ADA Concrete Guidelines for Sidewalks

The Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as the ADA, enforces a set of guidelines to make sure certain aspects of properties are accessible to all. One key area where ADA compliance is essential is when installing sidewalks. Suppose the appropriate ADA concrete guidelines are not followed when building a sidewalk. In that case, it can present a considerable challenge for wheelchair users, those with visual impairment, and those using other mobility aids.

ADA Sidewalk Requirements

Let's take a look at some of the steps for creating ADA concrete sidewalks that are fully compliant.

• Sidewalk Width - The width of sidewalks is particularly important as they must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchair users. The minimum requirement is 36 inches, but if they are narrower than 60 inches, there must be a passing space positioned every 200 feet. Those passing places should be 60 inches wide and 60 inches long.
• Sidewalk Surface Texture - The ADA specifies no specific material; the surface texture is what matters. It should be firm, stable, and slop resistant. ADA concrete meets all of these requirements.
• Trip Hazards - Broken, cracked, or lifted sidewalks present a trip hazard for anyone - not just disabled people, so they should be maintained in a timely fashion. The ADA defines a trip hazard as a vertical change of more than a quarter inch. ADA concrete is hardwearing and will stand up to a lot of traffic before cracking.
• Sidewalk Slope - One of the trickiest areas in ADA concrete is achieving the appropriate slope. ADA requirements state that sidewalk slopes must be less than 2%. Otherwise, they are a ramp, and that comes with additional regulations!
• Curb Ramps - If your sidewalk will cross a curb, for example, at an intersection, there needs to be a curb ramp installed. These must be a minimum of 36 inches wide and have a slope of less than 1:12. Curb ramps also need truncated domes - a detectable warning for the visually impaired.

Is Your ADA Concrete Sidewalk Fully Compliant?

Do you know whether or not your sidewalk is ADA compliant? Even if it was compliant when you first opened your business, that doesn't necessarily mean you are still in compliance. ADA standards change from time to time, and you may no longer be in the required margins. In addition, heavy traffic can wear down your sidewalk, and damage can develop. It is important to maintain ADA concrete to make sure it remains compliant.

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Why Wait to be "Forced" into ADA Compliance. If you are a public business or public property owner, save money, lawsuits, time and headaches by being prepared and avoiding it all in the first place. It’s time to call in the ADA pros. Use Protrk, an ADA construction expert, to Get it Done Right Prior to Forced Compliance. 

Call 415-813-9877 today or visit www.protrkconstruction.com for more details.