CEAC Building Codes & Regulatory Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A building constructed in 1985 undergoes a 'change of occupancy' to a place of public accommodation. Under the ADA and IBC, which compliance standard applies?
- Only the Architectural Barriers Act standards apply
- The path of travel to the altered area must be made accessible up to 20% of the construction cost (Correct answer)
- No accessibility upgrades are required since it predates the ADA
- Only the primary altered area must meet current standards; the path of travel is exempt
Correct answer: The path of travel to the altered area must be made accessible up to 20% of the construction cost
A change of occupancy triggers the requirement to make the path of travel accessible up to a disproportionate-cost cap of 20% of the primary work cost.
Question 2: Which of the following correctly describes the 'technical infeasibility' exception under the 2010 ADA Standards for alterations?
- The alteration is too expensive to complete accessibly
- Compliance with accessibility requirements is structurally impractical given existing physical constraints (Correct answer)
- The owner lacks qualified contractors to perform accessible construction
- The jurisdiction has not yet adopted the 2010 ADA Standards
Correct answer: Compliance with accessibility requirements is structurally impractical given existing physical constraints
Technical infeasibility means it is structurally or physically impractical to make an alteration comply with accessibility standards due to existing conditions.
Question 3: Under the ADA Standards, accessible toilet compartments that are side-transfer (standard) must have a minimum depth of how many inches?
- 56 inches
- 59 inches (Correct answer)
- 60 inches
- 66 inches
Correct answer: 59 inches
Standard accessible toilet compartments (wall-hung water closet) require a minimum depth of 56 inches, but floor-mounted fixtures require 59 inches.
Question 4: The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 applies to facilities that are:
- All buildings open to the public, regardless of funding source
- Designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds or by federal agencies (Correct answer)
- Any commercial facility with more than 15 employees
- Multifamily housing with four or more units
Correct answer: Designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds or by federal agencies
The ABA applies to facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with federal financial assistance or by federal agencies.
Question 5: In a multistory building without an elevator that is exempt from elevator requirements, which spaces must still be accessible on the non-accessible floor?
- No spaces on inaccessible floors need to be accessible
- Toilet rooms, drinking fountains, and public telephones on inaccessible floors (Correct answer)
- Only the primary function area on each floor
- Employee work areas on each floor
Correct answer: Toilet rooms, drinking fountains, and public telephones on inaccessible floors
Even in elevator-exempt buildings, toilet rooms, drinking fountains, and public telephones on inaccessible floors must meet accessibility standards.
Question 6: What is the minimum clear width required for a two-panel operable window in an accessible residential unit under the Fair Housing Act guidelines?
- 28 inches
- 32 inches (Correct answer)
- 36 inches
- 34 inches
Correct answer: 32 inches
FHA guidelines require a minimum 32-inch clear opening width for operable windows in accessible units to allow access by persons using wheelchairs.
Question 7: Under the 2010 ADA Standards, what is the maximum cross slope permitted on an accessible parking surface?
- 1:20 (5%)
- 1:48 (2%) (Correct answer)
- 1:50 (2%)
- 1:12 (8.33%)
Correct answer: 1:48 (2%)
Accessible parking spaces and access aisles must have a maximum slope of 1:48 (2%) in all directions to prevent wheelchairs from rolling.
CEAC Building Codes & Regulatory Compliance 3
A building constructed in 1985 undergoes a 'change of occupancy' to a place of public accommodation.
Under the ADA and IBC, which compliance standard applies?