The 2013 California Building Code (CBC), Intervening Code Cycle Amendments to Chapter 11B, Accessibility to Public Accommodations, will take effect July 1, 2015. A CASp inspection by a Certified Access Specialist can take away the worry and headache from these new changes, and make sure your business is compliant for the busy summer season!
These amendments are applicable to new construction, alterations, and additions to public buildings, public accommodations, commercial buildings, and public housing.
Here are a few notable Amendments for the CBC Chapter 11B which takes effect soon:
11B-213 Toilet and Bathing Facilities:
Amendments to increase the required minimum number of accessible compartments and fixtures in multiple accommodation toilet rooms.
Unlike accessible parking stalls, accessible toilet facilities can be used by anyone and are not restricted to use by persons with disabilities.
This addresses the need for an increased number of accessible toilet facilities where, due to the number of users, wait times are excessive for persons with disabilities when only one accessible compartment or type of fixture is provided.
11B-406 Grooved Border:
Amendments eliminate the requirement for grooved borders at curb ramps because grooves cannot be reliably detected by people with vision impairments and can be confused with grooves between sidewalk panes and cracks in the sidewalk.
Not so groovy. I often wondered how grooved borders at curb ramps were detected by people with vision impairments with a cane that they moved side to side in front of them.
Grooves can generally only be detected when a cane is kept in constant contact with the ground when this method is used to scan the environment. In addition, snow, ice, dirt, weeds, and other debris can collect in grooves and obscure any warning intended.
11B-606 Sink Depth:
Amendments repeal the requirement for a maximum sink depth of 6-1/2 inches at sinks that require a forward approach. Sinks are now required to comply with Section 11B-306, Knee and toe clearance.
What matters is that a person in a wheelchair can get under the sink and use it. A maximum sink depth requirement is not necessary when you have knee and toe clearance requirements. The depth of the sink is therefore dependent on the mounting height of the sink and the required knee and toe clearance. This change does not adversely impact accessibility and provides a greater range of options for sink types.
These are just a couple of the notable amendments applicable July 1, 2015. Call us today to learn more and to schedule your CASp inspection! We serve most parts of California, the entire San Francisco Bay Area specializing in Silicon Valley CASp inspection, with including the cities of San Jose, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View, Los Gatos, and Saratoga. We also serve the Monterey Bay, including Carmel, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. Give us a call or send us an email by clicking here, we’re happy to discuss your questions together.