Accessibility requirements in the National Building Code of Canada 1985

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Building Practice Note, 1985-06-01

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Accessibility requirements in the National Building Code of Canada

1985

Hansen, A. T.

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ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN THE NATIONAL BUILDING

CODE OF CANADA 1985

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by A.T. Hansen

Technical Information Group Division of Building Research

BPN

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53

June 1985

@National Research Council Canada 1985 ISSN 0701-5216

ABSTRACT

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New requirements to facilitate the use of buildings by persons with physical disabilities

are included in the 1985 edition

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of the National Building Code. The significance of these

changes is discussed. Excerpts from the new requirements are included, together with explanatory diagrams.

RESUME

L’kdition 1985 du Code national du bltiment renferme de nouvelles exigences visant

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ii

faciliter l’accks aux bltiments pour les personnes handicap6es physiquement. Cette com- munication examine la portke de ces modifications et contient des extraits des nouvelles exigences ainsi que des tableaux explicatifs.

INTRODUCTION

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Model requirements for accessibility in buildings were introduced in Canada with the publication in 1965 of a Supplement to the National Building Code entitled “Building Standards for the Handicapped” [I]. This was published under the auspices of the Associate Committee on the National Building Code. These accessibility requirements were intended to facilitate the use of buildings by persons with physical disabilities, particularly those confined to wheelchairs. In 1975, accessibility requirements were included for the first time in the National Building Code (NBC) itself.[2] These required that ‘public buildings’ have an accessible entrance and provide wheelchair access to all public spaces, including elevators, on the entrance floor. Where public washrooms were provided, at least one was required to be accessible to persons in wheelchairs. Public buildings were defined as those to which the public is admitted, but did not include apartment buildings, industrial buildings, or office type occupancies, under a single tenancy. Although these requirements were modified in subsequent editions to include additional occupancies, they remained basically unchanged up to the 1985 edition.

The 1985 edition [3] extended significantly the scope of these requirements. No longer is reference made to the “Building Standards for the Handicapped” for required design details. All relevant requirements now appear in the NBC and the ‘Standards’ has been discontinued. These requirements, like the rest of the code, are model requirements and

have no legal status until adopted by an authority with the legal power to do

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so.

A complete new Section 3.7 has been added to Part 3 of the Code, which deals exclusively with accessibility. The requirements apply to all buildings except detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex, row, town and boarding houses, high hazard industrial buildings, and build- ings that are normally unoccupied (e.g. pump houses, substations, automated telephone exhanges). Part 9 of the Code, which applies to houses and small buildings, further ex- empts apartment buildings that do not have elevators. Since Part 9 references Section 3.7 for accessibility requirements, these apply to both parts.

A t least one principal entrance in every building within the scope of the new Section is required to have a ‘barrier-free access’. This is a newly defined term that designates a path of travel negotiable by a wheelchair. Figure 1 shows an accessible entrance constructed in conformance with the new requirements. Where a barrier-free access is between floor levels, it includes ramps and elevators.

A barrier-free access is required from the accessible entrance to various specified areas and facilities on the entrance floor, and on every floor served by an elevator if an elevator is provided. The designated areas and facilities to which barrier-free access must be provided are those that serve the public or are designed for use by visitors. These include assembly areas with fixed seats, display areas, merchandising departments, general work areas such as office areas or areas of general use such as laundries, recreational areas, cafeterias, lounge rooms, lunch rooms and infirmaries. Access is also required to each classroom, suite, patient’s room, ticket counter, refreshment stand, drinking fountain, check-out counter and

920 mm

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HIGH GUARD

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. ‘

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a t least one elevator where elevators are provided. Where parking is provided, barrier-free

access must also be provided from the parking area to an accessible entrance.

In assembly areas with fixed seats, a specified number of spaces must be provided to accommodate wheelchairs, depending on the total seating. This varies from a minimum

of

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2 spaces for up to 200 seats to 7 spaces for up to 1 000 seats. Over this number only one additional space is required for each additional 1 000 seats up to a maximum

of 20 spaces. All washrooms are required to be designed for accessibility unless they are located in residential suites (e.g., houses, apartments, hotel rooms), or are on floors to

which barrier-free access is

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not provided (e.g., floors not served by elevators or ramps).

Other washrooms can also be exempted if there are accessible washrooms available that are equally convenient to the occupant.

Since wheelchair users are not able to reach as high as ambulatory occupants, all controls for the operation of building services or safety devices intended to be used by the occupants

are to be mounted within 1.4 m of the

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floor when they are located in a barrier-free access

area. This includes electrical switches, thermostats and intercom switches.

Specific requirements are included for facilities designed for use by the disabled. These include doorways, door closers, walkways, vestibules, ramps, elevators, waterclosets, wa- tercloset stalls, shower stalls and washrooms. Signs for designated facilities for the disabled are also specified. Although many of the specified requirements for these facilities are based on those contained in the former “Building Standards for the Handicapped”, a number of

significant changes were made when these were transferred to the NBC.

Exterior walkways, for example, are now required to be 1.1 m wide (up from 920 mm).

Door closers in a barrier-free access area must be designed

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t o allow doors to open under

a force of 38 N ( 8 lb) in the case of exterior doors and 22 N (5 lb) in the case of interior doors. This is due to the difficulty that many wheelchair users and those with impaired walking capability have in using self-closing doors. This compares to 90 N (20 lb) normally specified as the maximum force for exit doors. Closers must have a closing period of at

least three seconds to facilitate wheelchair passage. Every vestibule in

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a barrier-free access

area is required to be designed so that a wheelchair can pass through it without excessive interference from doors. Doors into the vestibule must be at least 1.2 m apart plus the width of any door swinging into it. A space at least 600 mm beside the latch side of the door must be provided where a door swings into the vestibule and at least 300 mm where it swings out of the vestibule (Figure 2 ) .

Although ramp slopes are still limited to a maximum of 1 in 12 in most instances, a 1 in 10 slope is now permitted for ramps up to 3 m long (Figure 1).

Water closet stalls must now be at least 1.5 by 1.5 m (up from 1.37 by 1.52 m) and be equipped with an outward swinging door that provides a 760 mm clear opening (Figure 3). Water closets must now have a minimum seat height of 400 mm above the floor as well as a maximum height of 460 mm. Grab bars for water closets can now be from 30 to 4 0 mm

760 mm MIN.

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FIGURE 2.

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Vestibule dimensions

760 _mm

CLEAR

.

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I

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diameter (down from

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45 to 50 mm) and must meet certain strength requirements (1.3 k N

or 290 lb applied vertically or horizontally, see Figure 4). When shower stalls are provided for the disabled, they must be at least 920 by 920 mm, equipped with a hinged seat, grab bars, and hand-held shower, pressure-balanced single lever controls and a slip-resistant

floor.

In addition to the accessibility requirements in Section 3.7, fire safety requirements have been included for accessible floor areas located above the first storey if the building is not sprinklered (or served by exit ramps). Article 3.3.1.5. (which is also referenced in 9.9.2.7.) allows several alternative measures to accommodate disabled occupants in fire emergencies. The elevator may be specially designed to evacuate the disabled, the building may be vertically divided into two separate fire zones, or, in the case of residential buildings, balconies can be used to provide temporary refuge. When the elevator evacuation option is used, the elevators are required to be protected on each floor by a vestibule providing three- quarters of an hour fire resistance or a corridor providing one hour fire resistance. Other measures required for fire fighters’ elevators in high buildings also have to be provided for these elevators to ensure service under fire conditions. In buildings over three storeys high, measures to keep the elevator smoke-free are required as well. Where balconies are used as an option, the balconies are subject to the same requirements currently applied to those in high buildings that are intended for temporary refuge from fire.

Additional requirements to accommodate the blind or the sight-impaired have also been added. These are not restricted to barrier-free access routes but apply to all areas and to all buildings. These include requirements for tactile numbers on elevator door jambs (3.5.5.1.(4)) and exit doors (3.4.7.12.(18)), the elimination of obstructions that are not

detectable by the

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use of a cane in exits and corridors (3.3.1.7.(3) and (4), 9.9.5.3. and

9.9.5.4.), continuity of at least one handrail around stair landings (3.4.7.5.(5) and 9.8.7.2.) and the safe termination of the ends of handrails to prevent them from being a hazard

(3.4.7.5.(6) and 9.8.7.3.). In order to assist ambulatory people with walking difficulties, handrails for stairs and ramps are required to extend horizontally at least 300 mm beyond the tops and bottoms of stairs (3.4.7.5.(7) and 9.8.7.4.) (Figure 5). This extension is permitted to be at an angle to the direction of the stair to avoid projecting the handrail into a path of travel.

Extracts have been provided from the National Building Code of Canada 1985. These include the new Section 3.7, as well as the requirements for the visually-impaired. Ex- planatory material in the appendix to the NBC is included as well, immediately after the applicable requirements.

Some provinces have developed requirements for accessibility independently from those in the National Building Code. Designers, therefore, should check with local authorities to determine those requirements applicable to their design.

FIGURE 4.

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Grab bars for toilets

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BACK GRAB BAR REQUIRED

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WHEN T O I L E T H A S N O FLUSH TANK FORSUPPORT

EXTRACTS FROM THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF CANADA 1985

Definition

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Barrier-free access means a path of travel designed for use by persons with physical or sensory disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, and incorporating ramps, elevators

or other lifting devices where there is a difference in elevation between floor levels along the path of travel.

EXTRACTS FROM PART 3

Fire Safety Provisions

3.3.1.5.(1)

is not sprinklered, every floor area having such access shall

Where a barrier-free access is provided above the first storey in a building that

be served by an elevator conforming to Sentences 3.2.6.4.(4) to

(7),

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protected against

fire in conformance with Clauses 3.2.6.4.(3) (b) or (c) and, in buildings over 3 storeys in building height, protected against smoke movement in conformance with Sentence 3.2.6.2.(4),

be divided in a t least 2 zones conforming to Sentences 3.3.3.5.(8) and (9) so

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that

disabled persons can be acommodated in each zone,

in the case of residential occupancies, be provided with balconies conforming to

Sentence 3.2.6.2. ( 8 ) ,

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except on the storey containing the access entrance described

in Article 3.7.1.1., or

have an exterior exit at ground level or a ramp leading to ground level. Explanat ion

These measures are intended to provide temporary refuge for disabled persons. It is ac- knowledged, however, that the measures cannot provide absolute safety for all occupants in the fire area. It may, therefore, be necessary to develop special arrangements in the fire safety plan to evacuate disabled persons from these areas. Details for such a plan are contained in the National Fire Code of Canada 1985.

The protected elevator in Clause ( l ) ( a ) is intended to be used by fire fighters as a means for evacuating disabled persons.

It

is not intended that this elevator be used by disabled persons as a means of egress without the assistance of fire fighters.

Explanation (continued)

Where an estimate is to be made of the number of disabled persons in a floor area which can be accommodated in each zone in Clause ( l ) ( b ) , this estimate may be based on Ta-

ble

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3.7.2.A., which is used to determine the minimum number of spaces to be provided for wheelchair occupants in fixed seating areas. Where more precise information is available,

it should be used for sizing the zones.

Constructions in Corridors

3.3.1.7.(3) Except as permitted in Sentence ( 4 ) , obstructions located within 1 980 mm of the floor shall not project more than 100 mm horizontally into exit passageways, public corridors, corridors used by the public or corridors serving classrooms or patients’ bedrooms in a manner that would create a hazard for visually impaired persons travelling adjacent to walls.

3.3.1.7.(4)

exceed 100 mm where it extends to less than 680 mm above the floor.

The horizontal projection of an obstruction in Sentence (3) is permitted to

Explanation

The sweep of a cane used by blind or visually-impaired persons normally detects obstruc- tions that are within 680 mm of the floor. Any obstruction above this height would not normally be detected and can, therefore, create a hazard if it projects more that 100 mm into the path of travel.

Handrails

3.4.7.5.(1)

1 100 mm or more in width, shall have handrails on both sides.

Every exit ramp or stairway shall have a handrail on at least 1 side, and where

3.4.7.5.(2) Where the required width of a ramp or flight of stairs exceeds 2 200 mm, 1 or more intermediate handrails continuous between landings shall be provided, and the number and position of these intermediate handrails shall be such that there will be not more that 1 650 mm between handrails.

3.4.7.5.(3)

them which will break a hand hold.

Explanat ion

Handrails should be easy to grasp.

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A circular section with a diameter of not more than

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40 mm is the preferred shape. Wide or deep handrails are undesirable unless a proper

hand-size grasping area is provided.

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MINIMUM MAXIMUM

EASY TO G R A S P

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Q

D I F F I C U L T

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TO GRASP

BR

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6506-3

3.4.7.5.(4) Handrails on stairs and ramps shall be not less than 800 mm and not more than 920 mm in height, measured vertically from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosing or from the surface of the ramp, except that handrails not meeting these requirements are permitted provided they are installed in addition to the required handrail.

3.4.7.5.(5) A t least 1 handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stairway, including landings, except where interrupted by doorways or newels at changes in direction. Explanation

Blind or visually-impaired persons rely on handrails to guide them on stairways. A con- tinuous handrail will assist them in negotiating stairs at changes in direction.

L

3.4.7.5.(6)

travel or create a hazard.

Handrails shall be terminated in a manner which will not obstruct pedestrian

Handrails should return to the wall, floor or post, so as not to constitute a hazard to blind

or visually-impaired persons.

3.4.7.5.(7)

300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the stairways and ramps.

Explanat ion

The extended handrail is useful to persons with physical limitations to steady themselves

before using the stairs.

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3.4.7.5.(8)

any wall to which it is fastened.

A clearance of at least 40 mm shall be provided between every handrail and

3.4.7.5.(9) Windows in exit stairways that extend to less than 1 070 mm above the landing shall be protected by a barrier or railing located approximately 1 070 mm above such landing.

Guards

3.4.7.6.(1)

well-secured guard on each side.

Every exit such as a ramp, stairway or passageway shall have a wall or a

3.4.7.6.(2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), the height of guards on exit stairs shall be not less than 920 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings and 1 070 mm around landings.

3.4.7.6.(3) The height of guards of exterior stairs and landings more than 10 m above adjacent ground level shall not be less than 1 500 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings.

3.4.7.6.(4) The size of any opening through guards for exits shall be such as to prevent the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 mm in buildings of residential occupancy and 200 mm in buildings of other occupancy, except where the location and size of the openings that exceed this limit do not present a hazardous condition.

Tactile

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Signs for Exits

3.4.7.12.( 18) Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number shall

(a) be mounted permanently on the stair side of the wall at the latch side of doors to exit stair shafts,

(b) be at least 60 mm high, raised approximately 0.7 mm above the surface,

(c) be located 1 500 mm from the finished floor and not more than 300 mm from the door, and

Explanation

The identification of floor and other signs intended to facilitate orientation for visually- impaired persons should offer maximum colour contrast to be effective. For this reason, it is recommended that white on black or black on white be used, as this combination produces the best legibility.

It

is also recommended that the sign surfaces be processed so

as to prevent glare.

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Tactile

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Signs

for Elevators

3.5.5.1.(4) Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number shall be mounted per- manently on both jambs of passenger elevator hoistway entrances in conformance with Appendix

E

of CSA B44, “Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Mov- ing Walks.”

SECTION 3.7 BARRIER-FREE DESIGN

Subsection 3.7.1. General

3.7.1.1. The requirements of this Section apply to all buildings except

(a) houses, including semi-detached, duplexes, triplexes, town houses, row houses and boarding houses,

(b) buildings of Group

F,

Division 1 major occupancy, and

(c) buildings which are not intended to be occupied on a daily or full time basis, in- cluding automatic telephone exchanges, pumphouses and substations.

3.7.1.2. Every building in Article 3.7.1.1. shall have a t least 1 entrance intended for general use by the public or the occupants designed in conformance with Article 3.7.3.3., opening to the outdoors at sidewalk level or to a ramp comforming to Article 3.7.3.4. leading to a sidewalk.

Explanation

An accessible route should exist from the sidewalk or roadway and parking area to an

accessible building entrance. This route should be located

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so that disabled persons do not

have to pass behind parked cars.

3.7.1.3.( 1)

an unobstructed width of at least 920 mm for the passage of wheelchairs.

Except as permitted in Subsection 3.7.3., every barrier-free access shall provide

3.7.1.3.(2)

the passage of a sphere larger than 13 mm diam.

3.7.1.3.(3)

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Except as provided in Article 3.7.3.5., controls for the operation of building services or safety devices, located in a barrier-free access and intended to be operated by

the occupant, including electrical switches, thermostats and intercom switches, shall be accessible to a person in a wheelchair and shall be mounted at not more than 1.4 m above the floor.

Subsection 3.7.2. Occupancy Requirements

3.7.2.1.(1) A barrier-free access shall be provided on the entrance storey and on each storey served by a passenger type elevator or other platform equipped passenger elevating device from the entrance described in Article 3.7.1.2.

into each suite,

into rooms or areas that serve the public or are designated for use by visitors, includ- ing areas in assembly occupancies with fixed seats, display areas and merchandising departments,

into rooms or areas for student use in assembly occupancies, into general work areas, including office areas,

into general use or general service areas, including shared laundry areas in resi- dential occupancies, recreational areas, cafeteria, lounge rooms, lunch rooms and infirmaries,

into patients’ rooms,

into at least 1 passenger type elevator or elevating device conforming to Arti- cle 3.7.3.5.,

into washrooms described in Article 3.7.2.3.,

to any facility required by this Section to be designed to accommodate disabled persons,

onto every balcony provided in conformance with Sentence 3.3.1.5.(1), and ,to ticket counters, refreshment stands, drinking fountains and checkout counters. Explanat ion

Where barrier-free access is required into suites or rooms in Subsection 3.7.2., it is not intended that such access be provided throughout each room or suite. In Clause (k), it is not intended that all facilities be accessible. It is intended that sufficient facilities be accessible to permit a reasonable use of the building.

Wheelchair Spaces

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3.7.2.1.(2)

shall conform to Table 3.7.2.A.

The number of spaces designated for wheelchair use in Clause 3.7.2.1.(1)(b)

Table

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3.7.2.A.

Forming part of Sentence

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3.7.2.1.(2)

Number of Fixed Seats Number of Spaces Required

in Seating Area for Wheelchairs

up to 200 2 201 to 300 3 301 to 400 4 401 to 600 5 601 to 800 6 801 to 1 000 7

over 1 000 8 plus 1 for each

additional increment maximum of 20

of 1 000 seats to a

Column 1 2

Explanation

Seating areas for disabled persons should be scattered rather than located in one place so

as to provide a choice of location for the users.

Parking and Elevators

3.7.2.2.(1) cle 3.7.1.2. to

A barrier-free access shall be provided from the entrance described in Arti-

(a) an exterior parking area where exterior parking is provided, and

Explanation

It is not intended that a separate accessible entrance must be provided from the exterior parking area. The designer may choose to designate the entrance leading to the exterior parking area as the required entrance or provide a properly identified and unobstructed path of travel from the parking area to the entrance which is accessible. The entrance chosen should, in any case, be one normally used by the occupants of the building. Long

paths of travel are not recommended.

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Accessible Washrooms

3.7.2.3.(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), washrooms shall be designed to accommo- date disabled persons in comformance with the appropriate requirements in Articles 3.7.3.6. to 3.7.3.9.

3.7.2.3.(2) Washrooms need not comform to the requirements in Sentence (1) provided

(a) they are located on a floor area to which barrier-free acess is not provided, (b) they are located within suites of residential occupancy, or

(c) other washrooms designed to accommodate disabled persons are available in loca-

tions providing equivalent convenience. Subsection 3.7.3. Design Standards

Signs

3.7.3.1.(1) Where a building is required to have an entrance to accommodate disabled persons, signs incorporating the international symbol of accessibility for disabled persons shall be installed where necessary to indicate the location of that entrance.

3.7.3.1.(2) Where a washroom, elevator or parking area is required to accommodate dis-

abled persons, it shall be identified by a sign consisting of the international symbol of

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ac-

cessibility for disabled persons and such other graphic or written directions as are needed

Explanation

The official symbol, as shown below, indicates to disabled persons that they will have reasonable freedom of movement within the building to which it is attached. It usually has a blue background, but if, because of lighting conditions, it does not stand out, it can be

set on a white-background. An arrow can be added to either side or to the top

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or bottom

to indicate direction or the location of an accessible space or facility.

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J

Exterior Walks

3.7.3.2.(1) Exterior walks that form part of a barrier-free access shall (a) have a slip-resistant, continuous and even surface,

(b) be at least 1 100 mm in width, and

(c) have a level area adjacent to the entrance doorway conforming to Clause 3.7.3.4.(1)(~).

Doorways

3.7.3.3.(1)

of at least 760 mm when the door is in the open position.

Every doorway that is located in a barrier-free access shall have a clear width

3.7.3.3.(2)

shall have a clear width of a t least 760 mm when the door is in the open position.

The doorway to at least 1 bathroom within a suite of residential occupancy

Explanat ion

Even though it is required to have doors to washrooms in residential suites large enough to permit the passage of wheelchairs, it does not mean that the washroom or its fixtures

3.7.3.3.(3)

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Thresholds for doorways in Sentences

(I)

and (2) shall not exceed 13 mm in height above the finished floor surface and shall be bevelled to facilitate the passage of

wheelchairs.

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Door Closers

3.7.3.3.(4)

access shall be designed to permit

Except for doors to dwelling units, door closers for doors in a barrier-free

(a) doors to open when a force of not more than 38

N

is applied to the handles, push plates or latch-releasing devices for exterior doors and not more than 22

N

for interior doors, and

interior doors to have a closing period of at least 3 s measured from the door in an open position of 70" to the doorway to a point 75 mm from the closed position measured from the leading edge of the latch side of the door.

(b)

Vestibules

3.7.3.3.(5)

ment of wheelchairs between doors and shall

Vestibules located in a barrier-free access shall be arranged to allow the move-

(a) provide a distance between 2 doors in series of at least 1.2 m plus the width of any door that swings into the space in the path of travel from one door to another, and (b) have a clear space, beyond the latch side of each door, of a t least 600 mm when the door swings into the vestibule and at least 300 mm when the door swings away from the vestibule (see explanation for 3.7.3.4.(1) (c)).

Ramps

3.7.3.4.(1) Ramps located in a barrier-free access shall (a) have a minimum width of 870 mm between handrails,

(b) have a maximum gradient of 1 in 12, except that a gradient not exceeding 1 in 10 is permitted where the length of ramp does not exceed 3 m,

(c) have a level area of at least 1.5 by 1.5 m at the top and bottom and at intermediate

levels of a ramp leading to a door,

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so that the level area extends at least 600 mm

beyond the latch side of the door opening, except that where the door opens away from the ramp, the area extending beyond the latch side of the door opening may be reduced to 300 mm,

1500 m m

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MIN. - 1500 mni MIN. *P -RAMP -

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A

DOOK SWINGS ON TO RAMP DOOR SWINGS AWAY FROM RAMP BR 6506-5

(d) have a level area at least

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1.2 m long and at least the same width as the ramp,

(i) a t intervals of not more than

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9 m along its length, and

(ii) where there is an abrupt change in the direction of the ramp, and

(e) be equipped with handrails and guards comforming to Articles 3.4.7.5. and 3.4.7.6.

3.7.3.4.(2)

shall be designed as ramps.

Floors or walks in a barrier-free access having

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a slope steeper than 1 in 20

Elevators

3.7.3.5.(1)

of CSA B44, “Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Moving Walks.” The passenger-type elevator in Article 3.7.2.1. shall conform to Appendix E

3.7.3.5.(2)

CAN3-B355, “Safety Code for Elevating Devices for the Handicapped.”

The passenger-type elevating device in Article 3.7.2.1. shall conform to

Washroom Design

3.7.3.6.(1)

persons, at least 1 water closet stall or enclosure shall

Where a washroom is required by Article 3.7.2.3. to accommodate disabled

(a) be at least 1.5 m in width by 1.5 m in depth, (b) be equipped with a door which shall

(i) be capable of being locked from the inside,

(ii) provide a clear opening of at least

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760 mm with the door in the open position,

(iii) swing outward, unless sufficient room is provided within the stall or enclosure to permit the door to be closed without interfering with the wheelchair, (iv) be provided with a door pull on the inside located so that the centreline is

between 200 mm and 300 mm from the hinged side of the door, and

(v) be provided with a door pull on the outside, near the latch side of the door, (c) have a water closet located so that its centreline is not less than 460 mm and not

more than 480 mm from an adjacent side wall on 1 side, (d) be equipped with grab bars which shall

(i) be mounted on the side wall closest to the water closet extending from a point

not more than 300 mm from the rear wall to a t least

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450 mm in front of the

water closet seat,

(ii) be mounted on the wall behind the water closet so that it extends the full width of the toilet bowl where the water closet does not have a water tank, (iii) be mounted from 840 mm to 920 mm above the floor level,

(iv) be installed to resist a load of at least 1.3 kN applied vertically or horizontally, (v) be not less than 30 mm and not more than 40 mm in diameter and

(vi) have a clearance of 35 mm to 45 mm from the wall,

(e) be equipped with a coat hook mounted not more than 1.4 m above the floor on a

side wall and projecting not more than

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25 mm from the wall,

(f) have a clearance of at least 1.7 m between the outside of the stall face and the face

of an in-swinging washroom door and 1.4 m between the outside of the stall face and any wall-mounted fixture.

3.7.3.7.( 1) Water closets for disabled persons shall

(a) be equipped with seats located at not less than 400 mm and not more than 460 mm above the floor level,

(b) be equipped with hand-operated flushing controls that are easily accessible to a

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(c) be equipped with a back support such as a seat lid, and (d) not have a spring-activated seat.

Explanation

Wall-mounted water closets or floor models with receding bases are preferable because they provide the least amount of obstruction.

3.7.3.8.( 1) Where a washroom is required to accommodate disabled persons, it shall

(a) be equipped with a lavatory which shall

(i) be mounted so that the distance betweeen the centreline of the fixture and

the side wall is at least

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460 mm,

(ii) have a clearance of at least 660 mm beneath the bottom of the lavatory to a point at least 260 mm in from the front,

(iii) have insulated waste outlet pipes where the waste pipes constitute a burn hazard,

(iv) have faucet handles of the lever type that are not spring-loaded, and

(v) have no shelves or other projections located above it so as to create a hazard, (b) have soap and towel dispensers located not more than 1.4 m above the floor and

accessible to persons in wheelchairs.

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Special Washrooms

3.7.3.9.(1) Where a special washroom is provided primarily for the use of disabled persons of both sexes in lieu of facilities for disabled persons in washrooms used by the general public, such washrooms shall

(a) be equipped with doors capable of being locked from the inside and released from the outside,

(b) be provided with a lavatory conforming to Article 3.7.3.8., (c) be equipped with a water closet conforming to Article 3.7.3.7., (d) be equipped with grab bars conforming to Clause 3.7.3.6.(1)(d),

(f) have fixture clearances conforming to the fixture clearances described in Articles

3.7.3.6. to 3.7.3.8., and

(g) have a doorway conforming to Article 3.7.3.3. Explanat ion

Unobstructed areas in front of the lavatory, in front of the water closet and on 1 side of

the water closet are necessary for maneuverability of a wheelchair.

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Shower Stalls

3.7.3.10( 1)

pancy, at least 1 shower stall shall be provided for disabled persons which shall

Where individual shower stalls are provided in buildings of assembly occu-

(a) have no dimension less than 920 mm,

(b) be equipped with a hinged seat that is not spring loaded,

(c) be equipped with grab bars mounted approximately 900 mm above the floor on the wall opposite the seat, extending around at least 300 mm along the adjacent wall, (d) be equipped with pressure-balanced single lever controls,

(e) be equipped with a hand-held shower head with at least 1.5 m of flexible hose capable of being used as a fixed shower head mounted approximately 450 mm in from the front of the shower and approximately 1.2 m above the floor,

(f) have a bevelled threshold not exceeding 13 mm in height above the finished floor, and

(g) have a slip-resistant floor.

EXTRACTS FROM PART 9

Handrails

9.8.7.2. Except for stairs serving only 1 dwelling unit, at least 1 handrail shall be contin-

uous throughout the length of the stairway, including landings, except where interrupted by doorways or newels at changes in direction. (See explanation following 3.4.7.5.(5).) 9.8.7.3. Except for stairs serving only 1 dwelling unit, handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard. (See explanation following 3.4.7.5.(6).)

9.8.7.4.

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Except for stairs serving only 1 dwelling unit, handrails at the sides of

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stairs and ramps shall extend horizontally at least 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of stairways

and ramps. (See explanation following 3.4.7.5.(7).)

Barrier-Free Access

9.9.2.7. Except as provided in Article 9.9.2.8., every building shall provide barrier-free access in conformance with Section 3.7. Where barrier-free access is provided to any storey above the first storey, the requirements in Article 3.3.1.5. shall apply.

9.9.2.8. Barrier-free access described in Article 9.9.2.7. need not be provided for apart- ment buildings without elevators or houses, including semi-detached, duplexes, triplexes, town houses, boarding houses and row houses.

Obstructions in Corridors

9.9.5.3. Except as permitted in Article 9.9.5.4., obstructions located within 1 980 mm of the floor shall not project horizontally more than 100 mm into exit passageways, corridors used by the public or public corridors in a manner that would create a hazard for visually- impaired persons travelling adjacent to walls.

9.9.5.4. The horizontal projection of an obstruction in Article 9.9.5.3. is permitted to exceed 100 mm where the obstruction extends t o less than 680 mm above the floor. (See explanation following 3.3.1.7.(4).)

REFERENCES

1. Building Standards for the Handicapped, National Building Code Supplement No. 7, Associate Committee on the National Building Code, NRCC 8333, National Re- search Council of Canada, Ottawa, 1965.

2. National Building Code of Canada 1975, Associate Committee on the National Building Code, NRCC 13982, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, 1975. 3. National Building Code of Canada 1985, Associate Committee on the National