Accessibility in Alberta

Accessibility in Alberta Safety Codes Council #SCCon17 Samantha Proulx, C.E.T. Accessibility Specialist, and Building Code Consultant

Copyright Materials This presentation is protected by Canadian and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display, and use of this presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited. Jensen Hughes, Inc. 2017

Disclaimer These slides are only meant to be cue points, which are expounded upon verbally by the presenter and are not meant to be comprehensive statements of the literal application of the Code or Standards and their interpretations. It is advised to use the information learned today, in conjunction with the applicable Codes and Standards.

Today s Discussion How is each Province working towards making Canada more accessible? Accessibility design requirements of the 2014 Alberta Building Code (ABC), Accessibility design as it relates to: Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guideline Edmonton Checklist for Accessibility and Universal Design in Architecture Calgary Access Design Standard

Learning Objectives At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: 1. Understand the principles behind Universal Design, 2. Understand the intent of key barrier-free design requirements outlined by the Alberta Building Code (ABC), and 3. Immediately apply the requirements of Section 3.8. of the ABC and other Albertan Accessibility Standards to their design projects.

Abbreviations ABC Alberta Building Code BF Barrier-Free BFPT Barrier-Free Path of Travel A.F.F. Above Finished Floor Level A, A1, A2, A3, A4 Assembly Occupancies B, B1, B2, B3 Care and Treatment Facilities C Residential D Business and Personal Services E Mercantile F1, F2, F3 High, Medium, Low Hazard Industrial Recommendation BOX 2008 Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide Edmonton Checklist for Accessibility and Universal Design in Architecture 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 117 Note / Recommended Best Practise

Brief History 7

Purpose of the Building Code Safety Health Fire and Structural Fire Protection Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

Accessibility + Alberta Building Code The Code recognized barrier-free design as early as 1985, and quite possibly earlier Since than barrier-free design has been slowly evolving to become more accessible not only for wheelchair users but for individuals with varying abilities (sensory, vision, physical, mental) First Edition: 1974 9 th Edition: 2014

Statistics Canada 10

Statistics Canada Canada s Disability Statistics Approx 15 % of Canada s population reports having a disability Albertan Disability Statistics Approx. 13 % of Albertans report having a disability Fact: By the early 2030 s Calgary s population will consist of more seniors than youth

What s Alberta doing to help create a barrier-free built environment? 12

Accessibility Plans For Alberta Alberta Has a partnership with the Barrier-Free Sub Council of the Safety Codes Council Developed a Barrier-Free Design Guide improved interpretation of Section 3.8. of the Alberta Building Code (ABC) Barrier-Free Design Guide, 2006 Fourth Edition published July 2008 Where accessibility items are prescribed beyond those outlined by the Code, such items are considered recommendations not requirements. Recommendations must be reasonably accommodated for within government facilities. 2017 Edition Coming Soon 2016 Calgary Access Design Standards Edmonton Checklist for Accessibility and Universal Design in Architecture Various Accessibility Committees Calgary and Edmonton Accessibility Advisory Committees Premieres Council on Albertans with Disabilities Everyone Belongs Outside: Alberta Parks Inclusion Plan 2014 Inclusion Alberta

What s the rest of Canada doing? 14

Accessibility in Other Provinces Ontario Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Customer Service, Employment, Built Environment, Transportation, and Information and Communications. Goal: To be an Accessible Province by 2025 British Columbia Accessibility 2024 Legislated 10-year action plan to become more accessible: government, delivery services, internet, built environment, housing, transportation, income support, employment, customer experiences, and emergency preparedness

Accessibility in Other Provinces Saskatchewan The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act National Building Code Saskatchewan Human Rights Accessibility Guidelines Manitoba Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) Launched on December 05, 2013 Province to develop mandatory accessibility standards Customer Service, Employment, Built Environment, and Transportation, Information and Communications.

Accessibility in Other Provinces Nova Scotia Currently, the Minister of Community Services Advisory Panel of Accessibility Legislation has begun the discussion on developing accessibility standards for their Province. Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut, P.E.I, Newfoundland, New Brunswick North West Territories Disability Committee Accessibility Action Plan geared to improving the built environment Yukon Disability Rights Committee Whitehorse Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee

Accessibility in Canada Canada Canadians with Disabilities Act Goal: to increase the Countries inclusion and promote equality by removing barriers serving federal jurisdiction.

The Seven Principles of Universal Design Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design - Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide (Summarised Definition from The Disability Act 2005) 19

Equitable Design and Flexible in Use The Design must be useful and marketable to people with varying abilities. The Design will accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities Everything in a building accessible to occupants should be accessible to all users. Design for universal inclusion NOT segregation. Make the design appealing to everyone. View a design from all heights, and perspectives.

Simple and Intuitive Use Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user s experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level Balance and uniformity Simplex NOT Complex Maintain consistency throughout the building

Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user s sensory abilities Signage: Pictoral, Verbal, Tactile Colour and tactile contrasting Easy directional wayfinding

Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions Avoid hazards (projections, lowered ceiling heights etc.) Provide warnings where there may be a hazard

Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably with minimum fatigue Allow users to maintain their natural postures and neutral body position. Consider operational forces for all controls and mechanisms. Minimize sustained physical effort.

Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use regardless of user s body size, posture or mobility Provide clear lines of sight (except where privacy may be of concern) Consider reaching distances from the seated position or a shorter to taller stature Consider clear, level approach spaces where a device must be functional

Accessibility (Barrier-Free Design) Prescribed by 2014 Alberta Building Code (ABC) 27

Barrier-Free Design ABC Fire and Life Safety Fire alarm systems with audible and visual signal devices (3.2.4.) Protection of barrier-free paths of travel (3.3.1.7) Barrier-Free Design (3.8.)

Fire and Life Safety Fire Alarm System 29

Visual and Audible Signal Devices 3.2.4.20. Visual signal devices must be installed in addition to audible signal devices if a building is equipped with a fire alarm system. VISUAL provides strobe like warning signals for individuals who may be hard of hearing or deaf AUDIBLE provides sound wave warning signals for individuals who may be blind or have vision impairments

Protection of Floor Areas 3.3.1.7. Section 3.8 provides guidance towards designing barrier-free accessibility throughout a building. Section 3.8 addresses the well-being and comfort of persons with disabilities within a building. Nowhere in Section 3.8 is the safety of the disabled addressed in the event of a fire. In the entirety of the Code, only Article 3.3.1.7. addresses the provision of life safety, in the event of a fire, to persons with disabilities.

Areas of Refuge 3.3.1.7. An area of refuge is a safe waiting area in the event of a building evacuation. In the event of a fire, an area of refuge provides a well known place for fire fighters to help anyone unable to use stairs or the elevator.

Areas of Refuge Three acceptable approaches are given in the Code to provide adequate safety for persons with limited abilities within a floor area: Sprinkler the building, Provide a pressurized elevator, Fire separate the floor area into two, 45 min/1 h fire rated, smoke-tight zones, Provide balconies for residential occupancies 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 117: Unless otherwise exempted, all buildings are required to have areas of refuge whether or not they are sprinklered.

Barrier-Free Design (3.8) Buildings required to be barrier-free must comply with all requirements designed to assist persons with physical, sensory and development disabilities. ABC Sentence 3.8.1.1.(2) 34

Barrier-Free Requirements DO NOT apply to 3.8.1.1. Residential Homes: Single dwellings, townhomes, triplexes, boarding houses Except for those used for social programs (i.e. group homes, halfway houses) Re-locatable industrial accommodations Group F, Division 1 major occupancies Except requirements pertaining to hearing sensory impairments still apply

Areas Requiring a Barrier-Free Path of Travel 3.8.2.1.(1) / 3.8.2.2.(1) / 3.8.1.2.(5) A BFPT is required: From a barrier-free entrance to accessible parking, From a barrier-free entrance to all normally occupied floor areas, and Between two connected buildings

Areas NOT required to be Served by a Barrier-Free Path of Travel

Areas NOT Requiring Barrier-Free Path of Travel 3.8.2.1.(2) Storeys not more than 600 m², that are located above or below the first storey of a two-storey building (assuming those floors are not served by an elevating device).

Areas NOT Requiring Barrier-Free Path of Travel To any storey above or below the first storey in a Group C residential occupancy that: is three or fewer storeys in building height has a building area not exceeding 600 m 2, is not served by a passenger elevating device. Also: Floor levels within a suite of residential occupancy that are not at the same level as the entry level to the suite, or Within a suite of residential occupancy that is not required to be served by a barrier-free path of travel.

Areas NOT Requiring a Barrier-Free Path of Travel Service rooms, elevator machine rooms, janitors rooms, Service spaces, crawl spaces, attic or roof spaces, Mezzanines not served by an elevating device, To assembly seating spaces that are not served by a barrier-free path of travel, 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 93: Mezzanines are required to be served by a barrier-free path of travel.

Areas NOT Requiring Barrier-Free Path of Travel to portions of floor areas where the same amenities and uses are provided on other BF levels within that floor area

Entering A Building Entrances must be easily identified. Good lighting is essential to their identification. Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide 43

Entrances 3.8.1.2. Minimum Number of BF Entrances Minimum Number of Pedestrian Entrances Required to be BF All occupancies (except F1) Not less than 50% Assembly (A2), Business (D), and Mercantile (E) Completely separate from and without access to the remainder of the building Not less than 1 Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: In new construction, the identified primary entrance of the building is required to be barrier-free.

Service Dog Relieving Areas 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 79/80 Figure C.80 Service dog relieving areas must be provided within 50 m of at least one barrier-free entrance, Be at least 7.4 m 2 capable of fitting a 3000 mm turning circle, and Be connected to the barrier-free path of travel.

Access to Parking Accessibility begins once an individual approaches the building, whether it be by foot, by vehicle, or by transit. 46

Access to Parking Areas 3.8.2.2. A barrier-free entrance must provide a barrier-free path of travel to: an exterior parking lot, at least one parking level in a parking structure, and to every parking level in a parking structure if served by a passenger elevating device. Edmonton Checklist: Parking Areas Barrier-free path of travel from parking areas (to be located closest to the accessible entrance), to be clear of snow, garbage cans and other obstacles, and be well lit.

Passenger Loading Zones 3.8.2.2. Where there is an exterior passenger loading zone: the access aisle must be not less than 1500 mm wide by 6000 mm long have a clearance height of not less than 2750 mm at the vehicle pull-up space and along the vehicle access and egress routes

Passenger Loading Zones 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Figure A.9/14 Passenger Loading Zones must be provided: Where it is not feasible to position barrier-free parking spaces within 50 m of the barrier-free entrance(s), and Where Calgary Transit vehicles stop near a buildings barrier-free entrance.

Number of Parking Stalls 3.8.2.2. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) by the Municipal Government Act Number of Parking Stalls Required Table 3.8.2.2. Designated Parking Spaces Number of Designated Barrier-Free Stalls 2-10 1 11-25 2 26-50 3 51-100 4 Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: 101 + 1 for each additional Additional barrier-free stalls should be considered, if the facility anticipates a increment of 100 stalls larger number of seniors, or persons with disabilities. 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 10: Where staff and pedestrian parking lots are separate, barrier-free stalls should be equally distributed.

Parking Stall Design 3.8.2.2.

Designing a Barrier-Free Path of Travel 52

Design of Barrier-Free Paths of Travel 3.8.1.3. Exterior: 1100 mm Interior: 920 mm wide (except all main aisles must be 1100 mm wide) Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: Two wheelchair users passing: 1500 mm One wheelchair user and One Walker: 1200 mm One Wheelchair user: 920 mm 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 18: Exterior: 1500 mm Interior: 1500 mm along a corridor used by the public having an occupant load is more than 200 persons

Design of Barrier-Free Paths of Travel 3.8.1.3. Permitted to include ramps, passenger elevating devices to overcome differences in level.

Barrier-Free Paths of Travel Plus 15 Bridges 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 82 Standards for Plus 15 Bridges MUST be barrier-free Lane Links: 4500 mm wide min. Elevators: Required to serve both Ground Level and Plus-15 Levels Entrance Doors: Automatic Sliding or Swinging Doors

Design of Barrier-Free Paths of Travel 3.8.1.3. No openings to permit a sphere more than 13 mm, Thresholds not more than 13 mm

Lay-By Spaces 3.8.1.3.(4) Where a BFPT is 30 m + in length, an unobstructed space of 1500 mm by 1500 mm is required at 30 m intervals.

Overhead Obstruction 3.3.1.9.(3)

Horizontal Projection 3.3.1.9.(4)

Changes in Elevation 60

A downward change in elevation must be signalled by the use of a 600 mm wide tactile warning strip that: is located 250 mm from the edge, extends the full width of the stair, escalator, moving walkway, ramp or platform, and is identified using colour and brightness contrast.

Ramps 62

Ramps 3.8.3.4. Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: Ramps with a slope greater than 1:12 can be difficult for individuals to maneuver along. Recommendation: Where possible slopes of ramps should be 1:15 to 1:20.

Controls 64

Controls (i.e., electrical switches, thermostats and intercom switches, etc.) located in a BFPT must be: accessible to a person in a wheelchair, operable with one hand, and mounted between 400 mm and 1200 mm a.f.f. Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: Outlets: 500 mm a.f.f. Remainder of Controls: 800 mm to 1400 mm (Anything beyond 1200 mm is NOT COMPLIANT with the ABC) 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Outlet: 600 mm a.f.f. Pull Station: 1200 mm a.f.f. (Complies with CAN/ULC) All other Controls: 1000 mm +/- 50 mm Recommendation: provide power strip extensions to overcome having to reach

Doors and Doorways 66

Clear Width / Threshold / Opening Force 3.8.3.3. Minimum Clear Width: 850 mm Edmonton Checklist: Suggests 920 mm wide entrance doors Threshold: 13 mm max. Force Operation: Interior 22 N, Exterior 38 N

Door Hardware 3.8.3.3. Operable Devices: No tight grasping or twisting of the wrist (ie. Lever devices or D Pulls) NO YES

Latch-Side Clearance / Maneuvering Space 3.8.3.3. Latch-Side Clearance: Pull Side - 600 mm Push Side 300 mm Door Maneuvering Clearance: Pull Side As wide as the door + 600 mm latch-side Push Side As wide as the door + 300 mm latch-side Depth: Not less than the path of travel serving the door, but need not be more than 1500 mm deep.

Example Image of Door Clearances 3.8.3.3.

Vestibules 3.8.3.3. Vestibule: 1200 mm between two doors in series

Power Door Operators 3.8.3.3. Power door operators are required on BF entrances (including both doors of a vestibule) serving: A hotel, A B2 major occupancy (hospital, hospice etc.) An Assembly (A), Business (D), Care (B3), or Mercantile (E) occupancy more than 500 m² in building area Or if such occupancies are separated from and without access to the remainder of the building, and have a suite area more than 500 m². Doors not provided with the required latch-side clearances.

Protection of Persons due to Door Opening 3.8.3.3. 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 94: Where doorways open into a barrier-free path of travel they are required to be recessed. Recommendation: Where doorways open into a barrier-free path of travel, especially those equipped with a power door operator, such doors should have cane-detectable guardrails or other barriers installed at right angles to the wall containing the door to prevent run-in hazards.

Assembly Seating 74

Number of Designated Wheelchair Seating Table 3.8.2.1. Table 3.8.2.1. Designated Wheelchair Spaces Number of Fixed Seats in Seating Area 2-100 2 101-200 3 201-300 4 301-400 5 401-500 6 501-900 7 901-1300 8 1301-1700 9 Minimum Number of Spaces Designated for Wheelchairs 1701 + 10 + 1 additional space for each increment of 400

Design of Designated Wheelchair Seating 3.8.3.6. At least two wheel chair spaces must be located side by side. Each space having an unobstructed level area that is: 900 mm wide and not less than 1 525 mm long for side approach 1 220 mm long for front or rear approach Must be served by a BFPT without infringing on egress. Must be designated as part of the seating plan to provide a choice of viewing location and a clear view of the event taking place.

Designate Wheelchair Spaces and Adaptable Seating

Assistive Listening Devices 3.8.3.7. Assistive Listening Devices (ALD s) are required in a building of assembly occupancy: in rooms or suites with an area greater than 100 m² to encompass the entire seating area, or one half of the seating area if using an induction loop

Signage (Wayfinding) 79

Accessibility Signs 3.8.3.1. International Symbol of Accessibility otherwise referred to as the International Symbol of Access (ISA) are required to identify: Barrier-free entrances, washrooms, showers, elevators, and parking spaces. Tactile Signage: Be not less than 60 mm high, raised 0.7 mm from the surface, Not more than 1200 mm a.f.f. Begin not more than 150 mm from the door or entrance, Be colour contrasting to the surface to which it is applied, and Include Braille dots not less than 1 mm in relief, located directly below the tactile sign. Edmonton Checklist: Signage would be white on blue background (high colour contrast), Use of symbols, braille and large print, Consistency in design and easy to identify, Signage lettering to be in Sans Serif (Verdana, Arial, Helvetica)

Washrooms REQUIRED to be Barrier-Free 81

Washrooms Required to be Barrier-Free 3.8.2.3. All washrooms located in a barrier-free path of travel. Where water closets are required by ABC Subsection 3.7.2., at least one barrier-free water closet is required to provided in the entrance storey, unless: a bfpt is provided to barrier-free water closets elsewhere in the building, or the water closets required by 3.7.2., are for dwelling units only. Multi-stall washrooms must include 1 barrier-free stall for every 10 stalls (this includes multi-stall washrooms used for temporary events)

Washrooms NOT Required to be Barrier-Free 3.8.2.3. Washrooms are not required to be BF provided: they are located within residential suites or care suites, not designed as accessible suites under 3.8.4.1.(1), they are located in an individual suite less than 500 m², and there is another barrier-free washroom located within 45 m.

Washroom Renovations 3.8.2.3.(4) Where renovations are made to an existing building, universal toilet rooms are permitted to be constructed in lieu of provided in lieu of updating, renovating, or constructing additional multi-stall washrooms.

Barrier-Free Washroom Design 85

Water Closet Stalls 3.8.3.8. A BF water closet stall must: have a clear turning space at least 1500 mm in diameter, be equipped with a door that: has a clear opening of 800 mm, or swings outward, unless sufficient space is provided to permit the door to be closed without interfering with the wheelchair have a door pull on both sides, be aligned with a clear transfer space capable of having the latch required by Subclause (i) released from the outside in case of an emergency

Water Closet Stalls 3.8.3.8. Grab Bars horizontal grab bar, and a rear grab-bar (if no tank). Water Closet seat must be located between 400 mm and 460 mm a.f.f. be situated with its centre line 460 mm to 480 mm from an adjacent side wall, hand-operated flushing controls or be automatically operable, have a seat lid or other back support, and have no spring-actuated seat.

Water Closet Stalls 3.8.3.8.

Urinals 3.8.3.10. Wall mounted Floor mounted Clear Approach Space: 800 mm wide Grab Bars: Both Sides

Lavatories 3.8.3.11. Recommendations: ABC soap and hand towel dispenser to be located close to the lavatory approximately 600 mm measured horizontally from the front edge of the lavatory Wheelchair users should not have to touch their wheels to lather, or dry their hands.

Universal Washrooms 3.8.3.12. All universal washrooms must be designed in accordance with ABC Article 3.8.3.12., which includes the following major items: 1500 mm turning circle No internal dimension less than 1700 mm 875 mm wide transfer space Lavatory conforming to 3.8.3.11., Water closet conforming to 3.8.3.9., however, located not less than 285 mm and more than 305 mm from an adjacent side wall

Universal Washrooms 3.8.3.12.

Amenities (ie. Counters, Telephones, Drinking Fountains) 93

Counters 3.8.3.14. Every counter more than 2 m long, at which the public is served must have an accessible portion not less than 760 mm long centred over a knee space Counter height: 865 mm max. Knee Space: Width: 760 mm min. High: 685 mm min. Depth: 485 mm min. A counter used in a Cafeteria design, or where movement takes place parallel to a counter, such counter would not require a knee space.

Shelves or Counters for Telephones 3.8.3.15. Where built-in shelves or counters are provided for the public, such shelves or counters are required to be barrier-free. At least one telephone with a built-in telecommunication device is required to be provided where public telephones are installed. Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: A telephone that is barrier-free must be served by a clear unobstructed front approach space of 1500 mm by 1500 mm. 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 176: Where pay telephones are installed, at least one is required to be accessible to people in wheelchairs and have variable volume control.

Drinking Fountains 3.8.3.16. If drinking fountains are provided, at least one is required to be barrier-free. Alberta Barrier-Free Design Guide: Varying heights of fountains serve a greater number of individuals with varying abilities. 2016 Calgary Access Design Standard Item 152: In each location where a drinking fountain is provided, one fountain spout is required to be located between 750 mm and 915 mm a.f.f.

Barrier-Free Residential Suites 97

Adaptable Dwelling Units New Subsection 3.8.4. Government Funded ONLY projects Buildings with 10 + dwelling units require 1 adaptable dwelling unit for every 10 dwelling units (based on the total number of units) Adaptable Unit to be served by a barrier-free path of travel and have it extend into and throughout the unit. Kitchens, washrooms, entry ways, laundry rooms, etc. to incorporate a 1500 mm turning circle Bathrooms to conform to Articles 3.8.3.8. to 3.8.3.11., Showers and bathtubs to conform to select requirements outlined in Articles 3.8.3.13./17. Kitchens to provide accessible countertop portion and lowered kitchen sink and cooktop with accessible knee clearances beneath, and accessible overhead cabinets.

Questions? Comments? Contacts. Presented by: Samantha Proulx, C.E.T. Accessibility Specialist 1 sproulx@jensenhughes.com For more information visit: www.jensenhughes.com