Opinion: Accessible route within two-story motel

Inquiry: 

96-10 

Subject: 

Accessible route within two-story motel 

Code:

1994 UBC Section 1103.2.2 (yr., title, section) (1996 MSBC 1340.1103 Subp. 7) 

Submitted By:

Building Codes and Standards Division  

Approved By:

Thomas R. Joachim, State Building Official  

Issue Date: 

October 14, 1996  

Question:  

Two story motel having all required accessible rooms, public amenities and second floor like guestrooms located on first floor. Is an accessible route (via elevator or ramp) required to the second floor of this two-story motel?  

Answer:

Although the literal reading would say so, our answer is no. This is based largely on an interpretation received by ICBO which states,

It is not the intent of the UBC to require an accessible route to an inaccessible floor, [of transient type housing] if all of the facilities are provided on the first story and there are no features on the second story which are not common to the first. (text in brackets added by division for context)

Division comments:

Our position is supported by UBC Section 104.2.7 whereby "... a special individual reason makes the strict letter of the code impractical and that the modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of this code..."

Approved by Building Codes and Standards Access Committee July 18, 1996.