access design standards

8/2/2019 Access Design Standards

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AccessDesignStandards

Advisory Committeeon AccessibilityMobility, Vision, Cognitive, Hearing


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A c c e s s D e s i g n S t a n d a r d s T h e C i t y o C a l g a r y

September 2009

The 2010 edition o The City o Calgary Access Design Standards is largely based on the 2002

edition. However, we wish to grateully acknowledge the ollowing groups and individuals or theirassistance with developing new and revised content or 2010.

The City o Calgary committees

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Access Design Sub-Committee

The City o Calgary business units/divisions

Calgary Housing Company

Calgary Transit

Community & Neighbourhood Services

Corporate Properties & Buildings

Development & Building Approvals

Land Servicing & Housing

Land Use Planning & Policy

Recreation

Roads

Transportation InrastructureTransportation Planning

Private industry/not-or proft contributors/individuals

Accessible Housing Society

Mark Iantkow

Editorial team

Sarah Alexander

Anna CiarlaUlrik Seward

Janel Smith

Acknowledgements


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1A c c e s s D e s i g n S t a n d a r d s T h e C i t y o C a l g a r y

Table o Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Access design standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3A. Exterior barrier-ree path o travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

B. Interior barrier-ree path o travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

C. Vehicular access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

D. Illumination and acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

E. Location o controls, dispensers and receptacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

F. Building entrances, doors and doorways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

G. Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

H. Stairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

J. Handrails and guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

K. Elevators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

L. Public washrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

M. Recreational and cultural centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

N. Public acilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

P. Parks, pathways and playgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Q. Patios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

R. Emergency egress, alarms and warning suraces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

S. Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

T. Plus-15 System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

U. Public transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

V. Pedestrian crossings and trac signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74W. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) . . . . . . 76

X. Universal Dwelling Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Figure list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Table o Contents


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2 A c c e s s D e s i g n S t a n d a r d s T h e C i t y o C a l g a r y

Today, people with disabilities are in the

mainstream o society, where opportunities are

the same or everyone and is enriched by the

diversity o its active and contributing members.

It is important that people o all abilities be

positively supported by their surroundings.

A well-designed environment is sae,

convenient, comortable, age-riendly1

and readily accessible to everyone. Design

solutions that also respond to the climate

variations in a winter city, like Calgary, increase

and enhance the accessibility to the outdoors

throughout the year.

The City o Calgary wishes to set an example

by creating a more livable and accessible

city. To this end, it established the Advisory

Committee on Accessibility (ACA) and

published these Standards.

The Advisory Committee on Accessibility

was established by City Council to improve

access to buildings and other services. The

committee consists o members with disabilities,

representatives rom the community, and City o

Calgary business units. The terms o reerence o

the ACA are:

To review and make recommendations

to City Council through the Standing

Policy Committee on Community and

Protective Services on policy issues, the

accessibility o municipal properties,

inormation and services or people

with disabilities, and to be a resource to

City Council and City Administration in

addressing accessibility issues.

Introduction


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These Standards represent The City o Calgarys

approach to a universal built environment.

They are intended to complement the Alberta

Building Code. In some cases, these Standardsare intended to enhance accessibility

by requiring measures that exceed the

requirements o the Alberta Building Code 2006.

The contents o these Standards are required to

be integrated into the design and construction

o all new City o Calgary owned/operated

buildings and acilities. The Standards do not

require retrotting o existing buildings. Theyare not intended to be a set o requirements

or projects that are not owned or operated by

The City. However, design proessionals, the

building industry, government departments

and the community as a whole are

encouraged to implement these Standards

in all projects constructed within the city.

Generally, these Standards apply within

the property boundaries o City owned/

operated buildings and acilities. For

construction pertaining to regional pathways,

road right-o-ways and city parks, the

appropriate City department shall be

consulted, in addition to these Standards.

This document is designed both as a

working tool to provide a common point

o reerence and as a means to increasethe awareness o the needs o people

with disabilities, including the elderly.

Formulation o these Standards has been based

primarily on:

1. Experience and knowledge o people with

disabilities rom the community.2. Expertise acquired by The City o Calgary

business units through planning and review

o major projects.

3. Documentation o standards by other

authorities, provinces and countries.

4. Alberta Building Code 2006.

Questions regarding the content o these

standards can be directed to:

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Administrative Contact

Telephone: 3-1-1

TTY: 403-268-1379

Email: [email protected]

These Standards are comprised o 22 Sections.

Each Section is divided into sub-sections,

as ollows:

1. Principle/rationale:

A statement o the principle/rationale behind

making a particular area accessible.

2. Existing regulations:

Articles o the Alberta Building Code (ABC)

2006 and other recognized standards, relating

to each specic area o concern.

3. Proposed standards:Proposals to improve access and justication or

those proposals. In some cases, the deciencies

o existing regulations are highlighted.

In some sections, graphic illustrations are

provided as supporting inormation. Please be

advised, all measurements in illustrations are in

millimetres, unless otherwise specied.

Access design standards


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A.1 Principle/rationale

Everyone wants to be able to move throughout

a city saely, conveniently and independently.

Exterior barrier-ree paths o travel, which

include pathways and sidewalks, can make

movement dicult i not impossible i obstacles

or hazards obstruct the path o travel. These

obstacles and hazards can be weather induced,

as in the case o snow drits. The placement o

exterior items must not obstruct the pathway or

people with visual or mobility impairments.

Consistent tactile suraces within barrier-ree

paths o travel prevent conusion and promote

understanding through textured surace

indicators. When care is taken in the design o

the tactile quality o suraces, those suraces

can support inormation regarding orientation,

direction and location.

The City o Calgary Roads, Transportation

Planning, and Land Use Planning & Policy shall

be consulted or all matters concerning public

sidewalks and roads.

Figure 1. Cane detectable tactile suraces.

A.2 Existing regulations

Alberta Building Code 2006 3.8.3.2.

A.3 Proposed standards

This section applies to exterior pathways and

sidewalks on the property o City owned andoperated buildings.

A.3.1 Suraces and textures

Since ground and foor suraces are an

important aspect o access, they shall be

designed to acilitate sae and easy movement.

The reeze/thaw cycle and positive drainage

are an important consideration when designing

ground suraces.

A. Exterior barrier-ree path o travel


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Throughout these Standards, Five Basic

Principles or Sae and Eective Environmental

Design or People with Visual Disabilities

have been considered. These ve principleswere developed by Mark Iantkow in 2003

and are best remembered by using the

acronym CoLATE.

Co Colour and contrast

L Lighting

A Audible cues

T Tactile cues

E Ergonomics

The principle considered in this sub-section and

other sections in these Standards is T Tactile

Cues, described by Iantkow as ollows:

Tactile queues (and cues) are a parallel

consideration to audible queuing. One might

align onesel according to the direction o

a wall, curb or planter i there is someindication that such a tactile entity is used in a

consistent way within a structure. Tactile cues

may also be used at decision making points or

waynding (dierent textures on foor suraces;

or textures on walls; or signs in relie placed

consistently next to doorways; or even railings

with dierent textures when approaching

changes in elevation).2

Outdoor ground suraces made o brick or stone

shall be laid on a rm base, level with adjacent

suraces and embedded in concrete.

The City o Calgary is currently researching

the easibility o developing a system o tactile

tiles, provisionally known as Urban Braille, or

use in the citys public sidewalks. These tiles

assist people with vision loss in negotiating

public sidewalks.

Directional tiles are normally thin, linearly

aligned tiles that contrast with the rest othe sidewalk, helping to direct pedestrian

trac. Node tiles along the sidewalk act as

an indicator or deciding to cross a road

or change direction. Intersection curb tiles

indicate curb ramps. Crosswalk directional tiles

are used on crosswalks to direct people saely

across the road.

Please contact the Advisory Committeeon Accessibility (ACA) or updates on the

development o these tactile systems. These

tiles are not to be applied without prior

approval, since consistency and standardization

are necessary or the success o the entire

system. The City intends to develop these

standards urther, and such inormation may be

incorporated into uture editions o the Access

Design Standards.


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Figure 2. Crosswalk direction tile3. Figure 3. Node tile4.

Figure 4. Directional tile5. Figure 5. Intersection curb tile.


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A.3.2 General requirements

The placement o lampposts, transormers,

mailboxes, newspaper boxes, trash containers

and bus shelters, can obstruct the barrier-ree

path o travel. They should be placed outside

the minimum required width o the sidewalk

or pathway.

The minimum width o a sidewalk shall be

1,500 mm (the Transportation Association o

Canada recommends 2,400 mm).

Joints in sidewalks or between bricks or stonesshall not exceed 13 mm in width.

Figure 6. Sidewalk joint.

Sidewalks shall be designed to drain water toprevent puddles and ice build-up.

Rest areas shall be located on one side

o walkways every 30 m. Rest areas shall

have minimum dimensions o 2,400 mm

x 2,400 mm. I benches are included in the

rest areas, they shall conorm with Section P

o these Standards.

Figure 7. Obstructions located out o the direct patho travel.

A.3.3 Obstructions

The Alberta Building Code requires a

horizontally projecting obstruction to extend

within 680 mm above the foor or ground

surace. People with vision loss nd this height

to be above cane detection level. Thereore,

a lower maximum o 200 mm is required toreduce the risk o collision with the obstruction.

Figure 8. Specication or protruding objects toavoid collision.


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Gratings, manhole covers, electrical vaults and

other access covers shall be placed adjacent

to walkways, out o the path o travel, unless

prevented by site constraints. I placementwithin the path o travel is unavoidable, the

gratings shall have a maximum clear opening o

13 mm. Due to ventilation requirements,

the gratings on electrical vaults may be

larger (openings no larger than 20 mm wide

x 90 mm long to meet transormer ventilation

requirements, as specied by Enmax).

The long dimension o the openings shalllie perpendicular to the path o travel, and i

small solid plates (like ootprints) are placed in

the direction o pedestrian trac and spaced

to accommodate an average stride, a person

wearing high heels can cross gratings saely.

Guy-wires near walkways shall be clearly

marked to at least 1,980 mm above the ground

and have a physical barrier beneath or be

placed out o the path o travel.

Temporary signs, parked vehicles, or vegetation

shall not block a path o travel.

Figure 11. Clearance between overhanging objects andthe ground.

Figure 9. Requirements or openings in theground surace.

Figure 10. Placement o gratings.


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Figure 12. Proper placement o obstructions.

A.3.4 Curb ramps

In Calgary, new sidewalks are constructed with

curb ramps. Curb ramps are also constructed

when curb and gutter work is undertaken in

existing sidewalks or when they are replaced.

In designing curb ramps, care shall be taken

to prevent them rom becoming hazardous

to people with vision loss, who may not

notice them and walk inadvertently into the

intersection. Curb ramps located right on

the corner shall be avoided, because they

orce people with vision loss, people using

wheelchairs and people pushing strollers

into the intersection, rather than the sae area

o the crosswalk.

At times, curb radii and trac saety concerns

preclude the alignment o the curb ramp

perpendicular to trac. In such cases,

the curb ramps shall discharge into thepainted crosswalk, as close as possible to a

perpendicular alignment with trac fow.

Figure 13. Proper placement o curb ramps.

A level surace shall be maintained on the

sidewalk behind the curb ramps or smooth

pedestrian and wheelchair travel.

The minimum width o curb ramps, exclusive o

fared sides, shall be 1,500 mm.


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1 0 A c c e s s D e s i g n S t a n d a r d s T h e C i t y o C a l g a r y

The slope o a curb ramp shall not exceed 1:12

(eight per cent), and shall be not less than 1:15

(six per cent) unless sidewalk constraints do not

allow these ratios.

Figure 14. Plan view o City standard curb ramp6.

Figure 15. Section and elevation o curb ramp7.

The edges shall be curved rather than cut

sharply, so all the wheels o a wheelchair can

maintain contact with the ground at all times.

Suraces o curb ramps shall be slip resistant.

Curb ramps shall contrast in texture rom the

surrounding sidewalk and the road, so they can

be identied by the visually impaired. A raised

texture is more perceptible.

Drainage shall be designed to prevent water

and snow accumulation at the bottom o curb

ramps. However, catch basins shall not be

located in ront o the curb ramps.

Where the widths o sidewalks provide

adequate space, curb ramps shall be oset rom

the main fow o pedestrian trac and still bewithin the crosswalk area. The corner curb shall

be maintained as a clearly dened edge and be

cane detectable.

Figure 16. Proper layout o intersections.


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1 1A c c e s s D e s i g n S t a n d a r d s T h e C i t y o C a l g a r y

Medians in crossings shall have curb

ramps at both sides and a level area no

less than 1,500 mm long. Where a median

island is less than 3.6 m wide, the tworamps and the fat area between shall

all be reduced by an equal amount.

A.3.5 Snow removal

Temporary hazards are oten overlooked. For

example, snow removal oten results in snow

banks along sidewalks, which block access.

Snow removal vehicles oten clear the street,but they must also ensure curbs are not blocked

with snow banks, as it makes it dicult, i not

impossible, to cross the street.

Wind buers, such as ences, hedges and trees,

shall be set back rom the sidewalk so the walk

will be protected rom winds and snow will be

deposited next to the walk, rather than coveringthe path.

Figure 17. Wind buers.


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B. Interior barrier-ree path o travel

B.1 Principle/rationale

Navigation through interior corridors and

passageways shall be simple and sae.

Passageway widths can create barriers, i

the needs o people with disabilities are not

considered. Strategic placement o objects in a

passageway can reduce collisions and acilitate

cane detection. Surace materials are also an

important consideration or people with vision

loss and the elderly, as they can reduce injury

and disorientation.

B.2 Existing regulations


1) The minimum width o a public corridor shall

be 1,100 mm.

2) Except as required by Sentence 3.3.3.3.(2),

the minimum unobstructed width o a corridor

used by the public or a corridor serving

classrooms or patients sleeping rooms shall be

1,100 mm.

3) Except as permitted by Sentence (4),

obstructions located within 1,980 mm o the

oor shall not project more than 100 mm

horizontally into an exit passageway, a public

corridor, a corridor used by the public or a

corridor serving classrooms or patients sleeping

rooms in a manner that would create a hazard

or a person with a visual disability traveling

adjacent to the walls.

4) The horizontal projection o an obstruction

reerred to in Sentence (3) is permitted to be

more than 100 mm provided the clearance

between the obstruction and the oor is lessthan 680 mm.

Figure 18. Proper height requirements or

protruding objects.

Alberta Building Code 2006 A-3.3.1.9.

4) The sweep o a cane used by blind or

visually impaired persons normally detects

obstructions that are within 680 mm o the oor.

Any obstructions above this height would not

normally be detected and can, thereore, create

a hazard i it projects more than 100 mm intothe path o travel.


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Figure 19. Interior passageway.

B.3 Proposed standards

B.3.1 General requirements

The ideal width o an interior corridor is 1,525

mm. This allows two wheelchairs to pass each

other without diculty. Additional manoeuvring

space is necessary at corners and doorways. The

length o a wheelchair, including ootrest, shallbe considered when determining the turning

radius. Thereore, at corners and doorways, or

greater ease o manoeuvrability, 1,525 mm is

also recommended.

Due to space restrictions, a corridor width

o 1,525 mm is dicult to achieve in some

areas. The minimum width or private corridors,

including store and restaurant aisles shall be920 mm.

In Section A, the principles o CoLATE were

introduced. The principle that has been

considered in this sub-section and others in

these Standards is Co Colour and Contrast,and A Audible Cues, which is described by

Iantkow as ollows:

Eective use o colour and contrast designs can

enhance sae orientation and mobility o people

with visual impairments. Walls should be in

contrast with ooring, urniture in good contrast

with carpeting and surrounding walls, colour/

contrast queues and cues can be used orwayfnding or even to denote important fxtures

such as door knobs, door rames, drinking

ountains, etc.

Audible queues (and cues) are also a vital

consideration or people with varied levels o

vision (particularly or those individuals with no

vision at all). One can align their path o travel

according to sounds they know the location

o, they can relate the distance rom various

objects by sound, or even track where they are

located within a structure by knowing a sound

cue within a structure. A water ountain which

gives o a distinctive sound within a shopping

mall is one example.8


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There shall be a consistency o materials and

colours in recurring situations to provide

satisactory sensory inormation about the

environment. The acoustic properties omaterials used in interior passageways shall

be considered in the design. Some sound

reverberation aids people with vision loss by

providing a sense o the size o the space and

the location o walls or openings, while some

sound absorption helps people who have

hearing loss by reducing background noise.

Figure 20. Proper design o an interior corridor.

B.3.2 Obstructions

Free-standing or cantilevered staircases,

escalators, ramps and intermediate foor levels

shall be avoided or have a barrier to prevent

accidental access to the overhung area.

Overhead signs shall have a clearance o 2,100

mm rom the bottom o the sign to the ground.

Objects protruding more than 100 mm rom

the wall with a top surace higher than 680 mm

shall extend to within 200 mm rom the foor, in

order to be cane detectable.

B.3.3 Floor suraces

Surace materials o circulation routes shall not

impede pedestrian movement, particularly or

those in wheelchairs or distort the perception o

people who are visually impaired.

Carpets laid on the foor, stairs or ramp suraces

shall be securely attached. They shall have atight weave, low pile and rm underlay.

Figure 21. Improper type and installation o carpets.


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Exposed edges o carpet shall be astened to the

foor surace with trim along the entire exposed

edge. The carpet trim shall be beveled with a

slope o no greater than 1:2 (50 per cent).

All foor nishes shall be slip resistant,

continuous, non-glossy and stable. The foor

surace shall have a coecient o riction no

less than 0.5, wet or dry.

Figure 22. Proper type and installation o foor materials.

B.3.4 Wall suraces

Wall suraces shall not distort perception or

cause physical harm, shall not be extremely

rough or uneven and shall have a matte nish

to prevent glare.

Wall suraces shall not be entirely constructed

with mirror or glass, or else there shall be a

horizontal warning strip, such as an adhesive

lm or graphic, that is a minimum o 150 mmwide and placed 1,350 mm above the foor.

Sharp angles or junctions o nishes shall be

avoided, and wall xtures shall be recessed,

i possible.

Figure 23. Recessed obstruction.


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C. Vehicular access

C.1 Principle/rationale

Accessible parking shall be designed to be sae

and convenient, or users o both wheelchairs

and pedestrians. The requirements o this

section apply to parking lots, parking structures,

underground parking, lay-bys and street parking.

Seasonal conditions shall be considered, as icy

and wet parking acilities may be treacherous.

The stall dimensions, location, construction

materials and parking meters/machines shall be

accessible. Signage is essential to encourage

access and proper use.

C.2 Existing regulations

Alberta Building Code 2006 A-3.8.2.2.

Access to Parking Areas

The Planning Actprovides a mechanism

or determining the characteristics o our

communities. Where the Planning Act requiresparking, the building code requires that a

percentage o parking spaces be designed to

allow persons using wheelchairs sufcient room

to get in and out o a vehicle. A barrier-ree path

o travel shall also be provided rom the parking

area to the building.

The designer must provide a properly

identifed and unobstructed path o travelrom the parking area to the entrance, which

is accessible. The entrance chosen should be,

in any case, one normally used by the

occupants o the building. Long paths o

travel are not recommended.

C.3 Proposed standards

This section applies to vehicular access on the

property o City owned and operated buildings.

The City o Calgary Roads and Transportation

Planning shall be consulted or all matters

concerning public sidewalks and roads.

C.3.1 Lay-bys

Lay-bys are roadside drop-o areas, separated

rom the fow o vehicular trac and usually

located in ront o buildings along busy streets.

Their main unction is to allow passengers to getin and out o vehicles saely and conveniently.

They are especially benecial or people with

mobility limitations, seniors, persons with

strollers or those loading or unloading large or

heavy items.

Figure 24. Lay-by.

The provision o lay-bys shall be encouraged,

especially where streets are narrow or where

there is a steady fow o trac.


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Lay-bys shall be provided close to main

entrances o buildings. They shall have a

minimum width o 3,700 mm and a minimum

length o 7,600 mm.

Figure 25. Proper dimensions and design o canopyover lay-by.

A curb maintains a separation between the

lay-by and the path o travel to acilitate saety

and proper drainage.

Where lay-bys are provided, curb ramps shall

be placed in the lay-by or wheelchair access.

The curb ramp shall be designed in accordance

with Section A o these Standards.

The curb shall be a roll curb to allow an

accessibility vehicle, or an Access Calgary

vehicle, to back onto the sidewalk and then

lower its ramp to load and unload passengers.

Building entrances adjacent to lay-bys shall be

covered where possible, to provide shelter rom

precipitation and to keep the sidewalk ree o

snow and ice. The minimum clearance o a

covering shall be 3,000 mm rom the ground.

It is recognized that it may not be reasonable to

expect lay-bys in many downtown sites where

competing interests or land may render lay-

bys non-unctional or beyond reasonable cost.In all cases, Transportation Planning is to be

consulted when designing a lay-by.

C.3.2 Layout o parking areas

Accessible parking stalls within parking

lots shall be located as close as possible

to a main accessible entrance and provide

enough space to get in and out o a vehicle(see Section C.3.4 or proper dimensions o

parking stalls). Where operational requirements

allow, persons with disabilities shall not have to

pass behind vehicles that would normally back

out o a space.

Asphalt, concrete or rm gravel is an acceptable

parking surace. In gravel parking lots, there

shall be parking or people with disabilitiesadjoining a hard surace. A paved surace shall

be provided rom the designated parking stall to

the sidewalk.

Curb ramps leading rom parking areas

to sidewalks shall be designed in accordance

with Section A o these Standards. In all

cases, pedestrians and people in wheelchairs

shall be directed to a sae path o travelleading to the building, instead o orcing

them into areas designed or vehicular trac

and water drainage.


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Where pedestrians have to walk across

vehicular routes, there shall be contrast o

colour and texture.

Figure 26. Proper placement o parking stalls

near entrances.

Parking blocks or wheel stops shall be set back

so vehicles do not overhang, reducing the

clear width o accessible routes. Clearances

behind wheel stops shall allow a wheelchair topass through. In addition, they shall be colour

contrasted rom the paving material so they

are not a hazard, in particular to people with

vision loss.

A large parking lot shall be divided with

vegetation into smaller sections ecient or

snow removal, yet that provide wind protection

and control driting snow. Landscaping shallbe designed so everyone, including people

using mobility devices, has the same degree o

visibility across the parking lot. Consideration

should be given to CPTED principles (Crime

Prevention Through Environmental Design)

when adding landscaping to a parking lot, so as

not to create unsae situations or the ability or

people to partake in crime-related activities.

Figure 27. Proper vegetation placement to minimize theeects o the weather.


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C.3.3 On-site road parking

Street parking shall also be made wheelchair

accessible, since in some areas o the city this

is the only type o parking available. However,

current City policy does not allow or mid-block

ramps. Thereore, accessible parking shall be

located at both ends o a block.

Street parking stalls or persons with disabilities

shall be located adjacent to sidewalk curb

ramps, to provide easy maneuverability and

saety rom street to sidewalk. These parking

stalls shall be 4,000 mm wide, and their length

shall conorm to the latest Land Use Bylaw. In

addition, a 2,000 mm access aisle shall be

painted behind or in ront o the parking stall,

and the access aisle shall be centered on the

centerline o the curb ramp (depending on the

location o the curb ramp).

Figure 28. Accessible street parking stall.

Where designated parking stalls are provided

on the street, height o parking meters (or Park

Plus machines) shall be in the range o 900 to

1,100 mm. Parking meters/machines shall notrequire twisting o the wrist or pinching o the

ngers to operate.

Parking meters/machines shall be placed at

either end o street parking stalls with no

obstructions in ront or to the side o the coin

slot/card slot. Parking meters/machines shall be

located in a well-lit and protected area.

C.3.4 Parking stalls

An accessible parking stall shall be 4,000 mm

wide to allow space or an access aisle on either

side o the parking stall. The increased width

over the Alberta Building Code minimum

width o 3,700 mm is required to acilitate

moving rom a vehicle to a wheelchair or

or the use o other mobility aids. The greaterwidth allows or the length o the lit o a

vehicle and the turning space o a wheelchair

user as he/she disembarks. In all cases, the

length o parking stalls shall conorm to the

latest Land Use Bylaw.


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Figure 29. Proper placement o parking stallnear entrance.

Figure 30. Layout and dimensions o single accessibleparking stalls.

I two adjacent parking spaces are designated

or people with disabilities, the total width

o both spaces shall be 7,400 mm, which

shall include a 2,000 mm wide access aisleseparating the two stalls. Thereore, each stall

will have a 2,700 mm width available or the

vehicle and 2,000 mm available or the access

aisle. The access aisle shall be clearly marked

with blue hatched lines.

Figure 31. Adjacent accessible parking stalls10.


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C.3.5 Signage

Parking stalls or people with disabilities shall

be identied with the international symbol o

access and shall include the words Permit

Required. The international symbol o access

shall be posted on a vertical sign and the

symbol shall be painted on the ground with

blue paint to aid clear identication o the stall.

Figure 32. Proper signage or accessible parking stall.

Paint only the symbol and not the entire parking

space, as paint is slippery when wet.

I the location o designated parking stalls is

not obvious or is not visible rom a distance,directional signage shall be placed along the

route, to assist in navigation.

C.3.6 Parkades

Multi-level parkades shall provide accessible

parking stalls adjacent to an accessible

elevator on each level. Where elevators

are not provided, designated parking shall be

available at grade.

I oversized vehicles are required to drop

o passengers in the parking garage, a

minimum vertical clearance o 3,000 mm

shall be provided.

Figure 33. Clearance requirement or parkades whereoversized vehicles are present.


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D. Illumination and acoustics

D.1. Principle/rationale

Consistency in the levels o illumination is

a primary concern or people with vision

loss, since their ability to adjust rom one

level to another is oten slow. This is

particularly important when making the

transition rom the exterior to the interior.

Appropriate illumination design includes proper

placement o light sources, appropriate day

lighting, and adequate signage11.

The minimization o ambient noise and the

reduction o layering o dierent sounds

improve a persons ability to hear. In addition,

people with hearing loss rely on adequate

articial lighting or speech reading, sign

language or inormative signs. They also

require spaces to be acoustically designed so

background noises and echoes do not become

a problem12.

D.2 Existing regulations


1) An exit, a public corridor or a corridor

providing access to exit or the public or serving

patients sleeping rooms or classrooms shall be

equipped to provide illumination to an average

level o not less than 50 lx at oor or tread level

and at angles and intersections at changes olevel where there are stairs or ramps.

D.3 Proposed standards

D.3.1 Illumination

In Section A, the principles o CoLATE wereintroduced. The principle that has been

considered in this sub-section and others

in these Standards is L Lighting, which is

described by Iantkow as ollows:

Lighting (or perhaps more aptly phrased as

illumination, since we are reerring to the

actual way an area is illuminated rather than,

necessarily, the source or type o lighting) isa vital consideration in providing sae access/

egress and use o a structure or outdoor area.

Designers oten use accent lighting to highlight

a decision making point or a point o interest.

Even back-lit lighting is used to highlight certain

points o interest or or inormation purposes.

Such lighting designs are not desirable or

most people with visual impairments. Most

eye conditions require a well-distributed,

constant level o lighting. Back-lit areas or

areas where glare is present, or proceeding

rom a dark lit area to a brightly lit area only

exacerbate orientation and mobility or people

with visual impairments.13


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High levels o consistent illumination with

minimal glare improve a persons ability to

see. Illumination levels shall be increased

to emphasize stairs, entrances, obstacles,inormation signs and hazardous areas.

The minimum level o illumination emitted by

illuminated signs shall be 200 lx. Other signs

shall be illuminated to 100 lx.

Controls and operating mechanisms shall be

capable o being illuminated to at least a level

o 100 lx.Lights must be controlled and directed

so they do not create glare. Light xtures

shall be placed to prevent lamps rom shining

into peoples aces; nor should light xtures

be positioned so light refects o highly

refective materials.

Enhanced illumination or a greater distribution

o xtures or outdoor areas is important topeople with vision loss. Proper outdoor lighting

helps people with hearing loss have adequate

lighting or speech reading.

Windows shall be designed and located to

prevent glare, especially in areas o circulation.

D.3.2 Acoustics

Carpets or sound-absorbing materials shall be

used to aid people with hearing loss.

Background noise can be dicult or a

hard-o-hearing person. When possible,

switches shall be installed to turn o noisy

devices such as ans.

The placement o speakers o public address

systems shall not be near crucial areas o

communication, such as over an inormation or

service desk.


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E. Location o controls, dispensers and receptacles

E.1 Principle/rationale

Oten, controls are too high, too low or too ar

away or people to reach. Some controls are

dicult to grasp and turn. Design and location

o controls shall oer simple operation and

saety. Controls, including thermostats, light

switches, re alarms and aucets, shall be

accessible to everyone.

E.2 Existing regulations



1) I the authority having jurisdiction deems it

necessary to protect children, the elderly,

or persons with disabilities or infrmities

rom burns,

a) piping used to distribute service hot water

and other hot water in assembly occupancies,

care or detention occupancies and residential

occupancies shall be concealed or insulated,

and

b) except as provided by the plumbing

regulations made pursuant to the Saety Codes

Act, the temperature o the water rom aucets

shall be limited to a maximum o 54C.

E.3 Proposed standards

E.3.1 General requirements

Controls, dispensers and receptaclesshall not require the use o two hands,

nor two simultaneous movements by one

hand or both hands to operate.

E.3.2 Saety and emergency controls

Emergency controls shall not be placed too high

or people in wheelchairs. They shall not be too

low, thereby helping to prevent children rom

misusing them. Emergency controls, such as

re alarms, shall be located with their highest

operable parts 1,200 mm above the foor

(measured to their centre line).

Figure 34. Proper height or controls.


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E.3.3 Lighting fxtures

The highest operable part o light switches

and other non-emergency controls shall be

1,000 mm above the foor. Rocker switches are

preerable to toggle switches, as they are easier

to use.

E.3.4 Electrical outlets

Electrical outlets shall be mounted at a height o

600 mm, measured rom the foor to the centre

line o the outlet.

E.3.5 Faucets

Automatic water taps or a lever-type aucet shall

be used or easy operation. Water temperature

shall be limited in accordance with the Alberta

Building Code 2006.

Figure 35. Proper and improper aucet varieties.


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F. Building entrances, doors and doorways

F.1 Principle/rationale

Wide doorways and easy-to-open doors benet

everyone. The passage is easier or people with

disabilities, seniors, people carrying packages

or wheeling strollers. Automatic doors and

proper hardware placement makes entrances

much easier to use.

A well-designed door is distinguished, yet

simple, oering direction and orientation to

users. Proper lighting and signage is a good

means or accommodating this requirement.

F.2 Existing regulations


1) In addition to the barrier-ree entrances

required by Sentence (2), not less than 50%

o the pedestrian entrances to a building in

Sentence 3.8.1.1.(1), including walkways

leading to the entrances rom a public

thoroughare and rom on site parking areas,

shall be barrier-ree.

6) I an entrance is equipped with a security

system, both visual and audible signals shall be

used to indicate when the door lock is released.

Figure 36. Vestibule.


1) A door that opens into or is located within

a public corridor or other acility that provides

access to exit rom a suite shall

a) Provide a clear opening o not less than

800 mm i there is only one door lea,

b) in a doorway with multiple leaves, have the

active lea providing a clear opening o not less

than 800 mm, and

c) Not open onto a step.


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3) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), door

release hardware shall be operable by one

hand and the door shall be openable with not

more than one releasing operation. (See alsoSentence 3.8.3.3.(3))

5) Door release hardware shall be installed not

more than 1,200 mm above the fnished oor.

8) Controls or the remote release o door

locking devices permitted by Sentence (6)

shall be located in an area readily available to

security personnel.Alberta Building Code 2006 3.4.3.2.


3) Door operating devices shall be o a design

which does not require tight grasping and

twisting o the wrist as the only means o

operation. (See Appendix A.)

11) A vestibule located in a barrier ree path o

travel shall be arranged to allow the movement

o wheelchairs between doors and shall provide

a distance between 2 doors in series o not less

than 1,200 mm plus the width o any door that

swings into the space in the path o travel rom

one door to another.

F.3 Proposed standards

F.3.1 Entrances

Entrances, particularly the main accessibleone, shall be readily distinguishable in the

acade and shall provide an easy transition into

the building. The eect o seasonal weather

conditions, such as strong winds and driting

snow, shall be mitigated in the design o

building entrances to ensure normal operation

o doors.

When entrances must be located towards theprevailing winds, measures to minimize the

eects shall be used, such as walls and/or

vegetation. Drainage shall be directed away

rom the entrance.

Doormats with non-slip under padding ease

the transition rom the outdoor environment to

interior spaces, by absorbing much o the snow,

ice and slush accumulated rom winter bootsand shoes. This prevents people rom slipping

on any smooth foor materials used inside.

Doormats shall not project more than 13 mm

above the foor nish.

Well-designed lighting and signage shall be

used to enhance identication o an entrance.

Where operational requirements allow,

sliding automatic doors shall be installed at

entrances and entrance vestibules in new

construction. The sliding automatic doors

shall have a saety power-ail option, that

includes a backup battery.


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Figure 37. Automatic doors, signage and protection rom

the elements.

F.3.2 Specifcations or people with

vision loss

Providing adequate lighting or transitions

rom the exterior to interior assists people with

vision loss, who may be slower to adjust to

the dierence in levels o light. Such transition

space shall be well lit.

Door push plates shall be o a contrasting

colour or value, beneting the visually impaired.

Plate glass doors shall be designed so people

with vision loss can readily identiy them

(see Section B).

Numbers on doors shall be raised and located

between 1,200 mm and 1,800 mm or easy

reading by people with vision loss.

Figure 38. Large, bold and raised lettering labels.

Due to Building Code regulations, exit doors

must open outward, which can create a hazard

or people with vision loss, especially automatic

swing doors. To rectiy this problem, such doors

shall be recessed to minimize the hazard or

people walking beside a building.

Figure 39. Recessed door.


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F.3.3 Door openers and hardware

People with limited mobility, strength or

balance nd doors, particularly those on the

exterior o a building, dicult, i not impossible,

to open. Automatic door openers or power-

assisted mechanisms shall be used on doors

in universal paths o travel, such as entrances,

lobbies, corridors and other major public

pedestrian thoroughares.

Figure 40. Proper location o automatic door openers.

Manual door openers shall be mounted at a

height o 800 mm to 1,100 mm rom the foor.

Although Alberta Building Code 2006 allows

a maximum height o 1,200 mm, door release

hardware shall be installed between 800 mm to

1,100 mm.

Clearance between the handle and the door

shall be a minimum o 50 mm. This will aid

those with limited hand unctions and allow the

door to be opened using only one arm.

Figure 41. Proper spacing between a door and hardware.

I a door is opened remotely (as is commonin many multi-amily residential buildings), a

visual and audible signal shall be used to alert

both the visitors and the occupants that the

door lock is released.

The bottom o a manual door shall have a

smooth uninterrupted kick plate to protect the

door rom wheelchair ootrests. A minimum

height o 300 mm is recommended.

Figure 42. Kick plate and closer requirements.


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F.3.4 Doors and gates

In any set o two or more doors or gates,

whether within a building, at an entrance to

a building or completely outside, the door

opening shall alternate between right and let

hand operation. For example, i an entrance has

three doors, there shall be one set o double

doors and the third door can be hinged on

either the let or right hand side. As another

example, i there are two doors in a series, the

inner door and outer door should be hinged on

opposite sides.

This enables persons to operate the door with

one hand on the side o their choice and

avoid the need to reach across or even travel

backwards through the door. Persons with an

occupied hand, including those with a support

white cane, a guide dog and persons carrying

luggage or packages would be able to use

their ree hand to open the door without theawkwardness o having to reach across. In no

circumstance should it be necessary to use two

hands to open a door.

Doorways without a door installed in them shall

be minimum 850 mm wide.

Door width shall be not less than 920 mm.

When turnstiles or revolving doors are provided,

a swing door with an automatic door controlshall be placed immediately to one side o the

revolving door or turnstile, or easy access by

people with disabilities.

Automatic doors shall have a master control that

can control the door closers, keeping the door

open or a minimum o eight seconds, with the

door held at an angle o between 70 and 90

degrees. As well, the master control allows thedoor to reverse when closing i an object stops

the door.

Figure 43. Door closer requirements and requirements ordoors at the top o a ramp.


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G. Ramps

G.1 Principle/rationale

For changes in levels, ramps are essential in

providing an easier and oten saer means o

travel or people who are unable to use stairs.

The slope, width and length o a ramp shall be

manageable. Signage, tactile cues, protection

rom the elements and proper landings also

help increase comort or those using the ramp.

G.2 Existing regulations


G.3 Proposed standards

G.3.1 General requirements

Ramps to buildings must be on private property,

outside o the road right-o-way. Any heating

systems must also be on private property and

privately maintained.

Changes in levels shall be limited, as slopes

require greater physical exertion and skill rom

people with disabilities. I ramps are too steep

or too long, they become obstacles. Slopes

between 1:25 (our per cent) to 1:20 (ve per

cent) are recommended.

The minimum clear width o a ramp shall be

950 mm between handrails.

Where passing o wheelchairs is likely to occurrequently, the options are:

(a) To widen the ramp to 1,800 mm.

(b) To widen the rest areas to 1,800 mm.

Figure 44. Proper ramp design.

Ramps shall have level landings at the top and

bottom o each run and where they change

direction. The landings shall be at least as

wide as the widest ramp run leading to themand have a length not less than 1,500 mm.

The 1,500 mm accommodates the length o a

wheelchair as it negotiates a corner.


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Figure 45. Ramp design.

Visual and textural cues at the top and bottom

o the ramp shall be provided or people

with vision loss. Non-glare and slip-resistant

materials shall be used on the ramp surace.

The maximum cross slope o ramp suraces shall

be 1:50 (two per cent).

I a ramp needs to be longer than 18 m, a

mechanical means o travel shall be considered.

G.3.2 Exterior ramps

Exterior ramps shall be protected rom rain,

snow and ice, or maintained ree o snow and

ice through regular maintenance or appropriate

subsurace heating and drainage systems.


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H. Stairs

H.1 Principle/rationale

Some ambulatory people with balance

problems or vision loss nd stairs easier to use

than ramps. It is important the rise and run be

designed so the stairs are not overly strenuous

or create a hazard. Increased illumination,

colour contrast, uniormly patterned materials,

signage and other warning indicators can be

used to enhance saety.

Figure 46. Stairs are occasionally preerred to ramps bypeople with disabilities.

H.2 Existing regulations


4) In a barrier-ree path o travel, a downward

change in elevation shall be signaled by the use

o a 600 mm wide tactile warning strip placed

250 mm rom the edge and or the ull widtho a stair, escalator, moving walkway, ramp

or platorm and identifed using colour and

brightness contrast.

Figure 47. Cane detectable warning indicators or stairs.


1) The suraces o ramps, and landings and

treads a) shall have a fnish that is slip resistant,

and b) i accessible to the public, shall have

either a colour contrast or a distinctive pattern

to demarcate the leading edge o the tread and

the leading edge o the landing, as well as the

beginning and end o a ramp.

2) Treads and landings o exterior exit stairs

more than 10 m high shall be designed to be

ree o ice and snow accumulations.

Alberta Building Code 2006 3.4.6.2

1) Except as permitted by Sentence 3.3.2.13.(1),

every ight o interior stairs shall have not less

than 3 risers.


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1) In a Group A, Division 2 occupancy used

or the serving o ood and beverages, aninterior ight o stairs with ewer than 3 risers is

permitted provided it

a) is not less than 900 mm wide,

b) is illuminated at all times that occupants are

on the premises, and

c) has a handrail on each side.


2) The length and width o landings shall be at

least the width o stairways in which they occur,

except that in a straight run the length o a

landing need not be more than 1,100 mm.

3) Where a doorway or stairway empties onto a

ramp through a side wall, there shall be a level

area extending across the ull width o the ramp,and or a distance o 300 mm on either side o

the wall opening, excepting one side when it

abuts on an end wall.

4) Where a door or stairway empties onto a

ramp through an end wall, there shall be a level

area extending across the ull width o the ramp

and along its length or not less than 900 mm.


3) Treads and risers in every exit stair, except a

fre escape stair, shall have uniorm run and rise

in any one ight, and shall not alter signifcantly

in run and rise in successive ights in any stair

system. (See Appendix A.)

4) The leading edge o a stair tread shall have

either a radius or a bevel between 6 mm and

10 mm in horizontal dimension.

5) The ront edge o stair treads in exits and

public access to exits shall be at right angles to

the direction o exit travel.

Figure 48. Proper dimensions or stairs.

H.3 Proposed standards

H.3.1 General requirements

A fight o stairs shall have uniorm dimensions

and no open risers.

Nosings shall not have projecting undersides,

and shall be beveled i extending more than

25 mm, to prevent catching a toe. Nosings shall

be beveled not more than 60 with respect to

the tread surace. This ensures the tread edge is

more clearly visible in descent.

Nosings on interior/exterior stairs shall be a

contrasting colour to aid people with vision loss.


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Isolated steps shall be avoided, since

they are oten dicult or people with

vision loss to detect and act as a barrier to

people in wheelchairs.

Illumination shall be positioned to minimize

glare and shadow.

A barrier shall be used to prevent access to

areas under a cantilevered or overhung staircase.

Figure 49. Avoid overhanging stairs.

H.3.2 Interior stairs

Heavily patterned carpets or tiles shall not be

used on stairs as they create gure-ground

conusion and obscure the denition o the

tread nosing.

H.3.3 Exterior stairs

Stairs shall be protected rom climatic variations

or maintained ree o snow and ice. Stairs shall

not be shaded by vegetation or other elements

that prevent snow and ice rom melting.


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J. Handrails and guards

J.1 Principle/rationale

Handrails are important eatures in barrier-ree

access. They shall be easy to grasp and provide

a rm and comortable grip. People with

vision loss use handrails as guides; those with

mobility impairments use them or leverage to

get up ramps and the semi-ambulatory rely on

handrails or balance. It is important handrails

be placed at a sae and convenient height or

everyone. Enhance ease o use by incorporating

colour contrast and uniormity.

Figure 50. Proper handrails used or guidance.

J.2 Existing regulations


1) A stairway shall have a handrail on at leastone side, but i it is 1,100 mm or more wide, it

shall have handrails on both sides.

2) I the required width o a ramp or ight

o stairs is more than 2,200 mm, one or

more intermediate handrails continuous

between landings shall be provided, andlocated so that there will be not more than

1,650 mm between handrails.

3) Handrails shall be continuously graspable

along their entire length and shall have

a) a circular cross-section with an outside

diameter not less than 30 mm and not more

than 43 mm, orb) a non-circular cross-section with a graspable

portion that has a perimeter not less than 100

mm and not more than 125 mm and whose

largest cross-sectional dimension is not more

than 45 mm.

4) Handrails on stairs and ramps shall be not

less than 865 mm and not more than 965 mm

high, measured vertically rom a line drawn

through the outside edges o the stair nosing

or rom the surace o the ramp, except that

handrails not meeting these requirements are

permitted provided they are installed in addition

to the required handrail.

5) Except where interrupted by doorways or

newels at changes in direction, at least one

handrail shall be continuous throughout the

length o a stairway or ramp, including landings.

(See Appendix A.)


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6) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner

that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create

a hazard. (See A-3.4.6.4.(5) in Appendix A.)

7) At least one handrail at the side o a

stairway or ramp shall extend horizontally

not less than 300 mm beyond the top

and bottom o the stairway or ramp.

(See A-3.4.6.4.(5) in Appendix A.)

8) The clearance between a handrail and any

surace behind it shall be not less than

a) 50 mm, or

b) 60 mm i the surace behind the handrail is

rough or abrasive.

9) Handrails and their supports shall be

designed and constructed to withstand

the loading values obtained rom the non-

concurrent application o

a) a concentrated load not less than 0.9 kN

applied at any point and in any direction or all

handrails, and

b) a uniorm load not less than 0.7 kN/m

applied in any direction to handrails not located

within dwelling units.

10) A ramp shall have handrails on both sides.

J.3 Proposed standards

In all cases, handrails shall be located on both

sides o a ramp or stairway.

The outside diameter or width o a handrail

shall be 30 mm to 43 mm, to allow those with

limited hand unction to grasp it rmly. In

addition, the smaller dimension enables people

wearing gloves in winter to grasp the handrail

rmly, with ease. A gap o at least 50 mm shall

distance the handrail rom the wall.

In stairwells, especially exits, tactile cues(e.g., several notches or a rough texture) shall

be placed on the inside or the last 300 mm

on both ends o the handrail as a signal to

inorm persons with vision loss that they are

approaching the last step. A consistent system

o tactile indicators shall be located on or near

the handrail at the top and bottom o stairs and

ramps to indicate ascent and descent.

All handrails shall contrast rom their

surroundings through colour or brightness.

Figure 51. Proper and improper handrail shapeand dimensions.


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K. Elevators

K.1 Principle/rationale

An elevator is vital to a non-ambulatory person,

because it oten provides the only orm o

access to dierent levels o a building. A poorly

designed elevator can be as much o a barrier

as stairs. An elevator car must be large enough

to accommodate people with disabilities.

Signage and controls in the elevator lobby and

in the car itsel have a proound impact on the

accessibility o an elevator. Visual and audio

indicators are also critical to those with vision

and hearing loss.

Figure 52. Well-designed elevator.

K.2 Existing regulations

Alberta Building Code 2006 3.8.3.5

K.3 Proposed standards

K.3.1 General requirements

All passenger elevators shall be accessible topeople with disabilities.

The size o an elevator car must conorm to the

Alberta Building Code 2006 requirements. A

code-compliant elevator is large enough in the

length dimension, but is too small in the width

dimension to accommodate the turning around

o a wheelchair.

Figure 53. An elevator car with dimensions allowing theturning around o a wheelchair.


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Verbal announcements identiying the foor

level and the direction o travel shall be

installed or people with vision loss and or

those who cannot see the foor indicator at theback o a crowded elevator. Where practical,

control buttons shall be installed on both sides

o the elevator door inside the elevator.

Figure 54. Proper elevator car dimensions.

K.3.2 Elevator lobbies

The minimum space in ront o elevator doors

shall be 1,500 mm.

Doors on elevators shall start to close ater eight

seconds rom the ully open position.

Call buttons shall be located on each wall

between elevators and shall be easily

identiable by colour contrast and raised

symbols. The call buttons shall protrude toenable a user to push with any part o the hand.

No obstructions shall be placed under elevator

call buttons.

Tactile signage in the orm o larger Arabic

numerals and letters shall also be axed

at a height o 1,200 mm above the foor on

both sides o the door opening within theelevator lobby.

Figure 55. Proper signage.

Arrival o an elevator shall be indicated by a

verbal announcement or a clear audible and

visual signal located within the elevator lobby

near the door o the arriving car.


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Figure 56. Proper design o elevator lobbies.

K.3.3 Floor registration buttons

Floor registration buttons shall be raised, since

fush or recessed buttons are dicult to activate

by people with vision loss or with limited

manual dexterity.

Floor registration buttons within the car shall

be clearly marked with tactile signage in the

orm o raised Arabic numerals and letters and,

i there is room, Braille signage shall be added.

There shall be a colour contrast between the

foor registration buttons and the background.

Figure 57. Proper placement o controls.

K.3.4 Exterior elevators

Exterior elevators, i provided, shall be oriented

away rom the prevailing winds to keep the

car ree o snow, rain and debris. Waiting

areas shall be sheltered, positively drained

and well lit.

Glass walls shall be installed to enhancesecurity by increasing visibility.


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L. Public washrooms

L.1 Principle/rationale

It is important that washrooms are available

to serve the needs o people with disabilities.

Every foor serviced by an elevator shall have

an accessible washroom that is easily located

and clearly marked. Accessible washrooms

shall include hardware that is operable by

all, appropriate xture type and location, and

adequate dimensions. An accessible washroom

shall be sae and, where possible, connected by

a call system to support sta.

L.2 Existing regulations

Alberta Building Code 2006 3.8.2.3. and

3.8.3.8. to 3.8.3.13.

L.3 Proposed standards

L.3.1 Washroom entrances

The entrances to washrooms are oten dicult,

i not impossible, or people with disabilitiesto use, especially when there are vestibules

with two doors. Thereore, it is important to

either eliminate the doors or provide only one

entry door to a washroom. Washrooms that are

designed so doors are not required to prevent

viewing by passersby are considered ideal.

Entrances with an L-conguration shall have

a minimum depth o 1,200 mm to allow awheelchair to turn the corner easily. However,

L-shaped entrances shall be as wide as possible.

Figure 58. Proper design o a washroom entrance.

L.3.2 Water closet stalls

Water closet stall doors shall have a clear

opening o 800 mm and swing out o thestall. Water closet stalls or enclosure doors

shall be equipped with locking devices that

do not require pinching o the ngers or

twisting o the wrist to operate. The doors shall

also be equipped with a hinge that slowly

closes the door.

Water closet stalls shall have a clear

unobstructed space rom the water closetbowl to the door o at least 1,500 mm wide

by 1,500 mm deep. This will allow or easy

maneuverability o the wheelchair when in

the stall. A clear turning radius o 2,250 mm is

preerred (but not required) to accommodate

people in power wheelchairs.


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Figure 59: Proper dimensions o a water closet stall.

L.3.3 Washroom fxtures

In washrooms, dispensers and receptacles

shall be mounted with their highest operable

parts above the foor surace within the

ollowing ranges:

(a) Paper towel dispensers/hand dryers:

1,100 mm to 1,200 mm.

(b) Soap dispensers: 900 mm to 1,000 mm and

within 500 mm orward grasp reach.

(c) Toilet paper dispensers: 750 mm to 850 mm.

(d) Toilet seat cover dispensers: 900 mm to1,000 mm.

(e) Waste receptacles: 900 mm to 1,000 mm.

() Grab bars as outlined in ABC 2006,

3.8.3.8 (2).

A coat hook shall be mounted on a solid wall.

All washroom xtures shall be installed or

saety and ease o use.

A toilet paper dispenser shall be within reach. It

shall be located so that its operable part is not

less than 460 480 mm rom an adjacent wall

to the centerline o a water closet.

Figure 60. Proper location o xtures.


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An automatic or single-unction towel dispenser

(requiring only one hand and only one movement

to release the towel) is recommended.

Figure 61. Properly placed grab bars.

L.3.4 Lavatory knee space

To maximize knee space below the lavatory,

P traps in drain lines shall be oset

horizontally so that a minimum o 280 mm is

provided rom the ront o the counter to the

ace o the P trap. The bottom o the counter

shall be 735 mm to 800 mm rom the foor.

Figure 62. Proper knee clearance beneath sink.

L.3.5 Universal washrooms

The requirements o Alberta Building Code

2006, section 3.8.2.3(3) indicates a universal

washroom is not required in the entrance story

i a barrier ree path o travel is provided to a

universal water closet elsewhere.

However, it shall be made as easy as possible

or people with vision loss or mobility

impairments to locate and travel to a washroom.

A universal male/emale washroom shall be

located in all buildings not ar rom the main

entrance on the main foor.


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Figure 63. Proper dimensions o a water closet stall.

Where buildings are staed with ull-time

security, call buttons or pressable call strips

shall be installed in all universal washrooms,

in case a washroom user alls or encounterssome other circumstance that would require

assistance. Where call buttons are installed,

they shall be installed on the same wall as the

side grab bar and, where pressable strips are

installed, they shall be placed on the same

walls as the grab bars.

Universal washrooms are valuable to mothers

with young children, and a counter shall beprovided with sucient space to change an

inants diaper.


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M. Recreational and cultural centres

M.1 Principle/rationale

Facilities designed and constructed to meet

accessibility standards enable people with

disabilities to take an active part in community

lie. Proper design o recreational and cultural

acilities encourages healthy liestyles and

educational development.

Not all recreational areas need to be completely

barrier-ree. A diversity o accessibility within

a single recreational area enhances everyones

opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, without

segregation by disability.

M.2 Existing regulations




Alberta Building Code 2006 3.8.3.16. (1)

Alberta building Code 2006 3.8.3.13

M.3 Proposed standards

M.3.1 Swimming pools

Accessible swimming pools can be essential

or people with disabilities, who may rely

on aquatic activities as a orm o rehabilitation

or exercise.

There shall be a ramp and stairs with handrails

on both sides located at the shallow end o

the pool.

Figure 64. Proper ramps are the best entrance intoswimming pools.

Stairs, rather than ladders, shall be provided

whenever possible, since stairs are more

easily negotiated and can be used to sit upon

i wide enough.

Figure 65. Where ramps are not easible, stairs arepreerred to ladders.


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Power hoists shall be provided to assist people

in wheelchairs with exiting and entering the

pool. Power hoists are benecial, since ramps

can be dicult or some people with disabilitiesto use.

Figure 66. Power hoist into swimming pool.

Pool depths, along with shallow end and

deep end, shall be indicated with signage that

eatures contrasting colour and texture.

M.3.2 Ice rinks and exercise areas

Ice rinks shall be designed with the

consideration o sports played by people with

disabilities, such as sledge hockey, and or

spectators who may also be disabled. Player

benches and penalty boxes shall have Plexiglas

in ront or viewing. The player benches must

have two doors 910 mm wide to allow or easy

egress and access.14

Figure 67. Proper dimensions and materials or anice rink.

Seating and handrails shall be available near

the entrance/exit o an ice rink. Level access

shall be provided to ice rinks and exercise areas.

Exercise areas shall include handrails and/

or wheelchair clearance to some equipment

to acilitate transer to and rom exercise

equipment. Raised tactile signage shall beincluded to help identiy dierent types o

equipment or people with vision loss. Raised

exercise platorms shall be available as an

alternative to stretching on the foor or people

in wheelchairs or the elderly.


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Figure 68. Raised exercise platorm.

M.3.3 Exhibits

Exhibition areas shall also be barrier-ree, or

an alternative method o interpreting the

message shall be provided, such as audio-visual

presentations, large print text or tactile signage.

Important artiacts, labels and graphics shall

be placed at an elevation that makes viewing

comortable or all visitors. Table displays

shall be located between 1,000 mm to 1,200

mm above the ground level. Wall-mounted

displays shall be located between 1,200 mm

to 1,500 mm above the ground level. Labels on

horizontal suraces shall be tilted to allow or

better viewing.

Figure 69. Proper placement o displays.

Lighting xtures shall be designed and placed

to minimize glare and refection.

M.3.4 Drinking ountains

Drinking ountains shall extend within a

maximum distance o 200 mm above the foor,

with ront panel sloping 50 mm to 90 mm

inwards. This will allow a close side approach

or wheelchairs, and will not be hazardous or

people with vision loss when using a cane.

Figure 70. Drinking ountain suitable or peoplewith disabilities.


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The height o the waterspout shall be between

780 mm to 915 mm. The operation control shall

be a push button or a lever-type control.

Figure 71. Universally designed drinking ountain orpeople who are standing and people who arein wheelchairs.

M.3.5 Shower fxtures

A diverter mechanism on the hand-held shower

shall be provided to protect people with

disabilities against misdirection o spray.

A shel or storing soap, sponges and brushes

shall be provided at 850 mm above foor level.

Figure 72. Water temperature control.

M.3.6 Common showers

Common showers shall have beveled

thresholds no more than 13 mm in

height allowing wheelchairs to pass

over with minimal hindrance.

A shower wheelchair shall be provided

or use in the shower room.

A fexible hand-held shower sprayer shall

be provided.

The slope o shower room foor to drain shall

be 1:20 (ve per cent).


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Figure 73. Proper shower dimensions.

M.3.7 Individual change/shower rooms

Similar to individual washrooms, provision oindividual change/shower rooms or people

with disabilities allows amily members or

caregivers o the opposite gender to provide

assistance without inconveniencing themselves

or other patrons.

Individual change rooms shall include an

elevated changing platorm 1,500 mm wide

x 1,800 mm long x 480 mm high. The changerooms are to include a 1,500 mm turning radius,

grab bars, coat hooks and shelving at a height

o 1,000 mm above the nished foor. A clear

turning radius o 2,250 mm is preerred

(but not required) to accommodate people

in power wheelchairs.

Figure 74. Proper dimensions or change roomsand showers.


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N. Public acilities

N.1 Principle/rationale

People with disabilities must attend to day-

to-day business, such as banking, community

meetings and registering or recreational or

educational programs. The excessive height

o countertops can make these tasks dicult.

Thereore, an area or people in wheelchairs

to conduct their business with privacy at a

convenient height and with adequate knee

space shall be provided.

People with disabilities, like most people, enjoy

going to plays, movies and sporting events.

However, this is oten impossible because o the

lack o available seating.

N.2 Existing regulations



N.3 Proposed standards

N.3.1 Counters

CAN/CSA-B651-04 recommends the same

counter dimensions as the Alberta Building

Code 2006, but also includes a minimum

clear foor space o not less than 750 mm x

1,200 mm in ront o a counter or work surace.

However, the recommended and preerred

knee space beneath universal counters intended

to be used as work suraces shall be 720 mm

to 800 mm high.

Figure 75. Dimension requirements or counters.

Counters shall be cane detectable and

colour/brightness contrasted rom their

surroundings and suraces shall have a

non-glare, matte nish.

To prevent confict between wheelchair

access and cane detection, a border with

contrasting colour and brightness and a

tactile warning surace shall be laid into

the foor near the counter. This can be used

as an indicator or people with vision loss

approaching a service counter.

Where a glass partition separates customers

rom the service personnel, there shall

be an adequate speaker system to

acilitate communication.


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Figure 76. Caeteria counter.

N.3.2 Caeterias

The height o counters or conveying trays shall

be a maximum o 865 mm high.

The maximum distance to any liquid dispensershall be within reach limitations o wheelchair

users unless employees are behind the caeteria

line at all times.

Food shall be located a maximum o 450 mm

rom the edge o the counter.

Figure 77. Proper dimensions or caeteria counters.

N.3.3 Assembly seating in public acilities

Designated wheelchair spaces shall be

spread over dierent areas in a seating

space, to avoid secluding people using

wheelchairs to one location.

Figure 78. Accessible seating shall be distributedthroughout the seating area.


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Spaces provided or persons in wheelchairs

shall provide sightlines equal to those provided

or the majority o the audience.

It is recommended that the number o spaces

required or people using wheelchairs in

Alberta Building Code 2006, Table 3.8.2.1,

be increased by at least two per number o

xed seats to accommodate an increase in the

population o people using wheelchairs, which

is anticipated in the uture.

Preerred designated wheelchair spaces

Number o fxed seats inseating area

Number o spacesrequired orwheelchairs

2 100 4

101 200 5

201 300 6

301 400 7

401 500 8

501 900 9

901 1,300 10

1,301 1,700 11

Each increment o up to 400seats in excess o 1,700

Two additional spaces

Table 1. Required accessible seating.

Spaces or persons in wheelchairs shall be level,

and the path o travel to them shall meet the

requirements o Section B o these Standards.

Removable chairs can be installed in public

acilities to accommodate people using

wheelchairs, without loss o revenue to

the owner. I there is no need or thesewheelchair spaces, the seats can be replaced

or general use.

Figure 79. Standard seats can be made removable to

accommodate accessible seating.

Seats shall be provided or persons with

orthotics or prostheses. The space or accessible

seating shall be wide enough to allow people

to maneuver rom the side, ront or behind with

their mobility devices.

Meeting rooms shall be designed so all

members o the audience have clear sightlines

to the speaker. Further, the design must limit

placement o speakers in ront o a window15.


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N.3.4 Permanent barriers

I posts are installed as a crowd control measure,

at least one post shall be removable and shall

be identied with the international symbol o

accessibility. I not, an alternative passageway,

such as a gate similarly marked, shall be

available or access.

Bollards shall be placed to minimize

obstruction to pedestrian fow. The minimum

clearance between bollards shall be 1,200 mm.

The minimum height shall be 600 mm, and

they shall colour contrast rom the surrounding

paving to be more visible.

Chains, cables or ropes are not recommended

as permanent or temporary barriers unless they

are easily visible. They shall be placed at a

height o no more than 250 mm and no lower

than 150 mm, so they are detectable by visually

impaired people.

Figure 80. Required dimensions or permanent barriers.


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P. Parks, pathways and playgrounds

P.1 Principle/rationale

Parks and playgrounds that are accessible

provide an opportunity or people with

disabilities to have access to the outdoors and

to take an active part in community lie. All

pathways in parks shall be accessible and shall

be designed to be sae and protected rom the

elements. Playground equipment and outdoor

urniture shall not become barriers or people

with disabilities.

P.2 Existing regulationsAlberta Building Code 2006 3.8.3.2.

P.3 Proposed Stand

access design standards

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