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ADA Compliance

The earth’s soils are constantly expanding and contracting as they adapt to ever changing temperatures, excess moisture and drought conditions.  Varying environmental conditions result in concrete flatwork settling, sinking and failing in response to soil movement and compaction.  Settling creates uneven surfaces that often result in dangerous trip hazards at your property.  Trip hazards on uneven or raised concrete pose a threat in terms of public safety as well as liability for private property owners, commercial property owners, management companies, HOA’s and municipalities.  While trip and fall hazards are a challenge to the general public, they are especially dangerous for the young, the elderly and persons with disabilities. They are particularly dangerous and challenging for those with vision impairments or individuals requiring the use of mobility assistance (canes, crutches, wheelchairs, motorized devices, etc.).
ada compliance pre mud jacking

ADA Compliance and Trip Hazards

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), last revised in July 2010 with revisions to the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, is the governing law that prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation.  As it relates to public accommodations and commercial facilities, these areas must be made accessible to those with disabilities. Raised concrete that creates a trip hazard or makes an area impassible prevents access for persons with disabilities and impairments.


CHAPTER 303: CHANGES IN LEVEL

 

  • 303.1 General:  Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303.

  • 303.2 Vertical:  Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical.

  • 303.3 Beveled:  Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.

  • Advisory 303.3 Beveled:  A change in level of ½ inch (13 mm) is permitted to be ¼ inch (6.4 mm) vertical plus ¼ inch (6.4 mm) beveled. However, in no case may the combined change in level exceed ½ inch (13 mm).  Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps).

  • 303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps).

ada compliance elevation change


TRIP HAZARDS AND LEGAL CONSEQUENCES


What does all of this mean?  Essentially, the ADA defines a trip hazard as any vertical change over ¼ inch at any joint or crack in the concrete.  Because the ADA demands strict compliance and places direct responsibility on the property owners, trip and fall hazards left unrepaired can result in substantial legal liability. Any area that has high pedestrian use further raises trip risks.

 

When it comes to expense, it is always less costly to choose concrete repair over litigation!

 

Should you be found liable for failure to maintain safe pedestrian areas, expenses can include settlements, damages awarded, attorney’s fees and impact on insurance rates, to name a few.  Additionally, you will STILL be required to repair the concrete!  Ignorance of the law is no excuse, which is why we want to make you aware of the most effective option available for repairing the trip dangers that place you at risk for liability of injury, as well as failure to comply with the ADA requirements.

When raising and stabilizing sunken concrete via Scritchlow Concrete Lifting and Slab Jacking ’s process, trip and fall hazards are eliminated, along with your risk of liability. If your concrete has created a hazardous condition, and you want it fixed for good, Scritchlow Concrete Lifting and Slab Jacking is the solution for you!

It is estimated up to 85% of the existing sidewalks are not compliant with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines.  Some of the non-compliant areas were in need of replacement due to condition, inadequate width, and/or outdated curb ramps.  Most of the remaining sidewalk was non-compliant due to excessive cross slope as the only contributing factor to non-compliance. (Cross slope is the amount of fall from one side of the sidewalk to the other side. Current guidelines establish the maximum cross slope to be ¼” per foot or 2.08%.)

Trip Hazzard Before Slab Jacking

RAISING YOUR CURB APPEAL ONE PIECE AT A TIME

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