Your tour guide to better accessibility. The Accessibility Experts ADA Build it Right

Basis for some informal agreement (My opinion)

1. There is no consesus codified national agreement on ALL applications of detectable warnings.

2. Detectable Warnings ARE required at sloping and flat curb ramps at crossings on public roadways.

3. Detectable Warnings ARE required at unprotected rail transit platform edges bordering a drop-off.

Explicit Code References from Consensus Process (or Partial Consensus Process)

A consensus process is important so that input from various stakeholders can be considered. For instance, requirements for the blind may directly conflict with wheel chair users. Compromise is essential to achieve a reasonable balance between competing codes. It is critical to not make assumptions about the needs of other stakeholders without talking to them. You can only truly understand the difficulities and adaptations and compensating abilities of the person with a specific disability when you walk in their shoes.

I beleive it is risky for local municipalties and even states to make code revision decisions without the concensus process - they may not have the expertese to fully understand the consequences for all the stakeholders. Examples: Oregon Wheel Chair User parking permit.

Informal Visually Impared Stakeholder opinions:

I checked with a totally blind person about her need for detectable warnings. She saw no need for warnings either side of the garage door or between the sidewalk and the driveway (if the driveway sloped down from the sidewalk - she would notice the slope and turn back to the sidewalk). Two additional blind persons agreed. Others with shadow vision can detect the color variation between the sidewalk and driveway.

1. Washington State 2003 and 2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE:

ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003 appears to require detectable warnings at raised marked crossings (crosswalks) in paragraph 406.12.

2. ADAAG 1994:

3. ADA/ABA 2004:

4. US Access Board: Recommendations of the Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee to the U.S. Access Board, Final Report: Building a True Community. January 10, 2001

Implicit Code References

Implicit references are less defined and require individual value judgments of a small group of people. IVJs(individual value judgments) are difficult to debate since we all come at them from differing viewpoints. In general, there is no agency to mediate the judgements. In the case of the building codes, the individual building inspectors need to make these judgments to the best of their ability (and within the local policies or philosophy). The main mediator rests with the local CBO( Chief Building Official).

Now the actual detailed code references

Washington State 2003 and 2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

While there is no explicit code requirement for the additional detectable warnings, there is a general requirement in IBC 1102 implied in the definitions. The Washington Building code (IBC 2003) paragraph 1109.9 does not require detectable warnings except at curb ramps and rail transit platforms. The Washington Building code (IBC 2006) deferrs to the IBC itself for rail transit platforms only, effectively eliminating curb ramps. ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003 appears to require detectable warnings at raised marked crossings (crosswalks) in paragraph 406.12.

1. Washington State 2003 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE: (Reference http://www.sbcc.wa.gov/pages/precode.htm)

1109.9 Detectable warnings. Passenger transit platform edges bordering a drop-off and not protected by platform screens or guards shall have a detectable warning. Curb ramps shall have detectable warnings.
Exception: Detectable warnings are not required at bus stops.

(This entire paragraph was removed in the Washington State 2006 code).

ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003 (Still referenced in the 2006 IBC):

406.12 Detectable Warnings at Raised Marked Crossings. Marked crossings that are raised to the same level as the adjourning sidewalk shall be proceeded by a 24-inch (610 mm) deep detectable warning complying with Section 705, extending the full width of the marked crossing.

2. ADAAG 1994:

4.29 Detectable Warnings.

4.29.1 General. Detectable warnings required by 4.1 and 4.7 shall comply with 4.29.

4.29.2* Detectable Warnings on Walking Surfaces. Detectable warnings shall consist of raised truncated domes with a diameter of nominal 0.9 in (23 mm), a height of nominal 0.2 in (5 mm) and a center-to-center spacing of nominal 2.35 in (60 mm) and shall contrast visually with adjoining surfaces, either light-on-dark, or dark-on-light. Appendix Note

The material used to provide contrast shall be an integral part of the walking surface. Detectable warnings used on interior surfaces shall differ from adjoining walking surfaces in resiliency or sound-on-cane contact.

4.29.3 Detectable Warnings on Doors To Hazardous Areas. (Reserved).

4.29.4 Detectable Warnings at Stairs. (Reserved).

4.29.5 Detectable Warnings at Hazardous Vehicular Areas. If a walk crosses or adjoins a vehicular way, and the walking surfaces are not separated by curbs, railings, or other elements between the pedestrian areas and vehicular areas, the boundary between the areas shall be defined by a continuous detectable warning which is 36 in (915 mm) wide, complying with 4.29.2.
4.29.6 Detectable Warnings at Reflecting Pools. The edges of reflecting pools shall be protected by railings, walls, curbs, or detectable warnings complying with 4.29.2.

4.29.7 Standardization. (Reserved).

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4.1.3 Accessible Buildings: New Construction. Accessible buildings and facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(15) Detectable warnings shall be provided at locations as specified in 4.29.

4.7.6 Built-up Curb Ramps. Built-up curb ramps shall be located so that they do not project into vehicular traffic lanes (see Fig. 13).

4.7.7 Detectable Warnings. A curb ramp shall have a detectable warning complying with 4.29.2. The detectable warning shall extend the full width and depth of the curb ramp.

4.9.5 Detectable Warnings at Stairs. (Reserved).

10.3 Fixed Facilities and Stations.

10.3.1 New Construction. New stations in rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, intercity bus, intercity rail, high speed rail, and other fixed guideway systems (e.g., automated guideway transit, monorails, etc.) shall comply with the following provisions, as applicable:

(8) Platform edges bordering a drop-off and not protected by platform screens or guard rails shall have a detectable warning. Such detectable warnings shall comply with 4.29.2 and shall be 24 inches wide running the full length of the platform drop-off.

ADAAG 3.4 General Terminology.

comply with. Meet one or more specifications of these guidelines.

if, if ... then. Denotes a specification that applies only when the conditions described are present.

may. Denotes an option or alternative.

shall. Denotes a mandatory specification or requirement.

should. Denotes an advisory specification or recommendation.

ADAAG 3.5 Definitions. (Partial)

Accessible Route.
A continuous unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements and spaces of a building or facility. Interior accessible routes may include corridors, floors, ramps, elevators, lifts, and clear floor space at fixtures. Exterior accessible routes may include parking access aisles, curb ramps, crosswalks at vehicular ways, walks, ramps, and lifts.

Administrative Authority.
A governmental agency that adopts or enforces regulations and guidelines for the design, construction, or alteration of buildings and facilities.

Circulation Path.
An exterior or interior way of passage from one place to another for pedestrians, including, but not limited to, walks, hallways, courtyards, stairways, and stair landings.

Common Use.
Refers to those interior and exterior rooms, spaces, or elements that are made available for the use of a restricted group of people (for example, occupants of a homeless shelter, the occupants of an office building, or the guests of such occupants).

Cross Slope.
The slope that is perpendicular to the direction of travel (see running slope).

Curb Ramp.
A short ramp cutting through a curb or built up to it.

Detectable Warning.
A standardized surface feature built in or applied to walking surfaces or other elements to warn visually impaired people of hazards on a circulation path.

Egress, Means of.
A continuous and unobstructed way of exit travel from any point in a building or facility to a public way. A means of egress comprises vertical and horizontal travel and may include intervening room spaces, doorways, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, horizontal exits, courts and yards. An accessible means of egress is one that complies with these guidelines and does not include stairs, steps, or escalators. Areas of rescue assistance or evacuation elevators may be included as part of accessible means of egress.

Entrance.
Any access point to a building or portion of a building or facility used for the purpose of entering. An entrance includes the approach walk, the vertical access leading to the entrance platform, the entrance platform itself, vestibules if provided, the entry door(s) or gate(s), and the hardware of the entry door(s) or gate(s).

Facility.
All or any portion of buildings, structures, site improvements, complexes, equipment, roads, walks, passageways, parking lots, or other real or personal property located on a site.

Marked Crossing.
A crosswalk or other identified path intended for pedestrian use in crossing a vehicular way.

Path of Travel.
(Reserved).

Private Facility.
A place of public accommodation or a commercial facility subject to title III of the ADA and 28 C.F.R. part 36 or a transportation facility subject to title III of the ADA and 49 C.F.R. 37.45.

Public Facility. (State and Local Government)
A facility or portion of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a public entity subject to title II of the ADA and 28 C.F.R. part 35 or to title II of the ADA and 49 C.F.R. 37.41 or 37.43.

Public Use.
Describes interior or exterior rooms or spaces that are made available to the general public. Public use may be provided at a building or facility that is privately or publicly owned.

Ramp.
A walking surface which has a running slope greater than 1:20.

Running Slope.
The slope that is parallel to the direction of travel (see cross slope).

Service Entrance.
An entrance intended primarily for delivery of goods or services.

Site.
A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.

Vehicular Way.
A route intended for vehicular traffic, such as a street, driveway, or parking lot.

Walk.
An exterior pathway with a prepared surface intended for pedestrian use, including general pedestrian areas such as plazas and courts.

3. ADA/ABA 2004: (Will be added soon)

4. US Access Board: Recommendations of the Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee to the U.S. Access Board, Final Report: Building a True Community. January 10, 2001 (Not enforceable, just advisory)

Detectable warnings (X02.5.7)

• Detectable warnings shall be provided only: 1) where a pedestrian way crosses a vehicular way, but not at unsignalized driveways; 2) where a rail system crosses a pedestrian way; 3) at reflecting pools in the public right-of-way; 4) at cuts through islands and medians; and 5) where required by proposed ADA/ABA AG Chapter 10.
• Specifications are provided for size, location, dome spacing and size, alignment, and visual contrast.

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