Chair Lift as an accessible means of egress

[jar546]

It is my understanding that a chair lift may be considered an accessible way for entering a building but not for an accessible means of egress. Would that be correct under ADA and the I-Codes?

 

[mark handler]

ADASAD 206.7 Platform Lifts. ,,,, Platform lifts shall be permitted as a component of an accessible route in new construction in accordance with 206.7. Platform lifts shall be permitted as a component of an accessible route in an existing building or facility

 

[jar546]

Ok I will have to share my opinion for a particular case.

1007.5 of the IBC states:

lifts shall notserve as part of an accessible means of egress, except where

allowed as part of a required accessible route in Section

1109.7, Items 1 through 9.

What I will tell you is that this particular situation does not fit into 1-9 of 1109.7

Therefore it is the opinion of the architect and myself that a ramp would better serve the community and be a compliant installation as required by code for this renovation.

 

[mark handler]

...that a ramp would better serve the community .

Codes or standards are not always what are best.

yes, a ramp is always prefered over a lift.

 

[Coug Dad]

The use of lifts in new construction is limited to a few specific cases.

 

[jar546]

We are talking about an overal $1.5M renovation with one of the reasons being for accessibility which does not compromise even 5% of the project.

 

[peach]

as long as there is another means of egress.. those lifts take more space than you realize.

 

[jar546]

Any other takers on this?

 

[RJJ]

well it seems that you have the answer. Maybe I am missing something here. Is it part of the accessible route?

 

[jar546]

It (ramp) is the only accessible route into a school as part of an accessibility and other renovation. One of the taxpayer cronies is bitching that the cost of the ramp could have been less if they installed a lift.

 

[mark handler]

It (ramp) is the only accessible route into a school as part of an accessibility and other renovation. One of the taxpayer cronies is bitching that the cost of the ramp could have been less if they installed a lift.

Depending on"lift" manufacturer and height of vertical lift, $4,000 to $10,000 plus installation. remember the battery backup.

 

[Jim B]

If this is an alteration to an existing building, the lift does not need to serve as an accessible means of egress since accessible means of egress are not required.

 

[steveray]

We are talking about an overal $1.5M renovation with one of the reasons being for accessibility which does not compromise even 5% of the project.

Does PA use Chapter 34?...Make em spend 20%....Put in that elevator.......

3409.6 Alterations affecting an area containing a primary function.

Where an alteration affects the accessibility to, or contains an area of primary function, the route to the primary function area shall be accessible. The accessible route to the primary function area shall include toilet facilities or drinking fountains serving the area of primary function.

Exceptions:

1. The costs of providing the accessible route are not required to exceed 20 percent of the costs of the alterations affecting the area of primary function.

 

[Francis Vineyard]

The cost of providing accessibility in existing buildings is limited thus the code prefers at least a lift if not an elevator or a ramp. Ramps are considered essential when elevators and lifts are not available.

Ramps are not always the best choice especially in existing construction where steeper slopes are allowed would have it impassable.

Just my $.02

Francis

 

[peach]

ramps are better.. not always feasible in an existing building.. new building.. no excuse.