New in the 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities will be an entire chapter on how to construct accessible recreational facilities. For example, if someone built a swimming pool under the current requirements in International Building Code (IBC) and ICC A117.1, an accessible route would be required to the edge of the pool; however, there are currently no provisions for getting into the water. The 2009 edition will provide technical criteria on options for how to get into the pool.

The 2009 edition of ICC A117.1 will be available mid-2010 and will include provisions for a variety of recreational facilities from the point of view of the participant, not just the observer. The 2009 edition, however, will not require accessible routes for every player position at an area of sports activity. The idea is that someone can get to a recreational facility, but participation in that event will depend on his/her own abilities.

The following is a general idea of the new technical requirements, i.e., the how-to, in the 2009 ICC A117.1.

Definitions and Safety Standards
The new code defines the various types or components of recreational facilities, such as “areas of sports activity,” “catch pool,” “play area,” etc. It references safety standards for playground equipment and the surfaces around them.

General
Areas of sports activities (playing fields, courts, pools, etc.) are required to be on an accessible route. The play areas are required to be accessible to the extent prescribed in the IBC and ICC A117.1. There is an exception for raised structures used for refereeing, judging or scoring—like the umpire on the tall chair at a championship tennis match. Animal containment areas that are not open to the public are not required to be accessible—such as the stables at a trail guide horse-riding establishment. In bowling alleys, only a percentage of lanes are required to be accessible, since all lanes provide the same activity.

Amusement Rides
The requirements address access to amusement rides for persons with disabilities, including persons who use wheelchairs. Either accessibility specifications offer options for a wheelchair space on the ride or a ride seat or device designed for transfer to the ride. There are exceptions for rides: 1) operated by the rider, 2) designed primarily for small children, or 3) not equipped with seats. Amusement ride requirements are not applicable to portable rides, such as those at a carnival or county fair.

Boating Facilities
Gangways and floating piers that serve recreational boating facilities must be able to serve as part of an accessible route. The dynamic interface between land and water presents unique and significant challenges in providing access to floating facilities. The key challenge is the vertical variations caused by changes in water levels due to tides and seasonal water levels. Criteria for gangways consider this. There are exceptions for maximum rise, slope, handrail extensions and level landings. Sloped accessible gangways are not required to be longer than 80 feet. There are specifics for clearances at accessible boating slips.

Exercise Machines and Equipment
Clear floor spaces at accessible exercise equipment must allow for transfer from a wheelchair to the piece of exercise equipment.

Fishing Piers and Platforms
The code treats the route to fishing piers and platforms the same as boating facilities. When the facility provides barriers or railings, it must position a portion of it at a height of 34 inches or lower to allow for someone using a wheelchair to be able to fish over the rail. Where guards are required for safety, the lowered portions are not required. At the fishing locations, an edge protection of at least 2 inches in height must be provided to prevent the wheels of mobility aids from slipping over the edge.

Golf Facilities
One can typically achieve access to golf courses with golf carts. The code permits these carts as an alternative to providing accessible routes throughout golf courses. Courses must be designed so the golf carts can access teeing grounds and putting greens. Accessible routes are required to other areas such as practice greens, driving ranges, cart rental areas and bathrooms.

Miniature Golf Course
At least half of the holes in a miniature golf course must be on an accessible route. Requirements allow for miniature golf design conventions such as curbs. All level areas of an accessible hole where a ball may come to rest must be within 36 inches of the route so that someone can reach the ball with a club.

Playgrounds
Playground access is required in facilities such as those at schools, parks and daycare facilities (not including daycare facilities in a private home). Portions of playground equipment must be on an accessible route and allow children to either play while still in their wheelchairs, or have a transfer surface so they can move up into the equipment. Requirements include provisions for the number of play components required to be accessible, accessible surfacing, ramp access, transfer systems to access elevated structures, and access to soft, contained play structures.

Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas
The size of the pool determines the number of accessible pool entry points. All pools must have at least one accessible point of entry. Larger pools (those with 300 or more linear feet of pool wall) must have two entry points. Options include pool lifts, sloped entries, transfer wall, transfer stairs or ramp access. The standard makes allowances for wading pools, spas, wave action pools and other types of pools where user access is limited to one area. There are exceptions for water slides, diving boards, diving platforms and the associated catchment pools.

Shooting Facilities with Firing Positions
Shooting facilities must provide a level surface for a 60-inch turning space to make a firing position accessible.

Scoping
IBC 2009 Sections 1104.2 and 1109.14 provide the current scoping requirements (i.e., what, where and how many) for the route to and requirements for recreational facilities. A code change proposal, E152-09/10, from Marsha Mazz, representing the Access Board, was heard at the ICC code change hearings in Baltimore. The intent is to provide additional scoping for the broader range of recreational facilities not addressed in the 2009 ICC A117.1. The proposal mirrors the requirements in the 2004 American’s with Disabilities/Architectural Barriers Act (ADA/ABA) Accessibility Guidelines. At this time, the Department of Justice has not yet adopted the new federal requirements. The hearing results are posted on the ICC website at www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes.

Conclusion
The 2009 ICC A117.1 should be available in print by mid-2010. For information on the development, click here. The requirements described above will be applicable for new construction and renovated facilities once jurisdictions adopt 2009 ICC A117.1. The 2012 IBC will reference the 2009 ICC A117.1.

Architects and facilities owners who follow the requirements in the 2009 ICC A117.1 before jurisdictions adopt it will be ahead of the game. It will provide better accessibility, and reduce the cost of future alterations, which is of great benefit. After all, who doesn't love to play!