Applying Accessibility Code & Standards in Living Spaces

Applying Accessibility Code & Standards in Living Spaces
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Applying availability code while designing living spaces can be daunting. No one wants to get sued in court for minor errors or minor oversights. Designers usually want to provide an elevating experience for those who have experienced physical disability since birth, or for other people of old age or who have lost their mobility because of some accidents.

In this article, we will examine three types identified with accessibility standards that can assist architects in designing living spaces that conform to accessibility standards, address potential facility use, and create an environment where people with restricted mobility can thrive.

It is vital to know about the history and purpose of the accessibility standards, understanding the where and what reason will be critical when it comes to picking which one to follow. Next, we will understand the basic differences between every standard along with some FAQs that designers should pose to themselves that will help control open living space plan choices.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was marked into law in 1990 and builds up minimal checking and specialized prerequisites for recently planned and constructed public spaces available to or utilized by people with physical disabilities. Basically, the ADA design rules characterize what components make a facility “accessible” and what amount of rooms or components must meet those prerequisites. Scoping necessities are dictated by the kind of space and its expected use.

Fair Housing Act (FHA)

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 incorporated an arrangement known as the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This arrangement forbids discrimination in the selling, rental, or financing of residences dependent on race, caste, religion, sex, or national origin. In 1988 congress extended the FHA to forbid discrimination dependent on familial status or disability. All recently developed structures with at least four dwelling units must satisfy FHA accessibility guidelines.

ANSI A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, not-revenue-driven association that sets up “voluntary consensus” measures spreading over numerous ventures. ANSI A117.1 characterizes principles for both available and usable structures and spaces. Private or open spaces can be designed to conform to ANSI A117.1 measures.

The Basic Difference

There are notable differences between every one of these accessibility standards.

The important difference between ADA and FHA principles lies in the differentiation between “accessible” and “usable”. The ADA requires a living space to be completely accessible from the day any facility opens. The FHA necessitates that the living space just is usable.

The variance between accessible and usable is inconspicuous yet significant. The FHA explains that a usable dwelling space is one that is “reasonably modifiable”, which means the space could be altered without broad exertion eventually so a person with inabilities could live there.

For instance, an FHA-compliant restroom may not really be equipped with snatch bars and shower seats the day the facility opens, however, the washroom and shower walls are required to be strengthened so get bars and shower seats can be introduced sometime in the distant future.

ANSI A117.1 is not quite the same as the ADA and FHA norms. It is not an enforceable accessibility code. ANSI A117.1 just offers rules, that whenever followed, will make an office accessible or usable. It addresses accessible and usable conditions by characterizing three kinds of living spaces with changing degrees of accessibility: Type A, Type B, and Type C.

  • Type A: Fully accessible dwelling units. Type A residence units consent to and somehow surpass the ADA prerequisites. For instance, Type A baths and showers must incorporate a vertical grab bar along the control wall which isn’t required by the ADA principles.
  • Type B: Fully usable and adaptable residence units. Type B units conform to and somehow surpass the FHA prerequisites. As per the FHA Design Manual, ANSI A117.1 Type B units are a “protected harbor” for FHA compliance.
  • Type C: Fully usable and adaptable residence units with marginally different prerequisites expected for private applications.

Purpose of Accessibility Code

ADA: To protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in using public, commercial, or government facilities and places.

FHA: Protect individuals from discrimination in the sale, rental or financing or dwelling places based on race, sex, religion family status, and disability

ANSI A117.1: Voluntary consensus standards which make a site, facility, building or element accessible and usable to individuals with physical disabilities.

Type of facilities to which the standards apply

ADA: Public, Commercial, or Government. It is enforced by the justice department.

FHA: Private or Public facility with more than 4+ dwelling units per building. It is enforced by the justice department or local jurisdiction.

ANSI A117.1: Type A (private or public), Type B (private or public), Type C (private single-family residences). It is non-enforceable except where adopted by federal, state or local jurisdictions.

Checklist questionnaire for architects before designing living spaces.

  • What type of facility is being designed?
  • Does local jurisdiction enforce any accessibility code other than FDA FHA?
  • What is the use of the facility designed?
  • How can the facility be used in long run?
  • Fixtures and elements to be used according to standards

This article allows the architects to understand the basic difference and purpose of these standards which will help them in designing Architectural Drafting Services. It is important for architects to create a living for the people avoiding any errors in designing and making it accessible and adaptable.

Infrastructure is everyone’s right and should be accessible to all.

  • Dhvani Badheka

    Dhvani is an irreverent writer who has over 4 years of experience under her belt. She is a life-long learner and a quick study which provides her articles a unique insight. She is always reading, researching new materials and trying to expand her knowledge of the AEC industry so that she can create interesting and valuable content.


Share the knowledge
Applying Accessibility Code & Standards in Living Spaces
Written By:
Dhvani Badheka
Dhvani is an irreverent writer who has over 4 years of experience under her belt. She is a life-long learner and a quick study which provides her articles a unique insight. She is always reading, researching new materials and trying to expand her knowledge of the AEC industry so that she can create interesting and valuable content.