2012 TAS
And a few surprises
Atelier
2012 © Atelier Design Associates
The information in this presentation is not a complete
summary of the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS).
Remember to always apply the most stringent codes &
regulations that may apply to your project. Application of
items in this presentation may differ for various
circumstances.
XL Design Professional is a Registered Provider with The American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education System. Credit earned
on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for
AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are
available upon request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing
professional education. As such, it does not include content that
may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement
by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or
manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or
product. Question related to specific materials, methods and
services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
.
‘Disability is a normal part
of the human process’
Jim deJong
Learning Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use of TDLR Rules & Standards
How the new Standards are
set-up
Use of ‘Safe Harbor’
Importance of ‘Scoping’
Key differences from prior TAS
TAS Plan Review

Who actually reads their plan
review ?
Why would you want a
comprehensive plan review?
 A nod & wink you drew a nice
set of plans
- or maybe  Notify you if there are
discrepancies that you can
address before a change
order
Selecting your Accessibility
Specialist
 Experience in your type
facility
 Training
 Will they be sub-contracting
my project?
Proof of Submission


Still required
Submit plans no later than 20
days after date of issue
Form 042AB
Rules



CH 68
Tells us where we apply the
2012 TAS
Gives certain exemptions
Rules




Exemptions
Variances
Submittal Requirements
Public ROW Projects
Rules Ch 68.30 – 68.102
2012 TAS



Ch 1
Application &
Administration
Ch 2
Scoping
Ch 3-10 Technical Standards
Ch1
Conventions & Calculations


Referenced Standards
Definitions
Ch2
Scoping

Tells us how to apply the
technical sections Ch 3-10
Advisories


201.1 Advisory Scoping
Are advisories enforceable?


Yes where referencing another
enforceable part of the standard
Recommendations for good
practice
Effective dates



Last date of building
permit/permit extension
Where no permit, actual
physical start of construction
On or after March 15, 2012
Safe Harbor


When was it built?
Did it fully comply before
March 2012?
202.4
Safe Harbor

What is covered under
Safe Harbor?


Compliant “Path of travel”
elements
What is not covered?

Any other altered element
Safe Harbor



But it almost complies . . .
Element by element safe
harbor.
Prior Variances do not apply
RAS 2012-06
Safe Harbor


Safe Harbor does not apply
In existing facilities where
supplemental requirements
don’t exist in 1991 Standards
What does that mean?
Safe Harbor

What if it costs too much to
bring them into compliance?


A minimum of 20% of costs shall
be applied to accessible
improvements
Balance may be
deferred only by
Variance
202.4, 106.5.25
Safe Harbor

What are “path of travel”
elements?
exterior approach
 parking
 restrooms
 telephones
 drinking fountains serving altered area

202.4
Path of Travel

What if the tenant is making the
improvements?

funded in their entirety by the
tenant with private funds and do
not have funding, reimbursements,
improvement funds of any kind
provided by the landlord.
202.4 Ex 2 & RAS 2012-02
Barrier Removal



Buyer beware.
There is no obligation that pools
must have a lift on or before
March 15, 2012.
There is an obligation for



barrier removal
in alterations & new construction.
Postponed to May 21, 2012
ADA vs. TAS
Program Access

Program access vs.
architectural compliance

Keeping your client informed
Difference between ADA & TAS





ADA is a Civil Rights Law
TAS is a Construction Law
Title I Employee areas
Title II Public Buildings
Title III Commercial
Religious entities


under ADA guidelines
under TAS guidelines
Ch 68.30 (3)
Elevator exemption
Yes now in Texas . .
 Private Buildings



Less than 3 stories
or less than 3000 SF per floor
unless a shopping center or
healthcare provider …
206.2.3
Curb ramps




no longer contrasting color &
texture where within the site
landing required at the top
watch for new PROW
standards
68.102 applies in PROW
406, 68.102
Tolerances


New standards have built-in
tolerances
Use of Construction and
Manufacturing Tolerances

Advisory tells us what is good
practice
Should not be used as a proxy to overlook errors
-Marsha Mazz
104
Importance of Scoping



Tells us what type facility has to
comply
What elements within the
facility have to comply
Gives exceptions
Chapter 2
Scoping


No accessible route required if
no pedestrian route is
provided. Does not have to be
paved.
Be careful how this is used
Never use this exception in Fair Housing . . .
206.2
Scoping

Stairs are still not part of an
accessible route.

Automatic entry doors are not
required unless . . .
206.2.3.1
Scoping

Protruding objects in circulation
paths

Exceptions
 in children’s play areas
 Within areas of sport activity
204.1
Scoping



Children’s play areas
Shall provide accessible route
within play area
Shall connect entry & exit
points with ground level play
components and required
elevated play components
206.2.17
Scoping

Ambulatory Toilet
Compartments

One compartment required
where 6 or more fixtures are
provided in a Toilet Room
 Total count of water closets
and/or urinals
213.3.1
Scoping

Urinals


Where only one urinal
is provided, it is not
required to be
accessible
Where two or more
are provided, at least
one shall be
accessible
213.3.3
Scoping

Exit signs

Must have raised character &
Braille
216.4, 703.1, 703.2, 703.5
Scoping

Team or Player Seating

At least one wheelchair space
serving team or player seating
206.2.2, 221.2.1.4
Scoping

Lawn Seating

Where fixed seats are not
provided, shall connect to an
accessible route.
221.5
Scoping

Assembly areas
221
Scoping

Assembly areas
221
Scoping

221.2.2 Integration.


Wheelchair spaces shall be an
integral part of the seating plan.
221.2.3 Lines of Sight and
Dispersion

Choices equal to other spectators
Technical Standards
304.3

Building Blocks

Turning space may
extend into toe &
knee space below
fixtures and other
elements
Technical Standards
 Reach
Ranges
Affects operating controls
 Light switches , outlets, fire alarm
pulls, card readers, keypads


Exemptions for certain
outlets/controls
HVAC Diffusers, certain outlets in Kitchens
308

Technical Standards

Reach Ranges
308.2 & 308.3
Technical Standards

Water Closets



16”-18” to center of fixture from side
wall
Lavatories prohibited from
overlapping clear floor space
 Except in covered dwelling units
Grab bars, shelves, dispensers may
overlap clear floor space
604.2, 604.3.2
Technical Standards

Water Closets

Shorter grab bar permitted on rear
wall where less wall space is
provided due to
special conditions
604.5.2
Technical Standards

Toilet Rooms


Fixtures shall not overlap
door maneuvering
clearance
Door swing can overlap
fixture clear floor space
in single user Toilet
603.2.3
Technical Standards

Toilet Paper Dispenser
604.7

Toilet Paper Dispenser

Must clear 12” above grab bar &
1 ½” below grab bar
 Many large roll dispensers
may not comply
609.3

Technical Standards

may use alternate shower stalls
608.2
Technical Standards
May use
L-shape or
straight seat in
shower

610.3
Technical Standards

Sign Locations
703
Technical Standards

Sign Locations
703
Technical Standards



Raised character & Braille
48”-60”AFF to bottom of
letters
To latch side of opening
 Or on face of door


703.4.2
With closer & no hold-open device
On Push face of door
Technical Standards

Sinks in



Kitchens
Break Rooms
wet bars
606.2
Technical Standards


Kitchens, Break Room or Wet Bar
parallel approach is permitted to a
sink if no cooktop or conventional
range is provided
Or minimum
5%,at least one
shall comply
606.2
Technical Standards

Kitchens & Kitchenettes

50% of storage shall be accessible
804.5, 8.11
Technical Standards

Assembly Seating




No longer required in pairs
Companion seats may be movable
Companion seats must be
equivalent to seating provided in the
immediate area.
Refer to Table 221.2.1 for quantity
802.3.2
Technical Standards

802 Assembly Seating



Aisle seats
5% shall have folding or
retractable armrests
Designate with sign or marker
802.4
Technical Standards

Benches


903
42” min width x 20”-24”deep
Back support or fixed to a wall
Technical Standards

Dressing, Fitting &
Locker Rooms
 Wheelchair space at
end of bench
 Scoped at Min. 5%
222 & 803, 903
Top 5 changes in TAS
1. Elevator exemption
2. Toilet clearances
3. Curb ramps
4. Owner/Tenant responsibilities
5. Safe harbor in existing facilities
Bonus! Advisories
Stay tuned
 Questions?
www.ada.gov
www.license.state.tx.us/ab
Michael Love
ICC RAS IIDA APA
www.accessAtelier.com
2012 TAS
And a few surprises
Atelier