4.1.5 Accessible Buildings: Additions

12

EXCEPTIONS: Mechanical rooms, storage areas, and other such minor additions which normally are not frequented by the public or employees of the facility are excepted from 4.1.5.

(5) Housing: (Reserved).

4.1.6 Accessible Buildings: Alterations.

(1) General Alterations to existing buildings or facilities shall comply with the following:

(a) If existing elements, spaces, essential features, or common areas are altered, then each such altered element, space, feature, or area shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 of 4.1, Minimum Requirements.

(b) If power-driven vertical access equipment (eg, escalator) is planned or installed where none existed previously, or if new stairs (other than stairs installed to meet emergency exit requirements) requir· ing major structural changes are planned or installed where none existed previously, then a means of accessible vertical access shall be provided that com· plies with 4.7. Curb Ramps; 4.8, Ramps; 4.10. Elevators; or 4.11, Platform Lifts; except to the extent where it is structurally impracticable in transit facilities.

(c) If alterations of single elements, when considered together, amount to an alteration of a space of a building or facility, the entire space shall be made accessible.

(d) No alteration of an existing element, space, or area of a building shall impose a requirement for greater accessibility than that which would be required for new construction. For example, if the elevators and stairs in a building are being altered and the elevators are, in turn, being made accessible, then no accessibility modifications are required to the stairs connecting levels connected by the elevator.

(e) if the alteration work is limited solely to the electrical, mechanical, or plumbing system and does not involve the alteration of any elements and spaces required to be accessible under these standards, then 4.1.6(3) does not apply.

(1) No new accessibility alterations will be required of existing elements or spaces previously constructed or altered in compliance with earlier standards issued pursuant to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended.

4.1.1 to 4.15 of 4.1. Minimum Requirements, except to the extent where it is structurally impracticable.

(3) Where substantial alteration occurs to a build. ing or facility, then each element or space that is altered or added shall comply with the applicable provisions of 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 of 4.1. Minimum Requirements, except to the extent where it is struc· turally impracticable. The altered building or facility shall contain:

(a). At least one accessible route complying with 43. Accessible Route, and 4.1.6(a);

(b) At least one accessible entrance complying with 4.14. Entrances. If additional entrances are altered then they shall comply with 4.1.6(a); and

(c) The following toilet facilities, whichever is greater.

(i). At least one toilet facility for each sex in the altered building complying with 4.22, Toilet Rooms, and 4.23, Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms.

(ii). At least one toilet facility for each sex on each substantially altered floor, where such facilities are provided, complying with 4.22. Toilet Rooms; and 4.23, Bathrooms, Bathing Facilities, and Shower Rooms.

(d) In making the determination as to what constitutes "substantial alteration," the agency issuing standards for the facility shall consider the total cost of all alterations (including but not limited to electri cal, mechanical, plumbing, and structural changes) for a building or facility within any twelve (12) month period. For guidance in implementing this pro. vision, an alteration to any building or facility is to be considered substantial if the total cost for this twelve month period amounts to 50 percent or more of the full and fair cash value of the building as defined in 3.5.

EXCEPTION: If the cost of the elements and spaces required by 4.1.6(3)(a), (b), or (c) exceeds 15 percent of the total cost of a!! other alterations, then a schedule may be established by the standard-setting and/or funding agency to provide the required improvements within a 5-year period. EXCEPTION: Consideration shäll be given to providing accessible elements and spaces in each altered building or facility complying with:

(i)

(ii)

4.6, Parking and Passenger Loading Zones, 4.15. Drinking Fountains and Water Coolers, 4.25, Storage,

(W)

4.28, Alarms,

(u)

431, Telephones,

(vi)

(vii)

4.32, Seating, Tables, and Work Surfaces, 4.33. Assembly Areas.

(2) Where a building or facility is vacated and it is totally altered, then it shall be altered to comply with

(4) Special technical provisions for alterations to existing buildings or facilities: