AMENDMENTS TO THE BOCA NATIONAL BUILDING CODE/1996

CHAPTER 11 - ACCESSIBILITY

(Amd) 1102.1 General: The following words or terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.

(Add) Complex: For application of accessibility requirements, this term means any group of buildings located on a single parcel of land or on contiguous parcels of land or any building or group of buildings which are subdivided into separate occupancies and planned, financed, constructed or promoted by common management for the purpose of sale or lease of the entire complex or any subdivision thereof, except any single-family detached dwelling.

(Add) Story: For application of accessibility requirements, this term means that part of a building between a floor and the floor or roof next above.

(Add) Street Floor: For application of accessibility requirements, this term means the floor nearest the level of exit discharge.

(Amd) 1103.1 Where required: All buildings and structures, including their associated sites and facilities, shall be accessible to persons with physical disabilities including, but not limited to, occupants, employees, students, spectators, participants and visitors.

Exceptions:

1. Accessibility is not required in buildings and facilities, or portions thereof, to the extent permitted by Sections 1104.0 through 1110.0.

2. Detached one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures, and their associated sites and facilities, are not required to be accessible except as provided by Section 1107.4.2.2.

3. Use Group U is exempt from all requirements of this section other than the following:

3.1 In agricultural buildings, access is required to paved work areas and areas open to the general public.

3.2 Access is required to private garages or carports which contain accessible parking.

4. Temporary structures, sites and equipment directly associated with the construction process, such as construction site trailers, scaffolding, bridging or material hoists.

5. Pursuant to subsection (a) of section 29-274, C.G.S., Use Group H (High Hazard), Use Group S-1 (Moderate-Hazard Storage) to the extent that such facility is not designed to be utilized by the general public, and Use Group S-2 (low-hazard storage) to the extent that such facility is not a parking garage to be utilized by the general public, except that the provisions of section 29-269, C.G.S., shall apply to any employer occupying space in Use Group H, S-1 or S-2 who is in violation of section 46a-60, C.G.S.

6. Except as provided for in Section 1104.2, exception 2, renovations, additions or alterations to existing buildings above the street floor being converted to Use Group B (Business) provided: (1) Each story above the street floor contains less than 3,000 square feet of total gross area per floor; and (2) the street floor is renovated to provide accessibility to the disabled pursuant to section 29-269, C.G.S.

7. Pursuant to subsection (c) of section 29-274, C.G.S., any complex or building which is not part of a complex designated as Use Group R-1 having fewer than 25 dwelling units or the second story of a two-story Use Group R-1 building where the street floor complies with the applicable provisions of this chapter, section 29-269, C.G.S., and subsection (a) of section 29-273, C.G.S.

8. Except as provided for in Section 1104.2, exception 2, any building of any use group consisting of three stories or less not otherwise exempted by the provisions of section 29-269, C.G.S., shall be exempt if (1) each story above or below the street floor contains less than 3,000 square feet of total gross area; and (2) the street floor is designed, renovated or altered to comply with the provisions of this chapter, section 29-269, C.G.S., and the applicable provisions of section 29-273, C.G.S.

9. Mezzanines having less than 3,000 square feet of gross floor area, either singly or in the aggregate for multiple mezzanines on any floor, provided that the goods and services available on any mezzanine shall be available in accessible areas.

(Amd) 1104.1 Where required: Accessible routes within the site shall be provided from public transportation stops, accessible parking and accessible passenger loading zones, and public streets or sidewalks to the accessible building entrance served. Where an accessible route must cross speed bumps or vehicle wheel stops, there shall be a minimum clear passage width not less than 32 inches.

(Amd) 1104.2 Connected spaces: At least one accessible route shall connect accessible spaces, elements, facilities and buildings that are on the same site. Where only one accessible route is provided, the accessible route shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, restrooms, closets or similar spaces.

Exceptions:

1. A single accessible route shall be permitted to pass through a kitchen or storage room in an accessible dwelling unit.

2. In other than offices of health care providers (Use Group B), passenger transportation facilities and airports (Use Group A-3), and multitenant facilities of Use Group M, floors that are above and below accessible levels, and that have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000 square feet, and an aggregate occupant load of not more than 50, are not required to be served by an accessible route from an accessible level.

3. In buildings that are three stories or less, floors that are above or below the accessible street floor and that have a gross floor area of less than 3,000 square feet are not required to be served by an accessible route from an accessible level pursuant to subsection (d) of section 29-274, C.G.S.

(Amd) 1105.1 Required: Where parking is provided, accessible parking spaces shall be provided in compliance with Table 1105.1, except as required by Sections 1105.2 and 1105.3.

(Amd) Table 1105.1

ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES

(Add) 1105.1.1 Accessible parking spaces: Pursuant to subsection (h) of section 14-253a, C.G.S., accessible parking spaces shall be 15 feet wide including 3 feet of cross hatch, or parallel to a sidewalk on a public highway.

(Add) 1105.1.2 Surface gradient: Accessible parking spaces shall have a surface with a gradient not more than one unit vertical to 50 units horizontal (1:50).

(Amd) 1105.2 Use Groups R-2 and R-3: Two percent, but not less than one, of parking spaces provided for occupancies in Use Group R-2 which are required to have Type A dwelling units shall be accessible. One accessible parking space shall be provided for each four Type A dwelling units in Use Group R-3 occupancies. Where parking is provided within or beneath a building, accessible parking spaces shall also be provided within or beneath the building.

(Add) 1105.4.1 Access clearance: Pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-253a, C.G.S., public parking garages, structures and terminals shall have a vertical clearance of 9 feet, 6 inches, along the vehicular route to and from at least two reserved and designated van parking spaces, and at one primary entrance and one exit.

(Add) 1106.3 Automatic entrances: Pursuant to section 29-270a, C.G.S., at least one primary entrance to any covered mall building, anchor store or retail business (Use Group M) with more than 50,000 square feet of floor space shall be equipped with an automatically operating door or doors in sequence, installed in accordance with applicable provisions of this code. Where controls for automatic doors are provided they shall be in an accessible location outside the swing of the door, within 10 feet of the entrance and set at a maximum height of 30 inches above the walking surface.

Exception: Nothing in this section shall require the installation of automatically operating doors in a primary entrance which is open and unobstructed by any door during the hours the retail business is open to the public.

(Add) 1107.2.3.1 Surface gradient: Wheelchair spaces shall have a surface with a gradient not more than one unit vertical to 50 units horizontal (1:50).

(Amd) 1107.4.1 Accessible guestrooms: Pursuant to subsection (a) of section 29-273, C.G.S., any hotel occupancy in Use Group R-1 in a complex or in a building which is not part of a complex, containing in the aggregate 25 or more guestrooms shall provide at least one guestroom accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities for every 25 such rooms or fraction thereof. In hotels with more than 50 guestrooms, roll-in type showers shall be provided in one-half, but not less than one, of the required accessible guestrooms.

(Amd) 1107.4.1.1 Boarding houses and dormitories: Pursuant to subsection (b) of section 29-273, C.G.S., any boarding house or dormitory in a complex or in a building which is not part of a complex, containing in the aggregate 25 or more beds shall provide accessibility to at least one bed for use by persons with disabilities for every 25 such beds or fraction thereof.

(Add) 1107.4.1.2 Accommodations: Accessible guestrooms in Use Group R-1 shall be dispersed among the different types of accommodations provided.

(Amd) 1107.4.2 Accessible dwelling units: In occupancies in Use Groups R-2 and R-3, accessible dwelling units shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1107.4.2.1, 1107.4.2.2, 1107.4.2.3 and 1107.4.2.4. In occupancies in Use Group R-2, all rooms and spaces available to the general public and all such spaces available for the use of the residents serving accessible dwelling units shall be accessible.

Exceptions:

1. Where a multistory dwelling unit is provided with elevator service to only one floor, the floor provided with elevator service shall comply with the requirements for a Type A dwelling unit and a toilet facility shall be provided on that floor.

2. The requirements for Type A dwelling units shall not apply to dwelling units that are both located above the first level containing dwelling units and that are not provided with elevator access thereto.

3. Recreational facilities in accordance with Section 1107.4.4.

(Add) 1107.4.2.1 Use Group R-2: Pursuant to subsection (c) (2) of section 29-273, C.G.S., all dwelling units in Use Group R-2 constructed or substantially renovated or created by a change of use in any complex, or building which is not part of a complex, and which are located on the street floor and on any floor serviced by an elevator shall be Type A dwelling units in accordance with requirements set forth in ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35.

(Add) 1107.4.2.2 Use Group R-3: Pursuant to subsection (d) of section 29-273, C.G.S., any complex or building which is not part of a complex, designated, constructed or substantially renovated as Use Group R-3 multiple single- family dwellings which contains 10 or more dwelling units shall provide at least one Type A dwelling unit for every 10 units or substantial fraction thereof in accordance with requirements set forth in ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35.

(Add) 1107.4.2.3 Distribution: Where dwelling units differ in the number of bedrooms provided, Type A dwelling units of each type shall conform generally to the percentages of the unit types as a whole and shall be distributed throughout any building or complex. This shall not be construed so as to require a greater number of Type A dwelling units than as computed above.

(Add) 1107.4.2.4 State assisted housing: Pursuant to section 29-271, C.G.S., any state-assisted rental housing or rental housing project constructed or substantially rehabilitated which contains 10 or more housing units shall have at least 10 percent of the units and all common use areas and facilities designed to promote safe and accessible means of entrance and egress and ease of access and use of the facilities for the physically disabled unless a waiver of such requirement is obtained from the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.

(Amd) 1108.2 Toilet and bathing facilities: Toilet rooms and bathing facilities shall be accessible. At least one of each type fixture or element in each accessible toilet room and bathing facility shall be accessible. Toilet and bathing facilities in Type A and Type B dwelling units shall meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35.

Exceptions:

1. A nonpublic toilet room or bathing facility intended for use by a single occupant shall be permitted to be adaptable.

2. This section is not applicable to dwelling units, guestrooms and patient toilet and bathing facilities which are not required to be accessible by Section 1107.0

(Amd) 1108.2.1 Water closet compartment: Where water closet compartments are provided in a toilet room or bathing facility, a wheelchair-accessible compartment shall be provided. Where a combined total of six or more water closet compartments and urinals are provided in a toilet room or bathing facility, at least one ambulatory-accessible compartment shall be provided in addition to the wheelchair-accessible compartment. Wheelchair-accessible and ambulatory-accessible compartments shall comply with the plumbing code and ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35.

(Add) 1108.2.2 Single Occupancy Toilet: Required accessible toilet rooms designed for single occupancy in other than Use Group R shall meet the requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35. Each such room shall contain both toilet and lavatory, shall have a lever handle privacy lockset and shall have an emergency call system which actuates a visible and audible alarm in a normally occupied area. An alarm pull switch shall be provided within 3 feet of the water closet with a pull cord extending to within 12 inches of the floor. Emergency instructions shall be provided at the occupied location.

(Amd) 1108.3 Kitchens: Kitchens in Type A and Type B dwelling units shall comply with ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35.

(Amd) 1108.5 Lifts and limited use, limited access elevators: Vertical wheelchair or incline lifts, inclined stairway chairlifts and limited use, limited access elevators shall not be a part of a required accessible route in new construction, alteration or repair. Pursuant to section 29-200, C.G.S., the following exceptions are allowed:

Exceptions:

1. In buildings principally used for meeting, gathering or assembling by any civic, religious, fraternal or charitable organization.

2. In residential buildings designed to be occupied by one or two families.

3. In other buildings and structures only if the Executive Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and the State Building Inspector jointly approve such installation.

Lifts and limited use, limited access elevators shall be installed in accordance with ASME A17.1 listed in Chapter 35.

(Add) 1108.11 Study carrels: Where fixed or built-in study carrels are provided, at least one, but not less than five percent, of the locations shall be accessible.

(Add) 1108.12 Laboratory stations: Where fixed or built-in laboratory stations are provided, at least one, but not less than five percent, of the locations shall be accessible.

(Add) 1108.13 Telephones: Where public telephones are provided, at least one, but not less than 25 percent shall be accessible. Where three or more public telephones are provided in any one location, or where any public telephone is provided in a hospital, an accessible shelf and an accessible electrical outlet shall be provided for use of a portable text telephone device.

(Add) 1108.14 Automated teller machines: Where automated teller machines are provided for pedestrian use at any site, at least one location and one automated teller machine shall be accessible.

(Amd) 1109.2 Signs: Required accessible elements shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility at the following locations:

1. Accessible parking spaces as required by Section 1105.1. Pursuant to subsection (h) of section 14-253a, C.G.S., such spaces shall be designated by above-grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words "HANDICAPPED PARKING PERMIT REQUIRED" and "VIOLATORS WILL BE FINED" in addition to the International Symbol of Accessibility.

2. Accessible passenger loading zones.

3. Accessible areas of refuge required by Section 1007.5.4.

4. Accessible portable toilet and bathing units.

5. Accessible means of egress stairways.

(Add) 1109.2.2 Interior signage: Interior signs which designate permanent rooms and spaces shall be raised text characters and Braille, designed and located in accordance with ICC/ANSI A117.1, formerly entitled CABO/ANSI A117.1, as listed in Chapter 35. Mounting location for signage shall be such that any person approaching the signage will not encounter protruding objects, or stand within the swing of any door.

(Amd) 1110.2.2 Scoping for alterations: The following provisions shall apply for alterations to existing buildings and facilities:

1. Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing toilet rooms or bathing facilities to be accessible, at least one accessible unisex toilet room or bathing facility shall be provided and shall be located on the same floor and in the same area as the existing toilet rooms or bathing facilities. Each accessible unisex toilet room shall contain one accessible water closet and lavatory, and each accessible unisex bathing facility shall contain one accessible fixture of each kind provided in the existing bathing facilities. The door to each accessible unisex toilet room or bathing facility shall be capable of being locked from within the room. Each accessible unisex toilet room or bathing facility shall have an emergency call system which activates a visible and audible alarm in a normally occupied area. An alarm pull switch shall be provided within 3 feet of each water closet, shower or bathtub, with a pull cord extending to within 12 inches of the floor. Emergency instructions shall be provided at the occupied location.

2. Where existing toilet or bathing facilities are being altered and are not made accessible, directional signage shall be provided indicating the location of the nearest accessible toilet or bathing facility within the facility.

3. Where it is technically infeasible to disperse accessible seating throughout an altered assembly area, accessible seating areas may be clustered. Each accessible wheelchair space shall have provisions for companion seating and shall be located on an accessible route that also serves as an accessible means of egress.

4. Where it is technically infeasible to alter all performing areas to be on an accessible route, at least one of each type of performing area shall be made accessible.

5. Pursuant to section 29-200, C.G.S., inclined stairway chairlifts, vertical wheelchair or incline lifts and limited use, limited access elevators, when utilized in accordance with the provisions of Section 1108.5, are permitted to be utilized as part of an accessible route in alterations.

6. Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing dressing rooms to be accessible in accordance with Section 1108.9.1, not less than one accessible dressing room shall be provided on the same level as the inaccessible dressing rooms. Where separate dressing rooms are provided for each sex, not less than one accessible dressing room for each sex shall be provided.

7. Where guestrooms in occupancies in Use Group R-1 are being altered, at least one guestroom for each 25 altered guestrooms shall be accessible, and at least one additional guestroom for each 25 altered guestrooms shall comply with Sections 918.8 and 1007.0. Altered accessible guestrooms shall be dispersed among different types of accommodations. The building is not required to exceed the requirements of Sections 918.8.1, 918.8.2 and 1107.4.1.

8. Accessible means of egress in accordance with Section 1007.0 are not required as a result of alterations to existing buildings and facilities.

Exceptions to #8:

i. Where guestrooms are being altered in occupancies in Use Group R-1, as provided for in Item 7 of Section 1110.2.2.

ii. Where there is a change of occupancy, as provided for in Section 1110.3.

(Amd) 1110.3 Change of occupancy: Provisions for new construction shall apply to existing buildings that undergo a change of occupancy, unless technically infeasible or in accordance with Section 1103.1, Exception 6.

(Amd) 1110.4 Historic buildings: The provisions of Chapter 11 shall apply to buildings and facilities designated as historic structures that undergo alterations or a change of occupancy, unless technically infeasible or unless a modification is granted pursuant to subsection (b) of section 29-259, C.G.S.

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