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Sidewalk or ramp

Mech said:
IMO, a modified T shaped turnaround works. Cut off one side of the tee so you are left with two 36" wide sidewalks joining at 90 degrees. The 36" width may need to be modified to suit the occupant load. This is the bare minimum. As Mark pointed out, one slip off the ramp and here comes the potential for lawsuits.RJJ - you could call the Federales and ask what to do for the 90 degree turns.
You cannot just cut off a portion of maneuvering space, Not here comes the potential for lawsuits, here is the lawsuit.
 
I guess I am thinking of the old ADAAG stuff, same thing that RJJ linked to in post 23. ADAAG even identified the 5 ft circle and T-shaped space as areas required to perform a 180 degree turn.

The 2003 A-117.1 commentary identified the 5 ft circle as the area required for the 180 degree turn; but, the commentary is not code (and neither is the 2003 version, at least not in Pennsylvania anymore.)
 
We're looking at whats required by code. If we start looking at what needs to be in place to prevent lawsuites building has we know it would come to a halt. Consider guardrails on any surface above the ground.
 
Guys I agree with all the comments. I believe in the end the propose side walk will have radius turns and maintain 36" & 1:20 or less rise.

However, I plan to make some calls to L&I our oh so wise State agency. I think the fed is off unless ADA is critical personal. No pun intended. In the many years I have been doing this never had this one. What hangs me up is the 180 reference. I can't find anything that would address the 36" walk and 90degree turns.

Mech: Occupancy load would not cover or reflect an accessible walk. This building is very small to begin with.

I agree with Killitact that I don't want to make up code.

This has been a great discussion. Thanks for your in put and info Mark. I will see if I can get a read form above. Not God but the State.
 
kilitact said:
IIB-403.5.2 Clear width at turn. Where the accessibleroute makes a 180 degree turn around an element which is

less than 48 inches wide, clear width shall be

42 inches minimum approaching the turn, 48

inches minimum at the turn and 42 inches

minimum leaving the turn.

Exception: Where the clear width at the turn is 60

inches minimum compliance with Section

11 B-403.5.2 shall not be required.

Whats the length that the approaching leg needs to be?
Try 403.5.1
 
It does not make any sense why you guys fight so hard for certain sections of the code but fight so hard against the accessibility sections

Just remember Bush not Obama made this law.
 
mark handler said:
It does not make any sense why you guys fight so hard for certain sections of the code but fight so hard against the accessibility sectionsJust remember Bush not Obama made this law.
You enforce codes along party lines? Enforce the codes.
 
kilitact said:
You enforce codes along party lines? Enforce the codes.
What party? I worked on Nixon presidential campaign. I am an independent you all have no clue.I live in orange county California, one of the most conservative countries in California

The "law requires access,"I enforce the "law" and the codes. I understand the intent and the letter of the codes and the law . I am an architect and can thing about what is the best solution for the situation. Many on this board seem to be biases ed when it comes to the accessibility codes but rigid as a board on the other codes, pointing out minor defects in wireing or framing, as a big thing but always trying yo find a exception for the disability codes. Let's just put in two nails rather than the four as called out. Lets just cut the maneuvering corners off the code required turning space....
 
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Hey stay nice! I am not happen with the answer I got from L&I. This is the response! If it is a sidewalk 1:20 or less 36" wide a 90 degree turn would be permitted. The 180 rule does not apply. Go figure. My next call will be to ICC. We will see what happens.
 
RJJ said:
Hey stay nice! I am not happen with the answer I got from L&I. This is the response! If it is a sidewalk 1:20 or less 36" wide a 90 degree turn would be permitted. The 180 rule does not apply. Go figure. My next call will be to ICC. We will see what happens.
Try the DOJ, oh I forgot, they are in the soup line...
 
RJJ said:
Hey stay nice! I am not happen with the answer I got from L&I. This is the response! If it is a sidewalk 1:20 or less 36" wide a 90 degree turn would be permitted. The 180 rule does not apply. Go figure. My next call will be to ICC. We will see what happens.
What is the L&I?
 
RJJ - I am not sure I understand L&I's comment.

Are they saying two 36" wide paths meeting at a 90 degree angle is allowable for the turn?

To me, the code appears a little ambiguous and lacking. A turning space is the 5 ft circle or the T-shaped turning space. Although the angle of the turn is not specified, I would assume these spaces would accommodate a 360 degree turn.

If a 90 degree turn requires either a 5 ft circle or the T-shaped turning space, is the same 5 ft circle or T-shaped space required at an accessible doorway?

Section 603.2.1 requires a turning space in accessible bathrooms. Sections 402 Accessible Routes, 403 Walking Surfaces, and 404 Doorways do not mention turning space. Well, maybe Section 402 does.

402.2 Components. Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: Walking surfaces with a slope not steeper than 1:20, doors and doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. All components of an accessible route shall comply with the applicable portions of this standard.

Section 404 Doors and Doorways, specifically the subsections of 404.2.3 Maneuvering Clearances at Doors, indicates that maneuvering clearances less than the turning space requirements of section 304 are adequate to perform a 90 degree turn through a doorway. There is no mention of turning spaces complying with section 304. Was section 304 forgotten, intentionally not mentioned, or covered by section 402.2 (above)?

Links to A117.1-2009

Chapter 4 - Accessible Routes

Chapter 6 - Plumbing Elements and Facilities

Consider the following doorway scenarios:

Fig. 404.2.3.2 (g) appears to allow an occupant to travel down a path, provided it has a 42" wide maneuvering clearance for a distance 24" from the latch side, and make a 90 degree turn through a door opening. The door opening minimum width is 32". To me, this indicates the maneuvering space required to make a 90 degree turn is less than a 5 ft circle or T-shaped turning space. If this door is located at the very end of a hallway, neither the circle nor the T-shape space would fit. Would this door be not accessible? Should I be providing the circle or T-shape at every accessible door requiring a hinge side or latch side approach?

Fig. 404.2.3.2 (f) appears to allow an occupant to travel down a 48" wide path and make a 90 degree turn. The maneuvering space shown will not accommodate a 5 ft circle or the 12" far side branch from the T-shape.

404.2.3.4 Doorways without Doors. Doorways without doors that are less than 36 inches in width shall have maneuvering clearances complying with Table 404.2.3.4

Chapter 4 - Accessible Routes

Fig. 404.2.3.4 illustrates the requirements from the table. One of the two sketches requires a 42" rectangle to make a 90 degree turn; it does not account for the circle or T-shape. If the circle or T-shape is required for a 90 degree turn, why is that not shown in the figure or specified that it is required, similar to the way Section 603.2 requires it for accessible bathrooms and toilet rooms? Or again, does section 402.2 (above) include the turning space requirement? :banghd

Note that 404.2.3.4 (above) is for doorways without doors that are less than 36 inches. The code does not have a separate section for doorways without doors that are 36 inches or greater. I would reason the maneuvering clearance is different for doorway openings 36" and larger, otherwise there would not be a separate section for doorways less than 36".
 
Mech: That is the basic response! This seems to fall in the gray. I am going to go further on this issue to try and get some real clarification. If I can figure out how to post the original plan and revisions I will. The plan is now being revised for a fifth time and I believe it will dot all the eyes and t's. The 90's have been removed and some cross slope issues that existed are being corrected, so the original OP has been changed.

However, the side walk 1:20 @ 36" is not totally clear.
 
Mark: Mech said L&I is the state that is correct. The DO J is off for now. I believe this question needs some real addressing from them.

I am also going to run it pass ICC.
 
After pondering my own posting above, I would think the intersection should be larger than 36"x36". But by how much?
 
I would love to see an official response (an addendum) giving a definitive answer, regardless of the required size.

Can anyone get feed back from ICC or only members? I would like to know how far a wheelchair bound person can be expected to back up before a turn around space is required. Think of a restroom layout with a row of stalls and the accessible stall at the end.
 
Get serious, a wheelchair can't do a 90 degree turn in a 3' square. 60" x 60" min. Even if you insist on usinga 36" sidewalk.
 
ADAguy said:
Get serious, a wheelchair can't do a 90 degree turn in a 3' square. 60" x 60" min. Even if you insist on usinga 36" sidewalk.
That's not necessarily true. I can do it quite easily in my front-wheel-drive power wheelchair. Can't do a 360 but a 90 is not a problem. Not saying that's what code requires but it is possible.
 
Post #5 ("the beginning elevation is 466 and ends at a landing @ 462.96 = 3.04' Horizontal run is 18 + 23+ 23 = 64' ") established that this is a sidewalk, and not a ramp, as long as the slope is constant. In that case, 3' x 3' landings meet the code. They aren't necessarily good design.

If one or more of the runs exceeds 1:20 slope, that makes that part of it a ramp. It would be possible to have a 5 foot landing, then a 3' x 3' right angle turn beyond the landing, then another 5' landing before starting the ramp again. However, it would be a lot easier to just provide the 5' x 5' landing the code requires ,if it is a ramp.
 
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