HARMONIZATION

Where the Civil Rights mandates of the ADA join the

General Welfare requirementsof the

ICC International Building Code©

Brian BlackDirector, Building Codes & Standards

United Spinal Association111 West Huron Street

Buffalo, NY 142021.800.807.0191

www.unitedspinal.org

bblack@unitedspinal.org

THE BACKGROUND:

• 1988: Model “legacy” codes begin to write common accessibility requirements

• 1988: Fair Housing Amendments Act

• 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act

• 1991: ADA Accessibility Guidelines published

• 1991: Legacy codes begin to adopt expanded access requirements

and . . .

• 1992: CABO/ANSI A117.1

• 1994: ADAAG Federal Advisory Committee

• 1996: Initial harmonization in legacy codes

• 1998: Harmonization in ICC/ANSI A117.1

• 1999: New ADAAG NPRM

• 2000: ICC International Building Code

Finally . . .

• 2001: ICC Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility

• 2002: final draft ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines

• 2003: Harmonized IBC and ICC/ANSI A117.1

• 2004: Access Board submits guidelines for approval

• 2004: IBC Supplement

QUESTION:My state has adopted the ICC International Building Code (IBC).

What does that mean for compliance with ADAAG?

ANSWER:Who knows?

Thank you very much.

Actually…

The answer depends on which IBC (2000 or 2003 or later) and which ADAAG (the current 1991 version or the 2004 proposed ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines).

2000 IBC and current ADAAG

IBC 2000 reflects* about 85% of the 1991 ADAAG**

*meets or exceeds

**does not include DOJ regulations

2003 IBC and ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines (2004)

IBC 2003 reflects about 96% of the new ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines

2004 IBC* and ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines (2004)*2004 Supplement will reference ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003

IBC 2003 with its 2004 Supplement will reflect about 99% of the new ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines

The IBC is more restrictive than new and old ADAAG for:

• Churches and other religious entities

• Changes of occupancy

• Fair Housing requirements

• Elevator exception

• Unisex toilet rooms

Fair housing

Elevator exception

ADA: No elevator where the is less than 2 stories or less than 3,000 s.f. per floor

IBC: Accessible route not required to stories and mezzanines above/below accessible level with aggregate 3,000 s.f.

Unisex toilet rooms

1108.2.1 Unisex toilet and bathing rooms.In assembly and mercantile occupancies, an accessible unisex toilet room shall be provided where an aggregate of six or more male and female water closets are required. In buildings of mixed occupancy, only those water closets required for the assembly or mercantile occupancy shall be used to determine the unisex toilet room requirement. In recreational facilities where separate-sex bathing rooms are provided, an accessible unisex bathing room shall be provided. Fixtures located within unisex toilet and bathing rooms shall be included in determining the number of fixtures provided in an occupancy.

Where the ADA exceeds IBC:

• Title II requirements

• DOJ regulations (e.g., “3-year” alteration rule)

• Accessible entrances (60% in new guidelines)

• Number of wheelchair locations in assembly areas (old ADAAG only)

New IBC/ADA features in 2004:

• Requirements for children’s environments

• New employ work area exceptions

• Press box exception

• Van parking

• New assembly area requirements

• Provisions for courts, jails

• New ASME A18.1 Platform Lift Standard

What to do?

• Best: Adopt IBC with 2004 Supplement (New York)

• Adopt IBC 2003 (Michigan)

• Do not use 1991 ADAAG technical requirements in lieu of ICC/ANSI A117.1 (Ohio)

• Retain more restrictive requirements of IBC

Thank you.