Women’s restroom renovation: Accessibility and code compliance

In the 2003 Historic Structure Report (HSR), our consultant’s recommendations included a pair of observations that are germane to the planned modifications to the women’s restroom on the sanctuary level. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, I excerpt from their observations on the topics of Accessibility and of Compliance with Health and Safety Codes.

The following paragraphs are quotations from the HSR.

Accessibility (p. IIC-19)

A[n overall] plan for accessibility should be designed by an architect of record, reviewed by local building officials (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety), and should take into account the alternative codes and standards described in this report (e.g., California Historical Building Code).

An accessibility plan might include the following concepts:

…alter the women’s and men’s toilet rooms at the west entrance on the first floor; however, these toilets have limited expansion space without impacting the entrance lobby space, and would probably have to be converted to single occupancy in order to meet accessibility standards. These spaces are also located up a long slope from the proposed accessible entrance to the sanctuary.

Health and Safety Code Compliance (p. IIC-17)

It is often necessary to make modifications to a historic building so that it can comply with current health, safety and code requirements. Such work needs to be carefully planned and undertaken so that it does not result in a loss of interior or exterior character-defining spaces, features, and finishes.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) applies to employment, as well as access to public structures and services or public accommodations owned or operated by private entities. In general, there are special rules and minimum access requirements where an alteration would threaten or destroy the historic significance of an historic building. To use the minimum requirements, consultation is required with the State Office of Historic Preservation. The California Historical Building Code offers alternative measures for application to qualified historical structures that help avoid the loss of historic character. It is mandatory that local and state building and fire safety officials recognize the code where applicants utilize relevant provisions.

The first step in code compliance is: Identify the historic building’s character-defining spaces, features, and finishes so that code-required work will not result in their damage or loss.

[In a future post, I plan to address the topic of “character-defining features.” —DS]