§ 60.33. Buildings.
Buildings and facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) At least one accessible route complying with ADAAG 4.3 shall connect building or facility entrances with all accessible spaces and elements within the building or facility.
(2) Objects that overhang or protrude into circulation paths shall comply with ADAAG 4.4.
(3) Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces shall comply with ADAAG 4.5.
(4) Interior and exterior stairs connecting levels that are not connected by an elevator, ramp or other accessible means of vertical access shall comply with ADAAG 4.9.
(5) One passenger elevator complying with ADAAG 4.10 shall serve each level, including mezzanines, in multistory buildings and facilities, except that in new and existing construction with less than 12,500 square feet of net floor area, an elevator or ramp is not required to provide an accessible route to nongrade floor levels. If more than one elevator is provided, each full passenger elevator shall comply with ADAAG 4.10. Platform lifts (wheelchair lifts) complying with ADAAG 4.11 and Chapter 7 (relating to elevators, lifts, escalators, dumbwaiters, hoists and tramways) may be used in lieu of an elevator only under the following conditions:
(i) To provide an accessible route to a performing area in an assembly occupancy.
(ii) To comply with the wheelchair viewing position line-of-sight and dispersion requirements of ADAAG 4.33.3.
(iii) To provide access to incidental occupiable spaces and rooms which are not open to the general public and which house no more than five persons.
(6) Windows—no requirements.
(7) Doors:
(i) At each accessible entrance to a building or facility, at least one door shall comply with ADAAG 4.13.
(ii) Within a building or facility, at least one door at each accessible space shall comply with ADAAG 4.13.
(iii) Each door that is an element of an accessible route shall comply with ADAAG 4.13.
(iv) Each door required by ADAAG 4.3.10, Egress, shall comply with ADAAG 4.13.
(8) In new construction, at a minimum, the requirements in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) shall be satisfied independently:
(i) Accessible entrances shall be provided as follows:
(A) At least 50% of all public entrances—excluding those in subparagraph (iii)—shall be accessible. At least one shall be a ground floor entrance. Public entrances are entrances that are not loading or service entrances.
(B) Accessible entrances shall be provided in a number at least equivalent to the number of exits required by Chapters 49—59, known as the Fire and Panic Regulations. This clause does not require an increase in the total number of entrances planned for a facility.
(C) An accessible entrance shall be provided to each tenancy in a facility; for example, individual stores in a strip shopping center.
(ii) One entrance may be considered as meeting more than one of the requirements in subparagraph (i). Where feasible, accessible entrances shall be the entrances used by the majority of people visiting or working in the building.
(iii) Pedestrian access shall be provided as follows:
(A) If direct access is provided for pedestrians from an enclosed parking garage to the building, at least one direct entrance from the garage to the building shall be accessible.
(B) If access is provided for pedestrians from a pedestrian tunnel or elevated walkway, one entrance to the building from each tunnel or walkway shall be accessible.
(iv) One entrance may be considered as meeting more than one of the requirements in subparagraph (iii).
(v) Because entrances also serve as emergency exists whose proximity to all parts of buildings and facilities is essential, it is preferable that all entrances be accessible.
(vi) If the only entrance to a building, or tenancy in a facility, is a service entrance, that entrance shall be accessible.
(vii) Entrances which are not accessible shall have directional signage complying with ADAAG 4.30.1, 4.30.2, 4.30.3 and 4.30.5, which indicates the location of the nearest accessible entrance.
(9) In buildings or facilities, or portions of buildings or facilities, required to be accessible, accessible means of egress shall be provided in the same number as required for exits by Chapters 49—59. Where a required exit from an occupiable level above or below a level of accessible exit discharge is not accessible, an area of rescue assistance shall be provided on each level—in a number equal to that of inaccessible required exits. Areas of rescue assistance shall comply with ADAAG 4.3.11. A horizontal exit, meeting the requirements of Chapters 49—59 shall satisfy the requirement for an area of rescue assistance. Areas of rescue assistance are not required in buildings or facilities having a supervised automatic sprinkler system.
(10) Drinking fountain requirements are as follows:
(i) Where only one drinking fountain is provided on a floor, it shall be accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs in accordance with ADAAG 4.15 and to those who have difficulty bending or stooping. This can be accommodated by the use of a ‘‘hi-lo’’ fountain; by providing a fountain accessible under ADAAG 4.15 and a water cooler; or by other means that would achieve the required accessibility for each group on each floor.
(ii) Where more than one drinking fountain or water cooler is provided on a floor, at least 50% of those provided shall comply with ADAAG 4.15 and shall be on an accessible route.
(11) Toilet facilities shall be as follows: If toilet rooms are provided, each public and common use toilet room shall comply with ADAAG 4.22. Other toilet rooms provided for the use of occupants of specific spaces—such as, a private toilet room for the occupant of a private office—shall be adaptable. If bathing rooms are provided, each public and common use bathroom shall comply with ADAAG 4.23. Accessible toilet rooms and bathing facilities shall be on an accessible route.
(12) Storage, shelving and display units shall be provided as follows:
(i) If fixed or built-in storage facilities, such as cabinets, shelves, closets and drawers are provided in accessible spaces, at least one of each type provided shall contain storage space complying with ADAAG 4.25. Additional storage may be provided outside of the dimensions required by ADAAG 4.25.
(ii) Shelves or display units allowing self-service by customers in mercantile occupancies shall be located on an accessible route complying with ADAAG 4.3. Requirements for accessible reach range do not apply.
(13) Controls and operating mechanisms in accessible spaces, along accessible routes, or as parts of accessible elements—for example, light switches and dispenser controls—shall comply with ADAAG 4.27.
(14) If emergency warning systems are provided, they shall include audible alarms and visual alarms complying with ADAAG 4.28. Sleeping accommodations required to comply with ADAAG 9.3 shall have an alarm system complying with ADAAG 4.28. Emergency warning systems in medical care facilities may be modified to suit standard health care alarm design practice.
(15) Detectable warnings shall be provided at locations as specified in ADAAG 4.29.
(16) Building signage shall be provided as follows:
(i) Signs which designate permanent rooms and spaces shall comply with ADAAG 4.30.1, 4.30.4, 4.30.5 and 4.30.6.
(ii) Other signs which provide direction to or information about functional spaces of the building shall comply with ADAAG 4.30.1, 4.30.2, 4.30.3 and 4.30.5.
(iii) Building directories, menus and all other signs which are temporary are not required to comply with this paragraph.
(17) Public telephones shall be provided as follows:
(i) If public pay telephones, public closed circuit telephones or other public telephones are provided, they shall comply with ADAAG 4.31.2—4.31.8 to the extent required by the following Public Telephone Table:
PUBLIC TELEPHONE TABLE
Number of each type oftelephone provided on eachfloor Number of telephonesrequired to comply withADAAG 4.31.2 through 4.31.81 1 or more single unit 1 per floor 1 bank3 1 per floor 2 or more banks2 1 per bank. Accessible unit may be installed as a single unit in proximity (either visible or with signage) to the bank. At least one public telephone per floor shall meet the requirements for a forward reach telephone3
1 Additional public telephones may be installed at any height. Unless otherwise specified, accessible telephones may be either forward or side reach telephones.
2 A bank consists of two or more adjacent public telephones, often installed as a unit.
3 EXCEPTION: For exterior installations only, if dial tone first service is available, then a side reach telephone may be installed instead of the required forward reach telephone (that is, one telephone in proximity to each bank shall comply with ADAAG 4.31).
(ii) Telephones required to be accessible and complying with ADAAG 4.31.2 through 4.31.8 shall be equipped with a volume control. In addition, 25%, but never less than one, of all other public telephones provided shall be equipped with a volume control and shall be dispersed among all types of public telephones, including closed circuit telephones, throughout the building or facility. Signage complying with applicable provisions of ADAAG 4.30.7 shall be provided.
(iii) The following shall be provided in accordance with ADAAG 4.31.9:
(A) If a total number of four or more public pay telephones—including both interior and exterior phones—is provided at a site, and at least one is in an interior location, at least one interior public text telephone shall be provided.
(B) If an interior public pay telephone is provided in a stadium or arena, in a convention center, in a hotel with a convention center or in a covered mall, at least one interior public text telephone shall be provided in the facility.
(C) If a public pay telephone is located in or adjacent to a hospital emergency room, hospital recovery room or hospital waiting room, one public text telephone shall be provided at each of these locations.
(iv) Where a bank of telephones in the interior of a building consists of three or more public pay telephones, at least one public pay telephone in each bank shall be equipped with a shelf and outlet in compliance with ADAAG 4.31.9(2).
(18) If fixed or built-in seating or tables, such as study carrels and student laboratory stations, are provided in accessible public or common use areas, at least 5%, but not less than one, of the fixed or built-in seating areas or tables shall comply with ADAAG 4.32. An accessible route shall lead to and through the fixed or built-in seating areas, or tables.
(19) Assembly areas shall comply with the following:
(i) Places of assembly with fixed seating accessible wheelchair locations shall comply with ADAAG 4.33.2, 4.33.3 and 4.33.4 and shall be provided in conformance with the following Assembly Seating Table:
ASSEMBLY SEATING TABLE
Capacity of Seating in
Assembly AreasNumber of Required
Wheelchair Locations4 to 25 1 26 to 50 2 51 to 300 4 301 to 500 6 over 500 6, plus 1 additional space for each total seating capacity increase of 100
(ii) In addition, 1%, but not less than one, of all fixed seats shall be aisle seats with no armrests on the aisle side, or removable or folding armrests on the aisle side. Each seat shall be identified by a sign or marker. Signage notifying patrons of the availability of seats shall be posted at the ticket office. Aisle seats are not required to comply with ADAAG 4.33.4.
(iii) This paragraph applies to assembly areas where audible communications are integral to the use of the space—such as, concert and lecture halls, playhouses and movie theaters, meeting rooms, and the like. These assembly areas, if they accommodate at least 50 persons, or if they have audio-amplification systems, and they have fixed seating, shall have a permanently installed assistive listening system complying with ADAAG 4.33. For other assembly areas, a permanently installed assistive listening system, or an adequate number of electrical outlets or other supplementary wiring necessary to support a portable assistive listening system shall be provided. The minimum number of receivers to be provided shall be equal to 4% of the total number of seats, but not less than two. Signage complying with applicable provisions of ADAAG 4.30 shall be installed to notify patrons of the availability of a listening system.
(20) Where automated teller machines (ATMs) are provided, each ATM shall comply with ADAAG 4.34 except where two or more are provided at a location, then only one shall comply. Drive-up-only automated teller machines are not required to comply with ADAAG 4.27.2, 4.27.3 and 4.34.3.
(21) Where dressing and fitting rooms are provided for use by the general public, patients, customers or employes, 5%, but not less than one, of dressing rooms for each type of use in each cluster of dressing rooms shall be accessible and shall comply with ADAAG 4.35. Examples of types of dressing rooms are those serving different genders or distinct and different functions as in different treatment or examination facilities.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 60.34 (relating to group habitation under physical restraint).
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