3.8.3.

(1) Where a building is required to have a barrier-free entrance to accommodate disabled persons, signs incorporating the International Symbol of Accessibility shall be installed where necessary to indicate,

(a) the location of that entrance, and

(b) the location of ramps located in a required barrier-free path of travel serving that entrance.

(2) Where a washroom, elevator, telephone or parking area is required to accommodate disabled persons, it shall be identified by a sign consisting of the international symbol of accessibility for disabled persons and such other graphic, tactile or written directions as are needed to indicate clearly the type of facility available.

(3) Where a washroom is not designed to accommodate disabled persons in a storey to which a barrier-free path of travel is required, signs shall be provided to indicate the location of the barrier-free facilities.

(4) Signs incorporating the international symbol of accessibility for disabled persons shall be installed where necessary to indicate the location of the accessible means of egress.

(5) Characters, symbols or pictographs on tactile signs shall, if wall mounted, be located not less than 1 200 mm and not more than 1 500 mm above the floor.

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), exterior walks that form part of a barrier-free path of travel shall,

(a) be provided by means of a continuous plane not interrupted by steps or abrupt changes in level,

(b) have a permanent, firm and slip-resistant surface,

(c) except as required in Sentence 3.8.1.3.(4), have an uninterrupted width of not less than 1 100 mm and a gradient not exceeding 1 in 20,

(d) be designed as a ramp where the gradient is greater than 1 in 20,

(e) have not less than 1 100 mm wide surface of a different texture to that surrounding it, where the line of travel is level and even with adjacent walking surfaces,

(f) be free from obstructions for the full width of the walk to a minimum height of 1 980 mm, except that handrails are permitted to project not more than 100 mm from either side into the clear area, and

(g) have a level area adjacent to the entrance doorway conforming to Clause 3.8.3.4.(1)(c)v1.

(2) Where a difference in elevation between levels in a walkway is not more than 200 mm, a curb ramp conforming to Sentences (3) and (4) may be provided.

(3) The curb ramp permitted by Sentence (2) shall,

(a) have a running slope conforming to Table 3.8.3.2.,

(b) have a width of not less than 1 200 mm exclusive of flared sides,

(c) have a surface including flared sides that shall,

(i) be slip-resistant,

(ii) have a detectable warning surface that is colour- and texture-contrasted with the adjacent surfaces, and

(iii) have a smooth transition from the ramp and adjacent surfaces, and

(d) have flared sides with a slope of not more than 1:10 where pedestrians are likely to walk across them.

(4) Curb ramps described in Sentence (3) do not require handrails or guards.

(1) Every doorway that is located in a barrier-free path of travel shall have a clear width of not less than 850 mm when the door is in the open position.

(2) Except where no bathroom within the suite is at the level of the suite entrance door to which a barrier-free path of travel is provided in accordance with Sentence 3.8.2.1.(1)v1, the doorway to at least 1 bathroom and to each bedroom at the same level as such bathroom within a suite of residential occupancy shall have, when the door is in the open position, a clear width of not less than,

(a) 760 mm where the door is served by a corridor or space not less than 1 060 mm wide, and

(b) 810 mm where the door is served by a corridor or space less than 1 060 mm wide

(3) Door opening devices that are the only means of operation shall be of a design that does not require tight grasping and twisting of the wrist.

(4) Except as permitted by Sentences (6) and (12), every door that provides a barrier-free path of travel through an entrance referred to in Article 3.8.1.2. shall be equipped with a power door operator if the entrance serves,

(a) a hotel,

(b) a building containing a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, or

(c) a building more than 300 m² in building area containing a Group A, D or E occupancy.

(5) Except as permitted by Sentences (6) and (12), where the entrance described in Article 3.8.1.2. incorporates a vestibule, a door leading from the vestibule into the floor area shall be equipped with a power door operator in,

(a) a hotel,

(b) a building of Group B, Division 2 or 3, occupancy, and

(c) a building more than 300 m² in building area containing a Group A, D or E occupancy.

(6) The requirements in Sentence (4) and (5) do not apply to an individual suite having an area of less than 300 m² in buildings having only suites of Group A, D or E occupancy where such suite is completely cut off from the remainder of the building.

(7) Except as permitted in Sentence (8), and except for doors with power operators, closers for doors in a barrier-free path of travel shall be designed to permit doors to open when a force of not more than 38 N is applied to the handles, push plates or latch-releasing devices in the case of exterior doors and 22 N in the case of interior doors

(8) Sentence (7) does not apply to doors at the entrances to dwelling units, or where greater forces are required in order to close and latch the doors against prevailing differences in air pressures on opposite sides of the doors.

(9) Except for doors at the entrances to dwelling units, closers for interior doors in a barrier-free path of travel shall have a closing period of not less than 3 seconds measured from when the door is in an open position of 70° to the doorway, to when the door reaches a point 75 mm from the closed position, measured from the leading edge of the latch side of the door.

(10) Unless equipped with a power door operator, a door in a barrier-free path of travel shall have a clear space on the latch side extending the height of the doorway and not less than,

(a) 600 mm beyond the edge of the door opening if the door swings toward the approach side, and

(b) 300 mm beyond the edge of the door opening if the door swings away from the approach side.

(11) Vestibules located in a barrier-free path of travel shall be arranged to allow the movement of wheelchairs between doors and shall provide a distance between 2 doors in series of at least 1 200 mm plus the width of any door that swings into the space in the path of travel from one door to another.

(12) Only the active leaf in a multiple leaf door in a barrier-free path of travel need conform to the requirements of this Article.

(13) Except as provided in Clause 3.8.3.4.(1)(c)v1, the floor surface on each side of a door in a barrier-free path of travel shall be level within a rectangular area ,

(a) as wide as the door plus the clearance required on the latch side by Sentence (10), and

(b) whose dimension perpendicular to the closed door is not less than the width of the barrier-free path of travel but need not exceed 1 500 mm.

(14) Where a vision panel is provided in a door in a barrier-free path of travel, such panel shall be at least 75 mm in width and be located so that,

(a) the bottom of the panel is not more than 900 mm above the finished floor, and

(b) the edge of the panel closest to the latch is not more than 250 mm from the latch side of the door.

(15) A door in a barrier-free path of travel consisting of a sheet of glass shall be marked with a continuous opaque strip that,

(a) shall be colour and brightness contrasted to the background of the door,

(b) shall be at least 50 mm wide,

(c) shall be located across the width of the door at a height of 1 350 mm to 1 500 mm above the finished floor, and

(d) may incorporate a logo or symbol provided such logo or symbol does not diminish,

(i) the opacity of the strip,

(ii) the width of the strip,

(iii) the colour and brightness contrast of the strip to the background of the door, and

(iv) the continuity of the strip across the width of the door.

(16) The power door operator required by Sentences (4) and (5) shall allow persons to activate the opening of the door from either side.

(17) The control for a power door operator required by Sentences (4) and (5) shall,

(a) have no face dimension less than 100 mm,

(b) have its centre located not less than 1000 mm and not more than 1100 mm from the floor level or ground,

(c) be located not less than 600 mm beyond the door swing where the door opens towards the control, and

(d) contain the sign incorporating the International Symbol of Accessibility.

(1) Ramps located in a barrier-free path of travel shall,

(a) have a minimum width of 900 mm between handrails,

(b) have a maximum gradient of 1 in 12,

(c) have a level area of at least 1 670 mm by 1 670 mm at the top and bottom of a ramp and where a door is located in a ramp, so that the level area extends at least 600 mm beyond the latch side of the door opening, except that where the door opens away from the ramp, the area extending beyond the latch side of the door opening may be reduced to 300 mm,

(d) have a level area at least 1 670 mm long and at least the same width as the ramp,

(i) at intervals of not more than 9 m along its length, and

(ii) where there is an abrupt change in the direction of the ramp,

(e) except as provided in Sentence (2), be equipped with handrails on both sides that shall,

(i) be continuously graspable along their entire length and have circular cross-section with an outside diameter not less than 30 mm and not more than 40 mm, or any non-circular shape with a graspable portion that has a perimeter not less than 100 mm and not more than 155 mm and whose largest cross-sectional dimension is not more than 57 mm,

(ii) be not less than 865 mm and not more than 965 mm high, measured vertically from the surface of the ramp, except that handrails not meeting these requirements are permitted provided they are installed in addition to the required handrail,

(iii) be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard,

(iv) extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the ramp,

(v) be provided with a clearance of not less than 40 mm between the handrail and any wall to which it is attached, and

(vi) be designed and constructed such that handrails and their supports will withstand the loading values obtained from the nonconcurrent application of a concentrated load not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails and a uniform load not less than 0.7 kN/m applied in any direction to the handrail,

(f) except as provided in Sentence (2), have a wall or a guard on both sides and where a guard is provided the guard shall,

(i) be not less than 1 070 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from the ramp surface, and

(ii) be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the ramp surface being protected by the guard will facilitate climbing, and

(g) be provided,

(i) with a curb at least 50 mm high on any side of the ramp where no solid enclosure or solid guard is provided, and

(ii) with railings or other barriers that extend to within 50 mm of the finished ramp surface or have a curb not less than 50 mm high.

(2) Where a ramp serves as an aisleway for fixed seating, the requirements for handrails in Clause (1)(e) need not apply.

(3) Floors or walks in a barrier-free path of travel having a slope steeper than 1 in 20 shall be designed as ramps.

(1) A passenger elevating device referred to in Article 3.8.2.1.v1 shall conform to CAN/CSA-B355, “Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities”.

(1) Spaces designated for wheelchair use in Sentence 3.8.2.1.(3)v1 shall be,

(a) clear and level or level with removable seats,

(b) not less than 900 mm wide and 1 525 mm long to permit a wheelchair to enter from a side approach, and 1 220 mm long where the wheelchair enters from the front or rear of the space,

(c) arranged so that at least two designated spaces are side by side,

(d) located adjoining a barrier-free path of travel without infringing on egress from any row of seating or any aisle requirements, and

(e) situated, as part of the designated seating plan, to provide a choice of viewing location and a clear view of the event taking place.

(1) In buildings of assembly occupancy, all classrooms, auditoria, meeting rooms and theatres with an area of more than 100 m² and an occupant load of more than 75 shall be equipped with assistive listening systems encompassing the entire seating area.

(1) Where a washroom is required by Article 3.8.2.3. to barrier-free, at least 1 water closet stall or enclosure shall,

(a) be at least 1 500 mm in width by 1 500 mm in depth,

(b) be equipped with a door that shall,

(i) be capable of being latched from the inside with a mechanism that is operable by one hand,

(ii) provide, when the door is in an open position, a clear opening of at least 810 mm,

(iii) swing outward, unless 760 mm by 1 220 mm clear floor area is provided within the stall or enclosure to permit the door to be closed without interfering with the wheelchair,

(iv) be provided with spring-type or gravity hinges so that the door closes automatically,

(v) be provided with a door pull on the outside, near the latch side of the door, and

(vi) be aligned with the clear manoeuvring space adjacent to the water closet,

(c) have a water closet located so that its centreline is not less than 460 mm and not more than 480 mm from an adjacent side wall on one side,

(d) be equipped with grab bars that shall,

(i) be at least 760 mm in length and mounted at a 30° to 50° angle sloping upwards, away from the water closet with the lower end of the bar mounted 750 mm to 900 mm above the floor and 50 mm in front of the toilet bowl, or alternatively, be L-shaped with 760 mm long horizontal and vertical components mounted with the horizontal component 750 mm to 900 mm above the floor and the vertical component 150 mm in front of the toilet bowl,

(ii) be at least 600 mm in length mounted horizontally on the wall behind the water closet from 840 mm to 920 mm above the floor and, where the water closet has a water tank, be mounted 150 mm above the tank,

(iii) reserved,

(iv) be installed to resist a load of at least 1.3 kN applied vertically or horizontally,

(v) be not less than 30 mm and not more than 40 mm in diameter,

(vi) have a clearance of 30 mm to 40 mm from the wall, and

(vii) have a slip resistant surface,

(e) be equipped with a coat hook mounted not more than 1 200 mm above the floor on a side wall and projecting not more than 50 mm from the wall,

(f) have a clearance of at least 1 700 mm between the outside of the stall face and the face of an in-swinging washroom door and 1 400 mm between the outside of the stall face and any wall-mounted fixture or other obstruction, and

(g) when a toilet paper dispenser is provided, provide a dispenser that is,

(i) wall mounted,

(ii) located below the grab bar,

(iii) in line with or not more than 300 mm in front of the toilet seat, and

(iv) not less than 600 mm above the floor.

(1) Water closets for a person with physical disabilities shall,

(a) be equipped with a seat located at not less than 400 mm and not more than 460 mm above the floor,

(b) be equipped with hand-operated flushing controls that are easily accessible to a wheelchair user or be automatically operable,

(c) be equipped with a back support where there is no seat lid or tank, and

(d) not have a spring-activated seat.

(1) A barrier-free washroom shall be provided with a lavatory that shall,

(a) be located so that the distance between the centreline of the lavatory and the side wall is not less than 460 mm,

(b) be mounted so that the top of the lavatory or, where the lavatory is in a vanity, the top of the vanity is not more than 840 mm above the finished floor,

(c) have a clearance beneath the lavatory not less than,

(i) 760 mm wide,

(ii) 735 mm high at the front edge,

(iii) 685 mm high at a point 205 mm back from the front edge, and

(iv) 230 mm high over the distance from a point 280 mm to a point 430 mm back from the front edge,

(d) have insulated pipes where they would otherwise present a burn hazard or have water supply temperature limited to a maximum of 43°C,

(e) be equipped with faucet handles of the lever type without spring loading or be automatically operable and are located so that the distance from the centreline of the faucet to the edge of the basin or, where the basin is mounted in a vanity, to the front edge of the vanity, is not more than 485 mm, and

(f) have soap dispensers that are,

(i) located to be accessible to persons in wheelchairs,

(ii) located so that the dispensing height is not more than 1 200 mm above the floor, and

(iii) operable with one hand.

(g) have towel dispensers or other hand drying equipment that are,

(i) located to be accessible to persons in wheelchairs,

(ii) located so that the dispensing height is not more than 1 200 mm above the floor, and

(iii) operable with one hand.

(2) If mirrors are provided in a barrier-free washroom, at least one mirror shall be,

(a) mounted with its bottom edge not more than 1 000 mm above the floor, or

(b) inclined to the vertical to be usable by a person in a wheelchair.

(3) If dispensing or hand-operated washroom accessories, except those located in toilet stalls or described in Clause (1)(f), are provided, they shall be mounted so that the dispensing height is between 900 mm and 1 200 mm above the floor.

(1) A universal toilet room shall,

(a) be served by a barrier-free path of travel,

(b) have a door capable of being locked from the inside and released from the outside in case of emergency and that has,

(i) a graspable latch-operating mechanism located not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 000 mm above the floor,

(ii) if it is an outward swinging door, a door pull not less than 140 mm long located on the inside so that its midpoint is not less than 200 mm and not more than 300 mm from the hinged side of the door and not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 000 mm above the floor, and

(iii) if it is an outward swinging door, a door closer, spring hinges or gravity hinges, so that the door closes automatically,

(c) have one lavatory conforming to Article 3.8.3.11.,

(d) have one water closet conforming to the requirements of Article 3.8.3.9. and located,

(i) so that its centreline is not less than 460 mm and not more than 480 mm from an adjacent side wall on one side, and

(ii) not less than 1 020 mm to the wall on the other side,

(e) have grab bars conforming to Clause 3.8.3.8.(1)(d)v1,

(f) have no internal dimension between walls that is less than 1 700 mm,

(g) have a coat hook conforming to Clause 3.8.3.8.(1)(e)v1 and a shelf located not more than 1 200 mm above the floor,

(h) be designed to permit a wheelchair to back in alongside the water closet in the space referred to in Subclause (d)(ii),

(i) be designed to permit a wheelchair to turn in an open space not less than 1 500 mm in diameter, not less than 1 500 mm, and.

(j) be provided with a door equipped with a power door operator if the door is equipped with a self-closing device.

(2) The water closet and lavatory provided in the special washroom described in Sentence (1) may be counted as part of the plumbing fixtures required for males and females in Subsection 3.7.4.

(1) Except within a suite of residential occupancy, if showers are provided in a building, at least one shower stall in each group of showers shall be barrier-free and shall,

(a) be not less than 1 500 mm wide and 900 mm deep,

(b) have a clear floor space at the entrance to the shower not less than 900 mm deep and the same width as the shower, except that fixtures are permitted to project into that space provided they do not restrict access to the shower,

(c) have a slip-resistant floor surface,

(d) have a bevelled threshold not more than 13 mm higher than the finished floor,

(e) have a hinged seat that is not spring-loaded or a fixed seat that shall be,

(i) not less than 450 mm wide and 400 mm deep,

(ii) mounted approximately 450 mm above the floor, and

(iii) designed to carry a minimum load of 1.3 kN,

(f) have a horizontal grab bar conforming to Subclauses 3.8.3.8.(1)(d)(iv)v1 to (vi) that is,

(i) not less than 900 mm long,

(ii) mounted approximately 850 mm above the floor, and

(iii) located on the wall opposite the entrance to the shower so that not less than 300 mm of its length is at one side of the seat,

(g) have a pressure-equalizing or thermostatic mixing valve controlled by a lever or other device operable with a closed fist from the seated position,

(h) have a hand-held shower head with not less than 1 500 mm of flexible hose located so that it can be reached from the seated position and equipped with a support so that it can operate as a fixed shower head, and

(i) have fully recessed soap holders that can be reached from the seated position.

(2) Individual shower stalls that are provided for use by patients or residents in buildings of Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy shall conform to the requirements of Sentence (1).

(3) Individual bathtubs that are provided for the use of patients or residents in buildings of Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy shall have,

(a) faucet handles of the lever type that are not spring-loaded or be automatically operable,

(b) faucet handles that are located so as to be usable by a person seated in the bathtub, and

(c) unless the bathtub is free-standing, an “L”-shaped grab bar conforming to Subclauses 3.8.3.8.(1)(d)(iv)v1 to (vi) mounted on the wall,

(i) with each leg of the “L” being at least 900 mm long,

(ii) with the legs of the “L” being separated by 90°,

(iii) with the horizontal leg of the “L” being located between 150 mm and 200 mm above and parallel to the rim of the bathtub, and

(iv) with the vertical leg of the “L” being located between 300 mm and 450 mm from the control end of the bathtub.

(1) Where built-in shelves or counters are provided for public telephones, they shall be level and shall,

(a) be not less than 350 mm deep, and

(b) have, for each telephone provided, a clear space not less than 250 mm wide having no obstruction within 250 mm above the surface.

(2) The top surface of a section of the shelf or counter described in Sentence (1) serving at least one telephone shall,

(a) be not more than 865 mm from the floor, and

(b) have a knee space not less than 685 mm high.

(3) Where a wall-hung telephone is provided above the shelf or counter section described in Sentence (2), it shall be located so that the receiver and coin slot are not more than 1 200 mm from the floor.

(1) Where drinking fountains are provided, at least one shall be barrier-free and shall,

(a) have a spout located near the front of the unit not more than 915 mm above the floor, and

(b) be equipped with controls that are easily operated from a wheelchair using one hand with a force of not more than 22 N or be automatically operable.