The Americans with Disabilities Act is landmark legislation that can affect new construction, renovations, exterior building features, and interior spaces. What does the need for ADA compliance during construction and renovation mean for your project?
Complying with ADA Standards During Construction
ADA compliance during construction and renovation serves multiple purposes:
- Inclusion: Promoting accessibility makes your space more inviting for people of all ages and abilities. This includes people with temporary and permanent disabilities, seniors, parents with small children, and others.
- Usability: Working to create functional, inclusive spaces that welcome everyone is an opportunity to make significant changes that can extend the life and usefulness of your building.
- Liability: Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act fulfills your legal responsibilities and protects against liability issues.
While ADA compliance during construction offers exciting opportunities, it’s a complicated subject. An experienced ADA compliance commercial contractor can provide vital insights and help you avoid costly missteps.
Defining ADA Compliance Construction
The Americans with Disabilities Act sets standards for what a building needs to be considered physically accessible for people with disabilities. The law was enacted in 1990, but regulations and building codes continually evolve. That makes ensuring compliance a task for professionals.
New construction completed since the ADA’s passing must automatically comply with ADA standards. Meeting this requirement begins with a solid grasp of ADA standards and a commitment to being informed about changes. Ideally, the goal is to consider the diverse needs of all users and insert accessibility features seamlessly into the building in a flexible manner that offers room for future growth. Making this happen requires expertise and active planning.
Understanding when commercial renovations trigger ADA compliance upgrades is tricky. Are you planning a change to a primary function area, which is a space where business activities are conducted? If so, you may need to complete some ADA-compliant construction as part of your renovation. If any usability barriers remain within your facility, a renovation of a primary function area requires you to commit up to 20% of the renovation costs to fix barriers. An experienced ADA compliance contractor can help you determine the best path forward.
Discovering Where ADA Construction is Necessary
ADA compliance standards can touch virtually any area of a project. Outside, they can involve accessible parking, curb cuts, ramps, and guardrails. Inside, they can include placing friendly flooring, widening doorframes, installing automatic doors, having alarms that use lights and sounds, and putting up high-contrast signage with tactile elements at appropriate heights for users of all abilities.
ADA bathroom compliance requirements often get special attention. An ADA-compliant bathroom design is for people of all abilities to use easily. It will allow individuals who rely on wheelchairs and other mobility devices to maneuver and have fixtures at comfortable heights. Grab bars, full-length mirrors, and doors that are easy to open are also essential features.
While ADA compliance can seem complex, working to meet these standards during construction or renovation doesn’t have to be. An experienced ADA compliance contractor can help you get the best design and value. CBF Contracting Inc. is a commercial contractor with extensive experience delivering outstanding results while incorporating ADA compliance standards. To learn more, contact us to discuss your project.
