ADA Compliance Regulations To Understand

The ADA compliance stands for the American's Disability Act that has been introduced to ensure sidewalks and concrete slabs are accessible and safe for the disabled. If there has been a concrete area that does not follow the ADA compliance regulations, many people are in an unsafe environment that can lead to lawsuits and complications for commercial businesses. In regards to the ADA compliance regulations, there are important factors that come into play that each needs to understand before obtaining a concrete choice for their commercial business.

Surface Texturing

For starters, the surface texturing of every sidewalk is essential for the safety of the disabled. The surface texture needs to be stable, slip-resistant, and firm so the disabled or elderly can walk with confidence. By adding a specific type of texturing, this can stop cracks and uneven slabs from occurring, however, regular maintenance is advised to avoid any trip hazards and staying on top of texturing requirements that the ADA prompts each commercial building to have.

Sloping

The ADA set out a slope requirement for sidewalks for easy access and safety on any sidewalk or concrete slab. For example, sidewalks need to have a slope that is less than 1:20 or it is reflected as a ramp which then falls into a different set of ADA prerequisites.

Concrete Width On Sidewalks

For the disabled that are in wheelchairs or have difficulty walking, the width of the sidewalk is extremely important to the ADA. They refer their compliance regulations to set a minimum side work width of 36 inches which is 3 feet. Many commercial businesses choose to go larger than 3 feet to add comfort and additional convenience, however, if the sidewalk is less than 5 feet wide then there needs to be a passing space added of at least a minimum of 60 inches on all sides.

Curbing Ramps And Tripping Hazards

Another ADA compliance regulation is to determine whether a sidewalk crosses a street or needs a curb ramp installed. Most commercial buildings that have traffic surrounding or near them need to add a curb ramp to help with the disabled or blind from dealing with unsafe traffic levels. There are sloping requirements that curb ramps have to have as well as warning devices and contrasting colors to fall in line with the ADA compliance principles.

However, when it comes to trip hazards, the ADA clarifies that any vertical change around ¼ inch or higher at any joint or crack can be determined as a hazardous point. Therefore, the liabilities that come with the inefficiencies to comply with ADA could fall back on the commercial company.

How To Get Your Concrete To Be ADA Compliant
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The easiest way for commercial companies to be ADA compliant with their concrete decisions is to have a professional like Concrete Contractors GP investigate or install the concrete initially. There are common concerns about resurfacing and leveling that needs to be in line with the guidelines of ADA. Some common concerns are in regards to ramp leveling, handrails, or pass ways that need to be accessible with disabled. Therefore, commercial companies need to consider the overall conditions and deliverance of the concrete to avoid any potential lawsuits that can occur with the inadequacies of falling short of ADA compliance.

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