Got some questions to run by anybody who knows. Bidding a set of handrail on a ramp, has to meet ADA. The height, etc are not a problem. This is something that they just found out that they need after an inspection. This is a public building, gub'ment building. They have a new sidewalk, exactly 5 feet wide. The length of the rail is gonna be 31 feet, times two. On one side I need the extensions off the ends, 12" minimum. On the other side the sidewalk connects with another sidewalk that does a 90. I cannot have the extension on this one as it will interfere with the walkway so this breaks back as a corner.
I've got everything laid out, getting prices and so on. The only thing I am running into is mounting the railing. Now, ADA says the sidewalk has to be 5' wide, as it is. The sidewalk will be backfilled on either side with dirt to the sidewalk height by the way. If I mount the railing in the sidewalk concrete I'll have to core drill off the edge in order to not crack the new sidewalk that I don't want to replace, but if I do that then I take away from the total width of the sidewalk, 5 feet. I've considered doing post holes and setting the rail on the edge of the sidewalk but then I read section 405.9 for edge protection in the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III, page 127. If I'm reading this right if the dirt is up to the height of the sidewalk or a max of 1/2" below and extends out 12" minimum that will be good? On the other side I think there will be a problem though.
The sidewalk runs parallel to the driveway, they have some dirt there now but I'm not thinking it is going to stay there. If it does not stay there(the dirt) and I have a 6" drop off I have to move the handrail in a minimum of 12", which means my 60" sidewalk is now 48". Would the contractor have to extend the sidewalk in order to keep the sidewalk 60" between the rails? I see 405.5, clear width states "The clear width of a ramp run and, where handrails are provided, the clear width between handrails shall be 36 inches minimum". I'm thinking that this means I can set my handrail 12 inches in from the edge of the sidewalk for my edge protection and still be within their guidelines? With the one side being back filled with dirt I can set it against the sidewalk edge and the other side(parking lot side) I can core drill and set it 12" off the edge to the inside of the sidewalk and I will meet the requirements?
I think I need to talk to the head cheese again but he had nothing to offer up as far as ADA, kinda looked at me and said, "they have it on their website". I just don't want to assume something and get out there and have the inspector say, "this dog ain't gonna hunt". Better to do it right and know what the heck you are doing before you start than to have to fix it after you think your all done.
Thanks for any info or muddy water clearing,
Shawn