Page 60 - Green Builder April 2017 Issue

CODE ARENA

The Latest Rules, Regulations and Codes Impacting Sustainable Construction

Access Granted

Everything you need to know about the door-related aspects of the Fair Housing Act.

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Family affairs. Multifamily housing units built in 1991 or later are covered under the historic Fair Housing Act.
BY LORI GREENE used to design and build multifamily housing that meet the Act
HE FAIR HOUSING ACT covers many issues affecting requirements, including various editions of the International
discrimination in housing, but this article will focus on the Building Code (IBC), ICC A117.1, the Fair Housing Accessibility
door-related aspects of the law. In order to be in compliance Guidelines published by the United States Department of Housing
Twith the Fair Housing Act, there are seven basic design and and Urban Development (HUD), and others. The requirements may
construction requirements that must be met: vary slightly depending on which set of guidelines is used.
1. An accessible building entrance on an accessible route
2. Accessible common and public use areas
3. Usable doors (usable by a person in a wheelchair) WHAT’S FAIR UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT
4. Accessible route into and through the dwelling unit All residential occupancies covered by the Fair Housing Act are
5. Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other required to have public areas that are accessible to people with
environmental controls in accessible locations disabilities, and all dwelling units must have an accessible route into
6. Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of and through the unit. In buildings with four or more units without
grab bars an elevator, the requirements apply only to ground-floor units.
7. Usable kitchens and bathrooms According to the HUD guidelines, accessible doors are doors in
There are 10 “safe harbors” or sets of guidelines which can be public and common use areas, as well as the public side of dwelling

58 GREEN BUILDER Special Awards Issue 2017 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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