S02 Atch A.3 PSW Atch 02 - VA Barrier Free Design Guide - 10 pages.pdf

VA Barrier Free Design Standard A Supplement to the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS)

January 1, 2017 rev 5/01/25 Office of Construction & Facilities Management

Facilities Standards Service

PG-18-13

PG 18-13 - VA BARRIER FREE DESIGN STANDARD January 1, 2017 rev 05/01/2025

VA Barrier Free Design Standard The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) insures that buildings financed with federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to everyone. This law requires all construction, renovation, or leasing with federal funds to meet the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS). ABAAS was made effective May 9, 2006 for new construction and alterations, June 30, 2006 for lease-construction facilities, and February 7, 2007 for all other leased facilities. ABAAS replaces the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), which was VA’s previous standard for accessibility.

This supplement to ABAAS tailors some of the requirements to better meet the barrier free needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in its facilities.

Previous requirements have been simplified and abbreviated so that these six pages replace the former 26-page VA Barrier Free Design Handbook (H-08-13).

The following comparison tables are to assist contracted Architect/Engineer firms and VA staff in designing accessible facilities for the VA. Paragraph numbers correspond to ABAAS paragraph numbers.

Planners and designers are to be guided by ABAAS, the exception being where the more stringent VA requirement is noted in the tables.

Minimum Requirements

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Sites - parking spaces accessible 1% greater than ABAAS 1 Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder (SCI/D)

Hub Facilities

0.2 accessible spaces per Inpatient bed; 0.5 per Long- Term Care bed; 5.6 per Outpatient Exam Room.

Dedicated for SCI/D patients

Hospital Outpatient Facilities

Rehabilitation and Outpatient Physical Therapy Facilities

10% of total spaces

20% of total spaces

10% of total spaces

20% of total spaces

Buildings- accessible seating, assembly areas

1% greater than ABAAS 2

VA GUIDELINES ARE THE SAME AS ABAAS FOR MOST REQUIREMENTS.

WHERE VA REQUIREMENTS DIFFER, SEE BELOW.

http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/aba-standards-gsa.cfm http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm

Accessible Route

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Width, min. Patient Care Areas 1830 mm (6'-0") 915 mm (3'-0") 3 Width, min. Administrative Areas 1525 mm (5'-0") 915 mm (3'-0") 3 Slope, maximum (including parking spaces) 1:50 (2%) 1:48 (2.1%) 4

Minimum gradient of walk requiring rest areas every 60 000 mm (200')

1:50 (2%) 1:33 (3%) 5

Turning Radius 1675 mm (5’-6”) 1525 mm (5’-0”) 30 Turning Radius, Bariatric 1830 mm (6’-0”) 1525 mm (5’-0”) 30 T-Shaped Turning Space 1675 mm (5’-6”) x (5’-6”) 1525 mm (5’-0”) x (5’-0”) 31 T-Shaped Turning Space, Bariatric 1830 mm (6’-0”) x (6’-0”) 1525 mm (5’-0”) x (5’-0”) 31

Floor Surfaces

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Changes in level Not permitted on SCI/D floors No requirement 6 Carpet cushion or padding Not permitted Permitted

Parking and Passenger Loading Zones

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Access aisle requirement for accessible parking spaces

1525 mm (5'-0") each side 1525mm (5'-0") 1 per 2 spaces.

Passenger loading area "communication system" for assistance at SCI/D units

Yes No requirement 9

Curb Ramps

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Width, minimum 1220 mm (4'-0") 915 mm (3'-0") 10

Ramps

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Maximum slope 1:20 1:12 11 Maximum length, within range of

1:33 -1:26 12000 mm (40') 60000 mm (200') 12

Maximum length, within range of 1:25 -1:20

10500 mm (35') 60000 mm (200') 12

Minimum clear width 1220 mm (4'-0") 915 mm (3'-0") 13 Minimum size level landing, where doors swing into landing 1830 mm x 1830 mm (6'-0" x 6'-0")

1525 mm x 1525 mm (5'- 0" x 5'-0")

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Handrail Heights Top Rail- 865 mm (34”)

Mid Rail- 610mm (24”) Top Rail- 760mm-865mm (34”-38”)

Stairs

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Handrail height 865 mm (34") 760 mm-865 mm (34”-38")

Elevators (Passenger)

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Minimum width of elevator doors 1220 mm (4'-0") 915 mm (3'-0") 16 Minimum car size 2440 mm x 1880 mm

(8'-0" x 6'-2") platform size 1730mm x 1300mm (68" x 51") car inside dimensions

Double set of handrails Yes No requirement 18

Windows

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Sill height in patient bedrooms 610 mm (24") maximum No requirement 19

Doors and Doorways

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Patient Care Delivery Areas with patient bed, stretcher or gurney access, minimum width

1525 mm (5' -0")- 1675 mm (5’-6”)

1120 mm (3' - 8") 20

Patient Care Delivery Areas with patient bed, stretcher or gurney access, minimum width, Bariatric

1830 mm (6’-0”) 1120 mm (3’-8”) 20

Patient Care Building Entry, Exit and Department Entry doors minimum width

1220 mm (4’-0”) 815 mm (2’-8”) 21

Patient Care Delivery Areas with Wheelchairs and Scooters, Outpatient

1065 mm (3’-6”) 815 mm (2’-8”) 21

Patient Care Delivery Areas with Wheelchairs and Scooters, Outpatient Bariatric

1220 mm (4’-0”) 815 mm (2’-8”) 21

Water Closets- Inpatient Nursing Units

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Grab bar configuration Double swing-up bars for all patient toilets/shower rooms on Nursing Units w/integral toilet paper dispenser

Side & back bars for all accessible water closets.

Distance from toilet centerline to side wall

915 mm (3’-0”) 460 mm (1’-6”)

Distance from edge of toilet to side wall, Bariatric

915 mm (3’-0”) Distance from centerline of toilet to sidewall- 460 mm (1’-6”)

Toilet Stalls

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Minimum accessible stall size 1650 mm x 1830 mm (5'-6" x 6'-0")

1525 mm x 1420 mm (5'-0" x 4'-8")

Minimum size wheelchair "front-transfer" stall

1065 mm x 1830 mm (3'-6" x 6'-0")

915 mm x 1675 mm (3'-0" x 5'-6")

Grab bars Required in all stalls Required in accessible stalls

Shower Stalls (Patient)

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Minimum stall dimensions 1220 mm x 1220 mm (4'-0" x 4'-0")

915 mm x 915 mm (3'-0” x 3'-0”) or 760 mm x 1525 mm (2'-6" x 5'-0”)

Minimum stall dimensions, Bariatric 1220 mm x 1830 mm (4’-0” x 6’-0”)

915 mm x 915 mm (3'-0” x 3'-0”) or 760 mm x 1525 mm (2'-6" x 5'-0”)

Grab bars Horizontal plus vertical bars Horizontal bars only 29

Toilet Rooms

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Inpatient Bedroom Toilet Rooms, Minimum width of toilet room entrance doors

1220 mm (48") 865 mm (34") 24

Cafeterias

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Knee clearance, for minimum 5% tables

685 mm (2'-3") and 735 mm (2'-5") for at least 5%

685 mm (2'- 3") 26

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Cutlery and supply height 1015 mm-1220 mm

(40" - 48") 1370 mm (54") max.

Health Care Facilities

REQUIREMENT VA ABAAS NOTES

Medical/Surgical/Intensive Care Nursing Units, percent of patient bedrooms accessible

100% 10% 27

Medical/Surgical/Intensive Care Nursing Units, percent of toilet rooms accessible

100% 10% 27

ABAAS may indicate slightly different metric equivalents than the ones which VA has shown.

Information gathered from data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services; the National Center for Health Statistics; and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Planning and Management Analysis (see SURVEY OF DISABLED VETERANS, OPMA-M 043-90-1).

1. The percent of disabled at VA hospitals is much higher than the percent of disabled in the general population. Two percent may be adequate for the general population. The percentage of disabled drivers/passengers is much higher in the veteran population. ABAAS Table 208.2 shows varying accessible parking space requirements. 1 out of every 6 accessible parking spaces shall be a van accessible parking space. Other VA Hospital service lines may have different requirements.

2. A higher percentage of sick and disabled make up the VA population than make up the general population. ABAAS Table 221.2.1.1 shows varying wheelchair space requirements in assembly areas.

3. It takes a minimum of 1500 mm (5’-0”) for two wheelchairs to pass. Wheelchairs have increased in size in recent years, so 1800 mm (6’-0”) is recommended for Patient Care Delivery Areas where wheelchair usage is commonplace.

4. The disabled population used by ABAAS to determine an acceptable slope for using public accommodations is stronger and younger than are veterans at VA facilities.

5. Previous studies used a younger, more fit, population to determine the minimum slope and distance for a disabled person’s travel capability.

6. Current standards are based on an active, independent population.

7. Refer to Section 4 Parking Geometrics in the Parking Design Manual.

8. Disabled veterans come to VA facilities either driving or as a passenger. Both sides of the parking space must be accessible to allow disembarking from either side of the vehicle.

9. This feature, not mentioned in other standards, allow Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder veterans to contact Nursing Service, Pharmacy, or Security for their appropriate needs without the extra burden of unloading their wheelchair and leaving their car.

10. Sick veterans in wheelchairs are often weak, disoriented, and unskilled in wheelchair operation.

Studies show the additional 300 mm (1’-0”) provides a much-needed margin of safety.

11. Tests show only those with good upper body strength can manage a ramp slope of 1:12. Slopes greater than 1:16 create safety hazards for any wheeled vehicle.

12. Long uninterrupted ramps are prone to cause accidents. Weak, unskilled wheelchair users need more frequent stops in order to operate wheelchairs safely.

13. The 300 mm (1’-0”) added width is necessary to ensure all VA wheelchair users can get up and down the ramp, safely.

14. Older, frail, disoriented, or disabled veterans need a larger level platform to maneuver a wheelchair.

15. Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) requires 850 mm (34") to 950 mm (38") top rail. Locating the top rail at 34” and an additional mid rail at 24” allows easier reach for a person in a wheelchair who may need to rest or reposition their wheelchair along the ramp. The mid rail at 24” is also beneficial for a child.

16. Hospital elevator doors need to be 1200 mm (4’-0”) wide in order to better facilitate the movement of gurneys, beds, and multiple wheelchairs.

17. See Transport Systems Design Manual. The larger cab size is required for movement of gurneys and multiple wheelchairs. This dimension is for side (off-centered) doors. Elevator cabs with centered doors require a minimum 51” x 80” clear dimension.

18. Handrails protect the elevator cab walls and provide stability for patients: the lower rail for wheelchairs, the higher rail for gurney riders and standers.

19. Window sills must be low enough that seated (wheelchair) and bedridden patients can see the outdoors.

20. A minimum wide opening of 5’-0” for a slider type door and minimum wide opening of 5’-6” with a 4’-0” and 1’-6” door leaf to patient and patient care area bedrooms is required because beds with accessories, stretchers, and gurneys are frequently moved from one room to another and wheelchairs are larger. This includes Small House Model, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder, Mental Health, Domiciliary, Diagnostic and Treatment Areas such as Imaging Services, Surgery, or Rehabilitation Therapy functions, Bariatric Exam Rooms, and Outpatient Procedure Rooms. In Medical/Surgical Nursing Units and Intensive Care Nursing Units, provide a 6’-0” wide opening with a 4’-0” and a 2’-0” door leaf for Bariatric Rooms. All Toilet Rooms within Patient Rooms shall have a 4’-0” door where patient beds, stretcher, and gurneys do not access a patient care delivery room, then a minimum of 42” is required for the door width. See each individual Design Guide for specific door requirements.

21. An 800 mm (2’-8”) opening, as required by ABA, is not adequate for some wheelchairs, scooters, and bariatric patients.

22. Disabled patients in wheelchairs many times are not skilled in maneuvering wheelchairs, may be weaker, and space is often needed for someone to assist.

23. The 900 mm x 900 mm (3’-0” x 3’-0”) shower has a folding seat which requires the patient to transfer from the wheelchair. Bariatric patients require more shower stall space for maneuverability for patient and staff.

24. VA uses a standard 1200 mm (4’-0”) door to ensure a 1150 mm (46”) clear opening to patient and patient care delivery area Bedroom Toilet Rooms because wheelchairs and gurneys are larger now.

This includes Long Term Care, CLC, Small House, Medical/ Surgical Nursing Units, Intensive Care, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder, Mental Health, and Domiciliary/Supportive Housing.

25. The additional width allows correct door width and makes the toilet usable by wheelchair users.

26. Many disabled veterans use electric wheelchairs with a control stick that will not fit under a table with only 675 mm (2’-3”) clearance.

27. The VA Under Secretary for Health has advised that 100% accessibility makes nursing simpler, puts less strain on staff, gives patients more independence, and requires less patient supervision by a limited staff. For renovation projects or projects at existing facilities where space is at a premium, consideration can be given to having less than 100% of the rooms accessible while meeting ABAAS requirements at a minimum. This includes all ABAAS Accessibility requirements including mounting heights required by the ABAAS Guidelines.

28. Hospital Outpatient Facilities are those located in hospitals, and which provide regular and continuing medical treatment. Rehabilitation and Outpatient Physical Therapy Facilities cover patients with mobility impairments.

29. See VA Standard Details on the TIL.

30. Wheelchairs have increased in size in recent years, thus the need for a 5’-6” minimum turning radius requirement and a 6’-0” minimum turning radius for Bariatric patients.

31. In lieu of meeting the Turning Radius requirements, the following T-Shaped Turning Space requirements are also acceptable per below:

a. Non-Bariatric: The turning space shall be a T-shaped space within a 66 inch (1680 mm) square minimum with arms and base 42 inches (1070 mm) wide minimum. Each arm of the T shall be clear of obstructions 12 inches (305 mm) minimum in each direction and the base shall be clear of obstructions 24 inches (610 mm) minimum. The space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance complying with ABAAS Guidelines only at the end of either the base or one arm. See diagram below (not to scale).

b. Bariatric: The turning space shall be a T-shaped space within a 72 inch (1830 mm) square minimum with arms and base 48 inches (1220 mm) wide minimum. Each arm of the T shall be clear of obstructions 12 inches (305 mm) minimum in each direction and the base shall be clear of obstructions 24 inches (610 mm) minimum. The space shall be permitted to include knee and toe clearance complying with ABAAS Guidelines only at the end of either the base or one arm. See diagram below (not to scale).

VA Barrier Free Design Standard