Boutique Design - March/April 2012 - 36

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The new code changes the maximum and minimum heights a person in a wheelchair can be expected to reach for something, such as an elevator button, light switch or object on a shelf. “For example, the new Dispersion of accessible guest rooms The previous code required a certain regulations reduce the maximum range percentage of rooms to be ADA-compliant, for side approaches from 54 in. to 48 in., but left it up to each property to deter- which is consistent with the existing front mine how those rooms were distributed approach requirement,” says Leo A Daly’s among the various room types (i.e. kings, Miller. doubles and suites). But going forward, the updated ADA requires that accessible Accessible seating at restaurants rooms must be dispersed through all avail- The number of accessible seats used to able room types in new-builds and existing be calculated based on a percentage of hotels that undergo an interior renovation. fixed tables; that’s now been changed to Moreover, “If the hotel markets rooms with the number of seats or standing positions. special views, such as beach views or city “Five percent of all restaurant seating views, a portion of the accessible rooms must be accessible, and that seating must must be dispersed to these types as well,” be dispersed among all types of seating says Miller. offered,” says Miller. In addition, accessible routes must now be provided to all areas of the restaurant, including sunken, Accessible pool entries This is one of the new areas of regula- raised and outdoor dining areas. tion under the ADA, which means all existing and new pools at hotels and spas Toilet-stall configurations must be brought into compliance with the Mark Hopper, a senior associate at Forrest2010 standards. “This can be achieved by Perkins, says the new ADA rules offer some providing accessible lifts, sloped entries, much-needed flexibility in the layout of transfer walls and/or transfer systems that such spaces. “For instance, the new regucomply with the code,” says Miller. “For lations allow for a 16- to 18-in. range from pools with more than 300 lineal feet of the toilet to the wall,” Hopper explains. wall, two entry points must be provided.” “Before, this was strictly defined as 18 inches. Providing architects with a range, rather than a specific limit, could mean Placement of exercise equipment While this is another area not previously fewer change orders in the future.” covered by the ADA, many designers say they worked to build some accessibility into The above is just a sampling of ways the the fitness rooms they created. “We typically updated ADA will impact the design of provided an aisle that was at least 3 ft. wide, interior spaces. Given the complexity of so that a guest in a wheelchair could roll those rules, Miller notes that Leo A Daly into a fitness room and do a side approach (like many other architecture/design firms) to one of each kind of machine—one tread- typically works with registered accessibility mill, one elliptical machine, etc.,” says specialists to ensure that its designs are Connie Jackson, a senior designer at Wilson ADA-compliant. BD

making it a requirement that all such doors must be accessible to guests with disabilities. “This means someone in a wheelchair will be able to visit friends or family members who are staying in a standard room,” says Miller. This rule applies to new-build hotels, as well as existing ones that undergo an interior renovation. For older hotels, this change could translate into a sizable expense.

Associates. “However, under the new ADA regulations, operators will be required to provide access to all the machines in the room.” One possible result of that change could be fewer total machines.
Reach ranges

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Boutique Design - March/April 2012

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