barrier-free washroom

[sunyaer]

This is from Ontario Building Code:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.8.2.3. Washrooms Required to be Barrier-Free (See Appendix A.)
(1) A barrier-free path of travel shall be provided to barrier-free washrooms designed to accommodate persons with
disabilities in conformance with the requirements in Articles 3.8.3.8. to 3.8.3.12.

(2) The number of universal washrooms conforming to Article 3.8.3.12. provided in a building in which a washroom is
required by Subsection 3.7.4. shall conform to Table 3.8.2.3.A. (See Appendix A.)



_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions:


1. Does the above table require the universal washroom shall be in the public area of the building?

2. In a doctor office building, is every suite of the doctor office required to have universal washroom? (Assume the building is required to have barrier-free path of travel)

 

[tmurray]

1) For the most part. The only exception would be where there is no public washrooms, then no barrier free washroom accessible to the public would be required either.

2) See sentence 5 of this clause for exceptions.

Yes, it is likely that the individual spaces could use a common barrier free washroom to meet the requirements of the code.

 

[sunyaer]

...

2) See sentence 5 of this clause for exceptions.

I don't quite understand sentence (5) and the referenced (4). Sentence (4) is dealing with additional washroom, when there is no additional washroom than that required by 3.7.4, (4) does not apply, which leads to sentence (5) does not apply neither, then there is no exception. Am I correct?

(4) Except as permitted in Sentence (5), where washrooms in excess of those required by Subsection 3.7.4. are provided in a storey that is required by Article 3.8.2.1. to have a barrier-free path of travel, the additional washrooms shall be designed to accommodate persons with disabilities in conformance with the requirements of,(a) Articles 3.8.3.8. to 3.8.3.11., or(b) Article 3.8.3.12

 

[tmurray]

I don't quite understand sentence (5) and the referenced (4). Sentence (4) is dealing with additional washroom, when there is no additional washroom than that required by 3.7.4, (4) does not apply, which leads to sentence (5) does not apply neither, then there is no exception. Am I correct?

(4) Except as permitted in Sentence (5), where washrooms in excess of those required by Subsection 3.7.4. are provided in a storey that is required by Article 3.8.2.1. to have a barrier-free path of travel, the additional washrooms shall be designed to accommodate persons with disabilities in conformance with the requirements of,(a) Articles 3.8.3.8. to 3.8.3.11., or(b) Article 3.8.3.12

Basically, in your example, the washroom that is required by code has to be barrier free. This can be a common washroom accessed by multiple suites if it meets the conditions in (5). The individual offices could then have their own washrooms that do not need to be barrier free (excess washrooms).

 

[sunyaer]

Basically, in your example, the washroom that is required by code has to be barrier free. This can be a common washroom accessed by multiple suites if it meets the conditions in (5). The individual offices could then have their own washrooms that do not need to be barrier free (excess washrooms).

This is the sentence (5):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Washrooms need not conform to Sentence (4) provided,
(a) they are located within suites of residential occupancy,
(b) other barrier-free washrooms are provided on the same floor level within 45 m, or (See Appendix A.)
(c) they are located in an individual suite that is,
(i) used for a business and personal services occupancy, a mercantile occupancy or an industrial occupancy,
(ii) less than 300 m2 in area, and
(iii) completely separated from, and without access to, the remainder of the building.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the above (c)(iii), a suite applying sentence (5) has to have its own barrier free washroom, since it has no access to the remainder of the building, then what is the point to use this exception?

 

[tmurray]

(c) is trying to address strip mall style developments. (4) would normally require any washroom to be barrier free, but (5)(c)(iii) allows smaller suites to be exempt from this requirement. It might be important to note that the exemption is only for additional washrooms, not from all washrooms.

 

[sunyaer]

(c) is trying to address strip mall style developments. (4) would normally require any washroom to be barrier free, but (5)(c)(iii) allows smaller suites to be exempt from this requirement. It might be important to note that the exemption is only for additional washrooms, not from all washrooms.

Would it be more reasonable that (5)(c) would apply (then (4) applies) when the suite has access to the remainder of the building where persons with disabilities may have a chance to use the universal washroom provided for the building? (opposed to (c) (iii) completely separated from, and without access to, the remainder of the building, where there would be more demand on the suite to have more barrier-free washroom.)

 

[tmurray]

Would it be more reasonable that (5)(c) would apply (then (4) applies) when the suite has access to the remainder of the building where persons with disabilities may have a chance to use the universal washroom provided for the building? (opposed to (c) (iii) completely separated from, and without access to, the remainder of the building, where there would be more demand on the suite to have more barrier-free washroom.)

That would be what 5(b) is accomplishing.

Just to clarify, 5(c) just says that extra washrooms in the suite don't have to comply. The number of washrooms required by code must still meet the barrier free requirements. For example, if the occupant load calculation requires 2 water closets in the suite, those must be barrier free, but if the designer/owner wants to add a third, that one would not if it met the exceptions in 5(c).

Generally, the code tries to establish a rule and then have the exceptions follow it, so the structure is consistent with other code provisions.

 

[sunyaer]

That would be what 5(b) is accomplishing.

Just to clarify, 5(c) just says that extra washrooms in the suite don't have to comply. The number of washrooms required by code must still meet the barrier free requirements. For example, if the occupant load calculation requires 2 water closets in the suite, those must be barrier free, but if the designer/owner wants to add a third, that one would not if it is the exceptions in 5(c).

Generally, the code tries to establish a rule and then have the exceptions follow it, so the structure is consistent with other code provisions.

Understood. My doubt is that why does (c) (iii) give that condition that the suite is completely separated from, and without access to, the remainder of the building in order to provide relaxation with applying (4), not the opposite that the suite has access to the remainder of the building?