AC 006 - ADA vs Bldg Code Accessibility 

Awesome, thank you!

Thank you for the information!

Glad it was helpful!

Sorry, it has been a year since you left your message but if you have seen archicorner videos since this post you will see that your comment has been implemented. Thank you.

thanks for the thumbs up!!. I don't know what state you are in and therefore am not able to help with the answer. However one place to start in is knowing that building elements can provide for "egress" and/or "ingress". In California for example, The California Building code requires 48" for ramps used for "ingress" (IBC 11-B 405.5). But if used for egress, they can be 36" (IBC 1012.5.1). So, maybe that is where you can start, if you find it in IBC chapter 10, than it's an "egress" requirement. If you find it in ICC A117.1 it's most likely an "ingress" requirements for accessibility purposes.

Someone (a CASp certified individual) with good intentions wrote CalDAG to show differences between ADA and California Code and also to show how a designer can meet both requirements. Therefore it is an interpretation by a person with great experience, but not an official Code. It’s a great manual to have. But that’s what it is, a manual or guide, not a code. Hopefully that make sense.

It depends. Some jurisdictions allow for a “partial” certificate of occupancy.

Na Lu; I started to reply to you, but the reply got very long and very complicated. Therefore, my apologies, but your comment is too complex to try and reply thru this medium. Sadly, there is NO “one-size-fits-all” answer when it comes to accessibility. Every project & every jurisdiction is different. What works for one project may not be what works for another. I hope you have an architect in your team (perhaps your boss?) that you can sit down with you and review the project. If not, you may want to consider hiring one for the project. Best wishes to you, and hope you find the answers you are looking for.

archicorner Thank you for your advice! I know it was a really complex question. I will study more and ask architects about this. It was my first time to see the architecture field video which I am really interested. And I really like the way you explain basic ideas. Thank you again!!!

@@nalyu1707 In the USA check the State Accessibility Code. Whichever is more restrictive, state or ADA applies.

Can you please specify the minute and second of the video where the contradicting comment was made? The video notes ADA = 17"-19" and California = 17"-18". 17" - 18" is within the allowed 17" - 19" so it still works. Let us know please.Thank you for your comment

In 1991 ADA (which was in effect until March of 2012) a toilet must be 18" from the side wall. No range was given, but you could acknowledge accepted construction tolerances. In 2010 ADA a toilet must be 16" to 18" from side wall when in the open, or when in a wheelchair accessible stall. In an ambulatory stall (think of someone who uses crutches or a walker), 17" to 19" is the dimension because it is roughly centered in a stall that is 35" to 37" wide. When a dimensional range is given, a construction tolerance outside the range is not acceptable. whew!

I thought toilets (in residential buildings) are min. 15" from the wall?

@@arielsaadat they are but thats not for ADA code

@@arielsaadat This is for ADA restroom stalls only. Not all restrooms need comply with ADA, such as residences and most hotel rooms (except for ADA hotel rooms and ADA apartment units, etc).