2021 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 49 - State Administration
§148.1. Specifications for grounds, buildings and facilities

RS 148.1 - Specifications for grounds, buildings and facilities

A. All public walks shall be at least forty-eight inches wide and shall have a gradient not greater than five percent. These walks shall be of a continuing common surface, not interrupted by steps or abrupt changes in level. Wherever walks cross other walks, driveways or parking lots they shall blend to a common level. A walk shall have a level platform at the top which is at least five feet by five feet, if a door swings out onto the platform or toward the walk. This platform shall extend at least one foot beyond each side of the doorway. A walk shall have a level platform at least three feet deep and five feet wide, if the door does not swing onto the platform or toward the walk. This platform shall extend at least one foot beyond each side of the doorway.

B. At least one parking area shall be made accessible to the building by either placing it at the grade level of the building or providing ramps at curbs or steps between the parking area and the building.

C. Where ramps with gradients are necessary or desired, they shall conform to the following specifications:

(1) The ramp shall not have a slope greater than one foot rise in twelve feet, or 8.33 per cent, or four degrees fifty minutes.

(2) The ramp shall have handrails on at least one side, and preferably two sides. The top of handrails shall be thirty-two inches above the surface of the ramp and shall extend one foot beyond the top and bottom of the ramp.

(3) The ramp shall be at least thirty-two inches wide (inside clear measurements) and have a surface that is nonslip.

(4) If a door swings out onto the platform or toward the ramp, the platform of the ramp shall be at least five feet by five feet. This platform shall be clear of door frame.

(5) If the door does not swing onto the platform or toward the ramp, this platform shall be at least three feet deep and five feet wide. This platform shall be clear of door frame.

(6) The bottom of the ramp shall have at least a six foot level run.

(7) Where the ramp exceeds thirty feet in length, level platforms shall be provided at thirty foot intervals. Level platforms shall also be provided at turns in the ramp. Platforms shall be at least thirty-two inches wide by five feet long.

D.(1) Each building shall have at least one entrance which is accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. If the building is to be equipped with elevators, this entrance shall provide access to elevators either on a level plane or by ramp.

(2) Doors shall have a clear opening of no less than thirty-two inches when open and shall be operable by a single effort. The floor on the inside and outside of each doorway shall be level for a distance of five feet from the door in the direction the door swings and shall extend one foot beyond each side of the door. Sharp inclines and abrupt changes in level shall be avoided at doorsills. As much as practicable, thresholds shall be flush with the door.

E. Steps in stairs shall be designed wherever practicable so as not to have abrupt (square) nosing. Stairs shall have handrails thirty-two inches high as measured from the tread at the face of the riser. Stairs shall have at least one handrail that extends at least eighteen inches beyond the top step and beyond the bottom step. Steps should, wherever possible, and in conformation with existing step formulas, have risers that do not exceed seven inches.

F. Floors shall wherever practicable have a surface that is nonslip. Floors on the same story shall be of a common level throughout or be connected by a ramp in accord with Subsection C of this Section.

G.(1) An appropriate number of toilet rooms shall be accessible to, and usable by, persons with physical disabilities and shall have space to allow traffic of individuals in wheelchairs.

(2) An appropriate number of toilet rooms shall have at least one toilet stall that: (a) is four feet and four inches wide, (b) is at least four feet eight inches, preferably five feet, deep, (c) has a door, where doors are used, that is thirty-two inches wide and swings out, (d) has handrails on each side, thirty-three inches high and parallel to the floor, one and one-half inches in outside diameter, with one and one-half inches clearance between rail and wall, and fastened securely at ends and center, and (e) has a water closet with the seat 20 inches from the floor.

(3) An appropriate number of toilet rooms shall have narrow aprons, which when mounted at standard height are usable by individuals in wheelchairs; or shall have lavatories mounted two inches or more from the wall and thirty-one inches from bottom rim to floor for knee space and accessibility to individuals in wheelchairs.

(4) Mirrors and shelves shall be provided above lavatories at a height as low as practicable and no higher than forty inches above the floor, measured from the top of the shelf and the bottom of the mirror.

(5) An appropriate number of toilet rooms for men shall have an appropriate number of wall-mounted urinals with the opening of the basin nineteen inches from the floor, or shall have floor-mounted urinals that are on level with the main floor of the toilet room.

(6) An appropriate number of toilet rooms shall have an appropriate number of towel racks, towel dispensers, and other dispensers and disposal units mounted no higher than forty inches from the floor.

H. An appropriate number of water fountains or other water-dispensing means shall be mounted thirty inches above the floor and in a way which will make them usable by persons with physical disabilities. Water fountains or coolers shall be hand-operated or hand-and-foot operated.

I. Where elevators are to be provided they shall be accessible to, and usable by, persons with physical disabilities at all levels normally used by the general public. Elevators shall be designed to allow for traffic by wheelchairs.

J. Switches and controls for light, heat, ventilation, windows, draperies, elevators, fire alarms, and all similar controls of frequent or essential use, shall be placed within the reach of individuals in wheelchairs.

K. Every effort shall be exercised to obviate all hazards to individuals with physical disabilities.

L. In addition to the requirements contained in Subsections A through K of this Section, each building to which this Subpart applies shall comply with the American Standard Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by the Physically Handicapped, as approved on October 31, 1961 by the American Standards Association.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 204, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §27, eff. June 23, 2014.