Building Codes
In order to design a space that hosts elderly by providing maximum safety measures and general protection considerations, building codes must be considered for the elderly semi-residential center. It’s important to look at codes that are relevant to elderly users that may have specific considerations that need to be catered to, such as wheelchair users, elderly with vision impairments etc. The building type falls under Institutional Group One (I-2 and I-4), as the use of the building structure in which care or supervision is provided to people who are incapable of self-preservation without physical assistance. The space’s occupancy load fits up to 200 people within the space. 65 The two building codes that will be implemented are the International Building Code and the American Disabilities Act. The IBC implementation within the space focuses on creating barrier-free space for the elderly to allow access to other spaces with ease. In order to provide a path of egress that allow for the elderly’s exit access path to be clear. The ceiling height must be at least 2286 mm high. This helps the user move throughout the space easily. For main circulation paths, any protruding objects from the ceiling must allow 2286 mm headroom vertical clearance. As for horizontal projections, objects must not protrude more than 102 mm horizontally into the circulation paths. The only exception is handrail protrusions, which are permitted to extend up to 114 mm from the wall. In terms of floor surfaces, the means of egress walking surfaces must be slipresistant to ensure safe circulation throughout the path. 66 Because of the occupant load, the exit access must lead to two exits. (fig. 67) 65
ADA codes are extremely important for elderly users as the space caters to problems of dementia but also to handicapped and users that have slower mobility. To follow with ADA codes, accessibility for the elderly is an essential design element to consider. Doors must have a minimum of 800 mm, although it is preferable for the opening to be 914 mm which helps give better clearance access to frail elderly. In areas of transition, a turning circle with a minimum of 1676 mm is required for wheelchair users to maneuver around. Corridors must have a width clearance space that can fit two passing wheelchairs (fig. 68). Doors must have door handles that do not require tight grasping or twisting of the wrist. Push-pull mechanisms, such as sliding doors or light doors that can be pushed open, for doors help decrease excess physical efforts (fig. 69). 67 In order for signage to be ADA-complaint, there must be a high level of contrast between the background and words (fig. 46). This helps the sign’s legibility for elderly users with vision problems. Signs must also not create any glare as the reflections as this causes disruptions for the elderly. By following IBC and ADA, a safe environment is created to ensure maximum comfort and a safe experience for the elderly. Through these building codes, a better understanding of how the elderly interacts with the space is achieved, therefore creating a space that allows the dementia diagnosed elderly to reside in a place of comfort.
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