Primary Floor Surfaces

In an friendly home, you need accessible spaces to travel from bedroom to bathroom to . . .

An accessible hallway and desk.

An accessible hallway and desk.

PRIMARY FLOOR SPACES—Width, Depth, and Slope, Wheelchair Clear Floor Space, Minimum Width, Running Slope, Cross Slope, Vertical Change In Level, Beveled Change In Level, Floor Tile, Carpet, Deck and Grate Spacing.

PRIMARY FLOOR SPACES—Width, Depth, and Slope, Wheelchair Clear Floor Space, Minimum Width, Running Slope, Cross Slope, Vertical Change In Level, Beveled Change In Level, Floor Tile, Carpet, Deck and Grate Spacing.

WIDTH, DEPTH, AND SLOPE—Accessible routes have firm, stable, slip resistant floor surfaces. Accessible routes also have guidelines for width, depth, and slope.

WIDTH, DEPTH, AND SLOPE—Accessible routes have firm, stable, slip resistant floor surfaces. Accessible routes also have guidelines for width, depth, and slope.

For wheelchair access the constant rule is, every interior floor surface and every exterior floor surface must be an accessible floor surface.

For wheelchair access the constant rule is, every interior floor surface and every exterior floor surface must be an accessible floor surface.

WHEELCHAIR CLEAR FLOOR SPACE—a. 30 inches (762 mm) is the minimum width. b. 48 inches (1219 mm) is the minimum depth.

WHEELCHAIR CLEAR FLOOR SPACE—a. 30 inches (762 mm) is the minimum width. b. 48 inches (1219 mm) is the minimum depth.

A wheelchair clear floor space is a zone of comfort surrounding a wheelchair everywhere it goes.

A wheelchair clear floor space is a zone of comfort surrounding a wheelchair everywhere it goes.

MINIMUM WIDTH—36 inches (914 mm) is the minimum width of an accessible route more than 24 inches (610 mm) in depth. Sidewalks, landings, and ramps are examples.

MINIMUM WIDTH—36 inches (914 mm) is the minimum width of an accessible route more than 24 inches (610 mm) in depth. Sidewalks, landings, and ramps are examples.

MINIMUM WIDTH (continued)—32 inches (813 mm) is the minimum width of an accessible route 24 inches (610 mm) or less in depth.

MINIMUM WIDTH (continued)—32 inches (813 mm) is the minimum width of an accessible route 24 inches (610 mm) or less in depth.

RUNNING SLOPE—a: An accessible route with a running slope of 1 : 20 or less is not a ramp. b: Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1 : 20 shall be considered a ramp.

RUNNING SLOPE—a: An accessible route with a running slope of 1 : 20 or less is not a ramp. b: Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1 : 20 shall be considered a ramp.

A floor surface that rises or falls in the direction of travel has a running slope. When an accessible route is relatively flat, when it is not a ramp, that accessible route has a minimum width and an unlimited depth. Note: An accessible route steep

A floor surface that rises or falls in the direction of travel has a running slope. When an accessible route is relatively flat, when it is not a ramp, that accessible route has a minimum width and an unlimited depth. Note: An accessible route steeper than 1 : 20 is a ramp. A ramp's width, depth, and slope guidelines are on page 63.

CROSS SLOPE—1 : 48 is the maximum cross slope of an accessible route.

CROSS SLOPE—1 : 48 is the maximum cross slope of an accessible route.

A cross slope, the slope ninety degrees to the direction of travel, plays an important role in shedding water away from exterior walls and entrance doors. Also, when a path has too much cross slope, gravity will naturally take a wheelchair off-course

A cross slope, the slope ninety degrees to the direction of travel, plays an important role in shedding water away from exterior walls and entrance doors. Also, when a path has too much cross slope, gravity will naturally take a wheelchair off-course, left or right, requiring a constant course correction. A pathway demanding that much exertion is not an accessible route.

VERTICAL CHANGE IN LEVEL—1/4 inch (6.35 mm) is the maximum vertical change in level from one floor surface to another.

VERTICAL CHANGE IN LEVEL—1/4 inch (6.35 mm) is the maximum vertical change in level from one floor surface to another.

A smooth transition from floor surface to floor surface is the ideal. The reality is, changes in level are commonplace. A quarter-inch tall threshold at a doorway is a typical application. A quarter-inch difference in height from the bathroom floor

A smooth transition from floor surface to floor surface is the ideal. The reality is, changes in level are commonplace. A quarter-inch tall threshold at a doorway is a typical application. A quarter-inch difference in height from the bathroom floor to the shower floor is another.

BEVELED CHANGE IN LEVEL—a. 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) is the maximum height. b. 1 : 2 is the maximum running slope. Note: A locality may allow an exception at a sliding door and allow a 3/4 inch (19.05 mm) maximum height provided the sliding do

BEVELED CHANGE IN LEVEL—a. 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) is the maximum height. b. 1 : 2 is the maximum running slope. Note: A locality may allow an exception at a sliding door and allow a 3/4 inch (19.05 mm) maximum height provided the sliding door has a threshold with a 1 : 2 bevel on both sides.

A threshold at an entrance door is a familiar change in level that creates a beveled transition from floor surface to floor surface. To ensure a smooth transition, the finished floor on either side of the threshold must be established. Other views of

A threshold at an entrance door is a familiar change in level that creates a beveled transition from floor surface to floor surface. To ensure a smooth transition, the finished floor on either side of the threshold must be established. Other views of a floor surface to floor surface transition are on page 27.

FLOOR TILE—Floor tile must be slip resistant. CARPET—1/2 inch (12.7 mm) is the maximum pile height. All exposed edges require trim. Note: The combination of pad and carpet, or carpet by itself, must be firm and stable. Also, a lower pile heigh

FLOOR TILE—Floor tile must be slip resistant. CARPET—1/2 inch (12.7 mm) is the maximum pile height. All exposed edges require trim. Note: The combination of pad and carpet, or carpet by itself, must be firm and stable. Also, a lower pile height will improve maneuverability. DECK OR GRATE SPACING—1/2 inch (12.7 mm) is the maximum width between deck boards or grating.

FLOOR TILE—Floor tile must be slip resistant. The grout joints between tiles must also adhere to the guidelines for a beveled or a vertical change in level. When backer board is included in a subfloor's design, the transition from floor surface to fl

FLOOR TILE—Floor tile must be slip resistant. The grout joints between tiles must also adhere to the guidelines for a beveled or a vertical change in level. When backer board is included in a subfloor's design, the transition from floor surface to floor surface can be reduced to zero by choosing the right combination of tile and board. CARPET TRIM—Carpet trim must create a change in level so that a wheelchair can roll across without excessive effort. The change in level from one floor surface to another determines whether a transition has a 1 : 2 bevel or a vertical change in level. DECK AND GRATE SPACING—Deck boards or elongated spaces between grating should run perpendicular to the predominant direction of travel.

A 1/4 inch tall threshold at the transition from exterior to interior.

A 1/4 inch tall threshold at the transition from exterior to interior.

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