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The current elevator accessibility project, in which new building code language calls for the requirement of an Emergency Elevator Communication System for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is a time consuming project and this will continue through completion until the first elevator in the U.S. is outfitted with the new systems.
Accessible Design Solutions For A Better World
We develop barrier-free designs in buildings, elevators and public spaces in the U.S. on behalf of the global Deaf & Hard of Hearing community and industry through ICC code proposal changes and via incorporation proposals to
ANSI A117 / ASME A17 / ADAAG / ABA and ADA.
Code change proposal presentations as a “Primary User” that will ultimately benefit both target markets listed below: |
| 1. The Deaf and HOH community |
| 2. Industry |
The President and Founder, Andy Cid, is a profoundly Deaf activist, and "Primary User" Code Development Proposal Presenter on behalf of the Deaf and HoH community and for industry . We work with professionals from various disciplines across the U.S. who are passionate about working together to enable total accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. All of our work here at Barrier Free Solutions is done voluntarily. Mr. Cid, who has an unrelated career / day job, conducts all of his work at Barrier Free Solutions in his spare time, during vacation time, and at his own expense (including all U.S. travel expenses).
On a voluntary basis, we initiated, prepared and acted as the “Primary User” Code Proponent of a code change proposal entitled “Emergency Elevator Communications System for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing”. This was presented under the 2015 ICC Cycle and under IBC-G 195-15. The code proposal was approved and it officially passed as of 5.26.16. This affects all new construction in the U.S. and is effective in mid-2018. A standard is now being developed in collaboration with the elevator industry and the relative elevator emergency safety committees under the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), which comprises of industry representatives. Mr. Cid will also propose,to the ANSI A117 committee, that they incorporate the same new IBC language for adoption in the ANSI A117 for 2019 or 2022. Mr. Cid has been encouraged and advised to do so by many SME's in the "code world" to propose this to the ANSI. We are aiming to make this a Federal requirement under the ADAAG.
This is all at www.iccsafe.org
IBC codes for new construction -
2015 - IBC - Chapter 30 Section 3001.2 - effective 2018
2018 - IBC - Chapter 30 Section 3001.2 - effective 2021
2021 - IBC - Chapter 30 - Section 3001.2 (this will be under 3001.6 in 2024 and effective Jan. 2024)
IEBC code For existing buildings-
2022 - IEBC - Section 306.7.7
This will become effective January 2024. This requires all commercial buildings in the U.S. to require the same visual (as in the IBC codes) and tactile emergency communication systems in existing commercial building elevators. The elevators will require these systems only when the bldg owners need to update the existing elevators. Successful code passage was due to an incredible team effort and support network consisting of several accessibility experts, architects, some building officials, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing activists across the U.S.
Also, for 2024 and beyond, I proposed (and it passed at the ICC / PCH in Kentucky 2022) for new construction outdoor stadiums, with 15,000 seats or more, to require live or pre recorded caption PA systems. Design and A/E solicitation after January 2024 is impacted.
Regards to the A17.1 Standards, A17.1 already has provisions that require any system that is altered be brought up to the latest code requirements for new equipment that is in effect for that jurisdiction. Therefore, if anyone updates their communications system on an existing elevator they would need to bring it up to the A17.1 2019 requirements if their state has adopted the amended 2019 standard.
We will continue to work on this until we see these visual new elevator emergency communication systems are in the mainstream (it also depends on each State's code adoption schedule, as some States are still under 2012, 2015 or 2018. Very few states are now adopting the 2018 or 2021 codes (I think N.Y. is the first one), so it takes time for this to see our work come to fruition in the marketplace.