WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ADA AND IBC?????
I found a discrepancy between IBC Section 1104.4 and ADA Section 206.2.3 for Accessibility in Multi-Story Buildings.
Exception 1 in ADA only applies to Private Buildings. The IBC does not distinguish between public and private buildings. I am trying to decide whether to classify a mezzanine as an S1 or B occupancy. (The actual use of the mezzanine will be a combination of storage, informal office, meeting room). This has bearing on the rating of a fire barrier (S1 requires 3hr barrier / B requires 2hr). My project qualifies for all the aspects of Exception 1 except that it is an activity center for a private non-profit organization and is being classified as a public/quasi-public occupancy in the land use code - hence the dilemma
So if I go by IBC, the B-occupancy Mezzanine DOES NOT need to be accessible. But if I go by ADA, it DOES need to be accessible. Any thoughts????
(Also, I assume B-occupancy does not qualify for exception 2/4 because it could be considered a public use space even if it has 5 occupants??? Is that true???)
Here are the relevant sections for Accessible Routes:
2012 IBC: Section 1104.4 Multilevel buildings and facilities:
At least one accessible route shall connect each accessible level, including mezzanines, in multilevel buildings and facilities.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. An accessible route is not required to stories and mezzanines that have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000 square feet (278.7 m2) and are located above and below accessible levels.
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.
ADA Guidelines: Section 206.2.3 Multi-Story Buildings and Facilities:
At least one accessible route shall connect each story and mezzanine in multi-story buildings and facilities.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. In private buildings or facilities that are less than three stories or that have less than 3000 square feet (279 m2) per story, an accessible route shall not be required to connect stories provided that the building or facility is not a shopping center, a shopping mall, the professional office of a health care provider, a terminal, depot or other station used for specified public transportation, an airport passenger terminal, or another type of facility as determined by the Attorney General.
2. Where a two story public 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 to the story above or below.3. In detention and correctional facilities,
I found a discrepancy between IBC Section 1104.4 and ADA Section 206.2.3 for Accessibility in Multi-Story Buildings.
Exception 1 in ADA only applies to Private Buildings. The IBC does not distinguish between public and private buildings. I am trying to decide whether to classify a mezzanine as an S1 or B occupancy. (The actual use of the mezzanine will be a combination of storage, informal office, meeting room). This has bearing on the rating of a fire barrier (S1 requires 3hr barrier / B requires 2hr). My project qualifies for all the aspects of Exception 1 except that it is an activity center for a private non-profit organization and is being classified as a public/quasi-public occupancy in the land use code - hence the dilemma
So if I go by IBC, the B-occupancy Mezzanine DOES NOT need to be accessible. But if I go by ADA, it DOES need to be accessible. Any thoughts????
(Also, I assume B-occupancy does not qualify for exception 2/4 because it could be considered a public use space even if it has 5 occupants??? Is that true???)
Here are the relevant sections for Accessible Routes:
2012 IBC: Section 1104.4 Multilevel buildings and facilities:
At least one accessible route shall connect each accessible level, including mezzanines, in multilevel buildings and facilities.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. An accessible route is not required to stories and mezzanines that have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000 square feet (278.7 m2) and are located above and below accessible levels.
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.
ADA Guidelines: Section 206.2.3 Multi-Story Buildings and Facilities:
At least one accessible route shall connect each story and mezzanine in multi-story buildings and facilities.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. In private buildings or facilities that are less than three stories or that have less than 3000 square feet (279 m2) per story, an accessible route shall not be required to connect stories provided that the building or facility is not a shopping center, a shopping mall, the professional office of a health care provider, a terminal, depot or other station used for specified public transportation, an airport passenger terminal, or another type of facility as determined by the Attorney General.
2. Where a two story public 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 to the story above or below.3. In detention and correctional facilities,