Accessibility Audit Pratt Museum Bartlett Street August 10 & 11, 2006 Prepared by: Independent Living Center Homer, Alaska All specifications are taken from the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). 1. Parking There are two parking spaces designated as accessible on the north side of the building (the right side looking from Bartlett Street). When events are held on the lower level of the building a parking space is temporarily designated as accessible on the south side of the building. Requirements: ADAAG 4.6 • Parking spaces shall be on an accessible path of travel to an accessible entrance • Reserved with a sign displaying the international symbol of accessibility • Adjacent access aisles at least 60 inches wide • Two spaces may share an access aisle • One in eight accessible spaces must be van accessible with a 96 inch wide access aisle and a sign saying “van accessible” • Surface is firm stable and slip resistant • Parking spaces shall be located in each section of a parking lot when there is more than one accessible entrance Existing conditions • Parking spaces are on an accessible path of travel • Spaces are 96 inches wide • They are reserved with a sign displaying the international symbol of accessibility • They share a 96 inch wide access aisle • There is no sign informing users the spaces are van accessible • The surface of the spaces are firm stable and slip resistant Recommendations • Place a sign with the words “van accessible” at the head of the access aisle between the existing parking spaces • Permanently designate at least one van accessible space on the south side of the Building 2. Exterior Accessible Route (Outdoor Theater) The path of travel from existing parking to the outdoor theater located in the demonstration plot representing a beetle killed forest presents some challenges. This route comprises at least two distinct sections. The first is the paved surface of the parking area, the second a packed dirt trail. The proposed guidelines being considered by the Access Board require that trails that begin at accessible trail heads be accessible and meet all ADAAG requirements. There are, however, some significant exceptions to that requirement. 1. Where compliance would cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics; 2. Where compliance would substantially alter the nature of the setting or the purpose of the facility, or portion of the facility; 3. Where compliance would require construction methods or materials that are prohibited by federal, state, or local regulations or statutes; 4. Where compliance would not be feasible due to terrain or the prevailing construction practices. While the first two exceptions can be applied to the trail, the outdoor theater is used to present programs that must be accessible. The portion of the trail leading to the outdoor theater must meet ADAAG requirements. Requirements: ADAAG 4.3 • An accessible route shall connect all elements of a facility that are required to be accessible • An accessible route is a minimum of 36 inches wide • If the accessible route is less than 60 inches wide, passing spaces shall be provided. The passing spaces will be 60 inches by 60 inches and located no more than 200 feet apart. • The surface of an accessible route will comply with ADAAG 4.5 • If the slope of an accessible route is greater than 1:20 it is a ramp and must comply with ADAAG 4.8 • Vertical changes in level greater that ½ inch must be treated with a ramp or curb ramp Requirements: ADAAG 4.5 • The surface of an accessible route shall be firm, stable, and slip resistant • Changes in level up to Ό inch may be vertical and require no treatment; changes in level between Ό and ½ inch shall be beveled with the slop of the bevel being no more than 1:2; changes in level greater than ½ inch shall be accomplished by a ramp that complies with ADAAG 4.8 Existing conditions • There are several areas that do not meet the minimum width requirement • There are no passing spaces • The surface of the route is not stable firm and slip resistant • There are vertical changes in level greater than Ό inch that are not treated • Sections of the trail with a slope greater than 1:20 do not meet ADAAG 4.8 requirements (ramps) Recommendations The portion of the trail leading to the outdoor theater should be brought into compliance with the requirements. The two decorative bridges will have to be either replaced or modified. Because of the nature and purpose of the trail, I will not recommend that the entire trail be altered. • Widen the trail to a uniform width of 60 inches (to the entrance of the outdoor theater) • The surface is going to present some problems if you determine that paving is not an option. You might try using the finest gravel available and compacting it as much as possible • Grade the trail to eliminate vertical changes in level. Grading will also eliminate the need to treat sections of the trail as ramps Exterior Accessible Route (Homestead Cabin) The requirements are the same as above. The only recommendation is the same as for the surface treatment above. Exterior Accessible Route (Main Entrance) The requirements are the same as above. Existing Conditions The path of travel from parking to the beginning of the ramp meets all requirements of ADAAG 4.3 & 4.5 Recommendations No work is required in this area 3. Ramp: ADAAG 4.8 Main Entrance Requirements • Ramps shall be built to the least slope possible (1:12 maximum slope) • The minimum clear width of a ramp is 36 inches • The maximum rise for any ramp segment is 30 inches • Ramps shall have level landings at the top and bottom of each ramp and ramp run. Landings will be a minimum of 60 inches long and as wide as the ramp run leading to the landing. Landings at the top and bottom of ramps will be a minimum of 60 inches by 60 inches. • Ramps shall have handrails on both sides of each ramp run • Handrails will be 34 – 38 inches above the finish surface of the ramp • Ramps will have edge protection • Ramps shall be constructed so that snow and water do not accumulate on their surface Existing Conditions The ramp meets all requirements of ADAAG 4.8. Recommendations No work is required in this area Homestead Cabin The ramp to the Homestead Cabin does not have a railing on the inside of the ramp. This is acceptable because of the historic nature of the exhibit. Recommendations Maintain the area at the bottom of the ramp to insure a flat level surface with no transitional vertical rise between the ground and the surface of the ramp. 4. Entrance: ADAAG 4.14 (Main Entrance) Requirements Entrances shall be part of an accessible route from parking and public rights of way Existing conditions This entrance meets all requirements. Recommendations No work is required in this area Door: ADAAG 4.13 (Main Entrance) Requirements • Minimum clear width of 32 inches (measured from the face of the door closest to the hinges to the door jam). • Threshold no more than ½ inches high (Up to Ό inches in height can remain untreated. Thresholds between Ό and ½ inch must be beveled with the slope of the bevel no more than 1:2) • At least 18 inches of clear unobstructed floor space immediately adjacent to the handle side of the door. • Door closers will take a minimum of 3 seconds to close the door. • Door hardware will be operable without tight grasping, pinching or twisting or the wrist. Existing Conditions The door at this entrance meets all requirements. Recommendations No work is required in this area Entrance: ADAAG 4.14 (Lower Level) Requirements Entrances shall be part of an accessible route from parking and public rights of way Existing conditions This entrance meets all requirements. Recommendations No work is required in this area Door: ADAAG 4.13 (Lower Level) Requirements Same as above Existing Conditions The door at this entrance meets all requirements. Recommendations No work is required in this area Entrance: ADAAG 4.14 (Marine Gallery) Requirements Entrances shall be part of an accessible route from parking and public rights of way Existing conditions This entrance meets all requirements. Recommendations No work is required in this area Door: ADAAG 4.13 (Marine Gallery) Requirements Same as above Existing Conditions This door cannot be independently operated. There is no exterior hardware Recommendations No work is required in this area Entrance: ADAAG 4.14 (Homestead Cabin) Requirements Same as above Existing Conditions & Recommendations See 2. Exterior Accessible Route (Homestead Cabin) above. The threshold at this entrance is treated with a moveable wedge (interior). That is an acceptable solution given the historic nature of the exhibit. No work is required in this area. 5. Interior Accessible Route: ADAAG 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Requirements See above for ADAAG 4.3 & 4.5 ADAAG 4.4 Protruding Objects • Objects with their leading edges higher than 27 inches above the finish surface may no protrude more than 4 inches into an accessible route • Objects with their leading edges lower than 27 inches above the finish floor may protrude any distance into an accessible • Protruding objects shall not narrow the required width of an accessible route (36 inches or 32 inches at doorways). Existing Conditions and Recommendations In general the interior accessible route throughout the facility is in compliance with the requirements. Lobby and exhibition space Meets all requirements No work is required in this area Reception Desk Meets all requirements No work is required in this area Mezzanine – This space will be extremely difficult to make accessible and the cost will be prohibitive. No recommendations Main Gallery Meets all requirements No work is required in this area Museum Store This is a small space with a large amount of merchandise. Try to keep a path of travel that meets the requirements. Marine Gallery The museum staff provides access to this space upon request. This accommodation is acceptable. The route though the space meets all requirements No work is required in this area Lower Gallery To access this space, patrons with mobility impairments must exit through the main entrance and travel around the building to the lower entrance. The museum staff plans to install an elevator to alleviate this situation. The path of travel through the Lower Gallery meets all requirements. No work is required in this area. 6. Restrooms: ADAAG 4.2 ( Space Allowances and Reach Ranges) 4.13 (Doors) 4.16 (Toilets), 4.19 (Lavatories and Mirrors), and 4.22 (Toilet Rooms) Men’s Room Main Gallery The existing conditions and recommendations for both the men’s and women’s room will be combined. Existing Conditions: The rooms are located to the left of the main gallery and are on an accessible route. There are only slight size differences between the two rooms and both provide a high level of accessibility. Doors Requirements: • Minimum clear width of 32 inches (measured from the face of the door closest to the hinges to the door jam). • Threshold no more than ½ inches high (Up to Ό inches in height can remain untreated. Thresholds between Ό and ½ inch must be beveled with the slope of the bevel no more than 1:2) • At least 18 inches of clear unobstructed floor space immediately adjacent to the handle side of the door. • Door closers will take a minimum of 3 seconds to close the door. • Door hardware will be operable without tight grasping, pinching or twisting or the wrist. • Maximum allowable opening force is 5 pounds (five lbs). Existing Conditions: Both the men’s and women’s room doors require 12 lbs of force to open. Recommendations: Reset the door closer so that no more that five pounds (5 lbs) of force is required to open the door. No other work is required. Space Allowances and Reach Ranges Requirements • Space for a single stationary wheelchair is 30 X 48 inches. • Space is required adjacent to each element required to be accessible. • Spaces for individual elements may overlap. • Elements required to be accessible must fall within ranges defined in ADAAG 4.2. o If the element can only be approached from the front, the maximum allowable reach is 48 inches. o If the element can only be approached from the side, the maximum allowable reach is 54 inches. Existing Conditions The dispenser for the sanitary toilet seat covers in the men’s room is 56 inches above the finish floor. Recommendations Lower the dispenser to a height of 48 inches above the finish floor. No other work is required. Toilet Rooms Requirements • Toilet rooms must be on an accessible route. • Toilet rooms with wall mounted toilets must be a minimum of 56 X 60 inches • Doors shall provide a minimum of 32 inches of clear opening and the swing of the door cannot impinge on the required clear floor space for any element (this requirement is not as important in single user rooms). • Elements within the room shall comply with the requirements of ADAAG 4.2 (Space Allowances and Reach Ranges), 4.13 (Doors), 4.16 (Toilets), and 4.19 (Lavatories and Mirrors). Existing Conditions The rooms meet all requirements with the above noted exception (see Space Allowances and Reach Ranges). Recommendations Lower the sanitary toilet seat cover dispenser in the men’s room to a height of 48 inches above the finish floor. No other work is required. Toilets Requirements • The height of the toilet (top of the seat) shall be between 17 and 19 inches. • The center of the toilet shall be 18 inches from the nearest adjacent side wall. • Clear floor spaces adjacent to the toilet shall comply with ADAAG 4.2. • A grab bar shall be provided next to the toilet that is 12 inches from the back wall (the wall on which the toilet is mounted). That bar shall be a minimum of 42 inches. • A grab bar shall be provided on the wall behind the toilet. That bar shall be a minimum of 36 inches. • Both Grab bars are to be mounted between 33 and 36 inches above the finish floor. • The flush controls shall be mounted to the open side of the room. Existing Conditions The grab bars mounted behind the toilets are only 26 inches. Recommendations Replace the grab bars behind the toilets with grab bars that meet the requirements (36 inches long). No other work is required. Lavatories and Mirrors Requirements • The rim of the lavatory shall be a maximum of 34 inches above the finish floor • The bottom of the apron shall be a minimum of 29 inches above the finish floor. • Pipes shall be wrapped. • Controls can be used without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. • Clear floor space complying with ADAAG 4.2 (Space Allowance and Reach Ranges) shall be provided in front of the lavatory. • Mirrors shall be mounted with the bottom of their reflecting surface a maximum of 40 inches above the finish floor. Existing Conditions The lavatories meet all requirements Recommendations No work is required in this area. Toilet Rooms Serving the Downstairs Gallery There are two toilet rooms serving this part of the facility. Only one of them can be made to be accessible. Designating the accessible toilet room as uni-sex will satisfy the requirements. Existing Conditions (see above for requirements) The side grab bar is 36 inches long. The grab bar behind the toilet is 24 inches long. The toilet is mounted so that its center is 21 inches from the nearest adjacent side wall. The sanitary seat cover dispenser is mounted 54 inches above the finish floor. Recommendations Replace the side grab bar with one that is 42 inches. Replace the back grab bar with one that is 36 inches. Moving the toilet 3 inches closer to the wall is not worth the effort. My recommendation is to mount the grab bar on a piece of finish lumber that spans the entire length of the side wall and is 6 inches from top to bottom and 3 inches from front to back. That will bring the grasping surface of the grab bar to the required distance from the toilet. Lower the sanitary seat cover dispenser to 48 inches above the finish floor. The full Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) can be found at: http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm Report Prepared by: The Independent Living Center P. O. Box 2474 Homer, AK 99603 (907) 235-7911