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The Division of State Architects (DSA) office has recently posted the Final Approved Express Terms version of the 2013 California Building Code (CBC) Chapter 11B accessibility standards at the following link: http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/progAccess/access2013.aspx The published version will be released in July 2013; however, the content will not substantively change from this version approved by the California Building Standards Commission on January 24, 2013. These standards will replace the existing 2010 CBC standards and become effective on January 1, 2014. In March 2012, DSA made the decision to use the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010 ADA Standards) as the model accessibility code for California. This decision was made in large part to maintain consistency with the new federal 2010 ADA Standards which became effective on March 15, 2012. This means that the California standards will have the format and organization of the 2010 ADA Standards but with the addition of California amendments to maintain the enhanced levels of accessibility provided by the existing California accessibility regulations. These California amendments are underlined in the text to identify those accessibility requirements which are specific to the state. One of the primary benefits of this change will be the full incorporation and implementation of the 2010 ADA Standards within the California Building Code. This is good news because it will effectively mean that beginning in January 2014 a DSA staff project review will now entirely include both the required state and federal accessibility standards. This report is intended to highlight the significant changes in the 2013 CBC Chapter 11B regulations compared to the 2010 version but is not a comprehensive review of all modifications to these building standards. The DSA Cross Reference Guide under the Support Materials Section at the above link provides a comprehensive comparison of code citations between the 2010 CBC and 2013 CBC Chapter 11B provisions. This report provides a descriptive version of the key changes in the 2013 CBC Chapter 11B standards including the applicable code citations with additional explanatory notes on the subject. The 2010 ADA Standards for Access Design are available for download on the SIA website at http://www.sia-jpa.org/index.cfm?navid=523
Relevant 2013 CBC code citations: Multiple code citations for cross slope and level landings. Notes: This change is made to maintain consistency with the International Building Code/ANSI standards. A SmartLevel is accurate to within 0.1%. Previously, a slope measurement would require a 2.2% to be definitively considered as noncompliant (outside the range for margin of error), but this would now be a 2.3% measurement.
Childrens water closet and toilet compartment dimensions Description: Suggested restroom element dimensions including water closet centerline, toilet seat height, grab bar height and toilet paper dispenser height for preschool and elementary school childrens restrooms. Change from previous standard: The suggested dimensions are primarily dimensional ranges rather than the minimum and maximum dimensions referred to in 2010 CBC Table 1115B-1. Effective date: January 1, 2014 Original source: 2010 ADA Section 604.9 Relevant 2013 CBC code citations: Section and Table 11B-604.9 Notes: Although these are recommended and not mandated dimensions for elementary school age children restrooms, their inclusion in the body of the 2010 ADA indicates a greater emphasis by the U.S. Department of Justice on using these dimensions for planning and construction of these restrooms. Advisory Statement 604.9 indicates that when these dimensions are utilized they should be applied consistently by age group and for all of the listed accessibility elements. Additional note: The Section 11B-604.9 chart calls for a recommended 11-12 inch toilet seat height for preschool age children of 3-4 years old. Short 10-inch toilets with 1-2 inch high toilet seats have been associated with clogging and other functional issues. District staff may want to consider using slightly larger toilets for preschool classrooms which fall into the 12-15 inch max height range to the top of the seat to avoid potential ongoing M&O issues with the use of these toilets.
Water closet and toilet compartment grab bar height and type
Description: Grab bars are to be installed at a minimum of 33 inches and a maximum of 36 inches from the finished floor measured to the top of the gripping surface. L-shaped grab bars may be used at water closets and toilet compartments if the grab bars are to be mounted at the same height on the back and side walls. Change from previous standard: 33 inches absolute measurement to the centerline of the grab bar per 2010 CBC Section 1115B.4.1.3.1. L-shaped grab bars have previously been allowed in shower and baths but not in water closets or toilet compartments. Effective date: January 1, 2014 Original source: 2010 ADA Sections 609.4 Relevant 2013 CBC code citations: Sections 11B-609.4, 11B-604.5 and 11B-604.8.1.5 Notes: This is a substantive change and loosening of the grab bar standard which should significantly reduce the level of noncompliance in this area. If L-shaped grab bars are used for water closets and toilet compartments, it is important to confirm that they still meet the dimensional requirements as shown in Section 11B-604.5.1 and 11B-604.5.2
Urinal Depth
Description: Wall-hung or stall-type urinals are required to have a minimum depth of 13-1/2 inches measured from outer face of the rim to the back of the fixture. Change from previous standard: Minimum 14 inches to maximum 17 inch urinal depth per 2010 CBC 1115B.4.2. Effective date: January 1, 2014 Original source: 2010 ADA Section 605.2 Relevant 2013 CBC code citations: Section 11B-605.2 Notes: Slight change in minimum urinal depth but with the elimination of the maximum depth allowable.
Play Areas
Description: Significant broadening of the requirements for play areas with new standards for numbers and type of accessible play components, accessible routes, transfer systems, etc. Change from previous standard: General California provisions for accessibility of play areas but no specific building or equipment standards. Effective date: March 15, 2012 Original source: 2010 ADA Sections 240 and 1008 Relevant 2013 CBC code citations: Sections 11B-240 and 11B-1008 Note: The 2013 CBC has added a requirement that play equipment stairs must provide contrast striping as is required on all other interior and exterior stair treads. (Sections 11B-210.1 Exception #4 and 11B-1008.3.2.4)
Addendum: Significant changes to the 2010 CBC Chapter 11B accessibility standards (not new to the 2013 CBC)
These changes were new to the 2010 CBC Chapter 11B standards will continue to have an impact on design and construction of school facility renovation/modernization projects.
Reach range
Description: The overall range for side reach is narrowed to a minimum height of 15 inches and a maximum height of 48 inches. The entire 2010 CBC Section 11118B.5 and 1118B.6 sections are rewritten to coincide with 2010 ADA Section 308. Change from previous standard: Minimum 9 inch to maximum 54 inch unobstructed side reach range and other changes based on size of obstructions. Effective date: January 1, 2011 Original source: ADA Section 308 Relevant 2013 CBC code citations: Section 11B-308 Notes: The 2013 CBC does add language to clarify that electrical switches and electrical outlets should be entirely within the acceptable reach ranges with the high reach being measured to the top of the outlet box and the low end to the bottom of the outlet box.