Make sure you are in compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
General contractors in the Bay Area are subject to a variety of local, state, and federal regulations. For instances, contractors across the country must understand and comply with the requirements laid out in the ADA. To help you avoid making costly mistakes, here are some of the common ADA questions answered for your benefit.
- What is the ADA?
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a set of building regulations that were signed into law in 1990. This Act mandates that all new buildings be designed and constructed to accommodate people with disabilities.
- Is housing affected by ADA standards?
The Fair Housing Act mandates that all new “covered multifamily dwellings” be accessible to people with disabilities. “Covered multifamily dwellings” refers to an array of residential buildings such as apartments, condos, residential hotels, and the like.
- What are the basic ADA requirements for a new build?
To ensure that all newly constructed buildings are accessible to persons with disabilities, the ADA requires new construction to meet the following requirements:
- Have an accessible entrance on an accessible route.
- Have accessible public use areas.
- Have doors that can be operated by people in wheelchairs.
- Have hallways wide enough to fit wheelchairs.
- Have reinforced bathroom walls to accommodate the installation of grab bars.
- Do these requirements apply to existing/repurposed buildings?
Current ADA requirements may not apply to repurposed buildings, such as a commercial space that has been converted into housing. ADA regulations mainly affect new buildings constructed after March 31, 1991.
These are some of the things that you need to know about the ADA’s requirements for new construction. Looking for a team of experienced general contractors in the Bay Area to ensure that your new project adheres to all local, state, and federal construction regulations? Then turn to the experts at Proforma Construction. Serving Pleasanton and the surrounding California area, our highly-trained team is ready to make your commercial construction dreams a reality. Contact us to get started today.