Understanding ADA-Compliant Construction for Businesses
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how does it impact businesses?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark federal civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA sets requirements that apply to employers, state and local governments, businesses open to the public, and commercial facilities such as:
Hotels
Doctor’s offices
Restaurants
Health clubs
Movie theaters
Retailers
Sports stadiums
These standards ensure that buildings and facilities are able to be physically accessed by people with disabilities.
In commercial construction, knowing, understanding and following ADA Standards for Accessible design is critical. ADA compliance is not just a recommendation, but a stringent requirement for passing inspections, and helping to mitigate the risk of costly legal challenges that can come from non-compliance. ADA compliant buildings also create consistent and predictable user experiences in commercial spaces so that people with disabilities can expect the same level of access in any building they enter.
It’s important to include accessibility considerations for construction projects like:
Newly constructed buildings and facilities
Renovations that affect usability of buildings and facilities
Architectural changes in existing state and local government buildings
Removing architectural barriers—physical elements of a building that prevent movement or access for people with disabilities, like stairs when there is not also a ramp present
Accessibility considerations for businesses
For most commercial buildings, accessibility needs to be a primary consideration during design and planning. Some typical areas where ADA accommodations need to be made are:
Entrances and pathways
Handicap parking and transportation
Interior navigation like elevators, stairs, ramps, and hallways
ADA compliant restrooms
Finding an ADA-Compliant contractor for your business
Given the complexities of ADA compliance, most large commercial projects benefit from the specialized knowledge a contractor can provide. They can also make sure you’re not hit with a huge surprise price tag tacked on your construction bill! Knowing the standards you’ll need to meet up front helps with every piece of the project from setting a budget to creating drawings to choosing finishes.
To decide whether a contractor truly understands ADA requirements, look for someone who is a thorough researcher, focused on the details and is a clear communicator. Part of Maurer Construction’s capability in this area is because of our wide network of resources. Even if we don’t have the answer to your specific situation right away, we always take the time to find out. We work hard to build trust with our clients from the very beginning so you know the information we provide is accurate.
ADA requirements are dense and it can be complicated to deal with their overlap in our client’s desires, fire suppression and municipality code, too. We’ve found that this isn’t written out plainly anywhere—it comes from experience and from making (and fixing!) mistakes in the past so we know how to do it right now.
Common accessibility requirements for ADA-compliance
While each project is unique, these are some of the most common accessibility considerations we deal with in new construction and remodels.
Bathrooms: ADA compliant restrooms ensure people with disabilities can use restroom facilities easily and comfortably. Sink, toilet and mirror height are important to consider, as well as the location and dimension of grab bars. Clear and well-placed signage allows people to locate and navigate bathrooms easily.
Handicap parking: The number of accessible parking spaces required by the ADA varies depending on the total number of parking spaces in the parking lot, and whether it’s new construction or a renovation. In general, a commercial facility will need one accessible parking space for every 25 parking spaces in the parking lot.
Wheelchair ramps: Ramps ensure that people with mobility issues can still access public and private facilities with ease. ADA compliant ramps can’t be just any ramp—the commercial and public facility standard for slope is 1:12 inches, or about 5 degrees of incline. A moderate slope percentage ensures safe use of the ramp.
Non-slip surfaces: Floor surfaces need to be stable, firm, and slip resistant. This applies to both interior and exterior accessible pathways, including walking surfaces, ramps, elevators and lifts. It can be tricky to find non-slip surfaces for exterior areas. Anything hardy enough to withstand the weather is often not ADA compliant so we have to be careful with our material choices.
Exit signs: ADA standards require tactile and visual signs to identify doors at exit stairways and passageways. Visual signs must be lit and electrified, and need to work even during power outages. Tactile requirements are typically met on a separate sign at the same door.
A skilled contractor helps building owners or managers approach these necessary adaptations in ways that fit the unique needs of their businesses. For example, when a doctor or dentist is considering expanding their current office, we can help strategize if it would be cost-effective to retrofit the current space. The cost to bring everything up to code for additional exam rooms can sometimes be prohibitive and there may be other ways to solve for more space.
We do this in a way that not only passes ADA inspections, but fits seamlessly into the overall design and function of the space. This is where our good relationships with architects, engineers and designers makes a huge difference in the final product.
ADA, accessibility & fire suppression code
ADA compliance regulations don’t exist in a vacuum—they often overlap and occasionally seem to conflict with other codes we need to follow in commercial construction. For example, hospital doors need to automatically shut to maintain restricted areas but also need to be easily opened to allow people through. Other areas where ADA compliance and fire suppression overlap are well-marked exit signs, wide hallways, and exit doors with a push bar that always open out even when locked.
When working on strip mall fit-outs, contractors also need to consider that fire and security alarm systems might be linked across all business units, including sprinkler systems. Any changes must be made extremely carefully to avoid damaging the entire building system. This is why it’s important to find a general contractor that can strike the ideal balance between regulations and ensure compliance in all areas.
If you’re considering a commercial construction project where ADA compliance will be necessary, give us a call to discuss the details of your project.
