2012 tas: accessibility in texas - aia austin · 2012 tas: accessibility in texas ... accessible...

2012 TAS:Accessibility in Texas

Changes to the Scoping and Technical Standards

Presented By: John A. Rickard, AIA, PE, RAS

Best Practices

• Continuing Education Certification• This is course has been submitted by AIA Austin and

approved by the AIA Continuing Education Delivery System.

• You must sign in to receive continuing education credit for this course.

• This presentation is for educational purposes and no services will be marketed during the educational portion of the presentation.

Learning Objectives• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to correctly

scope accessibility requirements and apply them to the design of architectural projects, using the 2012 TAS.

• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to correctly apply accessibility technical requirements to the design of architectural projects, using the 2012 TAS.

• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to educate their staff and clients regarding changes in accessibility requirements that affect architectural design, using the 2012 TAS.

• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to assess existing architectural buildings and correctly determine whether they comply with new accessibility requirements, using the 2012 TAS.

Caveat Emptor

• This presentation is not all-inclusive• I can’t cover all of the changes in one hour

• Opinions are mine alone• Every effort has been made to clear these with TDLR• But, I can’t speak for TDLR• This is new, and TDLR is still clear up some of the

requirements

Accessibility Laws

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)• Federal Law• Covers Construction and Business Operations• Covers Both New Construction Activities and

Existing Facilities (Retroactive)• Enforced by Courts• Interpreted by U.S. Dept. of Justice

Accessibility Laws

• Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS)• State Law• Covers Construction Activities Only• Not Retroactive• Enforced/Interpreted by Texas Department of

Licensing and Regulation• Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) Program

Texas Accessibility Standards

• Overall Changes• New numbering system (matches ANSI/ICC 117.1)• Divided into 10 general chapters• Appendix replaced by advisory notes within the text• Requirements for children incorporated into standards

• Revised age groups• Reduced requirements• Children standards are permissive, not mandatory

Texas Accessibility Standards

Scoping - What has to be accessible?• Depends on:

• Construction Activity (New vs. Remodel)• Facility Use• Location of Accessible Element

Technical Standards - apply to:• Accessible Elements• Accessible Route Connecting Elements

2012 TAS Scoping Changes

• Standards are more stringent in some areas, less in others

• 1994 TAS constitutes safe harbor• Existing facilities unaffected unless they undergo

renovation/remodel/addition• Alteration to Area of Primary Function still applies• Any individual element that is changed must meet

new standards

Scoping Changes• A number of new sections have been added

• Windows (operable)• Play Areas• Washers and Dryers (not used solely by staff)• Judicial and Detention/Correctional Facilities• Residential Facilities (partly exempted by TAS)• Amusement rides, boat docks, exercise equipment,

fishing piers, golf facilities, saunas and pools, and shooting facilities

Scoping Changes

202.4 - Alterations to Areas of Primary Function• Alteration by tenant does NOT require landlord to

improve path of travel beyond the tenant space unless improvements are being made to those areas

• Advisory defines “disproportionate” cost as exceeding 20% of the improvements and applies it to path of travel requirement

• Residential is exempted from this section

Scoping/Technical Changes

• 205/309 – Operable Parts• In some cases, redundant controls/receptacles means

not all have to comply• Advisory is more specific about what must comply

and includes circuit breakers• 15-48 inch reach range (no separate standard for side

approach)• Tight grasping, pinching, and twisting of the wrist is

still prohibited

Scoping Changes

• 206.2.3 – Multi-story Buildings• Private two story buildings do NOT require elevator

unless:• Office of health care provider• Shopping center or mall• Used for public transportation

• Also applies to buildings with <3,000 SF on each floor• Exemption may apply to tenancy within a multi-story

building• 206.4.5 (entrance to each tenancy) does not trump this

Scoping Changes

• 206.3 – Location of Accessible Routes• Must coincide with or be located near general

circulation routes

• 206.4.1 – Entrances• 60% of public entrances must be accessible

• Previous standard was 50%

Scoping Changes

• 206.7 – Platform Lifts• Platform lifts may be part of an accessible route in

new construction for certain areas• No variance required• Must have standby power if part of an accessible

means of egress

Scoping Changes

• 207.1 – Accessible Means of Egress• Must comply with IBC 2000 or 2003 edition

• IBC Section 1007 requirements apply• Sprinklered buildings are exempt

• RAS is required to defer to IBC and local AHJ


• 208/502 – Parking Spaces• Parallel parking is not specifically addressed• Prohibition on wheelchair passing behind a parked car

other than one’s own is gone• 11 foot wide space with 5 foot aisle is the standard for

van accessible spaces• Aisle must be on passenger side at angled parking• Aisle must be marked to prevent parking in it


• 209.2.1/503 – Passenger Loading Zones• One per 100 feet of loading zone space• Size: 8’x20’ for vehicle plus 5’x20’ aisle• Aisle must be marked• No curb allowed at bus loading zones• Valet loading zones are included

Technical Changes

• 405.5 – Ramps• Landings still required to be 5’ x 5’ at turns• Ramp dimension must be clear, exclusive of handrails

• 36” plus handrails at ramp• 60” plus handrails at landing• Extension at bottom still required

• 505.10 – Handrail Extensions• May not turn 90 degrees


• 210/504 – Stairways• Must comply with width, riser, tread, and handrail

requirements• Vertical (vs. angled) riser is allowed• Handrail changes:

• 1¼” to 2” diameter• Non-circular cross-section allowed (4 - 6¼”

perimeter)• Extension at bottom equals tread depth (not +12”)


• 505 – Handrails


• 211/602 – Drinking Fountains• Hi-lo still required

• High side is defined as 38-43” spout height• Must be exactly 50% each high and low (rounding

allowed if odd number of EDF’s• Spout must be 5” maximum from front edge and 15”

minimum from support

Scoping Changes

• 213 – Toilet and Bathing Facilities• Toilet Compartments: Ambulatory compartment if

six or more fixtures (urinals + water closets)• Accessible urinal required only if more than one• In buildings without elevator, toilet/bathing facilities

must be on the level served by an accessible route

Technical Changes

• 603/604 – Toilet and Rooms and Water Closets• Requirement added for shelf (40-48” AFF)• Toilets must be 16-18” from side wall (17-19” in

ambulatory accessible stall)• Lavatory may not encroach into clear space for toilet

(60” required from wall to edge of lavatory)• Toilet clear floor area must be measured as 3D

volume (no cabinets allowed over toilets)• Baby changing stations not covered (TDLR requires

compliance with 902)

Technical Changes

• 603/604 – Toilet Stalls

Technical Changes

• 604 – Water Closets and Toilet Compartments• Rear grab bar must extend 24” min to wide side and

12” min to other side (location is now absolute if 36” grab bar is provided)

• Exceptions added for 24” grab bar if recessed fixture conflicts or split bar if certain flush devices conflict

• TP dispensers must be 7-9” in front of toilet and 15-48” AFF

• 12” min above grab bar to TP dispenser, 1½” below

Technical Changes

• 604 – Grab Bars

Technical Changes

• 604 – Water Closets and Toilet Compartments• Toe clearance must be 9” high• Toe clearance must be extend 6” beyond front panel

and side panel opposite toilet• VERY different children’s requirements

• Different age categories• Different dimensions

Technical Changes

• 604 –Toilet Compartments

Technical Changes

• 606/306 – Lavatories and Sinks• Lavatories and sinks both must have 27” high knee

clearance• Side approach to sink allowed in kitchens/break

rooms/wet bars if no cooktop or range is provided (34” maximum height)

• Clearer dimension requirements beneath sink in 306• Mirror bottom at 40” but no requirement for top (74”

recommended) – 603.3• No sink depth requirement

Technical Changes

• 606/306 – Lavatories and Sinks

Technical Changes

• 608– Shower Compartments• Four types of showers allowed without variance• Measure at mid-point of stall• ½ inch threshold allowed at roll-in showers and isn’t

required to be beveled• Exception for 2” threshold in existing buildings

under very limited circumstances• Roll-in shower may not be part of required

wheelchair turnaround in room

Scoping Changes

• 215 – Fire Alarm Systems• Requires compliance with NFPA 72 (1999 or 2002

edition)• In existing systems, visual devices only required if

alarm system is being upgraded• In work areas, provide audible with wiring for visual• Device is required in transient lodging (not plug-in)• RAS required to defer to NFPA 72 and local AHJ

Scoping Changes

• 216 – Signs• Better direction about which signs must comply• Covers signs in means of egress (must be tactile)• References IBC for Areas of Refuge and directional

signs in accessible means of egress• Better information on location of signs at non-

accessible entrances (required at all non-accessible entrances, not just main entrance)

Technical Changes

• 703 – Signs• 48” min to bottom of lowest lettering, 60” max to

bottom of highest lettering• Specific locations specified for non-standard

configurations at doors (eg, double doors)• Signs permitted on push side of doors with closers• Character height specified for various distances for

visual (vs. tactile) characters; 40” min AFF

Technical Changes

• 703 – Signs

Scoping Changes

• 221– Assembly Areas• Fewer wheelchair spaces are required in large

facilities than under 1994 TAS• Dispersion requirements are clearer• Team/player seating and lawn seating must comply

• Connecting route to lawn seating required, but not designated wheelchair space


• 222/903 – Dressing, Fitting and Locker Rooms• Locker rooms are specifically covered

• “Locker” is related to changing clothes, not merely dressing/undressing

• Not applicable at lockers for storage of valuables only

• Not applicable at showers merely because persons undress


• 222/903 – Dressing, Fitting and Locker Rooms• 5% of each type of use in each cluster (1 min)• Benches must be 20-24” deep and 42” min long• Benches must be fixed to the wall on long side or

have back support• A 30”x48” clear floor space is required at one end of

the bench, aligned to facilitate transfer to the bench

• 302 – Floor or Ground Surfaces• Must comply with ANSI B101.1

Technical Changes

• 402.2 – Doors and Gates• Measure clear floor area as 3D volume (4” maximum

encroachment)• Screen doors are allowed (per Access Board)• Spring hinges are covered

• Not considered a closer• 22” minimum opening at shallow closets is gone• Dark room doors that revolve are not allowed• 78” minimum clearance at closers (not 80”)

Technical Changes

• 406 – Curb Ramps• Curb ramps on private property

• No texture/color requirements• Side flares no longer required

• Public ROW has different requirements• See TDLR Rule 68.102

Technical Changes

• 804 – Kitchens and Kitchenettes• Includes break rooms• No countertop height requirement BUT

• Receptacle reach range requires 34” max height• 48” wheelchair approach for side approach to

receptacle (may be entire length of countertop)• 50% of storage must be accessible (15-48” AFF)

• Measure linear frontage of shelving

Technical Changes

• 804 – Kitchens and Kitchenettes

Technical Changes

• 804 – Kitchens and Kitchenettes• If counter only (no sink), only has to comply with

308.3.2 (reach range to receptacles, etc.)• Dishwasher is covered by standards

• Open door may not obstruct access to sink• 902 (Dining Surfaces) does NOT apply• Clear floor space requirement for kitchen has been

added

Technical Changes

• 904.4 – Sales and Service Counters• Must be same depth as countertop• Fold-up shelf no longer allowed• 36” high and 36” wide required if parallel approach

is provided• 36” high and 30” wide required if front approach is

provided

Questions?

Contact:John A. Rickard, AIA, PE

Katus, LLC(formerly Olicon Design)

5838 Balcones Drive, Suite BAustin, TX 78732

[email protected]

2012 tas: accessibility in texas - aia austin · 2012 tas: accessibility in texas ... accessible...

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