CEAC Risk Assessment & Mitigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting a risk assessment for a historic building seeking ADA compliance, which approach best balances preservation with accessibility?
- Exempt all historic structures from ADA requirements
- Apply the ADA's alternative compliance path that permits less than full access when compliance would threaten historic character (Correct answer)
- Require full ADA compliance regardless of historic designation
- Defer all decisions to the State Historic Preservation Office without further analysis
Correct answer: Apply the ADA's alternative compliance path that permits less than full access when compliance would threaten historic character
The ADA allows alternative accessible routes and features for historic properties when full compliance would threaten or destroy historic significance, provided maximum feasible accessibility is still achieved.
Question 2: A CEAC identifies that a sloped accessible parking space has a cross-slope of 3.5%. What is the primary risk this poses?
- Inadequate drainage leading to pooling water
- Wheelchair instability and tipping hazard when transferring (Correct answer)
- Non-compliance with fire lane requirements
- Insufficient width for van-accessible spaces
Correct answer: Wheelchair instability and tipping hazard when transferring
ADA requires accessible parking spaces to have slopes no steeper than 1:48 (≈2%) in all directions; a 3.5% cross-slope creates instability and tipping risk during wheelchair transfers.
Question 3: Under the ADA, which factor is LEAST relevant when prioritizing barrier removal in an existing facility?
- Cost of removal relative to overall resources
- Whether the barrier affects the primary function of the facility
- The age of the building's original construction permit (Correct answer)
- The number of people with disabilities who would benefit
Correct answer: The age of the building's original construction permit
The ADA's readily achievable barrier removal analysis considers cost, resources, nature of the barrier, and impact on operations—the original permit date is not a listed factor.
Question 4: A risk matrix rates hazards by combining probability and severity. A wet floor at an inaccessible ramp would most likely be categorized as:
- Low probability / Low severity
- Low probability / High severity
- High probability / High severity (Correct answer)
- High probability / Low severity
Correct answer: High probability / High severity
Wet floors at ramps are a frequently occurring condition (high probability) that can cause falls resulting in serious injury (high severity), placing them in the highest-risk quadrant.
Question 5: Which document type formally records identified accessibility barriers, their locations, and recommended corrective actions for a facility?
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Transition Plan (Correct answer)
- Notice of Intent to Sue
- Building Inspection Report
Correct answer: Transition Plan
A Transition Plan is the ADA-required document that identifies accessibility barriers, sets timelines for removal, and designates responsible parties for corrective action.
Question 6: During environmental access risk assessment, 'residual risk' refers to:
- The initial risk level before any controls are applied
- The risk remaining after mitigation measures have been implemented (Correct answer)
- Risk transferred to a third-party contractor
- Risks identified but deferred for future review
Correct answer: The risk remaining after mitigation measures have been implemented
Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after all feasible controls and mitigation strategies have been implemented and evaluated.
Question 7: A CEAC discovers that a building's accessible restroom door requires 10 lbs of opening force. What risk classification is most appropriate?
- No risk — 10 lbs is within ADA limits
- Low risk — slightly above limit but manageable
- High risk — exceeds the 5 lbs maximum for interior doors under ADA (Correct answer)
- Moderate risk — applies only to exterior doors
Correct answer: High risk — exceeds the 5 lbs maximum for interior doors under ADA
ADA Standards require interior doors on accessible routes to require no more than 5 lbs of force to open; 10 lbs doubles that limit and poses a significant barrier for many users.
CEAC Risk Assessment & Mitigation 2
When conducting a risk assessment for a historic building seeking ADA compliance, which approach best balances preservation with accessibility?