4.3 ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
4.3.1 General
All walks, halls, corridors, aisles, sky walks, tunnels, and other spaces that are
part of an accessible route shall comply with 4.3.
4.3.2 Location
4.3.2(1) At least one accessible route within the boundary of the site shall be provided from
public transportation stops, accessible
parking, accessible passenger loading zones, and
public streets or sidewalks to the accessible
building entrance they serve. The accessible route shall, to the maximum extent feasible,
coincide with the route for the general public.
4.3.2(2) At least one accessible route shall connect accessible
buildings, facilities, elements, and spaces that are on the same site.
4.3.2(3) At least one accessible route shall connect accessible building
or facility entrances with all accessible spaces and elements and with all accessible
dwelling units within the building or facility.
4.3.2(4) An accessible route shall connect at least one accessible entrance of each
accessible dwelling unit with those exterior and interior spaces and facilities that serve
the accessible dwelling unit.
4.3.3 Width
The minimum clear width of an accessible route shall be 36 in (915 mm)
except at doors (see 4.13.5 and 4.13.6). If a person in a wheelchair must make a turn
around an obstruction, the minimum clear width of the accessible route shall be as shown
in Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b).
4.3.4 Passing Space
If an accessible route has less than 60 in (1525 mm) clear width, then passing spaces at
least 60 in by 60 in (1525 mm by 1525 mm) shall be located at reasonable intervals not to
exceed 200 ft (61 m). A T-intersection of two corridors or walks is an acceptable passing
place.
4.3.5 Head Room
Accessible routes shall comply with 4.4.2.
4.3.6 Surface Textures
The surface of an accessible route shall comply with 4.5.
4.3.7 Slope
An accessible route with a running slope greater than 1: 20 (5%) is a ramp and shall
comply with 4.8. Nowhere shall the cross slope of an
accessible route exceed 1:50 (2%).
4.3.8 Changes In Levels
Changes in levels along an accessible route shall comply with 4.5.2. If an accessible
route has changes in level greater than 1/2 in (13 mm), then a curb ramp, ramp, elevator, or platform lift (as permitted in 4.1.3 and 4.1.6) shall be provided that
complies with 4.7, 4.8,
4.10
, or 4.11, respectively. An accessible route does not
include stairs, steps, or escalators. See definition of "egress, means of" in 3.5.
4.3.9 Doors
Doors along an accessible route shall comply with 4.13.
4.3.10 Egress
Accessible routes serving any accessible space or element shall also serve as a means of
egress for emergencies or connect to an accessible area of rescue assistance.
4.3.11 Areas Of Rescue Assistance
4.3.11.1 Location And Construction: An area of rescue assistance
shall be one of the following:
- 4.3.11.1(1) A portion of a stairway landing within a smokeproof enclosure (complying
with local requirements).
- 4.3.11.1(2) A portion of an exterior exit balcony located immediately adjacent to an
exit stairway when the balcony complies with local requirements for exterior exit
balconies. Openings to the interior of the building located within 20 feet (6 m) of the
area of rescue assistance shall be protected with fire assemblies having a three-fourths
hour fire protection rating.
- 4.3.11.1(3) A portion of a one-hour fire-resistive corridor (complying with local
requirements for fire-resistive construction and for openings) located immediately
adjacent to an exit enclosure.
- 4.3.11.1(4) A vestibule located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure and
constructed to the same fire-resistive standards as required for corridors and openings.
- 4.3.11.1(5) A portion of a stairway landing within an exit enclosure which is vented to
the exterior and is separated from the interior of the building with not less than
one-hour fire-resistive doors.
- 4.3.11.1(6) When approved by the appropriate local authority, an area or a room which is
separated from other portions of the building by a smoke barrier. Smoke barriers shall
have a fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour and shall completely enclose the
area or room. Doors in the smoke barrier shall be tight-fitting smoke- and draft-control
assemblies having a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 minutes and shall be
self-closing or automatic closing. The area or room shall be provided with an exit
directly to an exit enclosure. Where the room or area exits into an exit enclosure which
is required to be of more than one-hour fire-resistive construction, the room or area
shall have the same fire-resistive construction, including the same opening protection, as
required for the adjacent exit enclosure.
- 4.3.11.1(7) An elevator lobby when elevator shafts and adjacent lobbies are pressurized
as required for smokeproof enclosures by local regulations and when complying with
requirements herein for size, communication, and signage. Such pressurization system shall
be activated by smoke detectors on each floor located in a manner approved by the
appropriate local authority. Pressurization equipment and its duct work within the
building shall be separated from other portions of the building by a minimum two-hour
fire-resistive construction.
4.3.11.2 Size
Each area of rescue assistance shall provide at least two accessible areas each being not
less than 30 inches by 48 inches (760 mm by 1220 mm). The area of rescue assistance shall
not encroach on any required exit width. The total number of such 30-inch by 48-inch (760
mm by 1220 mm) areas per story shall be not less than one for every 200 persons of
calculated occupant load served by the area of rescue assistance.
EXCEPTION: The appropriate local authority may reduce the minimum number of 30-inch by
48-inch (760 mm by 1220 mm) areas to one for each area of rescue assistance on floors
where the occupant load is less than 200.
4.3.11.3 Stairway Width
Each stairway adjacent to an area of rescue assistance shall have a minimum clear width of
48 inches between handrails.
4.3.11.4 Two-Way Communication
A method of two-way communication, with both visible and audible signals, shall be
provided between each area of rescue assistance and the primary entry. The fire department
or appropriate local authority may approve a location other than the primary entry.
4.3.11.5 Identification
Each area of rescue assistance shall be identified by a sign which states "AREA OF
RESCUE ASSISTANCE" and displays the international symbol of accessibility. The sign
shall be illuminated when exit sign illumination is required. Signage shall also be
installed at all inaccessible exits and where otherwise necessary to clearly indicate the
direction to areas of rescue assistance. In each area of rescue assistance, instructions
on the use of the area under emergency conditions shall be posted adjoining the two-way
communication system.
4.4 PROTRUDING OBJECTS
4.4.1 General Objects projecting from walls (for
example, telephones) with their leading edges between 27 in and 80 in (685 mm and 2030 mm)
above the finished floor shall protrude no more than 4 in (100 mm) into walks, halls,
corridors, passageways, or aisles (see Fig.
8). Objects mounted with their leading edges at or below 27 in (685 mm) above the
finished floor may protrude any amount (see Fig. 8). Free-standing objects mounted
on posts or pylons may overhang 12 in (305 mm) maximum from 27 in to 80 in (685 mm to 2030
mm) above the ground or finished floor. Protruding objects shall not reduce the clear
width of an accessible route or maneuvering space.
Note: Most people with severe impairments of vision use the long cane as an aid to
mobility. The two principal cane techniques are the touch technique, where the cane arcs
from side to side and touches points outside both shoulders; and the diagonal technique,
where the cane is held in a stationary position diagonally across the body with the cane
tip touching or just above the ground at a point outside one shoulder and the handle or
grip extending to a point outside the other shoulder. The touch technique is used
primarily in uncontrolled areas, while the diagonal technique is used primarily in certain
limited, controlled, and familiar environments. Cane users are often trained to use both
techniques.
Potential hazardous objects are noticed only if they fall within the detection range of
canes. Visually impaired people walking toward an object can detect an overhang if its
lowest surface is not higher than 27 in (685 mm). When walking alongside protruding
objects, they cannot detect overhangs. Since proper cane and service animal techniques
keep people away from the edge of a path or from walls, a slight overhang of no more than
4 in (100 mm) is not hazardous.
4.4.2 Head Room. Walks, halls, corridors,
passageways, aisles, or other circulation spaces shall have 80 in (2030 mm) minimum clear
head room (see Fig. 8). If vertical
clearance of an area adjoining an accessible route is reduced to less than 80 in (nominal
dimension), a barrier to warn blind or visually-impaired persons shall be provided.
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