Ohio Building Code
Lawriter - OAC
3411.4.1
Partial change in occupancy. Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification, any alterations shall comply with Sections 3411.6, 3411.7 and 3411.8.
3411.4.2
Complete change of occupancy. Where an entire building undergoes a change of occupancy, it shall comply with Section 3411.4.1 and shall have all of the following accessible features:
1. At least one accessible building entrance.
2. At least one accessible route from an accessible building entrance to primary function areas.
3. Signage complying with Section 1111.
4. Accessible parking, where parking is being provided.
5. At least one accessible passenger loading zone, when loading zones are provided.
6. At least one accessible route connecting accessible parking and accessible passenger loading zones to an accessible entrance.
Where it is technically infeasible to comply with the new construction standards for any of these requirements for a change of group or occupancy, the above items shall conform to the requirements to the maximum extent technically feasible.
3411.6 Alterations. A building, facility or element that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Chapter 11 of this code , unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible, the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Exceptions:
1. The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route, unless required by Section 3411.7.
2. Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities.
3. The alteration to Type A individually owned dwelling units within a Group R-2 occupancy shall be permitted tomeet the provision for a Type B dwelling unit .
3411.7 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 and the amenities serving the 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. The determination of disproportionality and the conditions for applying this exception shall be in accordance with section 3411.7.1.
2. This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to windows, hardware, operating controls, electrical outlets and signs.
3. This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to mechanical systems, electrical systems, installation or alteration of fire protection systems and abatement of hazardous materials.
4. This provision does not apply to alterations undertaken for the primary purpose of increasing the accessibility of an existing building, facility or element.
3411.7.1 Disproportionate costs and alternative compliance. Alterations required to be made to provide an accessible path of travel to the altered area will be deemed disproportionate to the overall alteration when the cost exceeds twenty per cent of the cost of the alteration to the primary function area. The determination of disproportionate costs shall be made and applied in accordance with the following:
1. Costs that may be counted as expenditures required to provide an accessible path of travel may include:
1.1 Costs associated with providing an accessible entrance and an accessible route to the altered area, for example, the cost of widening doorways or installing ramps;
1.2 Costs associated with making restrooms accessible, such as installing grab bars, enlarging toilet stalls, insulating pipes, or installing accessible faucet controls;
1.3 Costs associated with providing accessible telephones, such as relocating the telephone to an accessible height, installing amplification devices, or installing a telecommunications device for deaf persons (TDD);
1.4 Costs associated with relocating an inaccessible drinking fountain.
2. Required accessible features in the event of disproportionality.
2.1 When the cost of alterations necessary to make the path travel to the altered area fully accessible is disproportionate to the cost of the overall alteration, the path of travel shall be made accessible to the extent that it can be made accessible without incurring disproportionate costs.
2.2 In choosing which accessible elements to provide, priority should be given to those elements that will provide the greatest access, in the following order:
2.2.1. An accessible entrance;
2.2.2. An accessible route to the altered area
2.2.3. At least one accessible restroom for each sex or a single unisex restroom
2.2.4. Accessible telephones
2.2.5. Accessible drinking fountains
2.2.6. When possible, additional accessible elements such as parking, storage, and alarms
3. Series of smaller alterations. The obligation to provide an accessible path of travel may not be evaded by performing a series of small alterations to the area served by a single path of travel if those alterations could have been performed as a single undertaking.
3.1 If an area containing a primary function has been altered without providing an accessible path of travel to that area, and subsequent alterations of that area, or a different area on the same path of travel, are undertaken within three years of the original alteration, the total cost of alterations to the primary function areas on that path of travel during the preceding three year period shall be considered in determining whether the cost of making that path of travel accessible is disproportionate.
3411.8 Scoping for alterations. The provisions of Sections 3411.8.1 through 3411.8.15shall apply to alterations to existing buildings and facilities.
3411.8.1 Entrances. Accessible entrances shall be provided in accordance with Section 1105.
Exception: Where an alteration includes alterations to an entrance, and the building or facility has an accessible entrance, the altered entrance is not required to be accessible, unless required by Section 3411.7. Signs complying with Section 1111 shall be provided.
3411.8.2 Elevators. Altered elements of existing elevators shall comply with ASME A 17.1 and Chapter 11. Such elements shall also be altered in elevators programmed to respond to the same hall call control as the altered elevator.
3411.8.3 Platform lifts. Platform (wheelchair) lifts complying with Chapter 11and installed in accordance with ASME A 18.1 shall be permitted as a component of an accessible route.
3411.8.4 Stairs and escalators in existing buildings. In alterations, change of occupancy or additions where an escalator or stair is added where none existed previously and major structural modifications are necessary for installation, an accessible route shall be provided between the levels served by the escalator or stairs in accordance with Sections 1104.4 and 1104.5.
3411.8.5 Ramps. Where slopes steeper than allowed by Section 1010.2 are necessitated by space limitations, the slope of ramps in or providing access to existing buildings or facilities shall comply with Table 3411.8.5..
3411.8.7 Accessible dwelling or sleeping units. Where Group I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered or added, the requirements of Section 1107 for Accessible units apply only to the quantity of spaces being altered or added.
3411.8.8 Type A dwelling or sleeping units. Where more than 20 Group R-2 dwelling or sleeping units are being added, the requirements of Section 1107 for Type A units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered or added.
3411.8.9 Type B dwelling or sleeping units. Where four or more Group I-1, I-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being added, the requirements of Section 1107 for Type B units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being added.
3411.8.11 Toilet rooms. Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing toilet and bathing facilities to be accessible, an accessible family or assisted-use toilet or bathing facility constructed in accordance with Section 1109.2.1 is permitted. The family or assisted-use facility shall be located on the same floor and in the same area as the existing facilities.
3411.8.12 Dressing, fitting and locker rooms. Where it is technically infeasible to provide accessible dressing, fitting or locker rooms at the same location as similar types of rooms, one accessible room on the same level shall be provided. Where separate-sex facilities are provided, accessible rooms for each sex shall be provided. Separate-sex facilities are not required where only unisex rooms are provided.
3411.8.14 Thresholds. The maximum height of thresholds at doorways shall be 3/4 inch ( 19.1 mm). Such thresholds shall have beveled edges on each side.
