Accessibility (Part 3 of the NBC)
Accessibility (Part 3 of the NBC) - Transcription
Slide 1
Hello - my name is Collinda Joseph and I'm a Technical Advisor with the Standing Committee on Use and Egress. Today, I'll be introducing changes made in Part 3 of the National Building Code (NBC) relating to accessibility.
Slide 2
This presentation is part of a series of 13 presentations on the 2015 editions of Codes Canada.
Before I begin with the technical content of this presentation, I will speak briefly about the code development system.
It is important to note that the model Codes, which are developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, must be adopted by provincial/territorial authorities to become law.
This may mean that Code requirements enacted by legislation within your province or territory might differ from what is presented here. Please check with your local authority.
Slide 3
It is also important to point out that the National Codes are not a federal legislation.
This means it is not NRC or Codes Canada that decides what goes into the Codes but you!
Codes Canada facilitates an open, transparent, consensus-based process to come up with improvements.
Over 400 committee members volunteer their time to decide on changes to the next Codes.
All committees are balanced between regulators, industries and public interest so that no single category can outvote the other two.
This process is shown on the slide:
- It typically starts with someone requesting a Code change.
- It continues with technical committees developing proposed changes.
- It involves a public review and the final approval by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes.
It's a simple process and it depends on your input.
Please go to the Codes Canada website to find out how you can:
- submit code change requests,
- participate in committees, or
- comment on proposed changes during our public reviews.
Slide 4
And before we start, here are some clarifications on the presentations themselves:
- The presentations cover only changes from 2010/2011 to 2015 Codes and not how to use or interpret the Codes in general.
- The presentations contain only the significant changes - the details are in the handbook. Each presentation contains a reference to the relevant pages in the handbook.
- The presentations stay strictly within the scope of the National Codes and do not cover provincial or territorial variations.
Slide 5
People with disabilities encounter accessibility challenges on a daily basis - and often these are unintended barriers because of how the accessibility features are designed.
Knowledge on the relatively new issues related to accessibility is growing rapidly to better serve Canadians with various disabilities. However, the requirements on accessibility in the NBC have not been revised for years.
A recent environmental scan has revealed that the NBC was 25% up-to-date compared to provincial Codes and international standards.
Slide 6
In order to begin to address that gap, the NBC was amended with a number of low-cost and no-cost items that enhance the usability and functionality of the built environment for all users without creating additional financial burdens for building owners. It is important to note that many of these changes will appear to be minimal but their impact is significant when it comes to the user's ability to independently move through a building.
Handbook pages 16-19
Slide 7
NBC 2015's Section 3.8. has been reorganized. Previously, design elements were sometimes contained alongside application requirements while others didn't include them. The Section has now been reorganized so that one part is now dedicated to the application and the other contains solely design requirements.
Another enhancement is that Code users will now have the option to use the Canadian Standards Association's standard, “Accessible Design for the Built Environment,” as the design requirements in lieu of those contained in the NBC. As an internationally well-respected Canadian accessibility standard, it offers a highly credible single source for accessibility requirements.
As some buildings are required to comply with both the NBC and the CSA standard, this alternative would eliminate some compliance difficulties for designers and building owners as well as building officials.
Slide 8
An accessible path of travel is obviously key to a person with a disability's ability to negotiate through a building, and ramps are used to overcome changes in level - which is a key to providing access to people with various disabilities. I'm not sure where this ramp is leading but it's quite clear its design needs work.
Originally, the NBC was silent on many essential criteria for ramp design.
There are now minimum requirements for ramps including specifications relating to the types of surfaces - for example, no thick carpets with soft underpads which usually require a lot of strength for wheelchair users. The changes appear minor but enhance a ramp's usability and safety for everyone.
Slide 9
Doors and doorways are often a barrier for people with disabilities because they can be heavy and awkward to open. Sometimes, barriers are not obvious to people with limited vision. In addition, there were no specifications on the use of sliding doors within the NBC. This has been rectified so that except where otherwise stated, the application on doors and doorways also applies to sliding doors.
Slide 10
The NBC now provides guidance on where a power door activator has to be located and other minimal safety requirements for these doors. Now a person doesn't have to manoeuver around the opened door to enter the building.
Slide 11
Individuals with disabilities are often hindered by the inability to reach and in effect use controls like light switches, thermostats and fire alarms. Think of a situation where a person who is unable to grab or grasp a fire alarm pull because they don't have the use of their fingers - and there's a fire - how would that person trigger the alarm?
There was a recognition that specifications relating to accessibility for common controls were not specified in the NBC so Code requirements have been changed grouping common criteria on controls - operable by a closed fist, with a limited force - in one provision. And there is also more clarity about the provision's application to other controls such as faucets and door hardware. These changes provide better guidance to Code users on how to make controls usable by all.
Slide 12
Also unclear was the NBC's wording relating to faucets and grab bars. For faucets, some were being used that didn't meet the Code's intent - which was to ensure that they were graspable and usable by all. The NBC also restricted the use of other types - such as automatic faucets - that provided acceptable performance.
For grab bars, there were a number of criteria that weren't specified such as the maximum diameter, the load requirement, a slip-resistant surface, no sharp or abrasive elements and its clearance from the wall once it's installed. Again, these clarifications appear to be minor but their application will provide an enhanced level of safety and use.
Slide 13
As was pointed out earlier, doors and doorways can create significant barriers to individuals with disabilities - not only because of how difficult it can be to manoeuver around them, but also because of the types of hardware being used. Round door knobs, for example, are difficult to use for people who are unable to grasp.
The requirements on the opening devices for doors in an accessible path of travel as well as other doors intended for public use did not include all criteria that would make them operable by people with dexterity limitations. The NBC has been changed and now requires that all door hardware be usable by
Slide 14
Using a public drinking fountain from a seated position is very challenging - often the fountain itself is too high or when it isn't too high - the water flow is unreachable - resulting in a lot of really wet chins and clothing!
Drinking fountain criteria were vague and silent on several elements resulting in difficulty when it came to their enforcement, resulting in inaccessible drinking fountains.
Changes such as ensuring a clear floor and knee space, spout height, waterflow height and others are now specified.
Slide 15
People with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, will often ask 2 questions when considering accessibility - 1 - can I get into the building, and 2 - is there an accessible washroom?
In the case of the NBC, requirements on accessible washrooms had not been updated for several years and were lacking on many key elements that greatly improve their use by people with various disabilities.
The NBC is now requiring grab bars on the side and back walls around the toilet, an opening at the door of 850 mm and a transfer space next to the toilet that aligns with the door opening.
In the eyes of builders, these are minor changes but they are significant for people who use wheelchairs and scooters.
Slide 16
More often, universal washrooms that accommodate people with disabilities and families are appearing in public buildings.
The section on universal washrooms has also been updated to clarify criteria for locking devices and toilet paper dispensers, making them more easily usable by people with disabilities. The section also harmonizes requirements like grab bar placement, toilet paper dispenser, with those in other accessible washrooms.
Slide 17
Safe access to showers and bathtubs for people with disabilities is key. In both spaces, the NBC provides more clarity to improve their accessibility, functionality and safety for users.
In spaces where a wheel-in shower is provided, the NBC has been updated to enhance their accessibility. First is a requirement for more grab bars which provides more stability when using a shower seat or when walking into and out of the shower. Second, a longer hose for hand-held shower heads making them reachable and usable. Third, no shower doors or curtains shall obstruct the controls or transfer space and finally, an allowance for a vertical threshold not more than 7 mm.
Slide 18
In today's presentation, we discussed amendments to the NBC that enhance the usability and functionality of the built environment for all users, without creating additional financial burdens for building owners. These are low-cost, no-cost items that appear to be minimal but their impact is, in fact, significant when it comes to the user's ability to independently move through a building.
Slide 19
I have covered a lot of information in today's presentation. The handbook is a useful resource if you want to review the topics from this presentation in more detail.
It covers the majority of the technical changes that were implemented in the 2015 National Building Code, National Fire Code, National Plumbing Code and National Energy Code for Buildings.
The handbook can be purchased on NRC's virtual store as a downloadable PDF or as a hard copy.
Slide 20
Thank you very much for joining me in today's presentation.
| Autre titre | Accessibility (Part 3 of the National Building Code of Canada: 2015) |
|---|---|
| Téléchargement |
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| DOI | Trouver le DOI : https://doi.org/10.4224/40002102 |
| Auteur | Rechercher : 1; Rechercher : 1 |
| Orateur | Rechercher : Joseph, Collinda1 |
| Affiliation |
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| Format | Vidéo, Object d'apprentissage |
| Sujet | Codes et guides; construction; bâtiment; accessibilité; NRCCode |
| Date de publication | 2015 |
| Maison d’édition | National Research Council of Canada |
| Publication connexe | |
| Langue | anglais |
| Exporter la notice | Exporter en format RIS |
| Signaler une correction | Signaler une correction (s'ouvre dans un nouvel onglet) |
| Identificateur de l’enregistrement | df17abe7-70d9-4246-ad8a-371a477ac06e |
| Enregistrement créé | 2021-05-04 |
| Enregistrement modifié | 2022-06-21 |
- Date de modification :