Sloping Church Floor?

[Question That]

The 1:5, 1:8, 1:12 aisle versus whole floor. Generally where 1:5 aisle ramp, the seating was on level tiers, because cross slope was very uncomfortable (though I believe permitted.) That entry transition to aisle access way could be treacherous also. At 1:8, not so bad but given a choice, the crosslope is not friendly.

In my work and in most that I have toured - 1000s - floor slope equals aisle slope and seats are fixed.

All things considered think I just need to propose we don't consider a sloped floor without fixed seating.
Then, consider sloping floor for entire assembly area at 1:8 max if they are on board with the fixed seats.
Have a flat aisle at the front of the stage.
Ramped aisles at 1:8 max perpendicualar to the stage between 3 groups of seating.
Flat Aisle at back of church behind last row of seating
I like your idea (assuming I'm interpreting correctly) and it just may work for our site of having entry and top of stage/ platform elevation be the same. Then I'm thinking still have stepped choir tiers on top of that.
Baptistery behind and at some finish floor elevation above stage.

 

[Question That]

All things considered think I just need to propose we don't consider a sloped floor without fixed seating.
Then, consider sloping floor for entire assembly area at 1:8 max if they are on board with the fixed seats.
Have a flat aisle at the front of the stage.
Ramped aisles at 1:8 max perpendicualar to the stage between 3 groups of seating.
Flat Aisle at back of church behind last row of seating
I like your idea (assuming I'm interpreting correctly) and it just may work for our site of having entry and top of stage/ platform elevation be the same. Then I'm thinking still have stepped choir tiers on top of that.
Baptistery behind and at some finish floor elevation above stage.

Bill also noted after review that you would not recommend all 1:8.... so thinking that through now.

 

[bill1952]

Beyond verbal design. At a point that I would need to draw and redraw many times to see what clicked. BTW, I usually began on section and extruded that into a plan. All the problems are in section. Just don't get too far in plan without solving and save wasted effort.

 

[Question That]

Beyond verbal design. At a point that I would need to draw and redraw many times to see what clicked. BTW, I usually began on section and extruded that into a plan. All the problems are in section. Just don't get too far in plan without solving and save wasted effort.

I hear you. Been doing the designing/ detailing a long time now too. I jump into section waaaay early by most peoples standards because know all to well how it bites later! You (and others) have been a huge help in getting me started with this. Thanks!

 

[bill1952]

The section of these spaces is what makes accessibility so difficult. Orchestra pit, stage, control room, balcony - 4 elevators or lifts. Pits get deleted for cost of elevator/lift; balconies get reduced to mezzanines of 300 max; control room are not located in best positions, and permanent stairs from first row to stage are left out, and owner probably adds portable or other later. That ignores the problems of distributing wheelchair spaces.

 

[Paul Sweet]

"Not following this "The IBC goes beyond the ADA and includes churches"."

There are several instances where the IBC accessibility requirements exceed ADA requirements. Making churches and private clubs comply with accessibility standards is one of them. Another is that ADA only requires an elevator when any upper or lower floor is over 3000 SF. The other common one is that IBC requires an elevator when the aggregate (total of all upper & lower floors) exceeds 3000 SF.

 

[bill1952]

Another is that ADA only requires an elevator when any upper or lower floor is over 3000 SF. The other common one is that IBC requires an elevator when the aggregate (total of all upper & lower floors) exceeds 3000 SF.

So you would contend that an orchestra pit - and a big one in a high school theatre is 500 sf - does not have to be on an accessible route? Nor a theatre and sound control room for a high school theatre - 200 or so sf? I think your 3000 sf no elevator does not apply, at least in educational settings. Balconies and stages have their own special accessibility requirements.

"Not following this "The IBC goes beyond the ADA and includes churches"."

Simply, worship facilities are exempt from the federal legislation known as the ADA. They are not exempt from the accessibility requirements of the IBC.

 

[Paul Sweet]

Bill,
I was replying to a question about churches. I worked for a community college system before retiring and had to deal with accessibility to control rooms, etc.

The statement "Not following this ..." was a quote from the OP that I was replying to.

 

[bill1952]

Making a control room in a worship facility accessible is interesting. I have generally prevailed, sometimes having to plead for it. Others have embraced it. I think I lost one. My interpretation is it's clearly required in a teaching facility or one open to the public, like a community space. If limited to employees, maybe not required but you better have a plan to not discriminate against someone who needs it and wants that job.

I understood it wasn't you, Paul, who didn't follow it. Sorry for the confusion.