2012 TAS And a few surprises Atelier 2012 © Atelier Design Associates

The information in this presentation is not a complete summary of the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS). Remember to always apply the most stringent codes & regulations that may apply to your project. Application of items in this presentation may differ for various circumstances.

XL Design Professional is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or product. Question related to specific materials, methods and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation..

‘Disability is a normal part of the human process’ Jim deJong

Learning Objectives 1. Use of TDLR Rules & Standards 2. How the new Standards are set-up 3. Use of ‘Safe Harbor’ 4. Importance of ‘Scoping’ 5. Key differences from prior TAS

TAS Plan Review  Who actually reads their plan review ?

Why would you want a comprehensive plan review?  A nod & wink you drew a nice set of plans - or maybe -  Notify you if there are discrepancies that you can address before a change order

Selecting your Accessibility Specialist  Experience in your type facility  Training  Will they be sub-contracting my project?

Proof of Submission  Still required  Submit plans no later than 20 days after date of issue Form 042AB

Rules  CH 68  Tells us where we apply the 2012 TAS  Gives certain exemptions

Rules  Exemptions  Variances  Submittal Requirements  Public ROW Projects Rules Ch –

2012 TAS  Ch 1 Application & Administration  Ch 2 Scoping  Ch 3-10 Technical Standards

Ch1 Conventions & Calculations  Referenced Standards  Definitions

Ch2 Scoping  Tells us how to apply the technical sections Ch 3-10

Advisories  Advisory Scoping  Are advisories enforceable?  Yes where referencing another enforceable part of the standard  Recommendations for good practice

Effective dates  Last date of building permit/permit extension  Where no permit, actual physical start of construction  On or after March 15, 2012

Safe Harbor  When was it built?  Did it fully comply before March 2012? 202.4

Safe Harbor  What is covered under Safe Harbor?  Compliant “Path of travel” elements  What is not covered?  Any other altered element

Safe Harbor  But it almost complies...  Element by element safe harbor.  Prior Variances do not apply RAS

Safe Harbor  Safe Harbor does not apply In existing facilities where supplemental requirements don’t exist in 1991 Standards  What does that mean?

Safe Harbor  What if it costs too much to bring them into compliance?  A minimum of 20% of costs shall be applied to accessible improvements  Balance may be deferred only by Variance 202.4,

Safe Harbor  What are “path of travel” elements?  exterior approach  parking  restrooms  telephones  drinking fountains serving altered area 202.4

Path of Travel  What if the tenant is making the improvements?  funded in their entirety by the tenant with private funds and do not have funding, reimbursements, improvement funds of any kind provided by the landlord Ex 2 & RAS

Barrier Removal  Buyer beware.  There is no obligation that pools must have a lift on or before March 15,  There is an obligation for  barrier removal  in alterations & new construction.  Postponed to May 21, 2012 ADA vs. TAS

Program Access  Program access vs. architectural compliance  Keeping your client informed

Difference between ADA & TAS  ADA is a Civil Rights Law  TAS is a Construction Law  Title IEmployee areas  Title IIPublic Buildings  Title IIICommercial

Religious entities  under ADA guidelines  under TAS guidelines Ch (3)

Elevator exemption Yes now in Texas..  Private Buildings  Less than 3 stories  or less than 3000 SF per floor  unless a shopping center or healthcare provider …

Curb ramps  no longer contrasting color & texture where within the site  landing required at the top  watch for new PROW standards  applies in PROW 406,

Tolerances  New standards have built-in tolerances  Use of Construction and Manufacturing Tolerances  Advisory tells us what is good practice Should not be used as a proxy to overlook errors -Marsha Mazz 104

Importance of Scoping  Tells us what type facility has to comply  What elements within the facility have to comply  Gives exceptions Chapter 2

Scoping  No accessible route required if no pedestrian route is provided. Does not have to be paved.  Be careful how this is used Never use this exception in Fair Housing

Scoping  Stairs are still not part of an accessible route.  Automatic entry doors are not required unless

Scoping  Protruding objects in circulation paths  Exceptions  in children’s play areas  Within areas of sport activity 204.1

Scoping  Children’s play areas  Shall provide accessible route within play area  Shall connect entry & exit points with ground level play components and required elevated play components

Scoping  Ambulatory Toilet Compartments  One compartment required where 6 or more fixtures are provided in a Toilet Room  Total count of water closets and/or urinals

Scoping  Urinals  Where only one urinal is provided, it is not required to be accessible  Where two or more are provided, at least one shall be accessible

Scoping  Exit signs  Must have raised character & Braille 216.4, 703.1, 703.2, 703.5

Scoping  Team or Player Seating  At least one wheelchair space serving team or player seating ,

Scoping  Lawn Seating  Where fixed seats are not provided, shall connect to an accessible route

Scoping  Assembly areas 221

Scoping  Assembly areas 221

Scoping  Integration.  Wheelchair spaces shall be an integral part of the seating plan.  Lines of Sight and Dispersion  Choices equal to other spectators

Technical Standards  Building Blocks  Turning space may extend into toe & knee space below fixtures and other elements

Technical Standards  Reach Ranges  Affects operating controls  Light switches, outlets, fire alarm pulls, card readers, keypads  Exemptions for certain outlets/controls  HVAC Diffusers, certain outlets in Kitchens 308

Technical Standards  Reach Ranges & 308.3

Technical Standards  Water Closets  16”-18” to center of fixture from side wall  Lavatories prohibited from overlapping clear floor space  Except in covered dwelling units  Grab bars, shelves, dispensers may overlap clear floor space 604.2,

Technical Standards  Water Closets  Shorter grab bar permitted on rear wall where less wall space is provided due to special conditions

Technical Standards  Toilet Rooms  Fixtures shall not overlap door maneuvering clearance  Door swing can overlap fixture clear floor space in single user Toilet

Technical Standards  Toilet Paper Dispenser 604.7

 Toilet Paper Dispenser  Must clear 12” above grab bar & 1 ½” below grab bar  Many large roll dispensers may not comply 

Technical Standards  may use alternate shower stalls 608.2

Technical Standards  May use L-shape or straight seat in shower 610.3

Technical Standards  Sign Locations 703

Technical Standards  Sign Locations 703

Technical Standards  Raised character & Braille  48”-60”AFF to bottom of letters  To latch side of opening  Or on face of door  With closer & no hold-open device  On Push face of door

Technical Standards  Sinks in  Kitchens  Break Rooms  wet bars 606.2

Technical Standards  Kitchens, Break Room or Wet Bar parallel approach is permitted to a sink if no cooktop or conventional range is provided  Or minimum 5%,at least one shall comply 606.2

Technical Standards  Kitchens & Kitchenettes  50% of storage shall be accessible 804.5, 8.11

Technical Standards  Assembly Seating  No longer required in pairs  Companion seats may be movable  Companion seats must be equivalent to seating provided in the immediate area.  Refer to Table for quantity

Technical Standards  802 Assembly Seating  Aisle seats  5% shall have folding or retractable armrests  Designate with sign or marker 802.4

Technical Standards  Benches  42” min width x 20”-24”deep  Back support or fixed to a wall 903

Technical Standards  Dressing, Fitting & Locker Rooms  Wheelchair space at end of bench  Scoped at Min. 5% 222 & 803, 903

Top 5 changes in TAS 1.Elevator exemption 2.Toilet clearances 3.Curb ramps 4.Owner/Tenant responsibilities 5.Safe harbor in existing facilities Bonus!Advisories

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 Questions? Michael Love ICC RAS IIDA APA Atelier. com

2012 TAS And a few surprises Atelier