ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER (EWF)
GROUND AND FLOOR SURFACES REQUIREMENT
ADAAG
4.5.1 General states: “Ground and floor surfaces along
accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces including floors, walks,
ramps, stair, and curb ramps, shall be stable, firm, slip-resistant, and shall
comply with 4.5.”
Interpretive
Opinion DCAB 2008-02 states:
Engineered Wood Fibers (EWF) may provide accessible surfaces in compliance with
the criteria for firmness, stability, slip resistance, and changes in level
when the product is properly installed and maintained. DCAB warns that the use
of EWF if not properly maintained, may become a non-accessible surface that
does not comply with ADAAG Section 4.5.
Where
EWF is used in areas required to be accessible, it shall be firm, stable and
slip-resistant and the EWF shall be maintained to remain compliant with the
ADAAG requirements of section 4.5.
·
EWF shall be maintained
so as to remain firm, stable and slip resistant.
·
Changes in level at the
connection of the EWF to other ground or floor materials along the accessible
route and within the area covered by the EWF, shall not exceed ½ inch.
Between ¼ inch and ½ inch the change in level shall be beveled
with a slope no greater than 1:2
Advisory: A firm surface resists deformation by
either indentations or particles moving on its surface.
A
stable surface is one that remains unchanged by contaminants or applied force,
so that when the contaminant or force is removed, the surface returns to its
original condition.
A
slip-resistant surface provides sufficient frictional counterforce to the
forces exerted in walking to permit safe ambulation.
Advisory: The U.S. Access Board’s Final
Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas Economic Assessment dated October 2000
concluded: “The expense of
installing a higher priced surfacing that needs less maintenance could be less
than the expense of installing a lower priced surface that needs more
maintenance. This situation is
most likely to occur in regions with relatively high labor rates.”
The
U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Title II Technical Assistance Manual Section
II-3.10000 Maintenance of Accessible Features states: “Public entities
must maintain in working order equipment and features of facilities that are
required to provide ready access to individuals with disabilities. Isolated or temporary interruptions in
access due to maintenance and repair of accessible features are not
prohibited.”
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EWF MAINTENANCE STATEMENT Relating to a project under review for §103-50,
HRS Project
Name:_________________________________________________________________________ Dept.
Project Number:_______________________DCAB Project
Number:________________________ The
Disability and Communication Access Board does not review or enforce
maintenance plans or procedures.
State and county departments or agencies shall acknowledge their
understanding of their responsibility and obligation to maintain the
accessible EWF surface in compliance with the ADAAG Section 4.5 Ground and
Floor Surfaces. This acknowledgement
may be met by the signature of the director, or his or her designee, of the
State or county department overseeing the project. ___________________________________________
______________________________________ Name
(Print) of Director ,Title
Signature
Date ___________________________________________ Department/Agency |
DCAB-FAU-6 (rev. 05/08)