THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLYING WITH ADA IN CONSTRUCTION AND HOW ECI HELPS

The American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is one of the most important considerations that must be factored into all construction projects, whether new construction or renovation. Numerous ADA guidelines must be followed when constructing, for example, sidewalks, ramps, parking spaces, or buildings. Not following them will result in hefty fines, which can reach as high as $150,000 depending on the number of violations. The ADA is a simple concept – it prohibits discrimination based on disability (including both mental and physical). Knowing all of the guidelines that factor into each construction project and following them correctly and diligently is not as easy. ADA regulations are not something that you want to be lax about. ADA compliance allows disabled people to enjoy goods and services more efficiently and comfortably.

Title III of the ADA

Title III of the ADA is specific to the federal codes related to construction projects. To comply with ADA, contractors and Project Managers must be aware of building and renovating stipulations. Regarding new construction, all relevant ADA requirements must be followed with no exceptions. Renovations can be trickier than new builds because it depends on what exact fixes need to be made to bring it up to code and whether or not the changes are "readily achievable." The "readily achievable" test factors in the level of sophistication and financial means of the business owner. It may be unattainable, for example, for a small business owner to afford a major, expensive project to bring something up to ADA code. Some buildings, such as private clubs and religious organizations, may be exempt from following the rules.

There are specific parking space ADA requirements that must be met

Essential Facts on Sidewalks, Ramps, & Parking Spaces

Platforms must be added to ramps longer than 30 feet

Sidewalks present the most challenges for people with disabilities. They crack and deteriorate over time, and if they're not well maintained, they will cause significant hazards for everyone, especially those who use a wheelchair. The slope ratio requirement for a sidewalk is 1:20, and its minimum width is 3 feet. Sidewalks must be even, and their texture must be slip-resistant and firm. The ADA deems a trip hazard if there is a vertical change over ¼ of an inch or more. Another critical requirement is the need for a ramp everywhere the sidewalk crosses with a curb. Ramps must have a slope ratio of 1:12 to be in ADA compliance. They must also be a minimum width of 3 feet but can be higher in certain states. The edges of the ramp must be protected so that there is no risk of someone falling off. If a ramp is longer than 30 feet, there must be a platform so someone can rest before proceeding to the end of the ramp. Ramps should also have landings at the top and the bottom that are at least 60 inches long. For parking accessibility, the ADA requires a 2% slope in all directions, and they must be 8 feet wide unless they are for vans, which must be 11 feet wide. There are reference tables available through the ADA resources that specify the number of accessible parking spaces required based on the size of the lot. This criterion is important for someone with a disability to get into and out of the space comfortably.  

ECI Goes the Extra Mile for Clients

When an ECI Technologies' Virtual Construction Engineer (VCE) builds the surface model for a project, they check each accessible parking space for ADA compliance and let the client know if there is a problem. They also verify that sidewalk ramps and cross-slopes do not exceed ADA slope requirements. If there is a problem, we immediately let our client know. The benefits of finding these problems in the early stages of construction cannot be overstated. Nothing is worse than finding out that a ramp is too steep or a parking spot cross-slope is too high after the pavement has been laid or concrete poured. When caught early, these problems are simple to solve. Give us a call to discuss your projects and how we can help you mitigate ADA risks.