ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY BOARD
State Fire Service Center
2307 MacArthur Road, New Castle
Telephone: (302) 323-5365
Thursday, November 10, 2011
1:30 P.M.
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The December 8, 2011 meeting of the State of Delaware’s Architectural Accessibility Board was called to order by the acting chairman, Armando Liberti. In addition to Mr. Liberti, the record will show that the following board members participated in the meeting, either by telephone (T) or by their actual presence (P): Neil Himelein (P); Don Moore (T); Chad Toms (P); Chang Yoon (P).
Also in attendance: Dan Muterspaw, Administrator
Greg Kindig, Parks & Recreation
Jack Turner, Guest
II. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes of the Board’s previous meeting, held on November 10, 2011, was made and seconded. By a unanimous vote, the minutes were approved as recorded.
III. DISCUSSION OF AGENDA
The Chief Administrator added seven (7) cases to the agenda, as follows:
- 11023-RE Frear Elementary School
- 11066-RE DE Seashore State Park – Bath House
- 11067-RE Cape Henlopen Cabins
- 11083 Lewes Curb Ramps (DelDOT)
- 11084 North East State Service Center
- 11085 Holloway Campus Maintenance Shop – Steps
- 11086 Summit North Marina
IV. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE
The Chief Administrator reported to the Board on his activities for the month. Theactivities were routine in nature and consisted of normal field inspections, complaint issues, and accessibility inquires.
V. SUBMISSIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
At their November 17, 2011, meeting, the Submissions Review Committee reviewed three (3) cases. Two of these cases were forwarded to the full board for their review. The Board’s comments and actions on these two cases, and for the additional seven (7) cases submitted by the Chief Administrator, are attached as a part of these minutes.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
The Administrator reported that he has completed his up-date of the Delaware Architectural Accessibility Standards, in regard to the current edition of the ANSI standards (ICC A117.1-2009). All corrections and/or provision changes will be submitted for typing and posting. It was unknown, at this time, when this would be completed, but was estimated to be some time this winter.
As for the comparison review of the ’03 and ’09 ANSI editions, with regard to the new 2010 ADAAG requirements, progress is still being made, with much more review still required. To date, the substance of the technical requirements hasn’t been altered. The text has been expanded to be less confusing but the actual requirements have less than what the AAB has already been following (which was in line with the 2004 ADAAG revisions).
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Jack Turner will be recommended to the Governor for appointment to the AAB, to replace Ms. Ada Stokes. Mr. Chad Toms will be recommended to the Governor to be appointed as Chairman of the AAB, taking over Ms. Stokes’ former position. In addition, it was learned that Mr. Wayne Carter will be stepping down from the Board in the near future. Identifying a replacement for him has already been initiated.
VIII. SCHEDULE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Architectural Accessibility Board will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2011, at 1:30 PM, at the State Fire Service Center.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
With nothing further to review or discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan A. Muterspaw
Chief Administrator, AAB
DAM/mas
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11023-REOWNER / Ceasar Rodney School District
PROJECT / Allen Frear Elementary School
Renovations & Addition
DESIGNED BY / BSA+A
CONTACT PERSON / Renee Richardson
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – April ‘11
COMMENTS / There were several design flaws in the initial design that prevented the Board’s approval. The errors in girl’s TR #115 were corrected and additional information was submitted on the elevator. The alterations to TRs nos. 166.2 & 167.2 have been deleted from the project’s scope of work and are no longer an issue. The plan now appears to be correct.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11066-RE
OWNER / DNREC – Parks & Recreation
PROJECT / DE Seashore State Park
Bathhouse Repairs
DESIGNED BY / Greg Kindig
CONTACT PERSON / Greg Kindig
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – Oct. ‘11
COMMENTS / Handrail design on the drawings was not correct. In addition, there was insufficient detail given for the new steps being replaced on the existing deck. These elements have now been correctly designed and the project now appears to be compliant. (Note: the majority of this project pertains to the roof of the bathhouse)
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11067-RE
OWNER / DNREC – Park and Recreation
PROJECT / Cape Henlopen State Park
New Cabin Construction (4)
DESIGNED BY / Greg Kindig
CONTACT PERSON / Greg Kindig
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – Oct. ‘11
COMMENTS / The problems cited initially by the AAB were addressed, either by redesign or by submitting new/additional information. In regard to the ‘path of travel’ required upgrades to the toilet rooms/bathhouses serving the new cabins, all of the existing accessibility violations were also addressed, with the exception of the lavatory in the accessible stalls. There are currently lavatories in the two accessible stalls, but they encroach on the clear floor space of the water closet. Mr. Greg Kindig, of Parks & Recreation, requested that a waiver be granted for the State’s requirement (Article 604 of Delaware’s Architectural Accessibility Standards) of having a lavatory in these stalls. To do so would require the elimination of two existing toilets, there-by reducing the already insufficient number of toilets available for public use and negatively impacting the campground users.
Extensive discussion was held regarding this waiver request. It was noted that, even without the lavatory in the accessible stalls, compliance with the ANSI standards (under the building code) and with the ADA (under accessibility guidelines) would still be achieved. There would only be a deviation from the State mandated fixture requirement. The amount of dollars being spent on the required ‘path of travel’ related upgrades was already at approximately $25,000, even without the additional plumbing and structural work that would be required for expanding a toilet stall/removing existing fixtures. A fixed amount of added funds could be capped at approximately $36,000 (not to be deemed to be ‘disproportionate’), but this would not totally bring everything into compliance. Although not a funding/cost issue, the lavatory in the stall requirement, in this instance, would require additional funds while restricting other required upgrades in these areas. The Board also discussed the State code mandate for this requirement. Some felt that if such requirements were not upheld, or just waived in other cases, then the requirement, in itself, might be considered needless.
All of these particulars, and other assorted opinions and issues, were discussed thoroughly prior to the Board voting on the matter
BOARD ACTION / The Board voted to approve the request to waive the State’s requirement of having a lavatory in the two accessible toilet stalls pertinent to this project. All of the other toilet room upgrades were found to be acceptable for bringing the design for these alterations into compliance with the applicable codes and standards (specifically ANSI and ADAAG). Mr. Toms, Mr. Himelein and Mr. Liberti voted to approve the waiver request. Mr. Yoon and Mr. Moore voted to deny the request. The majority believed that the general population using these facilities would not be negatively impacted by reducing the total fixture count, while at the same time maximizing the overall compliance with the building code and with the ADA’s guidelines for accessibility.
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11073-RE
OWNER / Department of State
PROJECT / Townsend Building
Interior Renovations (1st Floor & Lower Level)
DESIGNED BY / Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects
CONTACT PERSON / Kevin Rychlicki
Larry Schrock
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – Nov. ‘11
COMMENTS / This project was withdrawn from November’s agenda at the last minute, but was still reviewed and, subsequently, not approved by the Board. A new set of plans and drawing was received, but still had one error.
1. Insufficient maneuvering space at the entrance door to toilet room #033.
BOARD ACTION / Approved, contingent on correcting the above referenced condition.
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11082
OWNER / University of Delaware
PROJECT / Allison Hall
Renovations
DESIGNED BY / Tevebaugh Associates
CONTACT PERSON / Debra Traini
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / Interior and exterior renovations are being proposed for this building on the U of D campus. Exterior ramps will be constructed in several locations. Interior work will serve to upgrade several existing toilet rooms as well as classroom and office areas. There were some accessibility flaws noted in the design, which include, but may not be limited to, the following:
1. The location of some accessible toilet stall doors (i.e. M328 & W326) is incorrect.
2. Door may not swing into the clear floor space of any fixture. See the stall doors in TRs W127 & M126.
3. In TRs 122 & 126, the water closets appear to be too far away from the side walls.
4. There was insufficient detail provided for the proposed ramps, including handrails, elevations, slopes, etc.
In addition, without knowing the cost of these alterations, any alterations required to be included in the scope of work of this project (per the ADA’s path of travel provision) cannot be determined. For example, the existing non-compliant parking may be required to be corrected as a part of these alterations.
BOARD ACTION / Disapproved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11083
OWNER / DelDOT
PROJECT / Curb Ramp Construction
Lewes, DE (Bay & Savannah Roads)
DESIGNED BY / George, Miles & Burh, LLC
CONTACT PERSON / Tony Rutherford
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / This project proposes installing two new curb ramps at the intersection of Savannah Road and Bay Avenue in Lewes, DE. The design for these new ramps in correct.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11084
OWNER / Delaware Health and Social Services
PROJECT / Northeast State Service Center
Reception Area Alterations
DESIGNED BY / Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Daniel Ridgely
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The planned alterations will be for the current reception area. The design work for these alterations appears to be compliant. The path of travel to this area is compliant, with the exception of the men’s and women’s toilet rooms serving this primary function area. Upgrades to these areas have been included within the scope of work, with the following problems noted:
1. There is no mounting height shown on the drawings for the accessible urinal.
2. The route to the urinals is too narrow. A divider blocks the path.
BOARD ACTION / Approved, contingent on ensuring the above two items are addressed/corrected.
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11085
OWNER / DE Health and Social Services
PROJECT / Retaining Wall – Phase II (Holloway Maintenance Shop)
Step Replacement and Interior Door Installation
DESIGNED BY / Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Daniel Ridgely
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The Board had previously approved the site work for this building in a prior project. The State is now going back to replace the exterior steps (that were not included initially). In addition, an interior door will be installed along an accessible route to a proposed ‘ready room’. This room currently exists, but will be altered in Phase III of this project. The toilet rooms serving the ready room will be upgraded, at that time.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11086
OWNER / DNREC – Parks & Recreation
PROJECT / Summit North Marina
Pole Barn/Maintenance Building
DESIGNED BY / RS Architects, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Chris Lloyd
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / A new maintenance building (pole barn) will be constructed on this site. It will be at grade level and will be used to store equipment for the marina’s upkeep. There are no offices or toilet rooms in this structure.
BOARD ACTION / Approved