Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Commenta ry o n the 2010 ADAStandards be used for emergency evacuation of stairways. Directional exit signs and signs at individuals with disabilities in facilities with areas of refuge required by section 216.4.3 four or more stories above or below the exit must have visual characters and features discharge level, and allows exit stairways complying with section 703.5. and evacuation elevators to be used as an accessible means of egress in conjunction Standby Power for Platform Lifts. The with areas of refuge or horizontal exits. 2010 Standards at section 207.2 require The change is expected to have minimal standby power to be provided for platform impact since the model fire and life safety lifts that are permitted to serve as part of codes, adopted by most states, already an accessible means of egress by the IBC. contain parallel requirements with respect to The IBC permits platform lifts to serve as evacuation elevators. part of an accessible means of egress in a limited number of places where platform The 1991 Standards exempt facilities lifts are allowed in new construction. The equipped with a supervised automatic 1991 Standards, at 4.1.3 (5) Exception 4 sprinkler system from providing areas (a) through (d), and the 2010 Standards, at of rescue assistance, and also exempt sections 206.7.1 through 206.7.10, similarly alterations to existing facilities from limit the places where platform lifts are providing an accessible means of egress. allowed in new construction. The IBC exempts buildings equipped with a supervised automatic sprinkler system from Commenters urged the Department to certain technical requirements for areas reconsider provisions that would require of refuge, and also exempts alterations to standby power to be provided for platform existing facilities from providing an accessible lifts. Concerns were raised that ensuring means of egress. standby power would be too burdensome. The Department views this issue as a The 1991 and 2010 Standards require fundamental life safety issue. Lift users face signs that provide direction to or information the prospect of being trapped on the lift in about functional spaces to meet certain the event of a power failure if standby power technical requirements. The 2010 Standards, is not provided. The lack of standby power at section 216.4, address exit signs. This could be life-threatening in situations where section is consistent with the requirements the power failure is associated with a fire or of the IBC. Signs used for means of egress other emergency. The use of a platform lift are covered by this scoping requirement. is generally only one of the options available The requirements in the 2010 Standards to covered entities. Covered entities that require tactile signs complying with sections are concerned about the costs associated 703.1, 703.2 and 703.5 at doors at exit with maintaining standby power for a lift may passageways, exit discharge, and at exit 86 - Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III Department of Justice