Mezzanine Bow Range

[hlfireinspector]

I have an existing building that has added a 1,063 sq. foot mezzanine for a bow testing and shooting range. This is a mercantile building and this space will be the only place in the building to shoot bows. Will this area fall under the IBC 2006 1104.4 Exception #1 because it is less than 3,000 sq. feet or does the fact that this service cannot be provided at accessible level trump the 3,000 sq. ft rule?

 

[Gene Boecker]

The exception wins in this case. Access is not required to the upper level if it's less than 3000 SF because it is part of the mercantile function.

Had the archery range been deemed a separate "recreational" use, Section 1109.14.3 would have required access to that level, regardless of size. It would be a good idea to make the bow testing range accessible but in this case it's not a requirement.

The store manager is still responsible under the ADA to make sure that the same services are offered to the patron but that can be done under different methods. For products on the upper level, a sale clerk can be asked for (and must provide) assistance to look at products on the upper level. The clerk gets to run up and down the stairs - lucky stiff! And if the deal is that a person can test the bow before buying it, the store needs to allow a person who could not access the test range, the same courtesy - to test the bow - without an arrow - on the lower level; and, return it if after test firing it's not what's wanted. Maybe that means that the store has to hold payment until after the individual can test it. But these are operational issues that the store must address. Access is a design issue and it seems that they meet the exception.

 

[hlfireinspector]

That is what I was leaning towards. Maybe can get them to place a sign that states that bow range services will be provided on a equal bases to Handicapp persons at the bottom of the stairs. This will put the burden on the bussines.

 

[Gene Boecker]

That's exactly what the ADA requires. The store simply needs to figure out how to do it.

I'm not sure that making them put in the sign can be supported by the IBC though. Section 1110 doesn't support that regardless of how much sense it makes.

 

[brudgers]

That is what I was leaning towards. Maybe can get them to place a sign that states that bow range services will be provided on a equal bases to Handicapp persons at the bottom of the stairs. This will put the burden on the bussines.

If the sign says "bow range services will be provided on an equal basis to Handicapped persons at the building department" I suspect you will capture the Owner's sentiment exactly.

BTW, if the building is part of a shopping center, then the 3000 s.f. exception does not apply.

 

[smeismer]

Speaking as an archer, you cannot shoot a bow without an arrow, it will utterly destroy the bow. There is a pneumatic device that can be fastened into the bow in lieu of an arrow, but that certainly does not give the same feel as shooting an arrow. While it is possible for another person to approximately tune a bow, it is not possible for another person to completely do that either. So if the service is allowing for bow tuning, as would often be done for the sales of rests or sights, it would not be possible for a clerk to run up and down the stair, tuning, and then having a mobility impaired person have any idea if the bow was tuned to their needs. That being said, who knows where the line for reasonableness is drawn.