ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN CANADA – BASED ON

CANADIAN BUILDING CODES

Presented to: Interior Designers of Canada

Largest and oldest Building Code/fire protection firm in Canada

3 offices: Toronto (Head Office), Ottawa, Owen Sound

We provide services for projects across North America and Internationally

LRI: WHO WE ARE

Code Consulting Services• Building Code Review, Fire Code Review,

Drawing Review, Fire Modeling, Alternative Solutions

Life Safety Services• Fire Safety Planning, Fire Safety Training

Seminars, Fire Drill Evaluations

System Engineering Services• Fire Protection Systems Evaluation, Fire

Alarm/Fire Suppression Systems Design

LRI: WHAT WE DO

Review of: • Building Codes in Canada

• Highlights of Barrier-free sections within the National Building Code and Provincial Building Codes

• Focused highlights of the Accessible Design for the Built Environment (CAN/CSA B651)

WEBINAR AGENDA

BUILDING CODES IN CANADA

2010 National Building Code of Canada (NBC)• Model Code for Canada

Provincial adoption or adaption of NBC• New Brunswick• Manitoba• Nova Scotia• Saskatchewan• Newfoundland and Labrador• Northwest Territories• Nunavut• Yukon• Prince Edward Island

BUILDING CODES IN CANADA

Provincial Building Codes• 2006 Alberta Building Code (ABC)• 2006 British Columbia Building Code (BCBC)• 2006 Ontario Building Code (OBC)• 2006 Quebec Construction Code (QCC)

BUILDING CODES IN CANADA

2006 Provincial Codes are based on 2005 NBC

2010 NBC Section 3.8.• No significant change from 2005 NBC

Upcoming 2011 Provincial Codes• Section 3.8. may be revised from 2006 editions

2005 NBC 2010 NBC

OTHER REGULATIONS

Canadian Standard which can be used in the design and construction of new facilities or modifications to existing facilities, generally as a reference document

ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (CAN/CSA B651)

Additional accessibility documents and standards may be applicable to projects in some provinces/municipalities

Client/contract requirements

It is the designers responsibility to be aware of all legislated documents and standards applicable to each project

OTHER ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS

Highlights of Barrier-free National Building Code and Provincial Building Codes

An accessible route into and throughout a floor area

Permitted to include ramps, passenger elevators, other platform equipped passenger elevating device to overcome a difference in level greater than 13 mm

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL

Minimum unobstructed width must be 920 mm with the following exceptions:• 1100 mm – OBC• 1500 mm – BCBC

“lay-by” spaces, for wheelchair passing, must be located not more than 30 m apart and provide a minimum 1500 mm x 1500 mm clear space except the following:• 1600 mm x 1600 mm (where the path is less than

1600 mm) – OBC• Not required (due to wider path of travel) – BCBC

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL

MINIMUMUnobstructed Width

30mMaximum

Lay by Spaces

Floor levels not served by an elevator, escalator, moving walk, etc.

Elevated/sunken portions of a floor area which are provided with the same amenities as the main floor area

Dwelling units (i.e. houses and within suites of residential occupancy ); except 10% OBC

Rooms/spaces that are “not occupied” are not exempt (i.e. storage rooms)

EXEMPTIONS TO BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL (EXCEPT BCBC)

Storeys above or below the accessible entrance storey in a building/suite not more than two storeys if:• less than 600 m2 in area, • don’t contain facilities integral to the function of the

accessible storey, and • don’t contain an assembly occupancy greater than 100

m2

Group C dwelling units, row houses, boarding houses, and lodging houses

Floor levels not served by an elevator, escalator, moving walk, etc. are not exempt.

EXEMPTIONS TO BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL - BCBC

Barrier-free path of travel is described for specific occupancy groups and specific building types, such as:• Theatres, Studios, Opera Houses, Amusement

Arcades and Billiard Halls, Schools and Colleges (residential and nonresidential), Drive-in Theatres, Psychiatric Hospitals and Police Stations, Banks, etc.

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Assembly Occupancies - Access must be provided to:• Each type of public facility (refreshments,

recreational, offices, etc.)• Accessible viewing positions• Amenities, special-use public areas (i.e.

changing rooms, interview rooms, bowling lanes, etc.) Some amenities/areas require “all” to be

accessible, others require “at least one” to be accessible

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Care and Detention Occupancies – Access must be provided to: • Jails

areas where visitors are admitted accessible visitor washrooms

• Psychiatric Hospitals, Police Stations, and Care Facilities areas where work functions can reasonably be

expected to be performed by persons with disabilities

accessible washrooms serving each accessible area each type of facility

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Residential Occupancies• Apartment/Condominium Buildings

Access must be provided from the street and a private parking area to the main entrance, and from the main entrance to an elevator

• Hotels/Motels Access must be provided to all public facilities/storeys At least one in every 40 sleeping units must be

accessible At least one in every 20 sleeping units, which is not

accessible must have a visual warning system Public washrooms must be accessible

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Residential Occupancies• Residential schools/colleges and Dormitories

At least one in every 40 bed spaces must be accessible Bed spaces which are not accessible must have a visual

warning system Accessible washrooms must be provided to serve

accessible bed spaces

• Residential Clubs Where sleeping accommodation is provided for 10 or more

people in single or double rooms, at least one room must be accessible *

Sleeping rooms which are not accessible must have a visual warning system

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Business and Personal Services Occupancies• General

At least one accessible washroom must be either available to all suites or provided in each suite

Access must be provided to all public areas

• Banks Access must be provided to every type of public

facility, at least one teller location, and ATMs, night deposit boxes, where provided

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Business and Personal Services Occupancies• Barbers and Hairdressers

Access must be provided to at least one hairdressing sink, where provided

• Self-service Laundry and Dry-cleaning Access must be provided to at least one of each

type of equipment for public use

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Mercantile Occupancies• At least one accessible washroom must be

either available to all suites or provided in each suite

• Access must be provided to all public facilities

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Industrial Occupancies• High Hazard – not required

• Low/Medium Hazard, Service Stations, Parking Garages Access must be provided to all public areas Washrooms provided within a service station

must be accessible Within a parking garage, access must only be

provided to storeys containing accessible parking spaces

BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL – BCBC

Where a barrier-free path of travel is provided to levels above/below the entrance level, protection of the floor area must be protected.

Protection is achieved by:• Vestibules serving elevator lobbies,• Fire compartments (i.e. zones) such that persons with

disabilities can be accommodated in each zone and the travel distance from one zone to the other does not exceed the travel distance permitted for the occupancy, or

• Sprinkler protection

PROTECTION ON FLOOR AREAS WITH A BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL

PROTECTION ON FLOOR AREAS WITH A BARRIER-FREE PATH OF TRAVEL

SPRINKLERED FLOOR AREA FLOOR AREA SERVED BYPROTECTED ELEVATOR

FLOOR AREA DIVIDED INTO FIRE ZONES

PRESSUIZE OVER 3STOREYS

ZONE 'A' ZONE 'B'

OPEN INTOVESTIBULE ORPUBLIC CORRIDOR

Each building must have barrier-free entrances • Not less than 50% of pedestrian entrances - NBC, ABC,

QCC• At least one main entrance - BCBC• Based on table below - OBC

BARRIER-FREE ENTRANCES

Pedestrian Entrances

Minimum # of Barrier-Free Pedestrian Entrances

1-3 1

4-5 2

6+ Not less than 50%

Required minimum clear door width is 800 mm except:• 850 mm – OBC

Only the active leaf in a multiple leaf door in a barrier-free path of travel must be barrier-free.

DOORS

DOORS

Clear space on the latch-side of the doorway is required to provide maneuvering space for wheeled mobility devices on both sides of a door

Clear space extends the height of the door and • Minimum 300 mm beside the door latch on the push side• Minimum 600 mm beside the door latch on the pull side

Sliding doors• Not specifically addressed – rule of thumb: Minimum 300 mm

both sides

Each side of any door opening onto a suite in a hotel or motel must have a maneuvering area minimum 1500 mm in diameter on each side (QCC)

DOORS

DOORS

Where doors are located in a series (i.e. vestibule) the space between the doors must:• Allow for movement of

wheelchairs between doors• The minimum distance

between doors when in the open position is 1200 mm

DOORS

300 mm

1200 mm

600 mm

Where vision panels are provided in a door, the panel must be (OBC):• at least 75 mm wide• located with bottom of the panel not more than

900 mm above the floor• edge of the panel not more than 250 mm from

latch side of the door

DOORS

900

min

.M

ax.

250 mmMax.

250 mmMax.

250 mmMax.

900

min

.M

ax.

75 mmMin.

Glazed doors must be designed so that the position of the door is apparent by means of installing non-transparent hardware, bars, or other permanent fixtures. (All except OBC)

Glazed doors must be marked with a continuous opaque strip that is (OBC):• Colour and brightness contrast with

background• Minimum 50 mm wide• Be located at a height of 1350 mm – 1500 mm

above the floor

DOORS

Power door operators must be provided at:• Barrier-free designated entrances with the following

exceptions: Buildings containing a Group B-1, Group C (except hotels), or Group F

occupancy Buildings smaller than 500 m2 containing a Group A, Group B-3, Group

D, or Group E occupancy Individual suites smaller than 500 m2 in a building containing only

suites of Group A, Group B, Group D, or Group E occupancy

• Universal toilet rooms if equipped with a self-closing device (OBC)

• Doors not provided with required latch side clearances

DOORS

Minimum clear width between handrails must be 870 mm, except:• 890 mm – 940 mm, 1500 mm (BCBC)• 900 mm (OBC)

Maximum clear width between handrails• 920 mm if the ramp does not reduce the required

width of a means of egress (QCC)

RAMPS

Maximum slope must be 1:12 except:• BCBC based on table below

RAMPS

Slope Max. Length

Max. Landing Interval

Required Ramp Width

Handrail Required

Over 1:20 – 1:16

None 12 m 890 mm – 940 mm

Both sides

Over 1:16 – 1:12

None 9 m 890 mm - 940 mm

Both sides

Over 1:12 – 1:10

6 m - 1500 mm Both sides if > 2 m

Over 1:10 – 1:8

600 mm - 1500 mm Not required

Minimum 1500 mm x 1500 mm landings must be provided at the top, bottom, and at intermediate levels leading to a door, except:• 1670 mm x 1670 mm (OBC)• 1500 mm x width of the ramp (BCBC)

At intervals not more than 9 m, landings measuring at least 1200 mm by the width of the ramp must be provided except:• 1670 mm x width of the ramp (OBC)• 1500 mm x width of the ramp (BCBC – at intervals

specified in table on above slide)

RAMPS

Landings measuring at least 1200 mm by the width of ramp must be provided at abrupt changes in the direction of the ramp, except:• 1200 mm x 1200 mm (ABC - 90° turn)• 1500 mm x 1500 mm (ABC - 180° turn)• 1500 mm x width of the ramp (BCBC)• 1670 mm x width of the ramp (OBC)

RAMPS

Walls or guards must be provided on both sides of a ramp

Minimum guard height is 1070 mm

Guard openings must not permit the passage of a sphere with diameter more than 100 mm

Guards must be designed to prevent climbability between 140 mm – 900 mm above the ramp (i.e. horizontal members, attachment, etc.)

RAMPS

A ramp must have a curb where a solid enclosure or solid guard is not provided:• Minimum 75 mm (BCBC)• Minimum 50 mm (OBC)

Otherwise, ramps must have a railing or other barrier that extends to:• 75 mm of the finished ramp surface (BCBC)• 50 mm of the finished ramp surface (OBC)

RAMPS

Intermediate handrail if ramp is required to be > 2200 mm wide

Handrail height must be 865 mm – 965 mm along the length of ramp

Handrails must extend at least 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the ramp

RAMPS

RAMPS

Controls for power door operators, building services or safety devices, including electrical switches, thermostats, and intercom switches must be installed 400 mm – 1200 mm above the floor except:• 900 mm – 1200 mm above the floor (OBC)

CONTROLS

WASHROOMS

A washroom provided on a floor level with a barrier-free path of travel must be barrier-free unless other barrier-free washrooms are provided on the same floor area within 45 m, unless:• It is located within a suite of D, E, or F occupancy, • is less than 500 m2 (NBC), 300 m2 (OBC), and• is completely separated with no access to the

remainder of the building.

All washrooms in a barrier-free path of travel must be barrier-free unless they are located within an individual suite less than 500 m2 and there are barrier-free washrooms on the same floor area within 45 m (ABC). Where more than one washroom is required, one barrier-free stall must be provided for every 10 stalls (or part thereof).

REQUIRED BARRIER-FREE WASHROOMS

A washroom provided on a floor level required to be barrier-free must be barrier-free unless (QCC):• It is located within a suite less than 250 m2 and other barrier-free

washrooms are provided on the same floor area within 45 m, or • The suite has at least one barrier-free washroom on the same floor area

In buildings and occupancies required to have washrooms, where the occupant load of the building or occupancy exceeds 150 , barrier-free public washrooms must be provided on floor areas required to be barrier-free (BCBC)

At least one universal toilet room is required per accessible building/occupancy (BCBC only)

REQUIRED BARRIER-FREE WASHROOMS

Seat height must be 400 mm – 460 mm above the floor except:

• 430 mm- 480 mm above the floor (BCBC)

Seat back must be equipped with seat lid or other back support

Seat type must not be spring-actuated

Flushing controls must be hand-operated and easily accessible to a wheelchair user or automatically operable

WATER CLOSETS

WATER CLOSETS

* BCBC – 430 mm – 480 mm

Water closet must be located 285 mm – 305 mm from an adjacent side wall (NBC, QCC)

Centreline of water closet 460 mm – 480 mm from an adjacent side wall (ABC, OBC)

Centreline of water closet 420 mm – 480 mm from an adjacent side wall and at least 1020 mm from any obstruction on the opposite side (BCBC)

WATER CLOSET LOCATION WITHIN A STALL

Water closet 285 mm – 305 mm from an adjacent sidewall on one side and not less than 875 mm on the other side (NBC, ABC, QCC)

Centreline of water closet 460 mm – 480 mm from an adjacent sidewall on one side and not less than 1020 mm on the other side (OBC)

Same requirements as water closet stall (BCBC)

WATER CLOSET LOCATION WITHIN A UNIVERSAL

Height of a wall mounted urinal must be 488 mm – 512 mm above the floor except:• 490 mm – 510 mm above the floor (BCBC)

Height of a floor mounted urinal must be such that the rim is level with the finished floor

Minimum clear width of approach must be 800 mm with no step in front

Grab bars must be vertically mounted on each side

URINALS (not addressed in OBC)

Centreline location must be at least 460 mm to the sidewall

Height of lavatories must be such that the top is not more than 865 mm above the floor except:• 840 mm (OBC)

LAVATORIES

Clearance beneath the lavatory must be at least 760 mm wide and:• 735 mm high at front edge (All except QCC)

• 685 mm high at a point 205 mm back from front edge except: 250 mm back from front edge (BCBC) 280mm back from front edge (QCC)

• 230 mm high over the distance from a point 280 mm to a point 430 mm back from front edge except: 250 mm high to a point 500 mm back from front edge

(BCBC)

LAVATORIES

Lavatory faucet handles• Operate automatically or have lever-type handles that do

not close under spring action (BCBC, OBC)• Located with centreline of faucet to the edge of the basin

or front edge of vanity is not more than 485 mm (OBC)• Not regulated (NBC, ABC, QCC)

Where mirrors are provided above lavatories, at least one must be mounted with bottom edge not more than 1000 mm above the floor, or, be inclined to be usable by a person in a wheelchair

LAVATORIES

LAVATORIES

Dimensions reflect typical requirements (BCBC and QCC differ slightly)

230

mm

min

.

685

mm

min

.

735

mm

min

.

840

mm

MA

X.

100

0 m

m M

AX

.

UN

LE

SS

MIR

RO

R I

S I

NC

LIN

ED

INSULATE PIPESWHERE WATERTEMPERATURE ISGREATER THAN43 DEG. C.

WHERE MIRRORSARE PROVIDED INBARRIER-FREEWASHROOMS, INCLINEMIN. OF 1 MIRRORTO THE VERTICAL

485 mm MAX.

205 mm

min.

Horizontal, vertical, sloping and/or L-shaped grab bars are required within water closet stalls, universal toilet rooms, showers and bathtubs.• Location varies by fixture and Province

Soap dispensers are required

Hand dryers/towel dispensers are required

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

Water closet stall enclosures must be at least 1500 mm x 1500 mm, except: • Provide an open space 1500 mm diameter (ABC)

Doors serving the water closet stall must be at least 800 mm except:• 810 mm (OBC)

Doors must swing outward, except that inward swinging doors are permitted provided the door swing permits the door to close without interfering with a wheelchair, except:• A clear unobstructed space of 760 mm x 1220 mm is provided (OBC)• A clear unobstructed space 1200 mm in diameter is provided (QCC)• Inward swinging not permitted (BCBC)

STALL ENCLOSURES

STALL ENCLOSURES

min.clear opening

Clearance beyond water closet stall door must be:• Minimum of 1700 mm from stall wall to an in-

swinging door • 1400 mm from stall wall to wall-mounted

fixture/obstruction

STALL ENCLOSURES

STALL ENCLOSURES

wall mountedfixture

door towashroom

stall stall stall

1.4

m

1.7

m

Internal dimensions between all walls must not be less than 1700 mm except:• Floor area not less than 3.7 m2 and no internal

dimension between walls less than 1700 mm when door swings out, or

• Floor area not less than 4.0 m2 and no internal dimension between walls less than 1800 mm when door swings in (BCBC only)

Minimum 1500 mm diameter clear space must be provided and is not permitted to overlap fixtures

UNIVERSAL TOILET ROOMS

UNIVERSAL TOILET ROOMS

1500

1500

If showers are provided, at least one shower in each group of showers must be at least 1500 mm wide x 900 mm deep

Clear space at shower entrance must be at least 900 mm x the width of the shower except:• 1500 mm wide entrance (BCBC)

SHOWERS

Hinged seat must be minimum 450 mm x 400 mm, at a height of 450 mm above the floor (NBC, ABC, OBC, QCC)

Portable or wall-mounted folding seat must be 40 mm – 60 mm less than the shower compartment depth by 430 mm – 530 mm wide, at a height of 430 mm – 480 mm above the floor (BCBC)

SHOWERS - SEAT

SHOWERS

900

mm

min

.90

0 m

m m

in.

500 mm

900 mm min.

1500 mm min.

CLEARFLOORAREA

Max. 13 mm.THRESHOLD

Bathtubs must be barrier-free if:• Installed in a suite of residential occupancy that is required to be

barrier-free (NBC, ABC, and OBC for hotels)• If bathtubs are provided in a non-residential club, school, or

college, a dormitory, or public toilets, at least one bathtub (BCBC)• Individual bathtubs provided for patients/residents in Group B, Div.

2 or 3 (OBC)

Bathtub must be located in a room that has no internal dimension between walls less than 1700 mm and a 1500 mm diameter clear space (NBC, ABC)

Clear floor space must be:• 750 mm wide x length of bathtub (NBC)• 900 mm wide x length of bathtub (ABC)• 800 mm wide x 1500 mm long (BCBC, QCC)

BATHTUBS

BATHTUBS

Every counter more than 2 m long which serves the public is required to have a barrier-free section except:• OBC – not addressed

Barrier-free section of counter must be• Not less than 760 mm long centered over a knee space not less

than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high, and 485 mm deep, and • Not more than 865 mm above the floor

COUNTERS

COUNTERS

760 mm min.

485 mm

685

mm

min

.

865

mm

max

.

min.

CAN/CSA B651 ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FOR THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT

Addresses topics not regulated by NBC such as:• Signage and visual displays• Rest area seating• Furniture/counters• Floor and ground surfaces

CSA B651

Seating spaces for persons in wheelchairs, provided at counters, tables, or other work surfaces must have:• Clear floor area at least 750 mm x 1200 mm• Adequate maneuvering space to approach them• Height between 730 mm – 860 mm from the floor• Knee clearance at least 750 mm wide by 480 mm deep by 680

mm high where s forward approach is used (may overlap clear floor area by up to 480 mm)

CSA B651

CSA B651

CSA B651

A bench or seat area must• Be located adjacent to an accessible route (barrier-

free path of travel)• Have a level and firm surface• Have an adjacent level and firm area at least 850 mm

x 1200 mm that is not part of the route of travel

Benches and seats must:• Be stable• Have a seat height of 450 mm – 500 mm from the floor• Provide back rest and arm rest options (i.e. some

with, some without)

CSA B651

CSA B651

Floor and ground surfaces must:• Be stable and firm• Be slip resistant• Produce minimal glare• Not be heavily patterned

Detectible floor and ground warning surfaces must be used to inform persons who are walking over them of three possible situations:• A hazard indicator signals that a person should stop• A warning indicator signals that caution should be taken• A directional indicator facilitates way-finding in open

areas and signals a route to be taken

CSA B651

A detectible hazard indicator must be located at:• An unprotected drop-off edge such as a transit

platform, where the elevation change is greater than 250 mm and the slope is steeper than 1:3

• The unprotected edges of a reflecting pool• Curb ramps• An entry into a vehicular route or area where no

curbs or other elements separate it from the pedestrian route of travel

CSA B651

CSA B651

A detectible warning indicator must be located at:• At the top of stairs where the stairs are not

enclosed• At each landing incorporating an entrance into a

stair system• Where the regular pattern of a stairway is

broken• Where the run of a landing not having

continuous handrail is greater than 2100 mm

CSA B651

CSA B651

Where signage, including electronic display monitors, is provided, it must:• Be consistently located• Be positioned to avoid shadow areas and glare• Have a glare-free surface• Be of uniform design• When used to display the same type of

information within the same facility, be consistently shaped, coloured, and positioned

• Colour-contrasted with its background

CSA B651

Information on visual displays must be:• Supplemented by tactile and/or auditory

information• Colour-contrasted• Located on a glare-free surface

CSA B651

1. 2010 National Building Code of Canada2. 2006 Alberta Building Code3. 2006 British Columbia Building Code4. 2006 Quebec Construction Code5. 2006 Ontario Building Code6. Illustrated Guide to the 1997 Building

Code (graphics only)7. CAN/CSA B651 Accessible Design for the

Built Environment

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY