ADA Accessibility Compliance Inspection

Per ADA Standards Section 502, accessible parking spaces must be provided based on total parking count — 1 per 25 spaces for lots of 1-100, with van-accessible spaces comprising at least 1 in every 6 accessible spaces. Standard accessible spaces must be 96 inches wide minimum with a 60-inch access aisle. Van-accessible spaces require a 96-inch wide space with a 96-inch access aisle (or 132-inch space with 60-inch aisle). Per Section 403, the accessible route from parking to building entrance must have a maximum running slope of 1:20 (5%) and cross slope of 1:48 (2.08%).

1. Count total parking spaces and verify the correct number of accessible spaces are provided

2. Measure accessible space widths (96" minimum) and access aisle widths (60" or 96" for van)

3. Verify accessible spaces are located on the shortest accessible route to the building entrance

4. Measure running slope (max 5%) and cross slope (max 2.08%) of the accessible route

5. Check for proper signage — ISA symbol mounted 60 inches minimum to bottom of sign, van spaces marked "Van Accessible"

- Insufficient number of accessible parking spaces for total lot count

- Access aisles blocked by landscape features, utility poles, or encroaching vehicles

- Accessible route from parking to entrance exceeds maximum slope requirements

- Missing or improperly mounted signage at accessible parking spaces

Per ADA Standards Section 404, accessible doorways must provide a minimum 32-inch clear width when the door is open 90 degrees. Maneuvering clearances must be provided on both sides of the door per Section 404.2.4 — front approach pull side requires 60 inches depth and 18 inches latch-side clearance. Door hardware must be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting per Section 404.2.7 (lever handles or push/pull bars). Maximum door opening force is 5 lbf for interior doors; fire doors may not exceed the minimum force allowed by the fire code.

1. Measure clear door opening width — minimum 32 inches with door open at 90 degrees

2. Verify maneuvering clearances on both sides of the door match required dimensions for approach type

3. Test door hardware operability — must work with one hand, closed fist (no knobs or tight grasp)

4. Measure door opening force with a pressure gauge — maximum 5 lbf for interior hinged doors

5. Check door closing speed — minimum 5 seconds to close from 90 degrees to 12 degrees

- Clear opening width below 32 inches due to projecting hardware or stops

- Insufficient maneuvering clearance on pull side of door (less than 18 inches latch-side)

- Round doorknobs installed instead of lever hardware on accessible routes

- Door closers adjusted too aggressively exceeding 5 lbf opening force

Per ADA Standards Section 403, accessible routes must have a minimum clear width of 36 inches continuously, widening to 60 inches for two wheelchairs to pass or providing 60-inch passing spaces at intervals not exceeding 200 feet. Where the accessible route makes a 180-degree turn around an obstruction less than 48 inches wide, the clear width must be 42 inches minimum approaching the turn and 48 inches at the turn per Section 403.5.2. Changes in level up to 1/4 inch may be vertical; changes between 1/4 and 1/2 inch must be beveled at 1:2 maximum.

1. Measure corridor width — minimum 36 inches clear, with 60-inch passing spaces every 200 feet

2. Check for protruding objects — objects mounted between 27 and 80 inches above floor must not project more than 4 inches into the path per Section 307

3. Verify level changes — maximum 1/4 inch vertical, 1/4 to 1/2 inch beveled at 1:2

4. Measure turning spaces — 60-inch diameter circle or T-shaped turning space at direction changes

5. Confirm floor surfaces are firm, stable, and slip-resistant per Section 302

- Protruding objects (fire extinguisher cabinets, signs) exceeding 4-inch projection into path

- Corridor width reduced below 36 inches by furniture, equipment, or storage

- Level changes at thresholds exceeding 1/2 inch without ramp treatment

- Missing detectable warnings at hazardous vehicular areas adjacent to accessible routes

Per ADA Standards Section 405, ramp running slope must not exceed 1:12 (8.33%) with cross slope not exceeding 1:48 (2.08%). Ramp runs must be 36 inches wide minimum and limited to 30 inches maximum rise per run. Level landings must be provided at the top and bottom of each ramp run — 60 inches long minimum and as wide as the ramp. Per Section 504, stairs on accessible routes must have uniform riser heights (4 to 7 inches) and tread depths (11 inches minimum). Handrails per Section 505 must be 34 to 38 inches high with 12-inch extensions at top and bottom.

1. Measure ramp slope with a digital level — maximum 1:12 running slope, 1:48 cross slope

2. Verify ramp width (36" minimum), rise per run (30" maximum), and landing dimensions (60" x ramp width)

3. Check handrail height (34-38 inches), graspability (1-1/4 to 2 inch circular cross-section), and extensions (12 inches)

4. Measure stair riser uniformity (4-7 inch range) and tread depth (11 inches minimum)

5. Verify edge protection — curbs, walls, or railings prevent wheelchair wheels from slipping off ramp edges

- Ramp slope exceeds 1:12 maximum due to constrained site conditions

- Missing or undersized level landings at top or bottom of ramp runs

- Handrail extensions missing or obstructing circulation at landings

- Open risers on stairs along accessible routes (not permitted per Section 504.3)

Per ADA Standards Section 407, elevator car dimensions must provide a minimum 54-inch depth and 36-inch clear door width for standard elevators. Hall call buttons must be centered at 42 inches above the floor with visible and audible signals per Section 407.2.2. Car controls must be located between 15 and 48 inches above the floor (54 inches for side reach) per Section 308. Buttons must have raised characters and Braille per Section 407.4.7. Door reopening devices must remain open for a minimum of 20 seconds and detect objects passing through at 5 and 29 inches above the floor per Section 407.3.3.

1. Measure elevator car interior dimensions — minimum 54-inch depth and 80-inch width (or per Section 407.4.1 table)

2. Verify hall call button height at 42 inches and check for visible and audible arrival signals

3. Check car control panel height — buttons between 15 and 48 inches (front reach) above floor

4. Confirm raised characters and Braille designations on all car controls and jamb plates

5. Test door reopening device — must detect objects at 5 and 29 inches and hold open minimum 20 seconds

- Car control buttons mounted above 48-inch front reach range

- Missing Braille or raised character markings on elevator buttons and jamb plates

- Door reopening device fails to detect objects at the 5-inch height (wheelchair footrest level)

- Insufficient car depth for wheelchair turnaround when doors open on one side only

Per ADA Standards Section 604, accessible water closet compartments must be minimum 60 inches wide and 56 inches deep (wall-mounted) or 59 inches deep (floor-mounted). Side grab bar must be 42 inches long minimum, mounted 12 inches from the rear wall, at 33-36 inches above the finished floor per Section 604.5. Rear grab bar must be 36 inches long minimum centered on the water closet. Lavatory rim or counter must be 34 inches maximum above finished floor with 27-inch knee clearance per Section 606. Toilet seat height must be 17-19 inches above the finished floor per Section 604.4.

1. Measure compartment dimensions — 60" wide minimum with proper depth for fixture type

2. Verify grab bar placement — side bar 42" long at 12" from rear wall, rear bar 36" long centered on fixture, both at 33-36" height

3. Check toilet seat height — 17 to 19 inches above finished floor

4. Measure lavatory clearances — 34" max rim height, 27" knee clearance, 9" toe clearance

5. Verify accessories (soap, towel, dryer) are within reach range — 48" max forward reach, 46" max side reach

- Grab bars mounted at incorrect height or distance from walls

- Toilet seat height outside the 17-19 inch range after installation of seat

- Lavatory pipes not insulated or covered creating burn or abrasion hazard

- Accessories (soap dispensers, paper towel) mounted above maximum reach range

Per ADA Standards Section 703, signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces must include raised characters and Braille and be mounted on the latch side of the door at 48-60 inches above the finished floor measured to the baseline of the lowest tactile character. Directional and informational signs must have a minimum character height based on viewing distance per Section 703.5 and a minimum 70% light-on-dark or dark-on-light contrast per Section 703.5.1. The International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) must be displayed at all accessible entrances, parking spaces, restrooms, and exits per Sections 216 and 703.7.

1. Verify permanent room identification signs include raised characters and Grade II Braille

2. Check sign mounting location — latch side of door, 48-60 inches to baseline of lowest character

3. Confirm visual contrast meets 70% minimum between characters and background

4. Verify ISA symbols are posted at all accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and exits

5. Check directional signs for proper character height based on mounting height and viewing distance

- Tactile signs mounted on the door instead of the adjacent wall on the latch side

- Signs mounted outside the 48-60 inch height range for tactile characters

- Insufficient contrast between text and background making signs difficult to read

- Missing ISA symbols at accessible entrances or exits of the facility