CNLR 1140/96 - Buildings Accessibility Regulations under the Buildings Accessibility Act

CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 1140/96 Buildings Accessibility Regulations under the Buildings Accessibility Act (O.C. 96-865) Amended by: 66/06 8/12 23/18 CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 1140/96 Buildings Accessibility Regulations under the Buildings Accessibility Act (O.C. 96-865) Under the authority of section 30 of the Buildings Accessibility Act and the Subordinate Legislation Revision and Consolidation Act, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council makes the following regulations. REGULATIONS Analysis 1. Short title 2. Definitions 3. Codes and standards 4. Building requirements 5. Subdivision of building 6. Exemption 7. Principal entrance 8. Parking 9. Reconstructions and additions 10. Exemption 11. Non-application 12. Elevating devices 13. Public telephones 14. Drawings and specifications 15. Compliance of drawings and specifications 16. Inspectors 17. Eligibility 18. Building construction, additions or reconstruction 19. Liability 20. Fees 20. Transitional 21. Repeal Schedule 1. Classification of buildings 2. Occupancies of same classifications 3. Entrances 4. Barrier-free path 5. Corridors 6. Post or turnstiles 7. Interior barrier-free path of travel 8. Exterior barrier free path of travel 9. Curb ramps 10. Storeys served by escalators 11. Controls 12. Areas requiring barrier-free path of travel Table II Designated Wheelchair Spaces 13. Access to parking areas 14. Parking spaces 15. Parking space signs 16. Washrooms required to be barrier-free 17. 18. Doorway and doors 19. Ramps 20. Slip resistance 21. Stair treads and risers 22. Handrails 23. Guards 24. Elevators 25. Spaces in seating Area 26. Assistive listening devices 27. Toilet stalls 28. Toilets 29. Sinks 30. Individual washroom 31. Washroom accessories 32. Showers 33. Counters 34. Telephones 35. Drinking fountains 36. Floor numbering 37. Visual alarm systems Short title 1. These regulations may be cited as the Buildings Accessibility Regulations. 176/92 s1 Back to Top Definitions 2. In these regulations (a) "Act" means the Buildings Accessibility Act ; (b) "architect" means an architect registered in accordance with the Architects Act ; (c) "assembly occupancy" means the occupancy or the use of a building or part of it by a gathering of persons for civic, political, travel, religious, social, educational, recreational or like purposes, or for the consumption of food or drink; (d) "barrier-free" means that a building and its facilities can be approached, entered and used by persons with physical or sensory disabilities; (e) "building addition" means an increase in the size of the building; (f) "curb ramp" means a ramp cut in the sidewall having flared sides with the lower edge of the ramp blending to the common surface of the finished grade; (g) "existing building" means a completed building or partially completed or proposed building for which plans have been approved and a permit issued before December 24, 1981 ; (h) "exit" means that part of a means of egress, including doorways, that leads from the floor area it serves to a separate building, an open public thoroughfare or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public thoroughfare; (i) "firewall" means a type of fire separation of noncombustible construction which subdivides a building or separates adjoining buildings to resist the spread of fire and which has a fire-resistance rating as prescribed in the National Building Code of Canada 1990 and has structural stability to remain intact under fire conditions for the required fire-rated time; (j) "first storey" means the uppermost storey having its floor level not more than 2 metres above grade; (k) "floor area" means the space on a storey of a building between exterior walls and firewalls if provided including the space occupied by interior walls, partitions, shaftways and stairways; (l) "guard" means a protective barrier around openings in floors or at the open sides of stairs, landing, balconies, mezzanines, galleries, raised walkways or other locations to prevent accidental falls from one level to another and that barrier may or may not have openings through it; (m) "industrial occupation" means the occupancy or use of a building or part of it for the assembling, fabricating, manufacturing, processing, repairing or storing of goods and materials; (n) "inspection agency" means an inspection agency prescribed in accordance with paragraph 30(1)(i) of the Act; (o) "major occupancy" means the principal occupancy for which a building or part of it is used or intended to be used and shall be considered to include the subsidiary occupancies which are an integral part of the principal occupancy; (p) "mercantile occupancy" means the occupancy or use of a building or part of it for the displaying or selling of retail goods, wares or merchandise; (q) "occupancy" means the use or intended use of a building or part of it for the shelter or support of persons, animals or property; (r) "permit" means a permit issued by the permit issuing authority; (s) "principal entrance" means an entrance in a building which is intended for general use by the public or employees or both the public and employees, and there may be more than one principal entrance; (t) "professional engineer" means an engineer registered in accordance with the Engineers and Geoscientists Act ; (u) "public corridor" means a corridor that provides access to an exit from more than one suite; (v) "residential occupancy" means the occupancy or use of a building or part of it by persons for whom sleeping accommodation is provided but who are not harboured or detained to receive medical care or treatment or are not involuntarily detained; (w) "sprinklered" means that the building or part of it is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system; (x) "storey" means that portion of a building which is situated between the top of a floor and the top of the floor next above it and if there is not a floor above it, that portion between the top of the floor and the ceiling above it; and (y) "suite" means a single room or series of rooms of complementary use operated under a single tenancy and includes dwelling units, individual guest rooms in motels, hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses and dormitories as well as individual stores and individual or complementary rooms for business and personal services occupancies. 176/92 s2; 66/06 s1 Back to Top Codes and standards 3. (1) The following codes and standards and all revisions and amendments to those codes and standards are adopted except as modified and amended in the Schedule: (a) N.R.C.C. National Building Code of Canada ; and (b) Canadian Standards Association Can/CSA-B651 Barrier-Free Design. (2) Where there is a conflict between the N.R.C.C. National Building Code of Canada and the Canadian Standards Association Can/CSA-B651 Barrier-Free Design, the N.R.C.C. National Building Code of Canada shall prevail. 66/06 s2 ; 23/18 s1 Back to Top Building requirements 4. (1) A public building having a total floor area, incorporating all storeys, between the exterior walls of greater than 600 square metres measured from and including the lowest floor to which the public and employees employed in the building have access shall (a) from an entrance that is ordinarily used by the public and employees employed in the building and capable of accommodating persons with disabilities provide an acceptable means of making accessible to persons with disabilities all floors to which the public and employees employed in the building have lawful access; and (b) in respect of floors that are required to be accessible to persons with disabilities, have those floors at the same level throughout or have any levels of those floors connected by a ramp. (2) An apartment type building that contains more than 4 residential units shall (a) from an entrance that is ordinarily used by the public and occupants and capable of accommodating persons with disabilities, provide an acceptable means of making accessible to persons with disabilities all floors to which the public and occupants have lawful access; (b) in respect of floors that are required to be accessible to persons with disabilities, have those floors at the same level throughout or have any levels of those floors connected by a ramp; and (c) have at least one accessible residential unit, but not less than one accessible residential unit in every 10 residential units. (3) [Rep. by 23/18 s2] (4) A hotel shall have at least one accessible suite, but not less than one accessible suite in every 20 suites. (5) A lodging house, boarding house or bed and breakfast which accommodates more than 10 boarders, lodgers or guests shall have (a) at least one room with sleeping accommodations that are accessible to physically disabled persons; and (b) the entrance and facilities normally used by the boarders, lodgers or guests shall be accessible to physically disabled persons. 176/92 s4; 66/06 s3 ; 23/18 s2 Back to Top Subdivision of building 5. (1) Where a building is subdivided or divided by fire walls and where there is no physical connection between the subdivisions, each portion of the building so divided or subdivided shall be considered a separate building. (2) Where a connection is made between the 2 separate subdivisions or divisions after the final inspection, those subdivisions or divisions shall then be considered to be one building. 176/92 s5 Back to Top Exemption 6. (1) A public building classified as Group F, Division 1 under subsection 1(3) of the Schedule is exempt from the requirements of the Act and regulations. (2) Where a building contains multiple occupancies and one of those occupancies is exempted by subsection (1), only that portion of the building in the exempted category is excluded from the determination of the 600 square metres calculation for access to floors other than the entry level. 176/92 s6 Back to Top Principal entrance 7. Where a building has a total floor area of less than 600 square metres, a principal entrance shall provide barrier free access to the storey which, in the opinion of the director, constitutes the major occupancy. 176/92 s7 Back to Top Parking 8. (1) In a parking area provided for a building there shall be at least one accessible parking space or 6% of the total number of parking spaces, whichever is greater, designed and designated for use by persons with disabilities. (2) In each parking area at least one in every 6 accessible parking spaces shall be a van-sized accessible parking space. (3) Where a parking area only has one accessible parking space it shall be a van-sized accessible parking space. 176/92 s8; 66/06 s4 ; 23/18 s3 Back to Top Reconstructions and additions 9. (1) The Act and these regulations shall apply to the reconstruction of an existing building where the cost of reconstruction of the building is equal to or exceeds 50% of the cost of erecting a new building of the same character and dimensions, that cost being calculated without including the cost of reconstructing basements, cellars or chimneys or the cost of site alterations. (2) Where building additions take place at the same time as reconstruction, those building additions will be included in the 50% calculation. (3) The Act and these regulations shall apply to the addition to a building where (a) the building addition contains a principal entrance; (a.1) the building addition affects other areas of the buildings where the building addition is greater than 300 square metres; or (b) the building addition changes or reclassifies a building or section of it from the previously exempted occupancy. (4) Where a building addition is covered by the regulations there shall be an available and accessible washroom. (5) Each building addition and reconstruction of a building shall be considered cumulative and shall comply with the provisions of the Act and regulations. (6) Reconstruction or additions to a building shall be registered with the department. 176/92 s9; 66/06 5 Back to Top Exemption 10. An existing building is exempt from the provisions of the Act and regulations. 176/92 s10 Back to Top Non-application 11. These regulations do not apply to (a) service rooms; (b) elevator machine rooms; (c) service spaces, which may include limited commercial storage space; (d) catwalks; (e) loading docks; and (f) raised or lowered portions of floor areas within a single area of use provided that the inaccessible area is minor in proportion to the area and provided the function or service available in the inaccessible portion is equally available in the adjacent accessible area. 176/92 s11; 66/06 s6 ; 23/18 s4 Back to Top Elevating devices 12. Where an elevating device is provided, independent operation shall be possible without the assistance of keys or personnel. 66/06 s7 Back to Top Public telephones 13. Where public telephones are provided (a) at least one telephone in each bank of telephones shall be accessible to persons using a wheelchair and as in subsection 34(1) of the Schedule; and (b) at least one telephone in each area where telephones are provided shall be accessible for use by deaf and hard of hearing persons as in subsection 34(2) of the Schedule. 66/06 s8 Back to Top Drawings and specifications 14. (1) Three copies of drawings and specifications of design shall be submitted by the owner to the director for all buildings and reconstruction of or additions to which the Act applies. (1.1) The copies of drawings and specifications of design required under subsection (1) shall be submitted prior to any construction contemplated by those drawings and specification of design taking place. (2) The drawings and specifications in relation to a building shall include (a) the classifications of major occupancies as in section 1 of the Schedule; (b) the number of storeys; (c) the total floor area and, where applicable, the number of residential units; (d) the location of the building on the site, indicating its relationship to sidewalks, parking and other ancillary service areas; (e) the location of stairways, ramps, elevating devices, washrooms, lights, switches and telephones within the building as applicable; (f) the details of all other facilities required to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act and regulations; (g) the name and address of the permit issuing authority for the area where the building is intended to be constructed, added to or reconstructed; (h) the height of the entrance level above the grade; and (i) the division of the building by firewalls. (3) Where the building and facilities are designed by a professional engineer or architect, the drawings, specifications and information referred to in subsection (2) shall bear the signature and seal of the person responsible for the design. (4) Drawings and specifications submitted with the application for registration shall be provided with a 10.2 centimetre by 10.2 centimetre blank space on which an official registration stamp may be placed. (5) Drawings shall be drawn to scale and shall indicate the nature and extent of the work or proposed occupancy in sufficient detail to establish that the design is in conformance with the regulations. 176/92 s14; 66/06 s9 Back to Top Compliance of drawings and specifications 15. (1) The director shall examine the drawings and specifications submitted to him or her under subsection 14(1) and determine whether they comply with the Act and regulations. (2) Where the director determines that drawings and specifications submitted under subsection 14(1) comply with the Act and regulations, he or she shall register them and return a stamped copy to the owner. (3) Where the director determines that drawings and specifications submitted under subsection 14(1) do not conform to the requirements of the Act and regulations, he or she shall notify the owner that they do not so conform and that new or amended drawings and specifications are required. (4) Where the director registers drawings and specifications submitted to him or her under subsection 14(1), he or she shall notify the permit issuing authority for the area where the building is located that the drawings and specifications have been so registered and that permits required to be issued by the permit issuing authority for the area may now be issued. (5) Registration of drawings and specifications does not relieve the owner of responsibility for ensuring that the building is constructed, added to, or reconstructed in accordance with the requirements of the Act and regulations. 176/92 s15 Back to Top Inspectors 16. In addition to inspectors employed by the department, the following, if appointed as an inspector or employing inspectors appointed under section 9 of the Act, may function as inspection agencies for the purpose of the Act and regulations: (a) the City of St. John's ; (b) the City of Corner Brook ; (c) the City of Mount Pearl ; (d) a municipality as defined in the Municipalities Act ; or (e) a legal entity. 176/92 s16 Back to Top Eligibility 17. To be eligible for appointment as an inspector a person shall satisfy the minister that he or she is qualified to so act by appropriate (a) technical training; or (b) work experience. 176/92 s17 Back to Top Building construction, additions or reconstruction 18. (1) An inspector shall during the construction of, addition to, or reconstruction of a building make periodic inspections for the purpose of ensuring that the requirements of the Act and regulations are being complied with. (2) Where the director receives notification under section 15 of the Act that the construction of, addition to, or reconstruction of a building has been completed, he or she shall order a final inspection to be made. (3) Upon completion of a final inspection, the inspector shall issue, in a form prescribed by the director, an inspection report and provide the owner, the director and the appropriate permit issuing authority with copies. 176/92 s18 Back to Top Liability 19. An inspection carried out under the Act and regulations does not relieve an owner of responsibility for ensuring that a building is constructed, reconstructed or enlarged in accordance with the requirements of the Act and regulations. 176/92 s19 Back to Top Fees 20. (1) Every application made to the director for registration of the design for the construction of, addition to, or reconstruction of a building shall be accompanied by a fee for registration as prescribed by the minister. (2) A fee paid under subsection (1) is not refundable if the drawings and specifications required under subsection 15(1) are rejected for registration. 176/92 s20 Back to Top Transitional 20.1 Subsection 4(2) and paragraph 11(f) of these regulations and section 6, subsections 18(5), (6) and (11), paragraph 19(1)(b), subsection 22(4) and paragraphs 27(a) and (f) of the Schedule to these regulations do not apply to an existing building or a building constructed before April 23, 2018 unless the building undergoes a building addition or reconstruction. 23/18 s5 Back to Top Repeal 21. The Buildings Accessibility Regulations, 1992, Newfoundland Regulation 176/92, are repealed. Back to Top Schedule Classification of buildings 1. (1) Except as provided in subsections (3) to (6), every building or part of it shall be classified according to its major occupancy as belonging to one of the groups or divisions described in Table 1. Table 1 Group Division Description of Major Occupancies A 1 Assembly occupancies intended for the production and viewing performing arts A 2 Assembly occupancies not elsewhere classified in Group A A 3 Assembly occupancies of the arena type A 4 Assembly occupancies in which provision is made for the congregation or gathering of persons for the purpose of participating in or viewing open air activities B 1 Institutional occupancies in which persons are under restraint or are incapable of self-preservation because of security measures not under their control B 2 Institutional occupancies which persons because of mental or physical limitations require special care or treatment C - Residential occupancies D - Business and personal services occupancies E - Mercantile occupancies (2) A building intended for use by more than one major occupancy shall be classified according to all major occupancies for which it is used or intended to be used. (3) For the purpose of the Act and regulations, the following "buildings" are considered to be classified as Group F, Division I. Bulk plants for flammable liquids Aircraft hangers Bulk storage warehouse for hazardous substances Detention quarters in penitentiaries, jails and police stations Cereal mills Cold storage plants Chemical manufacturing or processing plants Electrical substations Distilleries Freight depots Dry cleaning plants Helicopter landing areas on roofs Feed mills Laundries, except self-service Flour mills Planning mills Grain elevators Repair garages Lacquer factories Storage rooms Mattress factories Creameries Paint, varnish and pyroxylin product factories Power plants Rubber processing plants Automatic telephone exchanges Spray painting operations Pumphouses Waste paper processing plants (4) An arena type building intended for occasional use for trade shows and similar exhibition purposed shall be classified as Group A, Division 3 occupancy. (5) Police stations with detention quarters are permitted to be classified as Group B, Division 2 major occupancies provided those stations are not more than one storey in building height and 600 square millimetres in floor area. (6) Convalescent homes and children's custodial homes are permitted to be classified as Group C major occupancies provided that occupants are ambulatory and live as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit with sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons. Back to Top Occupancies of same classifications 2. A building is considered to be occupied by a single major occupancy, notwithstanding its use for more than one major occupancy, provided that those occupancies are classified as belonging to the same group classification or, where the group is divided into division, as belonging to the same division classification in Table 1. Back to Top Entrances 3. (1) Except as required in subsection (2), every building shall have at least one entrance intended for general use by the public, occupants or employees employed in the building designed in conformance with and opening to the outdoors at sidewalk level or to a ramp leading to a sidewalk. (2) Where a suite is located in a storey to which a barrier-free path of travel is provided and is completely separate from the remainder of the building so that there is no access to the remainder of the building, such suites shall have at least one barrier-free entrance in conformance with subsection (1). Back to Top Barrier-free path 4. Where a barrier-free path of travel is provided above or below the first storey in a building that is not sprinklered, every floor area having a barrier-free path of travel shall conform to the requirements of Article 3.3.1.7. of the National Building Code of Canada 1990. Back to Top Corridors 5. (1) The minimum unobstructed width of every public corridor shall be 1100 millimetres. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), obstructions located within 1980 millimetres of the floor shall not project more than 100 millimetres horizontally into exit passageways, public corridors, corridors used by the public or corridors serving classrooms or patients' sleeping rooms in a manner that would create a hazard for visually impaired persons travelling adjacent to walls. (3) The horizontal projection of an obstruction described in subsection (2) is permitted to be more than 100 millimetres where it extends to less than 680 millimetres above the floor. (4) A dead end corridor exceeding 3000 millimetres in length shall have an area measuring 1500 millimetres by 1500 millimetres located at the dead end of the corridor. Back to Top Post or turnstiles 6. (1) Posts shall not restrict the barrier-free path of travel to less than 810 millimetres into or throughout a building unless an alternative means of access is provided adjacent to and is plainly visible from the restricted access. (2) Where a turnstile is used, it shall have an adjacent gate with a clear width of at least 810 millimetres. Back to Top Interior barrier-free path of travel 7. (1) Except as permitted in sections 18, 19, 24, 27 and 30 of this Schedule, every barrier-free path of travel shall provide an unobstructed width of not less than 920 millimetres for the passage of wheelchairs. (2) Floor surfaces along a barrier-free path of travel shall have no opening that will permit the passage of sphere more than 13 millimetres diameter. (3) A barrier-free path of travel is permitted to include ramps, elevators or other platform elevating devices where there exists a difference in elevation. Back to Top Exterior barrier free path of travel 8. All exterior paths of travel shall (a) be a continuous plane, uninterrupted by steps or abrupt changes in elevation, with a gradient not exceeding one in 20; (b) be at least 1100 millimetres in width; (c) where an accessible route has less than 1500 millimetres clear width, have passing spaces 1500 millimetres by 1500 millimetres located at intervals not to exceed 60 metres; (d) where 2 routes intersect have a passing space 1500 millimetres by 1500 millimetres; (e) have a level area adjacent to the entrance doorway at least 1500 millimetres by 1500 millimetres that extends at least 600 millimetres beyond the latch side of the door opening; (f) have a stable, firm and slip-resistant surface; (g) have a minimum 1100 millimetres wide walk of a different texture to that surrounding it where the line of travel is level and even with adjacent walking surfaces; (h) be free from obstructions from the full width of the walks to a minimum height of 1980 millimetres, except that handrails are permitted to project not more than 100 millimetres from either side or both sides into the clear area; (i) avoid the use of gratings wherever possible and when used, gratings must have no space greater than 13 millimetres wide in one direction and elongated openings must be placed at right angles to the direction of travel; (j) when precast units such as brick paver, concrete slabs or tiles are used all joints shall be approximately flush with a tolerance limit of 6 millimetres; (k) have changes in elevation between 6 millimetres and 13 millimetres bevelled with a slope not greater than one in 2; (l) have changes in elevation greater than 13 millimetres accomplished by means of a ramp. Back to Top Curb ramps 9. (1) Curb ramps located in a barrier-free path of travel shall (a) have a width of not less than 1200 millimetres exclusive of flared sides; (b) have a gradient of not more than one in 10; (c) have flared sides with a slope not more than one in 10; (d) have a level walking space at the top of the ramp of 920 millimetres to the nearest obstruction; (e) have the surfaces of the ramp slip-resistant with a detectable warning surface that is colour and texture contrasted with the adjacent surfaces. (2) Built up type curb ramps projecting into the roadway or parking lot are not permitted. Back to Top Storeys served by escalators 10. Where escalators provide access to storeys above or below the first storey, a barrier-free path of travel shall be provided to those storeys serviced by the escalators. Back to Top Controls 11. Except as provided in section 24 of this Schedule for elevators controls for the operations of building services or safety devices located in a barrier-free path of travel and intended to be operated by an occupant or employee, including electrical switches, thermostats and intercom switches, shall be accessible to persons using a wheelchair and shall be mounted not more than 1400 millimetres above the floor. Back to Top Areas requiring barrier-free path of travel 12. (1) Barrier-free path of travel shall be provided in the entrance storey and in each storey serviced by a passenger elevator or other platform equipped passenger elevating device from the entrance described in section 3 of this Schedule (a) throughout each suite; (b) throughout rooms or areas that serve the public and employees employed in the building or are designated for use by visitors, including areas in assembly occupancies with fixed seats, display areas and merchandising departments; (c) throughout rooms or areas for student use in assembly occupancies; (d) throughout general work areas including office areas; (e) throughout general use or general service areas, including shared laundry areas in residential occupancies, recreational areas, cafeterias, lounge rooms and lunch rooms; (f) throughout patient's or resident's bedrooms; (g) into at least one passenger elevator or platform-equipped passenger elevating device if the building is equipped with one or more passenger elevator or elevating device; (h) throughout a facility required to accommodate persons with physical disabilities; (i) onto a balcony installed to satisfy the requirements for fire protection for floor areas with barrier-free access; (j) to ticket counters, refreshment stands, drinking fountains, public telephones, banking machines and checkout counters; (k) through turnstiles or post restrictions; (l) into at least one change room; (m) to patios and court yards; and (n) into at least one washroom designated for adults. (2) The number of spaces designated for wheelchair use in the rooms and areas referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall conform to Table II. Table II Designated Wheelchair Spaces Number of Fixed Seats in Seating Area Number of Spaces Required for Wheelchairs 2-100 2 101-200 3 201-300 4 301-400 5 401-500 6 501-900 7 901-1300 8 1301-1700 9 each increment of up to 400 seats in excess of 1700 one additional space Back to Top Access to parking areas 13. A barrier-free path of travel shall be provided from the entrance described in section 3 of this Schedule to (a) an exterior parking area where exterior parking is provided; and (b) at least one parking level where a passenger elevator serves an indoor parking level. Back to Top Parking spaces 14. (1) Parking spaces designated for persons with disabilities (a) that service a specific building shall be located on the shortest possible accessible route to the principal entrances of the building; (b) in separate parking structures or lots that do not serve a particular building shall be located on the shortest possible circulation route to an accessible pedestrian entrance of the parking facility; (c) may have 2 accessible parking spaces sharing a common aisle and colour; and (d) shall have the access aisle marked as a “no parking” area and meet the criteria for an exterior path of travel. (2) A car-sized accessible parking space shall (a) be at least 2400 millimetres wide; and (b) have an adjacent access aisle that is at least 1500 millimetres wide adjacent and parallel to the parking space. (3) A van-sized accessible parking space shall (a) be at least 2600 millimetres wide; (b) have an adjacent side access aisle at least 2000 millimetres wide; and (c) have an adjacent rear access aisle at least 2000 millimetres long. Back to Top Parking space signs 15. (1) Accessible parking spaces shall be designated as reserved for use by persons with disabilities by the (a) uniform traffic control sign mounted vertically; and (b) international symbol of access on the pavement of the space. (2) Vertical signs shall be (a) at least 300 millimetres by 600 millimetres; (b) permanently installed on a permanent post, building or structure at a height of 1500 millimetres from the ground or floor surface to the centre of the sign; (c) visible to the public; and (d) maintained in a state of good repair. (3) Symbol on the pavement shall be (a) at least 1000 millimetres long; (b) located in the centre of the space; and (c) painted white on a blue background with a white border around the symbol. (4) Designated parking access aisles shall have diagonal markings that resist fading or removal. Back to Top Washrooms required to be barrier-free 16. (1) Where washrooms are provided in a storey to which a barrier-free path of travel is required, these washrooms shall be barrier-free in conformance with the appropriate requirements in sections 27 to 32 of this Schedule. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), washrooms need not conform to the requirements in that subsection if other barrier-free washrooms are provided on the same floor area within 45 metres. (3) In a building where a washroom is required, a barrier-free washroom shall be provided in the entrance storey except if a barrier-free path of travel is provided to a barrier-free washroom in another storey. (4) The number of accessible toilet stalls for washrooms of each sex shall be as follows: Number of Toilet Stalls Number of Accessible Toilet Stalls 1-10 1 11-20 2 Over 20 3 Back to Top 17. Accessibility signs (1) A building entrance that is required to accommodate persons with disabilities shall have signs incorporating the international symbol of accessibility for persons with disabilities installed where necessary to indicate the location of that entrance. (2) Where a washroom, elevator or parking area is required to accommodate persons with disabilities, it shall be identified by a sign consisting of the international symbol of accessibility for persons with disabilities and other graphic or written directions that are needed to indicate clearly the type of facility available. (3) Where a washroom is not designed to accommodate persons with disabilities in a storey to which a barrier-free path of travel is required, signs shall be provided to indicate the location of barrier-free facilities. Back to Top Doorway and doors 18. (1) Every doorway that is located in a barrier-free path of travel shall have a clear width of not less than 800 millimetres when the door is in the open position. (2) The doorway to at least one bathroom within a suite of residential occupancy shall have a clear width of not less than 760 millimetres when the door is in the open position. (3) Door operating devices shall be of a design which does not require tight grasping and twisting of the wrist as the only means of operation. (4) Thresholds for doorways referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall be not more than 13 millimetres higher than the finished floor surface and shall be bevelled to facilitate the passage of wheelchairs. (5) Every door that provides a barrier-free path of travel through an entrance described in section 3 of this Schedule, including the interior doors of a vestibule where provided, shall be equipped with a power door operator that allows persons to activate the opening of the door from either side in (a) hotels; (b) apartment-type buildings; (c) buildings of Group B Division, Division 2 major occupancy; and (d) buildings of Group A, D or E major occupancy. (6) Every accessible public washroom door shall be equipped with a power door operator that allows persons to activate the opening of the door from either side. (7) Except for doors with power operators, closers for doors in a barrier-free path of travel shall be designed to permit doors to open when a force of not more than 38 N is applied to the handles, push plates or latch-releasing devices in the case of exterior doors and 22 N in the case of interior doors. (8) Closers for the interior doors in a barrier-free path of travel shall have a closing period of not less than 3 seconds measured from when the door is in an open position of 70° to the doorway to when the door reaches a point 75 millimetres from the closed position measured from the leading edge of the latch side of the door. (9) Every door in a barrier-free path of travel, except power operated, shall have a clear space beyond the latch side of not less than (a) 600 millimetres where the door swings towards the approach side; and (b) 300 millimetres where the door swings away from the approach side. (10) On power operated doors, the operating controls shall be located outside the swing of the door unless the clearances in subsection (9) are provided. (11) The distance between 2 swinging doors in series shall be at least 1200 millimetres plus the width of any door swinging into the space. Back to Top Ramps 19. (1) Ramps located in a barrier-free path of travel shall (a) have a width of not less than 870 millimetres between handrails; (b) have a gradient of not more than one in 16; (c) have a level area not less than 1500 millimetres by 1500 millimetres at the top and bottom and at intermediate levels of a ramp leading to a door so that the level area extends not less than 600 millimetres 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 millimetres; (d) if the door swings towards the top of the ramp, the ramp shall be located outside of the swing of the door and have the level area in front of the ramp extend 920 millimetres outside the swing of the door, or provide a level area not less than 1200 millimetres long at the top of the ramp, outside the swing of the door; (e) have a level area not less than 1200 millimetres long and at least the same width as the ramp, (i) at intervals of not more than 9 metres along its length, and (ii) where there is an abrupt change in the direction of the ramp; and (f) except as provided in subsection (2), be equipped with handrails and guards conforming to sections 22 and 23 of this Schedule. (2) Where a ramp services as an aisleway for fixed seating, the requirement for handrails in paragraph (1)(f) need not apply. (3) Floors or walks in barrier-free path of travel having a slope steeper than one in 20 shall be designed as ramps. Back to Top Slip resistance 20. Treads and landings of stairs and ramps shall have slip resistant strips of contrasting colors which extend not more than one millimetre above the surface of the tread landing or ramp. Back to Top Stair treads and risers 21. (1) Treads in every stair stall have a run of not less than 230 millimetres and not more than 355 millimetres exclusive of nosing and have a rise between successive treads of not less than 125 millimetres and not more than 200 millimetres. (2) Treads and risers shall have a uniform run and rise in any one flight and shall not alter significantly in run and rise in successive flights in a stair system. (3) Where the run of a tread in a stair is less than 250 millimetres, a nosing of not less than 25 millimetres shall be provided beyond the face of the riser or an equivalent back slope on the riser shall be provided. Back to Top Handrails 22. (1) Every ramp or stairway shall have a handrail on at least one side and where 1100 millimetres or more in width shall have handrails on both sides. (2) Where the required width of a ramp or flight of stairs is more than 2200 millimetres, one 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 not be more than 1650 millimetres between handrails. (3) Handrails shall be constructed so that there will be no obstruction on or above them which will break a hand hold and shall be easy to grasp having a circular section with a diameter of 30 to 40 millimetres. (4) Handrails on stairs and ramps shall be not less than 860 millimetres and not more than 920 millimetres high measured vertically from a line drawing through the outside edges of the stair nosing or from the surface of the ramp, except that handrails not meeting these requirements are permitted providing they are installed in addition to the required handrail. (5) At least one handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stairway, including landings, except where interrupted by doorways or newels at changes in direction. (6) Handrails shall be terminated by return to the wall, floor or post in a manner which will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard. (7) Handrails at the side of a stairway or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than 300 millimetres beyond the top and bottom of the stairway or ramp. (8) A clearance of not less than 40 millimetres shall be provided between every handrail and a wall to which it is fastened. Back to Top Guards 23. (1) Every ramp, stairway or passageway shall have a wall or well-secured guard on each side. (2) The height of guards on stairs shall be not less than 920 millimetres measured vertically to the top of the guard from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosing and 1070 millimetres around landings. (3) A guard not less than 1070 millimetres high shall be provided on ramps and their landings measured vertically to the top of the guard from the ramp surface where the difference in elevations is more than 600 millimetres. (4) Ramps and their landings having a difference in elevation of less than 600 millimetres shall have a handrail incorporating a guarding means between the ramp and the handrail with an edge protection not more than 75 millimetres from the surface of the ramp or landing. (5) The size of an opening through guards shall be such as to prevent the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 millimetres in buildings of residential occupancy and in daycare centres, nurseries and similar type occupancies and 200 millimetres in buildings of other occupancy except where the location and size of the openings that are more than this limit do not present a hazardous condition. Back to Top Elevators 24. (1) Passenger elevators referred to in paragraph 12(1)(g) of this Schedule shall conform to Appendix E of CAN/ CSA -B44-M, "Safety Code for Elevators, Escalators, Dumbwaiters, Moving Walks and Freight Platform Lifts". (2) The platform equipped passenger elevating device referred to in paragraph 12(1)(g) of this Schedule shall conform to CAN/ CSA -B355-M "Elevating Devices for Persons with Physical Disabilities". Back to Top Spaces in seating Area 25. Spaces designated for wheelchair use referred to in subsection 12(2) of this Schedule shall be (a) clear and level, or level with removable seats or other flexible seating options; (b) not less than 840 millimetres wide and 1525 millimetres long to permit wheelchairs to enter from a side approach and 1220 millimetres long where the wheelchair enters from the front or rear of the space; (c) arranged so that at least 2 designated spaces are side by side and where fixed seating is provided be adjacent to comparable removable seats or the fixed seating; (d) located adjoining a barrier-free path of travel without infringing on egress from a row of seating or an aisle requirement; and (e) situated as part of the designated seating plan to provide a choice of viewing location. Back to Top Assistive listening devices 26. (1) In buildings of assembly occupancy, all classrooms, auditoria, meeting rooms and theatres with an area of more than 100 square metres shall be equipped with an assistive listening system encompassing the entire seating area. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where assistive listening system required in that subsection is an induction loop system, only half the seating area in the room need be encompassed. Back to Top Toilet stalls 27. Where a washroom is required by section 16 of this Schedule to be barrier-free, at least one toilet stall or enclosure shall (a) be not less than 1600 millimetres wide by 1500 millimetres deep; (b) be equipped with a door which shall (i) be capable of being locked from the inside, (ii) provide a clear opening of not less than 800 millimetres 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 on the inside with a door pull not less than 140 millimetres long located so that its midpoint is not less than 200 millimetres and not more than 300 millimetres from the hinged side of the door and not less than 900 millimetres and not more than 1000 millimetres from the floor, and (v) be provided with a door pull on the outside, near the latch side of the door; (c) have a toilet located so that its centre line is not less than 460 millimetres and not more than 480 millimetres from an adjacent side wall on one side; (d) be equipped with grab bars which shall (i) be mounted horizontally on the side wall closest to the toilet and shall extend not less than 450 millimetres in both directions form the forwardmost point of the toilet, (ii) be mounted on the wall behind the toilet so that it extends the full width of the toilet bowl or where a tank is provided the full width of the tank, (iii) be mounted not less than 840 millimetres and not more than 920 millimetres above the floor, (iv) be installed to resist a load of not less than 1.3 kN applied vertically or horizontally, (v) be not less than 30 millimetres and not more than 40 millimetres in diameter, and (vi) have a clearance of not less than 35 millimetres and not more than 45 millimetres from the wall; (e) be equipped with a coat hook mounted not more than 1400 millimetres above the floor on a side wall and projecting not more than 50 millimetres from the wall; (f) have (i) a clearance of not less than 1700 millimetres between the outside of the stall face and face of an in-swinging washroom door, and (ii) a clear floor area of at least 1500 millimetres by 1500 millimetres in front of the stall. Back to Top Toilets 28. Toilets for persons with disabilities shall (a) be equipped with seats located at not less than 400 millimetres and not more than 460 millimetres above the floor; (b) be equipped with hand-operated flushing controls that are easily accessible to a wheelchair user or be automatically operable; (c) be equipped with a back support such as a seat lid; and (d) not have a spring-actuated seat. Back to Top Sinks 29. (1) Barrier-free washrooms shall be provided with a sink which shall (a) be located so that the distance between the centre line of the fixture and the side wall is not less than 460 millimetres; (b) have a top surface height of not more than 865 millimetres; (c) have a clearance beneath of not less than (i) 735 millimetres at the front edge of the sink, (ii) 685 millimetres at a point 205 millimetres back from the front edge, and (iii) 230 millimetres over the distance from a point 280 millimetres to a point 430 millimetres back from the front edge; (d) have a clear space of 750 millimetres wide by 1200 millimetres deep in front of the sink; (e) have insulated waste pipes where these pipes present a burn hazard; (f) be equipped with faucet handles of the lever type without spring loading, or be automatically operable. (2) Shelves or other projections above sinks shall be located so they will not present a hazard to persons with vision impairments. Back to Top Individual washroom 30. Where an individual washroom is provided for the use of persons with disabilities, those washrooms shall (a) be equipped with a door capable of being locked from the inside and released from the outside in case of emergency and which has (i) graspable latch operating and locking mechanisms located not less than 900 millimetres and not more than 1000 millimetres from the floor, and (ii) on outward swinging doors, a door pull not less than 140 millimetres long located on the inside so that its midpoint is not less than 200 millimetres and not more than 300 millimetres from the hinged side of the door and not less than 900 millimetres and not more than 1000 millimetres from the floor;

(b) be provided with a sink conforming to section 29 of this Schedule; (c) be equipped with a toilet conforming to section 28 of this Schedule; (d) be equipped with grab bars conforming to paragraph 27(d) of this Schedule; (e) have no dimension less than 1700 millimetres; (f) have a clear space of at least 900 millimetres wide adjacent to the toilet; (g) have fixture clearances conforming to the fixture clearances described in sections 27 to 29 of this Schedule; (h) be equipped with a coat hook conforming to paragraph 27(e) of this Schedule and shelf located not more than 1200 millimetres above the floor; and (i) have a doorway conforming to section 18 of this Schedule. Back to Top Washroom accessories 31. (1) Washrooms designated for use by persons with disabilities shall have soap, towel or other dispensers located not more than 1200 millimetres above the floor. (2) Toilet paper dispensers shall be located below the grab bar and not less than 460 millimetres above the floor. (3) Where a mirror is provided it shall be mounted so that the bottom edge is not more than 1000 millimetres above the floor. Back to Top Showers 32. (1) Where showers are provided, at least one shower stall shall be barrier-free and shall (a) have interior dimensions of not less than 900 millimetres by 900 millimetres; (b) have a clear floor space at the entrance to the shower not less than 900 millimetres deep and 1200 millimetres wide with the 1200 millimetres dimension parallel to the shower entrance, starting from the stall wall opposite the seat; (c) have a slip-resistant floor surface; (d) be equipped with a hinged seat that is not spring loaded or a fixed seat that is (i) not less than 450 millimetres wide extending the full depth of the stall, less a space allowed for the shower curtain, (ii) mounted 430 millimetres to 480 millimetres above the floor, (iii) not of wood construction, and (iv) designed to carry a minimum load of 1.3 kN; (e) be equipped with a horizontal grab bar which shall (i) be not less than 750 millimetres long, (ii) be mounted between 750 millimetres to 850 millimetres above the shower floor, (iii) be located on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower, (iv) be not less than 30 millimetres and not more than 40 millimetres in diameter, (v) have a clearance of not more than 35 millimetres and not more than 45 millimetres from the wall, and (vi) be installed to resist a load of not less than 1.4kN applied vertically or horizontally; (e.1) be equipped with a vertical grab bar which shall (i) be not less than 1000 millimetres long, (ii) be mounted starting 80 millimetres to 120 millimetres from the adjacent clear floor area between 600 to 650 millimetres above the shower floor, (iii) be located on the same wall as the controls for the shower, (iv) be not less than 30 millimetres and not more than 40 millimetres in diameter, (v) have a clearance of not more than 35 millimetres and not more than 45 millimetres from the wall, and (vi) be installed to resist a load of not less than 1.4kN applied vertically or horizontally; (f) have the temperature of the water controlled by a pressure-equalizing, or an automatic thermostatically controlled valve; (g) be equipped with faucets or other controls which can be operated with a closed fist from a seated position, or be electronically controlled; (h) be equipped with a hand-held shower head with not less than 1500 millimetres of flexible hose located so that it can be reached from the seated position and equipped with a support so that it can operate as a fixed shower head; and (i) have fully recessed soap holders which can be reached from the seated position. (2) Where a roll-in shower stall is provided, it shall (a) have interior dimensions of at least 750 millimetres by 1500 millimetres; (b) have a minimum clear floor space in front of the shower entrance of 900 millimetres by 1200 millimetres with the 1200 millimetres dimension parallel to the shower entrance; (c) have a slip-resistant floor surface; (d) have a bevelled threshold not more than 13 millimetres higher than the finished floor; (e) be equipped with one L-shaped bar or 2 grab bars in L-shaped configuration which shall (i) be not less than 750 millimetres by 900 millimetres with the 900 millimetres arm set horizontally between 700 millimetres to 800 millimetres from the shower floor, (ii) be mounted on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower so that not less than 300 millimetres of its length is at one side of the seat, (iii) shall conform to subparagraphs 27(d)(iv), (v) and (vi) of this Schedule; (f) be equipped with a seat conforming to paragraph (1)(d); (g) conform to paragraphs (1)(f), (g), (h) and (i). Back to Top Counters 33. (1) All counters serving the public shall have at least one barrier-free section in conformance with subsections (2) and (3) and where a counter has more than one service area each service area shall have a barrier-free section in conformance with subsections (2) and (3). (2) Barrier-free counter surfaces shall not be more than 865 millimetres above the floor. (3) Knee space beneath barrier-free counters intended to be used as work surfaces shall be not less than (a) 750 millimetres wide; (b) 680 millimetres high; and (c) 480 millimetres deep. (4) A clear space not less than 750 millimetres by 1200 millimetres shall be provided in front of the barrier-free counter. Back to Top Telephones 34. (1) Where public telephones are required to be accessible, they shall (a) have a clear space of 740 millimetres wide by 1200 millimetres deep provided in front of the telephone; (b) have a built in shelf or counter not less than 500 millimetres wide by 350 millimetres deep with not less than 250 millimetres clear space above the shelf or counter; (c) have clearances as specified in subsections 33(2) and (3) of this Schedule; and (d) be identified by the international symbol of access. (2) In addition to subsection (1), for the deaf and hard of hearing persons, a public telephone shall (a) be equipped with a volume control; (b) have a flux coil; (c) have a teletype, TTY; and (d) be identified by international symbol of accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing persons. Back to Top Drinking fountains 35. Where drinking fountains are provided, at least one shall be barrier-free and shall (a) have a spout located near the front of the unit not more than 915 millimetres above the floor; and (b) be equipped with controls that are easily operable from a wheelchair using one hand with a force of not more than 22 N or be automatically operable; (c) have a clear floor space of 750 millimetres deep by 1200 millimetres wide in front of the unit; and (d) have the horizontal projection conforming to the requirements of subsection 5(3) of this Schedule. Back to Top Floor numbering 36. 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 not less than 60 millimetres high, raised approximately 0.7 millimetres above the surface; (c) be located 1500 millimetres from the finished floor and not more than 300 millimetres from the door; and (d) be contrasting in colour with the surface on which they are applied. Back to Top Visual alarm systems 37. Where a fire alarm system is provided, it shall have lights that (a) flash at a frequency of approximately one Hz in conjunction with the audible emergency alarm; (b) are visual throughout the floor area or portion of it in which they are installed; (c) are located at exits and exit stair on each floor; (d) are installed in not less than one bedroom, sleeping area or dwelling unit and in not less than one for each 40 bedrooms, sleeping area or dwelling units, and in each accessible room, where provided; (e) are in public washrooms. 176/92 Sch; 66/06 s10 ; 8/12 s1 ; 23/18 s6