• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Accessible Entrances and Restrooms in an Existing Building

knelson

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
12
I'm working on an existing building in California. It's three stories with a basement. We are going to be doing tenant improvements on all three floors. There isn't any change in occupancy. Since you are allowed to go up or down one story to an accessible restroom, can we just upgrade the restrooms on the first and third floor but leave the second floor restrooms as is? I understand that we'd have to provide signage to the nearest accessible toilet facility.

The main entrance faces a parking garage and is fully accessible. There is an accessible pathway from the public sidewalk (and bus stops) to this entrance. There is a secondary entrance/exit that faces the street but is not accessible. The ramp down to the entrance is too steep. As I understand the code, we don't have to make it accessible since 11B-202.4 requires only a primary entrance to the building or facility. There isn't any requirement that the primary entrance to face the street. We just have to provide signage providing direction to the nearest accessible entrance. Is that correct?
 
Sounds good, but the Cali guys will know better.....Don't forget that you need to spend at least the 20% towards accessible upgrades until you are 100% accessible....
 
You are attempting to bypass "the spirit" of the ADA by using what is seen as a "minimum".
Also, is door hardware throughout the building compliant?
 
Yes your TI construction costs will be far over the threshold so you are in it for 100% compliance. Depending upon the jurisdiction you may be able to argue the one floor up or down issue. How far is the travel distance to the accessible restrooms from the most remote spot. The secondary non accessible entry should be allowed with no change in use as long as your primary entry is compliant.
 
Relocate them to the upper and lower floors and add the fixtures to the remodeled restrooms.
Or if you do not need the second floor fixture count just remove them.
 
Back
Top