Section 675 IAC 27-1-14 - Exterior accessible routesAuthority: IC 22-13-2-2; IC 22-13-2-13; IC 22-13-4-7
Affected: IC 22-12; IC 22-13; IC 22-14; IC 22-15; IC 36-7
Sec. 14.
(a) Exterior accessible routes shall consist of one (1) or more of the following components: (1) Walking surfaces with a slope not greater than 1:20.(6) Wheelchair (platform) lifts.(b) All components of an exterior accessible route shall comply with the applicable portions of this rule and as follows: (1) Walking surfaces that are a part of an exterior accessible route shall comply with section 13 of this rule.(2) Floor or ground surfaces shall comply with section 13 of this rule.(3) The running slope of walking surfaces shall not be greater than 1:20. The cross slope of a walking surface shall not be greater than 1:48.(4) Changes in level shall comply with section 13 of this rule.(5) The clear width of an exterior accessible route shall be thirty-six (36) inches (ninety-one and forty-four hundredths (91.44) centimeters) minimum. Clear width may be reduced to thirty-two (32) inches (eighty-one and twenty-eight hundredths (81.28) centimeters) for a twenty-four (24) inch (six and ninety-six hundredths (6.96) centimeters) maximum segment, and segments shall be separated by no less than forty-eight (48) inches (one hundred twenty-one and ninety-two hundredths (121.92) centimeters) of thirty-six (36) inch (ninety-one and forty-four hundredths (91.44) centimeters) width (see Figure 9). Figure 9 is as follows: Click here to view Image
(6) Where an exterior accessible route makes a one hundred eighty (180) degree (three and one hundred forty-two thousandths (3.142) radians) turn around an object that is less than forty-eight (48) inches (one hundred twenty-one and ninety-two hundredths (121.92) centimeters) wide, clear widths shall be forty-two (42) inches (one hundred six and sixty-eight hundredths (106.68) centimeters) minimum approaching the turn; forty-eight (48) inches (one hundred twenty-one and ninety-two hundredths (121.92) centimeters) minimum during the turn; and forty-two (42) inches (one hundred six and sixty-eight hundredths (106.68) centimeters) minimum leaving the turn (see Figure 10). Figure 10 is as follows: Click here to view Image
NOTE:Dimensions shown apply when x <48 in.
Figure 10 Clear Width at Turn
(c) Walking surfaces on exterior accessible routes with a running slope greater than 1:20 are ramps and shall comply with the following: (1) Ramps shall have a running slope not greater than 1:12.(2) The cross slope of ramp runs shall not be greater than 1:48.(3) Floor or ground surfaces of ramps shall comply with section 13 of this rule.(4) The clear width of a ramp shall be thirty-six (36) inches (ninety-one and forty-four hundredths (91.44) centimeters) minimum.(5) The rise for any ramp run shall be thirty (30) inches (seventy-six and two-tenths (76.2) centimeters) maximum.(d) Ramps shall have landings at the bottom and top of each run. Landings shall comply with the following: (1) Landings shall have a slope not greater than 1:48 and shall comply with section 13 of this rule.(2) The clear width of landings shall be at least as wide as the widest ramp run leading to the landing.(3) The landing length shall be sixty (60) inches (one hundred fifty-two and four-tenths (152.4) centimeters) minimum clear. (4) Ramps that change direction at landings shall have a sixty (60) inch by sixty (60) inch (one hundred fifty-two and four-tenths (152.4) centimeters by one hundred fifty-two and four-tenths (152.4) centimeters) minimum landing at the change in direction.(5) Where doorways are adjacent to a ramp landing, maneuvering clearances required by section 6 of this rule shall be permitted to overlap the landing area.(6) Landings with a rise greater than six (6) inches (fifteen and twenty-four hundredths (15.24) centimeters) shall have handrails complying with subsection (f). Handrails shall not reduce the required clearances of a ramp run or landing.(7) Edge protection complying with subdivision (9) shall be provided on each side of ramp runs and on each side of ramp landings. Exceptions are as follows: (A) Ramps not required to have handrails where sides complying with subsection (e)(3) are provided. (B) Sides of ramp landings serving an adjoining ramp run or stairway.(C) Sides of ramp landings having a vertical drop-off of one-half (1/2) inch (twelve and seven-tenths (12.7) millimeters) maximum within ten (10) inches (twenty-five and four-tenths (25.4) centimeters) horizontally of the minimum landing area.(8) The floor or ground surface of the ramp run or landing shall extend a minimum of twelve (12) inches (thirty and forty-eight hundredths (30.48) centimeters) beyond the inside face of a railing complying with subsection (f).(9) A curb or barrier shall be provided that prevents the passage of a four (4) inch (ten and sixteen-hundredths (10.16) centimeters) diameter sphere below a height of four (4) inches (ten and sixteen-hundredths (10.16) centimeters).(10) Outdoor ramps and approaches to ramps shall be designed so that water will not accumulate on walking surfaces.(e) Curb ramps shall comply with the following: (1) Slopes of curb ramps shall comply with this section.(2) Counter slopes of adjoining gutters and road surfaces immediately adjacent to the curb ramp or accessible route shall not be greater than 1:20. Transitions from ramps to walks, gutters, or streets shall be at the same level.(3) Where pedestrians must walk across a curb ramp, the ramp shall have flared sides. The slope of flares shall not be greater than 1:10. Where the width of the walking surface at the top of the ramp and parallel to the run of the ramp is less than forty-eight (48) inches (one hundred twenty-one and ninety-two hundredths (121.92) centimeters), the flared sides shall have a slope not greater than 1:12. Curb ramps with returned curbs shall be permitted where pedestrians would not normally walk across the ramp.(4) Curb ramps shall be thirty-six (36) inches (ninety-one and forty-four hundredths (91.44) centimeters) wide minimum, exclusive of flared sides.(5) Floor or ground surfaces of curb ramps shall comply with section 13 of this rule.(f) Handrails shall be provided on both sides of ramps and shall comply with the following: (1) Handrails shall be continuous within the full length of each ramp run. Inside handrails on swithchback or dogleg ramps shall be continuous between runs. Other handrails shall comply with subdivision (9). (2) The top of gripping surfaces of handrails shall be thirty-four (34) inches (eighty-six and thirty-six hundredths (86.36) centimeters) minimum and thirty-eight (38) inches (ninety-six and fifty-two hundredths (96.52) centimeters) maximum vertically above ramp surfaces. Handrails shall be at a consistent height above ramp surfaces.(3) Clear space between the handrail and wall shall be one and one-half (11/2) inches (three and eighty-one hundredths (3.81) centimeters) minimum.(4) Gripping surfaces shall be continuous without interruption by newel posts, other construction elements, or obstructions. An exception is that handrail brackets or balusters attached to the bottom surface of the handrail shall not be considered obstructions provided they comply with the following criteria: (A) Not more than twenty percent (20%) of the handrail length is obstructed.(B) Horizontal projections beyond the sides of the handrail occur two and one-half (21/2) inches (six and thirty-five hundredths (6.35) centimeters) minimum below the bottom of the handrail.(C) Edges have a one-eighth (c) inch (three and eighteen-hundredths (3.18) millimeters) minimum radius.(5) Handrails shall: (A) have a circular cross section with an outside diameter of one and one-fourth (11/4) inches (thirty-one and seventy-five hundredths (31.75) millimeters) minimum and two (2) inches (fifty and eight-tenths (50.8) millimeters) maximum; or(B) provide equivalent graspability complying with subdivision (4).(6) Handrails with other shapes shall be permitted provided: (A) they have a perimeter dimension of four (4) inches (ten and sixteen-hundredths (10.16) centimeters) minimum and six and one-fourth (61/4) inches (fifteen and eight hundred seventy-five thousandths (15.875) centimeters) maximum; and(B) their largest cross section dimension is two and one-fourth (21/4) inches (five and seven hundred fifteen-thousandths (5.715) centimeters) maximum.(7) Handrails, and any wall or other surfaces adjacent to them, shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements. Edges shall have a one-eighth (1/8) inch (three and eighteen-hundredths (3.18) millimeters) minimum radius.(8) Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.(9) Ramp handrails shall extend horizontally twelve (12) inches (thirty and forty-eight hundredths (30.48) centimeters) minimum beyond the top and bottom of ramp runs. Such extension shall return to a wall, a guard, or the walking surface or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent ramp run. An exception is continuous handrails at the inside turn of ramps.Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission; 675 IAC 27-1-14; filed Sep 12, 2005, 9:48 a.m.: 29 IR 514; readopted filed Aug 4, 2011, 8:35 a.m.: 20110831-IR-675110254RFAReadopted filed 3/10/2017, 9:37 a.m.: 20170405-IR-675170005RFAReadopted filed 5/11/2023, 2:22 p.m.: 20230607-IR-675230104RFA