3.5" high ramp!

[ELLEN09US]

I'm working on a Coffee shop that is existing and have a new tenant.
Existing condition has 4% slope at the door landing but the plan checker is asking for 2% for accessibility.
total drop is less than 5".
if I have 2% slope at landing (1.5" rise - in - landing 72" run)
I have another 3.5" with 8.33 slope... Do I have to provide ramp?! and handrail?
Thanks!

 

[TheCommish]

2% In Massachusetts no, once you go above 2% yes, but cannot be steeper than 8.3%

 

[ELLEN09US]

2% In Massachusetts no, once you go above 2% yes, but cannot be steeper than 8.3%

Thanks for your reply!
The Code I'm using is California building code
I didn't exactly understand... landing slope can be less than 8.33%?

 

[ELLEN09US]

CBC 1012.8 Handrails

Ramps with a rise greater than 6 inches (152 mm) shall have handrails on both sides. Handrails shall comply with Section 1014.

 

[Robert]

If space is limited, can you use a power operated door in lieu of changing then landing? Many older businesses have these short steep landings at their front doors, but making them problematic is that they bleed into the sidewalk if you try and change them and end up with warping cross-slopes. Site specific.

 

[TheCommish]

Thanks for your reply!
The Code I'm using is California building code
I didn't exactly understand... landing slope can be less than 8.33%?

landings have to be flat, no more than 2% cross slope

 

[steveray]

If it is not flat enough to be a landing, then it is a sloped floor, if it is not flat enough for that, it is a ramp....There are requirements for each....Sounds like the landing one is the toughest one you face right now...What code section is forcing the "upgrade"? You say it is an existing building....

 

[mark handler]

There are several things in play, without more info, we cannot give that silver bullet answer you are looking for

2019 CBC
[BE] RAMP. A walking surface that has a running slope steeper than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope).

1010.1.5 Floor Elevation
There shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. Such floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each side of the door. Landings shall be level except for exterior landings, which are permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope).

1012.5.3 Restrictions
Means of egress ramps shall not reduce in width in the direction of egress travel. Projections into the required ramp and landing width are prohibited. Doors opening onto a landing shall not reduce the clear width to less than 42 inches (1067 mm).

1012.6 Landings
Ramps shall have landings at the bottom and top of each ramp, points of turning, entrance, exits and at doors. Landings shall comply with Sections 1012.6.1 through 1012.6.5.

1012.6.1 Slope
Landings shall have a slope not steeper than one unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2-percent slope) in any direction. Changes in level are not permitted.

1012.6.2 Width
The landing width shall be not less than the width of the widest ramp run adjoining the landing.

1012.6.3 Length
The landing length shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum.

1012.6.5 Doorways
Where doorways are located adjacent to a ramp landing, maneuvering clearances required for accessibility are permitted to overlap the required landing area as specified in Chapter 11A, or 11B, as applicable.

 

[ADAguy]

thank you MH, in old downtowns with recessed doorways this is a common issue. Not inexpensive to do, structural walls and reduction of retail sales area.

 

[Yikes]

In CA, there is a process in 11B-202.4 exception #8 where for alterations, the plan checker cannot require you to spend more than 20% of your budget on accessibility upgrades. They prioritize the money towards getting an accessible entrance first, but if that is an unreasonable hardship, you still have to spend the money on other improvements such as accessible restroom(s), parking, etc.