ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS – FLORIDA v/s FEDERAL

By:  Jeffery Gross, Architect 

Many people ask, “Why and what are the differences between the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (Federal) and Florida Accessibility Code for Building Constructions (State)? 

The State of Florida has had an accessibility code since the early 70’s.  When the Federal ADAAG code became effective in 1992 the two codes stood together, with the provisions that the code user would have to meet or exceed both the Federal ADAAG and the additional requirements of the Florida Statutes. In 1997 the Florida code was modified for consistency with the Federal ADAAG and certified by the Department of Justice. 

The major differences are as follows: 

      553.504 Exceptions to ADAAG guidelines

1. Covered Facilities – All new and altered buildings shall comply with Par t V of Florida Statue 553.
2. Residential bathrooms -  All new single-family houses, duplexes, triplexes, condominiums, and townhouses shall provide at least one bathroom, located with maximum possible privacy, where bathrooms are provided on habitable grade levels, with a door that has a 29-inch clear opening. (This section is not in ADAAG)
3. Doors – Doors and walk through openings of buildings not covered by Fair Housing or ADAAG shall be 29 inches clear width (This section is not in ADAAG)
4. Ramp Landings - Landing at the bottom of ramps to be 6’ long in the direction of the ramp, rather than 5’ that Federal law requires. 
5. Curb Ramps - Railings at the top and bottom of ramps to have an extension of 18” instead of 12”, which the Federal law requires.  Florida law requires all curb ramps to be 44” wide when they are means of egress. 
6. Door Pressure - Exterior hinged doors shall be so designed that such doors can be pushed or pulled open with a force not exceeding 8.5 foot pounds
7. Public Food Service Establishments, licensed Beverage Law premises and ADAAG 4.1 facilities,  – Wheelchair locations shall be provided as follows for the fixed seats: 1-25 fixed seats 1 location, 26 to 50 2 locations, 51 to 100 4 locations, for remaining seats 1 location per 100 seats.
8. Public Food Service Establishments, licensed Beverage Law premises and ADAAG 4.1 facilities – The aisles adjacent to fixed seating shall provide clear space for wheel chairs and at open positions along both sides of such aisles not less than 52 inches wide.
9. Hotels and Motels – In 5 percent of the guest rooms, minus number of guest rooms provided by guidelines, provide: grab bars shall complying with 4.16.4, beds shall be open-fame type and water closet seats shall be 15 inches high.
10. Detectable Warning - Detectable warning surfaces required by the guidelines shall be governed by the requirements of American National Standards Institute A117.1-1986.
11. Public Phones - The installation and placement of all public telephones shall be governed by the rules of the Florida Public Service Commission.
12. Toilet stalls - In new construction, a sink is required in the same area as the toilet in the State of Florida, where as in the Federal law a sink is not required in the stall.  The edge of the sink has to be 42” from the centerline of the toilet.
13. Turnstiles - Turnstiles shall not be used in occupancies which serve fewer than 100 persons, but turnstiles may be used in occupancies which serve at least 100 persons if there is an unlocked alternate passageway on an accessible route affording not less than 32 inches of clearance, equipped with latching devices in accordance with the guidelines
14. Check out Aisles – Aisles not covered by guidelines to be 32 inches of clear passage.
15. Barriers at entrances and exit – Barriers at common entrances and exits of business establishments conducting business with general public shall be removed.

      553.5041 Parking spaces for persons who have disabilities

• Parking - All spaces for the disabled to be 12’ wide with a 5’ aisle while Federal law requires 8’ wide with a 5’ aisle, except for van accessible spaces which are 8’ wide with an 8’ aisle.  User shall not be compelled to walk or wheel behind parked vehicles and spaces to be prominently outlined in blue.
• Accessible parking signs - An accessible parking sign to be put at a specific height above the ground at 84” for the accessible spaces. 

      553.509 Vertical accessibility

• Vertical accessibility - Vertical accessibility to all levels.  There are three exceptions to this rule, elevator pits and elevator penthouses, mechanical rooms, piping or equipment catwalks, and automobile lubrication and maintenance pits and platforms, unoccupiable spaces and occupiable spaces and rooms not open to public and that house not more than of 5 people.

 

End of Accessibility requirements