group
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Editor's note: Gaskins was a Human Library expert at The NATSO Show. The NATSO Show 2014 will be January 25-29 in Nashville, TN. Learn more about The NATSO Show 2014 here. - AT |
{Guest Post} Guest post provided by NATSO Allied member Brad Gaskins, The McIntosh Group. The McIntosh Group is an architecture firm focused on providing accessibility solutions for clients nationwide. Learn more about The McIntosh Group.
The opinions and advice given by guest post contributors are not necessarily those of NATSO Inc. The posts should not be considered legal advice. Qualified professionals should be sought regarding advice and questions specific to your circumstances.
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