ada question

[scottsod]

hi

i have an ada question

for a apt bldg its realy a co-op we have a board and were all share holders

its 6units 5 story bldgs

my bldg has a small front stair case and no ramp
the rear entrance wich is in the basement has a ramp used to be a steep
staircase but they had a remodel at some one elses expense and put a ramp

i see that another bldg across the way has a alluminum ramp on the front staircase can i ask for one for my bldg my son has cp and uses a walker and a wc or are they compliant with the rear ramp btw the basement has elevator access but no stairs so i wonder if for fire code they need a ramp on the front ?

 

[bookwormde]

ADA does dot apply to residences including apartment buildings only to lodgings.

You did not say what the age or construction type of the building was or if it was sprinklered, but most newer building of that height have fire stair towers which are considered areas of refuge. If your building was built when the modern life safety code was in force in your area, you should have a minimum of 1 accessible (and in some situations 2) means of access either to this area or to an exit (5-5,4,1 l 1999 life safety code). Remember that elevators are not considered to be safe in a fire until they have been placed into fire service mode and are manually controlled by the fire department. I did not review the 2006 international building code but it generally mirrors the life safety code. If you have concerns call your local fire marshal and can explain the how the code applies to your specific building and situation and most will give recommendations for the best procedures for your son’s safety. Also most districts maintain database for people with special needs, so they may expedite the evacuation of persons needing fire department assistance (from your apartment or area of refuge). This last item makes a tremendous difference to the firefighters and there ability to provide service(in addition to doing design build and code interpretation for my profession I have been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years and was an assistant chief of my department).

bookwormde

 

[pugdog]

While the ADA does not always apply to apartment building the 504 rehabilitation act of 1973 does.
It does matter how old the building is and if they recieved any government money to build or not.