ACCESSIBILITY IN ABU DHABI

INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

Fatma M Amer, PE
 Abu Dhabi International Building Codes

• In 2009, Department of Municipal

Affairs started the process to develop a
Building Code for Abu Dhabi that meets
the needs for a progressive Construction
Industry.

•The Codes were modified to suit the

unique Abu Dhabi environment and the
codes were officially adopted October
2013.

•Working closely with ZHO, the ICC/ANSI

Standards was modified to produce Abu
Dhabi International Accessibility
Standards.
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 Chapter 11 of the Abu Dhabi International
Building Code
Where required. Sites, buildings, structures, facilities, elements
and spaces, temporary or permanent, shall be accessible to
persons with physical disabilities.

Exceptions: Construction sites, utility buildings or spaces, Walk in

Coolers, Fuel dispensing systems, Raised areas and guard towers
etc.

Existing Buildings: Chapter 34, upon:

Change of use and occupancy
Major Alteration
Changes on Accessible Routes

A New York Story ????????

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 Basis for Technical Requirements

Abu Dhabi International Accessibility Standards

(ICC/ANSI A117.1)
Basis for Technical Requirements

Dimensions of
Adult – Sized
Wheelchair
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Basis for Technical Requirements

Unobstructed
Reach Ranges
 Basis for Technical Requirements

CANE RANGES AND

TECHNIQUE
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 Exterior Accessible Routes

Site Arrival Points: Accessible routes within a site are required FROM
public arrival points (i.e. transportation stops, accessible parking and
passenger loading zones and public streets and sidewalks TO the
building accessible entrance.

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 Accessible Primary Entrances

Public entrances. In addition to

accessible entrances required by
Sections 1105.1.1 through
1105.1.6, at least 60 percent of
all public entrances shall be
accessible.

•Parking garage entrances

•Entrances from tunnels or elevated
walkways.
•Restricted entrances
•Entrances for inmates or detainees
•Tenant spaces, dwelling units and
sleeping units

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 Interior Accessible Route

Interior Accessible Route is required from the accessible

entrance to all accessible spaces, elements and facilities within
the building.

carpet on floor surfaces

min. dimensions for accessible route

beveled changes in level openings in floor surfaces

MANEUVERING CLEARANCE AT DOORS
 Elevators/Lifts

1109.6 Elevators.
Passenger elevators on
an accessible route shall
be accessible.

3002.4 Elevator car to

accommodate
ambulance stretcher.
Where elevators are
provided in buildings four
or more stories above, or
four or more stories
below, grade plane, at
least one elevator shall
be provided for …for
emergency medical
services
 Accessible Dwelling and Sleeping Units

MINIMUM MINIMUM
REQUIRED REQUIRED
TOTAL NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
Hotels NUMBER OF ACCESSIBLE UNITS ACCESSIBLE UNITS TOTAL NUMBER OF
UNITS WITHOUT ROLL-IN WITH REQUIRED
Apartment PROVIDED SHOWERS ROLL-IN SHOWERS ACCESSIBLE UNITS
Buildings 1 to 25 1 0 1
26 to 50 2 0 2
Institutional 51 to 75 3 1 4
Facilities 76 to 100
101 to 150
4
5
1
2 7
5

151 to 200 6 2 8
201 to 300 7 3 10
•Accessible Unit 301 to 400 8 4 12
•Type A Unit 401 to 500 9 4 13
•Type B Unit 501 to 1,000 2% of total
20, plus 1 for each
1% of total 3% of total
10 plus 1 for each 30 plus 2 for each
Over 1,000 100, or fraction 100, or fraction 100, or fraction
thereof, over 1,000 thereof, over 1,000 thereof, over 1,000
 Toilet and bathing Facilities

TRANSFER-
TYPE
SHOWER

HEIGHT OF LAVATORIES AND SINKS

SIZE OF CLEARANCE FOR WATER CLOSET

SIDE WALL GRAB BAR FOR WATER CLOSET
 Special Occupancies

CAPACITY OF
Assembly Seating SEATING MINIMUM REQUIRED
Companion Seats IN ASSEMBLY NUMBER OF WHEELCHAIR
AREAS SPACES
Assistive Listening System 4 to 25 1

Dining Areas 26 to 50 2
51 to 100 4
Self-Service Storage Facilities 101 to 300 5
301 to 500 6
6, plus 1 for each 150, or
TOTAL SPACES MINIMUM NUMBER OF 501 to 5,000 fraction thereof, between
IN FACILITY REQUIRED ACCESSIBLE SPACES 501 through 5,000
1 to 200 5%, but not less than 1 36 plus 1 for each 200, or
Over 200 10, plus 2% of total number of 5,001 and over fraction thereof, over
units over 200 5,000
Accessible Means of Egress
 Assistive Listening and Emergency Warning
Systems

Assistive listening systems. Each assembly area where

audible communications are integral to the use of the
space shall have an assistive listening system.

Fire and Smoke Alarms. Where early warning systems

are provided, it shall be made Audible and Visual.

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 Signage
1110.1 Signs. Required accessible elements
shall be identified by the International Symbol
of Accessibility at the following locations:

Accessible parking spaces

Accessible passenger loading zones
Accessible multiple single-user toilet or
bathing rooms
Accessible entrances
Accessible check-out aisles
Family or assisted-use toilet and bathing
rooms
Accessible dressing, fitting and locker
rooms
Accessible areas of refuge
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