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ADA ramp Q.

SCBO1

SCBO1

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I have a proposed HVAC business with a main floor office area and a warehouse with fab-shop on a lower split level. The Architect has presented two options, an interior ramp and a possible elevator option. The client has nix'd both concepts. The client contends that the warehouse is only used by the employee that can drive a service vehicle and that no customers would have a reason to be in the warehouse/fab area. I know this is a weak excuse and the Architect and I are on the same page. The Architect cannot present a stamped design that he knows is in violation.

It was suggested that an exterior ramp along the outside of the building as part of a sidewalk system be designed. Any issues with a private exterior ramp access to comply?
 
1103.2.1 Specific requirements. Accessibility is not required in buildings and facilities, or portions thereof, to
the extent permitted by Sections 1104 through 1111.
1103.2.2 Employee work areas. Spaces and elements within employee work areas shall only be required to comply
with Sections 907.5.2.3.2, 1007 and 1104.3.1 and shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities can approach, enter and exit the work area. Work areas, or portions of work areas, other than raised courtroom stations in accordance with Section 1108.4.1.4, that are less than 300 square feet (30 m2) in area and located 7 inches (178 mm) or more above or below the ground or finished floor where the change in elevation is essential to the function of the space shall be exempt from all requirements.
1104.3.1 Employee work areas. Common use circulation paths within employee work areas shall be accessible routes.
Exceptions:
1. Common use circulation paths, located within employee work areas that are less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in size and defined by permanently installed partitions, counters, casework or furnishings, shall not be required to be accessible routes.
2. Common use circulation paths, located within employee work areas, that are an integral component of equipment, shall not be required to be accessible routes.
3. Common use circulation paths, located within exterior employee work areas that are fully exposed to the weather, shall not be required to be accessible routes.
1104.5 Location. Accessible routes shall coincide with or be located in the same area as a general circulation path. Where the circulation path is interior, the accessible route shall also be interior. Where only one accessible route is provided, the accessible route shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, restrooms, closets or similar spaces.
Exceptions:
1. Accessible routes from parking garages contained within and serving Type B units are not required to be interior.
2. A single accessible route is permitted to pass through a kitchen or storage room in an Accessible unit, Type A unit or Type B unit.
 
Pcinspector1 said:
I have a proposed HVAC business with a main floor office area and a warehouse with fab-shop on a lower split level. The Architect has presented two options, an interior ramp and a possible elevator option. The client has nix'd both concepts. The client contends that the warehouse is only used by the employee that can drive a service vehicle and that no customers would have a reason to be in the warehouse/fab area. I know this is a weak excuse and the Architect and I are on the same page. The Architect cannot present a stamped design that he knows is in violation.

It was suggested that an exterior ramp along the outside of the building as part of a sidewalk system be designed. Any issues with a private exterior ramp access to comply?
Click to expand...
What code?
 
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IBC definition.

CIRCULATION PATH. An exterior or interior way of passage from one place to another for pedestrians.
“A general term. While a stairway is never part of an accessible route, it can be part of a general circulation path for ambulatory persons. Not all floor areas are circulation paths. What part of a floor is not a circulation path will be subjective.”

COMMON USE. Interior or exterior circulation paths, rooms, spaces or elements that are not for public use and are made available for the shared use of two or more people.
“Some buildings include areas that are restricted to employees only or where public access is limited. Common-use spaces may be part of employee work areas but do not include public-use spaces. Any space that is shared by two or more persons, such as copy areas, break rooms, toilet rooms or circulation paths, are common use areas.”
 
IBC2012, Definition: Public-use areas. Interior or exterior rooms or spaces that are made available to the general public.

Front office B-occupancy is at street level and would meet this access requirement. The lower portion, F2 occupancy not a public area according to the client.
 
1104.3.1 Employee work areas. Common use circulation paths within employee work areas shall be accessible routes.
Exceptions:
1. Common use circulation paths, located within employee work areas that are less than 1,000 square feet in size and defined by permanently installed partitions, counters, casework or furnishings, shall not be required to be accessible routes.
2. Common use circulation paths, located within employee work areas, that are an integral component of equipment, shall not be required to be accessible routes.
3. Common use circulation paths, located within exterior employee work areas that are fully exposed to the weather, shall not be required to be accessible routes.

“This requirement for common use circulation paths within employee work areas is consistent with the exception in Section 1103.2.2. An accessible route is required to each employee work area. When employees share work areas, an accessible route must be available throughout that area.”
 
And what if the employee work area is a mechanical equipment room off an interior corridor or an exterior fenced yard, must the door and gate serving those areas
be accessible, given that those areas are exempt from clear floor space requirements within the areas?
 
1104.5 Location. Accessible routes shall coincide with or be located in the same area as a general circulation path. Where the circulation path is interior, the accessible route shall also be interior. Where only one accessible route is provided, the accessible route shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, restrooms, closets or similar spaces.

COMMON USE. Interior or exterior circulation paths, rooms, spaces or elements that are not for public use and are made available for the shared use of two or more people.

"the intent of this section is to avoid the circumstance where an interior path between facilities is provided but the only accessible route between those same facilities is an exterior path."
 
Here's the wording from the 2012 IBC:
1104.4 Exception
4. Where a two-story building or facility has one story with an occupant load of five or fewer persons that does not contain public use space, that story shall not be required to be connected by an accessible route to the story above or below.
 
STORY. That portion of a building included between the
upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or
roof next above (also see “Basement,” “Building height,”
“Grade plane” and “Mezzanine”). It is measured as the vertical
distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams
or finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story, from the
top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where
there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.
 All levels in a building that conform to this description
are stories, including basements. A mezzanine is
considered part of the story in which it is located. See
Chapter 5 for code requirements regarding limitations
on the number of stories in a building as a function of
the type of construction.

Is it the same roof level and just the floors are different?
 
Story: "What I told my grandma from time to time when I was little and fibbin".

This building has a main floor off the street grade level and a lower level with high ceiling that matches the upper elevations roof, so the shop has a high ceiling. I do not have the plans in my possession, the Architect is still working on them.

Yes, same roof level different floor levels.
 
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