Effective 28 Aug 1989

8.620. Renovations by political subdivisions — specifications to make accessible and usable by physically disabled — standards to be met. — 1. In all renovation undertaken by a political subdivision of this state, and at the discretion of the governing body of the political subdivision, the standard specifications for making such public improvements accessible to and usable by the physically disabled shall be either the American National Standards Institute, Inc., (ANSI) specifications or the specifications set out in this section.

2. Public walks shall be at least forty-eight inches wide and shall have a gradient not greater than five percent unless the parallel and adjacent public thoroughfare gradient exceeds such percentage in which case the gradient to be constructed shall conform to the gradient of such parallel and adjacent public thoroughfare. These walks shall be of a continuing common surface, not interrupted by steps or abrupt change in level. Wherever walks cross other walks, driveways, or parking areas, they shall blend to a common level. Wherever a public door swings out onto a walk, ramp or platform, there shall be provided a walk area which extends at least three feet beyond the swing of the door. The walk area outside any public doorway shall be at the same level as the area inside the door and shall extend a minimum of one foot beyond each side of the door.

3. Where parking is provided, there shall be a walk or ramp, not interrupted by steps or curbs, from at least one parking area to the building or facility.

4. Where public ramps with gradients are necessary or desired, they shall conform to the following specifications:

(1) The slope shall not exceed one foot in twelve feet, or eight and thirty-three hundredths percent or four degrees fifty minutes;

(2) The handrails on at least one side shall be at least thirty-two inches in height, extended at least one foot beyond the top and bottom of ramp;

(3) The width shall be at least thirty-two inches, clear measurement;

(4) The surface shall be nonslip;

(5) The bottom of ramp shall have a level run of at least six feet;

(6) The ramps shall provide level platforms at thirty-foot intervals and at turns in the ramp.

5. At least one public entrance shall be provided which is accessible to persons in wheelchairs. Wherever a public elevator is provided, it shall be accessible to this entrance. The floor, walk or platform at the doorway of this entrance shall be level for a distance of at least five feet from each approach and shall extend at least one foot beyond each side of the door.

6. Public doors shall have a clear opening of not less than thirty-two inches when open and shall be operable in a single effort.

7. Steps in public stairs reasonably expected to be used by persons with physical handicaps shall not have protruding nosings, except that this shall not preclude the use of inclined risers (a smooth diagonal) which may project a maximum of one and one-half inches over the tread below. Stairs shall have handrails on each side at least thirty-two inches high as measured from the tread at the face of the riser. At least one handrail shall extend eighteen inches beyond the top step and beyond the bottom step unless such extension shall itself be a hazard. Where possible, such extensions shall be made on the side of a continuing wall. Steps shall have risers not to exceed seven inches and shall be designed to conform with recognized step formulas.

8. Floors shall have a nonslip surface wherever practicable. The level of the floors shall be common throughout the same story or shall be connected by at least one ramp or by elevator access.

9. Public toilets shall be arranged to allow traffic and use of persons in wheelchairs and shall provide at least one toilet stall which is a* minimum of thirty-six inches wide and fifty-six inches long, has a door, if doors are used, that is thirty-two inches wide and swings out, and has handrails on each side which are thirty-three inches above the floor.

10. Where public elevators are provided, they shall be accessible to, and usable by, the physically handicapped at levels normally used by the general public, designed to allow for wheelchair traffic.

11. Practicable design and engineering arrangements shall be made to obviate hazards to individuals with physical disabilities.

12. Renovations to public parks, recreational areas and rest areas shall be planned and executed in a manner that will enable handicapped persons and senior citizens to share, as fully as practicable, in the enjoyment of these areas and facilities. Opportunities to participate in fishing, picnicking, sunbathing and other outdoor recreational pursuits shall be provided as fully as practicable. Facilities shall be equipped with such devices as are necessary for appropriate use by handicapped and senior citizens.

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(L. 1973 H.B. 77, A.L. 1989 H.B. 493)

*Word "a" does not appear in original rolls.

CROSS REFERENCE:

Cities, handicap access requirements, 71.365