ADA Compliance Must Be Verifiable from the Construction Documents
The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design establish minimum requirements for building accessibility. These requirements must be documented in the construction drawings and specifications so that a contractor can construct a compliant building, and so that a plan reviewer can verify compliance before issuance of a building permit. The ARE PDD tests ADA documentation because producing accessible buildings requires the architect to translate code requirements into specific drawing content - dimensions, details, notes, and material specifications that collectively demonstrate compliance.
Floor Plan Documentation
- Accessible routes: The accessible route must be shown connecting all required elements - from the accessible parking space to the building entrance, through the public areas, to all accessible spaces and elements. The route width (minimum 44 inches in corridors, 36 inches in other routes) should be verifiable from floor plan dimensions.
- Door clear widths: All doors on the accessible route must show clear opening widths. ADA requires minimum 32 inches clear (not nominal door width) when the door is in the 90-degree open position. Floor plan door callouts should indicate this.
- Turning radii: Where required (at toilet rooms, at the end of dead-end accessible routes), a 60-inch turning diameter or T-shaped turning space must be dimensioned on the floor plan.
- Maneuvering clearances: At each door on the accessible route, required approach clearances (latch side vs. hinge side pull vs. push) must be shown dimensioned.
Toilet Room Details
Accessible toilet rooms require dedicated details showing: water closet clear floor space (60" minimum from side wall, 56" or 59" from rear wall), grab bar locations and heights (side and rear bars at water closet), lavatory clear floor space (30"×48" approach), mirror height, and accessories mounting heights. All of these must be dimensioned in the CD set.
Specifications Documentation
Specifications should include: references to the applicable ADA Standard and IBC accessibility chapter; requirements for hardware (lever or loop handles required, no round knobs); countertop and lavatory height requirements; signage height and Braille requirements; floor surface slip resistance; and accessible parking signage and marking specifications.
Coordination Across Disciplines
Accessibility coordination must extend to: MEP drawings (light switch and electrical outlet heights); civil drawings (accessible parking layout, accessible route from parking to entry, cross slopes on accessible routes not to exceed 1:50); landscape architecture (accessible routes through site, ramp slopes, rest area seating).
Key Exam Points
- Accessible route must be shown on floor plans, verifiable from dimensions.
- Door clear opening: minimum 32" clear at 90° open position.
- Toilet room details: WC clear floor space, grab bar locations and heights must be dimensioned.
- Accessibility specifications reference ADA Standards; include hardware, signage, and surface requirements.
- Coordination with civil (site accessibility), MEP (device heights), and landscape required.
Study PDD on AREprep
AREprep’s PDD flashcards cover every concept on this exam with spaced repetition, and the practice exams mirror the real question formats so the actual test feels familiar.