PatrickGSR94
Member
I have an existing retail facility with multiple ADA issues that we're trying to correct. One of them is that the ADA parking in front of the entry doors was originally installed too low. The parking spaces themselves are fine, but the curb ramp slopes at a constant 6.5% from the access aisle all the way up to the entry door threshold, about a 13 inch vertical height change in 17 feet. There is no level landing outside the (double) entry doors.
We had an accessibility consultant take a look at the building, in-person, and they suggested converting the doors to automatic operation, possibly with a retrofit power door closer/operator. This would effectively make the floor inside the building as the "landing". Obviously this doesn't work for new construction, but what about alterations?
The only way I know of to make it totally in compliance is to completely tear out the sidewalk area in front of the doors, and cut out the existing ADA parking areas, and raise everything up so that we have a landing outside the doors at 2% max, then a 6' long, 6" rise curb ramp at 8.3% max, and then the ADA parking area at 2% max, then transition the concrete back down to the existing paving, outside the 2% max slope parking area. Of course this will be quite expensive and disruptive to the business, who wish to stay open during renovations if at all possible.
Any other insight or suggestions?
We had an accessibility consultant take a look at the building, in-person, and they suggested converting the doors to automatic operation, possibly with a retrofit power door closer/operator. This would effectively make the floor inside the building as the "landing". Obviously this doesn't work for new construction, but what about alterations?
The only way I know of to make it totally in compliance is to completely tear out the sidewalk area in front of the doors, and cut out the existing ADA parking areas, and raise everything up so that we have a landing outside the doors at 2% max, then a 6' long, 6" rise curb ramp at 8.3% max, and then the ADA parking area at 2% max, then transition the concrete back down to the existing paving, outside the 2% max slope parking area. Of course this will be quite expensive and disruptive to the business, who wish to stay open during renovations if at all possible.
Any other insight or suggestions?