CODE:

1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) (as revised 2000)
State Regulations for Barrier-Free Facilities

SECTION:

1103.2.2 Accessible Route of Travel

QUESTION:

1. Do the provisions of Section 1103.2.2, which relate to providing an accessible route of travel to all portions of the building, apply to the installation of movable workspace partitions used to create interior office cubicles?

2. Are any of the work spaces formed by movable partitions required to be accessible? If so, what percentage?

3. Is the minimum 32" passage width for access into workspaces formed by movable partitions, which is required by Section 1106.4.1, required for all office cubicles?

4. When aisles are formed by movable partitions, are they required to be at least 36" wide? Section 1106.20.

ANSWER:

1. No. Section 1101—Scope, provides that "buildings or portions of buildings" shall comply with Chapter 11. The definition of a building Element in Section 1102 indicates that the architectural components of a building include items which are permanently installed. The accessibility requirements contained in Chapter 11 generally do not apply to furniture and equipment which is not permanently installed as part of building construction. See also Interpretation No. 93-87.

2., 3., and 4. No, movable partitions are not scoped as an accessible element under the purview of Chapter 11, and are therefore exempt from the requirements of these sections. However, the issues raised by these questions may be affected by other regulations, such as employment accommodation requirements addressed by Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

SUPERSEDES:

None

REQUESTED BY:

City of Bellevue