Subchapter D. FACILITIES FOR HANDICAPPED

§ 47.111. Scope.

 (a)  This subchapter pertains to buildings of assembly, educational institutions and office buildings which are constructed in whole or in part by the use of Commonwealth funds or the funds of an instrumentality of the Commonwealth, and sets forth rules, standards and specifications that apply to those buildings and facilities constructed in this Commonwealth after 1965 except those buildings or facilities for which contracts for the planning or design have been awarded prior to September 1, 1965.

 (b)  If the existing or designed dimensions are within 5% of the maximum or minimum specified, they shall be deemed to comply with this subchapter.

   The provisions of this §  47.111 amended July 22, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1652.

 A person who violates this subchapter or regulations of the Department or who interferes with the Department or its authorized representative in the enforcement of the regulations and this subchapter shall be penalized under the act of September 1, 1965 (P. L. 1613, No. 235) (71 P. S. § §  1455.1—1455.3a) and the act of April 27, 1927 (P. L. 465, No. 299) (35 P. S. § §  1221—1235).

   This section cited in 31 Pa. Code §  243.6 (relating to standards for institutional plan of risk management for hospitals and nursing homes); and 31 Pa. Code §  244.3 (relating to standards for institutional plan of risk management for hospitals and nursing homes).

GROUNDS, BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

§ 47.121. Walks.

 There shall be at least one walk serving each of the buildings as set forth in §  47.111 (relating to scope) conforming to the following specifications:

   (1)  Be at least 48 inches wide with a slope no portion of which is steeper than 5%.

   (2)  Be of a continuing common surface uninterrupted by steps or abrupt changes in grade.

   (3)  Blend to a common level whenever the walk crosses other walks, driveways or parking lots.

   (4)  Have a level platform at the building entrance which it serves and the platform shall be at least 5 feet square if a door swings out on to the platform or toward the walk; the platform shall extend at least 1 foot beyond each side of the doorway.

   (5)  Have a level platform at least 3 feet deep and 5 feet wide if the door does not swing on to the platform or toward the walk; the platform shall extend at least 1 foot beyond each side of the doorway.

 At least one parking area for handicapped persons shall be made accessible to each building either by placing the parking level at the grade level of the building or by providing ramps to bypass curbs or steps between the parking area and the building. The ramps, when provided, shall be in accordance with this subchapter.

 When ramps are required they shall conform to the following specifications:

   (1)  Each ramp shall have a slope no greater than 1 foot rise in 12 feet of run or 8.33% grade or 4 degrees and 50 minutes deflection.

   (2)  Each ramp shall have a handrail on at least one side or preferably on both sides. If the width of the ramp exceeds 84 inches, there shall be an intermediate rail in the ramp. The top of handrails shall be 32 inches above the surface of the ramp and extend one foot beyond the top and bottom of the ramp.

   (3)  Each ramp shall be at least 32 inches wide (inside clear measurements) and have a nonslip surface.

   (4)  If a door swings out onto the platform or toward the ramp, such ramp shall be at least 5 feet square. This platform shall be clear of the door frame.

   (5)  If the door does not swing on to the platform or toward the ramp, this platform shall be at least 3 feet deep and 5 feet wide, and clear of the door frame.

   (6)  The bottom of the ramp shall have at least 6 feet level run.

   (7)  If the length of the ramp exceeds 30 feet, level platforms shall be provided at 30 foot intervals, and at turns in the ramp. These platforms shall be at least 32 inches wide (in all cases the width of the ramp) by 5 feet long.

 (a)  Each building shall have at least one entrance accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. When this building is equipped with elevators, this entrance shall provide access to the elevator either on a level plane or by ramp.

 (b)  Doors which serve as closures for the entrance shall have a clear opening of not less than 32 inches, be double acting and operable by a single effort. The floor on the inside and outside of each doorway shall be level for a distance of 5 feet on each side of the doorway and shall extend 1 foot beyond each side of the door. Sharp inclines and abrupt changes in level shall be avoided at door sills. If practical, thresholds shall be flush with the floor or otherwise offer little resistance to the operation of a wheel chair.

 Steps in stairs shall be designed whenever practical to lack nosing. This requirement is in addition to the requirements of Chapters 49—59 that no treads may be less than 10 inches. It is recommended that steps, if possible and in conformation with existing step formulas, have risers that do not exceed 7 inches. Stairs shall have handrails 32 inches high measured from the tread at the face of the riser, and at least one handrail which extends at least 18 inches beyond the top step and beyond the bottom step.

 Floors, if practical, shall have a nonslip surface. Floors on the same story shall be of a common level throughout or be connected by a ramp in accordance with provisions of this subchapter.

 (a)  On each floor of the building there shall be at least one toilet room for each sex equipped in accordance with the following specifications:

   (1)  Toilet rooms shall be accessible to and usable by the physically handicapped and shall have space to allow traffic of individuals in wheel chairs.

   (2)  Toilet rooms shall have at least one toilet stall that meets the following requirements:

     (i)   Three feet in width.

     (ii)   At least 4 feet 8 inches, but preferably 5 feet, in depth.

     (iii)   A door, if doors are used, 32 inches in width that swings out.

     (iv)   Grab bars or handrails on each side 33 inches in height and parallel to the floor, 1 inch or more on outside diameter with one to 1/2 inch clearance between the rail and the wall and which is securely fastened at the ends and center.

     (v)   A water closet with the seat 20 inches from the floor.

   (3)  Toilet stalls shall be furnished for each sex in accordance with the following table:

   (4)  Toilet stalls shall be provided for each sex in the ratio of at least one for each 25 or less persons.

   (5)  Toilet rooms shall have either lavatories with narrow aprons, which, when mounted at standard height, are usable by individuals in wheelchairs, or lavatories mounted higher, when particular designs demand, so that they are usable by individuals in wheelchairs.

   (6)  Mirrors and shelves shall be provided above lavatories at a height as low as practical but no higher than 40 inches above the floor, measured from the top of the shelf and the bottom of the mirror.

   (7)  Toilet rooms for men shall have either an appropriate number of wall-mounted urinals with the opening of the basin 19 inches from the floor or an appropriate number of floor-mounted urinals that are on a level with the main floor of the toilet room.

   (8)  Toilet rooms shall have an appropriate number of towel racks, towel dispensers and other dispensers and disposal units mounted no higher than 40 inches from the floor.

   (9)  An appropriate number of water fountains or other water-dispensing means shall be accessible to and usable by the physically disabled. Water fountains or coolers shall have up-front spouts and controls, and be either hand-operated or hand-and-foot operated.

 (b)  Toilet rooms may be located one floor above or below the regular place of occupancy of the person or persons for whose use they are provided in those buildings if there are a sufficient number of passenger elevators.

 When elevators are provided at least one designated elevator shall be accessible to and usable by the physically disabled at all levels normally used by the general public. Elevators shall be self-leveling. Doors shall be slow-closing and shall not close if anything is in the opening, the sensing for which shall be done without touching the intervening object. However, in the event of failure of the sensing device a mechanical safety edge may be employed as an additional safety feature. When photoelectric eyes are installed, which shall be a minimum of two in number, they shall be located not less than 6 inches, nor more than 36 inches, above the car threshold. Elevators shall be designed to allow traffic by wheelchairs.

   The provisions of §  47.128 amended July 22, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1435.

 Switches and controls for light, heat, ventilation, windows, draperies, elevators and similar controls of frequent or essential use, shall be placed within the reach of individuals in wheel chairs, and in no occasion at a level of more than 40 inches above the floor.

 If phone booths are provided in the buildings at least one phone booth shall have a door wide enough to admit a wheel chair and a seat higher than normal.

 (a)  Every effort shall be exercised to obviate hazards to individuals with physical disabilities. Lighting in doorways, toilets and areas of similar importance shall be adequate and nonglare.

 (b)  If practical, electronically-operated doors shall be used in public corridors. The doors shall be of a type approved by the Board.

   This section cited in 31 Pa. Code §  243.6 (relating to standards for institutional plan of risk management for hospitals and nursing homes); and 31 Pa. Code §  244.3 (relating to standards for institutional plan of risk management for hospitals and nursing homes).