Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 109 - Arkansas Development Finance Authority › Division 04 - Multi-Family Housing › Rule 109.04.07-003 - Changes to and New Policy pertaining to the Multi-Family Housing Minimum Design Standard

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Part 1:Introduction
OVERVIEW:
With the changing demographics of the United States (and much
				of the world)-i.e. the aging of the "baby-boom" generation and the increased
				prevalence of various disabilities- there has become an increasing importance
				(and demand) to develop affordable, user-friendly housing. The design and
				construction of inclusive housing has become most signifcant in the South and
				states such as Arkansas, where the aforementioned economic and demographic
				effects are most pronounced. This document serves as a guide for local,
				regional, and state governments, agencies, and housing authorities and for
				designers, developers, builders, architects, and engineers working with these
				organizations for designing and constructing more accessible, usable housing.
				This guide may be adopted or utilized (in part or in whole) by any of these
				organizations or individuals as a means to positively affect the quality of
				housing in the state of Arkansas.
HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT:
The
Usability Standards
contained herein
				provide guidance for designing and constructing more ergonomic, universally
				functional housing. The usability standards listed below are organized
				according to the traditional functions that take place within the home (e.g.
				sleeping, food preparation, etc.). Each category contains two components:
(1) Levels of Usability (top) and (2)
			 Usability
Criteria (left). There are four types of usability:
(a) mobility,
(b) operability,
(c) perceptibility, and
(d) security. To the right of each usability
			 criteria is a continuum of achievement levels-
Level 1: Visitable
through
Level 5: All-Inclusive
-where the usability
			 standard is specifed. The diagram below illustrates the two basic facets of the
			 Usability Standards.
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ORGANIZATION OF THE DOCUMENT
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ORGANIZATION OF THE USABILITY STANDARDS
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LEVELS OF USABILITY
Level 1:
						  Visitable
Accommodates the brief stay of
						  diverse
visitors.
Level 3: Livable
Accommodates the needs of
						  diverse
visitors as well as most residents, and
						  is
easily adaptable to accommodate
						  future
needs.
Level 5: All-Inclusive
Accommodates the needs of all visitors and residents
						  throughout their life spans with minimal adaptation.
1.
Mobility.
Can you get to it?
2.
Operability.
Can you operate it?
3.
Perceptibility.
Does it communicate with you?
4.
Security.
Does it provide
				safety/protection?
PRIMARY DEFINITIONS
:
Definitions are provided below for each level of usability and
				each usability criterion.
LEVELS OF USABILITY
Level 1:
						  Visitable
"Visitable" is the enabling of:
- ambulatory visitors,
- visitors utilizing assistive technologies, and
- visitors utilizing wheeled mobility devices
to:
- access, move to and through, and
- remain safe and secure in
at least one connected set of spaces, including a
						  minimum of:
a. one visitable approach and entry,
b. one entry-floor visitable bathroom,
and
c. one entry-floor visitable interior space (other than
						  the entry and bathroom).
In addition, all
Level 1
(or higher)
						  standards must be fulfilled.
Level 3: Livable
"Livable" is the enabling of:
- ambulatory residents,
- residents who utilize assistive technologies,
- residents utilizing wheeled mobility devices,
- residents with a wide range of strengths and
						  dexterities, and
- residents with diverse sensory abilities
to:
- access, move to and through,
- operate the fixtures within,
- receive and interpret sensory cues in, and
- remain safe and secure in
at least one connected set of spaces, including a
						  minimum of:
a. a visitable and operable main entry,
b. one livable bathroom,
c. one livable kitchen,
d.
and
one livable
						  bedroom.
In addition, all
Level 3
(or higher)
						  standards must be fulfilled.
Level 5:
						  All-Inclusive
"All-Inclusive" is the enabling of:
- ambulatory residents,
- residents who utilize assistive technologies,
- residents utilizing wheeled mobility devices,
- residents with a wide range of strengths and
						  dexterities
to:
- access, move to and through,
- operate the fixtures within,
- receive and interpret sensory cues in, and
- remain safe and secure in
all connected spaces of the home, including a
						  minimum of:
a. all approaches and entries, and b. all interior
						  spaces.
In addition, all
Level 5
(or higher)
						  standards described below must be fulfilled.
1.
Mobility.
Mobility is the enabling of ambulatory occupants, users of
				assistive technologies, and occupants utilizing wheeled mobility devices
to access and move to and through various
				spaces
.
2.
Operability.
Operability is the enabling of users with a wide range of
				strengths and dexterities
to properly and efficiently use fixtures,
				mechanisms, and controls.
3.
Perceptibility.
Perceptibility is the enabling of users with diverse sensory
				abilities
to receive and interpret a variety of sensory
				cues
, including visual, auditory, and tactile information.
4.
Security.
Security is the enabling of diverse users
to remain
				safe and protected from injury, harm, and discomfort
caused by the
				design of the dwelling or its immediate surrounds.
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS:
Defnitions are provided below for terms used in this
				document.
All-Inclusive. Any space or feature that meets or exceeds the
				criteria of Level 5.
Diverse Occupants.
Visitors and/or residents who
				may:
(a) be ambulatory or
			 nonambulatory, or use wheeled mobility devices,
(b) have motor impairments or reduced
			 physical dexterity,
(c) have
			 cognitive or developmental disabilities, or sensory impairments, or
(d) have no disabilities.
Egress.
Any interior or exterior path of travel
				to or from any interior or exterior space.
Emergency Egress.
Any means of travel that can be
				legally defned (by applicable national and local codes/regulations) as a safe,
				effective means of travel in the case of fre or other emergency.
Interior Space(s).
Any environmentally-controlled
				space of a residence, including, but not limited to bathing, toileting, food
				preparation, living, eating, and sleeping spaces.
Livable.
Any space or feature that exceeds the
				criteria of Level 3.
Main Entry.
The most visually prominent and/or
				most proximal entry to the public right-of-way or parking.
Occupant.
Any visitor, resident, or other person
				who temporarily or permanently inhabits a residence.
Occupants/residents of Various Heights.
Visitor,
				residents, or other persons who temporarily or permanently inhabit a residence
				who (a) may be ambulatory, nonambulatory or may use wheeled mobility devices,
				(b) may be standing or seated, (c) may be a child or adult and male or female,
				and (d) may be 42-75" in height.
Parking Space.
Any interior or exterior space in
				which the primary function is for the storage/parking of automobiles; this may
				be either privately owned or public.
Resident.
One of the primary, permanent or
				semi-permanent occupants of a residence; or a person whose temporary or
				permanent address is at said residence. This may be an owner, a renter, or a
				family member/friend of the owner or renter.
Public Right-of-Way.
The non-privately-owned
				space most proximal to an entry of a residence that is accessible to either
				pedestrians or vehicular traffc.
Visitable.
Any space or feature that meets or
				exceeds the criteria of Level 1.
Visitor.
Any non-resident occupant of a
				residence.
REFERENCES
American National Standards Institute, Inc. (2004).
American national standard: Accessible and usable buildings and
				facilities.
Illinois: International Code Council, Inc. Building
				Officials and Code Administrators. (1999).
The BOCA national building
				code.
Illinois: Delmar Thomson Learning.
Clarkson, John, Roger Coleman, Simeon Keates, and Cherie
				Lebbon, eds. (2003).
Inclusive design: Design for the whole population.
London: Springer.
The Center for Universal Design (1997).
The principles
				of universal design, version 2.0.
Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State
				University. Covington, George A., & Bruce Hannah. (1997)
Access by
				design.
NY: John Wiley and Sons
Goldsmith, Selwyn. (2000).
Universal design: A manual
				of practical guidance for architects.
Oxford: Architectural
				Press.
Imrie, Rob & Peter Hall. (2001).
Inclusive design:
				Designing and developing accessible environments.
London: Spon.
International Code Council, Inc. (2003).
International
				building code.
Illinois: International Code Council, Inc.
International Code Council, Inc. (2003).
International
				residential code for one- and two-family dwellings.
Illinois:
				International Code Council, Inc.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. (2000).
Access to
				and use of buildings: Approved document M.
United Kingdom: The
				Stationery Office.
Preiser, Wolfgang F.E. & Elaine Ostroff, eds. (2001).
Universal Design Handbook.
NY: McGraw-Hill.
Smith, Korydon, Jennifer Webb & Brent Wlliams (2006).
Arkansas housing and health survey: Summary report.
Arkansas:
				Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services. From
http://uark.edu/ua/studio/StudioAID2/content/survey%20report/AR%20Health%26Housing%20Report%202006.doc
Universal Design New York,
vols. 1 & 2.
				Gary Scott Dandford and Beth Tauke, eds. in conjunction with the University at
				Buffalo
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental
				Access.
United States Access Board (1984).
Uniform federal
				accessibility standards.
Washington, D.C.: Federal Register.
Part 2: Usability Standards
Parking, Approach & Entry
2.01
Interior Spaces (general)
2.02
Bathing & Toileting Spaces
2.03
Sleeping Spaces
2.04
Food Preparation Spaces
2.05
Exterior Spaces
2.06
Miscellaneous
2.07
Level 1: Visitable
Level 3: Livable
Level 5: All-Inclusive
Mobility
at parking/right-of-way.
A minimum of one parking space is easily adapted
						  to accommodate a full-size car and side loading of diverse
						  occupants.
A minimum of one parking space accommodates a
						  full-size car and side loading of diverse occupants.
3.01 or
						  3.02
A minimum of one parking space2
							 accommodates a full-size van and side
and
rear loading of diverse occupants.
Mobility
to entry (approach).
Egress from parking (
or
public right-of-way) to the interior of one
visitable entry
can be easily traversed by diverse visitors.
Egress from parking (
or
public right-of-way) to the interior of the
main entry
be
						  easily traversed by diverse visitors.
3.01 or
						  3.02
Egress from parking (
or
public right-of-way) to the interior of all entries can be easily traversed by
						  diverse visitors.
Mobility
at entry (int. &
						  ext.).
An interior space
and
an
						  exterior space, which enable diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees,
						  are provided immediately adjacent to
visitable entry
.
An interior space
and
an
						  exterior space, which enable diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees,
						  are provided immediately adjacent to
main entry
.
3.03
						  or 3.04
An interior space
and
an
						  exterior space, which enable diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees,
						  are provided immediately adjacent to all entries.
Operability
of entrance.
Visitable entry (a) is operable with a closed
						  fist
and
(b) requires minimum effort for
						  operation.
Main entry (a) is operable with a closed fist
and
(b) requires minimum effort for operation.
3.05
All entries (a) are operable with a closed fist
and
(b) requires minimum effort for operation.
Perceptibility
of entry signals.
Visitable entry enables visual access (interior
						  to exterior)
or
auditory communication (between
						  interior and exterior occupants).
Main entry provides a call device that provides
						  visual, auditory, or tactile cues to the visitor.
Main entry enables visual access (interior to
						  exterior) for residents of various heights.
3.06
Main entry enables auditory communication between
						  interior and exterior occupants.
3.06
Main entry provides appropriate day- and
						  night-time illumination.
3.06
All entries enable visual access (interior to
						  exterior) for residents of various heights.
All entries enable auditory communication between
						  interior and exterior occupants.
All entries provide appropriate day- and
						  night-time illumination.
Security
against
						  slipping/tripping.
Materials, assemblies, and transitions along
						  approach from parking (or public right-of-way) to interior space of visitable
						  entry provides security against slipping and tripping.
Materials, assemblies, and transitions along
						  approach from parking (or public right-of-way) to interior space of main entry
						  provides security against slipping and tripping.
3.07
Materials, assemblies, and transitions along
						  approach from parking (or public right-of-way) to interior space of all entries
						  provide security against slipping and tripping.
Security
from weather.
Main entry provides partial protection from the
						  extreme weather of the region.
3.08
Main entry provides full protection from the
						  extreme weather of the region; all other entries provide partial
						  protection.
Mobility
within interior.
Each "visitable" space contains a minimum of one
						  area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
Passage between each "visitable" space is enabled
						  for diverse occupants.
Each "livable" interior space contains a minimum
						  of one area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180
						  degrees.
3.09 & 3.10
Passage between each "livable" space is enabled
						  for diverse occupants.
3.11, 3.12, 3.13, or 3.14
For multi-storey units, a Every interior space
						  (excluding minimum of one defined storage spaces) contains a minimum vertical
						  space is able to of one area enabling diverse accommodate the future occupants
						  to rest and to turn 180 installation of an degrees. elevator or lift with
						  a
minimum of structural Passage between each space
						  is adaptation. enabled for diverse occupants.
Operability
of doors.
All doors connecting "visitable" spaces are
						  operable with a closed fist.
All doors connecting "livable" spaces are
						  operable with a closed fist.
3.15
All doors are operable with a closed fist.
Operability
of windows.
Doors, windows, and finish materials and
						  assemblies of "livable" spaces are easily maintained/cleaned.
All non-fixed windows are operable with a closed
						  fist.
Operability
of electrical
						  fixtures.
All lighting controls along "visitable" means of
						  egress are operable with a closed fist and a push-stick.
All lighting controls in "livable" spaces are
						  operable with a closed fist and a push-stick by residents of various heights.
3.16
All electrical outlets are operable by residents
						  of various heights.
3.16
Interior services & communication systems are
						  easily serviced and upgraded w/ a minimum of adaptation required.
All lighting and heating controls are operable
						  with a closed fist and a push-stick by residents of various heights
or
are controlled by automated devices or external
						  agencies.
All electrical outlets are operable by residents
						  of various heights.
Operability
of storage
						  units/spaces.
All doors and drawers to storage units and spaces
						  in "livable" areas a) are operable with a closed fist or a flat open hand and
						  b) require a minimum effort of operation.
3.17
All doors and drawers to storage units and spaces
						  a) are operable with a closed fist or a flat open hand and b) require a minimum
						  effort of operation.
Perceptibility
of exterior
A minimum of one window in each living space
						  enables residents of various heights to view out.
3.18
All storage spaces/units can be reconfigured w/o
						  structural adaptation to facilitate diverse storage arrangements.
A minimum of one window in each living space
						  enables residents of various heights to view out.
Perceptibility
of controls &
						  alarms.
All environmental controls (e.g. light switches,
						  thermostats, etc.) provide visual, auditory, and tactile cues.
Security
against
						  slipping/tripping.
All interior materials, assemblies, and
						  transitions provide security against slipping and tripping.
All interior materials, assemblies, and
						  transitions provide security against slipping and tripping.
3.19
All interior materials, assemblies, and
						  transitions provide security against slipping and tripping.
Mobility
within bathroom.
Each "visitable" toileting space contains an area
						  enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
Configuration of "visitable" toileting space or
						  adjacent "visitable" space enables side approach to and use of sink for diverse
						  occupants.
Each "livable" bathing and/or toileting space
						  contains an area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
3.20,
3.21, 3.22, or
						  3.23
Configuration of "livable" bathing and/or
						  toileting space enables front and side approach to and use of all plumbing
						  fixtures for diverse occupants.
3.20, 3.21,
3.22, or 3.23
Every bathing and/or toileting space contains an
						  area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
Configuration of each bathing and/or toileting
						  space enables front and side approach to and use of sink for diverse
						  occupants.
Operability
of fixtures.
Sink fixture in "visitable" toileting space or
						  adjacent "visitable" space a) is operable with a closed fist and b) requires a
						  minimum effort of operation.
All plumbing fixtures in "livable" bathing and/or
						  toileting spaces a) are operable with a closed fist and b) require a minimum
						  effort of operation.
3.24
All cabinetry/storage in "livable" bathing and/or
						  toileting spaces a) is operable with a closed fist or a flat open hand and b)
						  requires a minimum effort of operation.
3.24
Cabinetry, fixtures, and assistive devices can be
						  reconfigured to facilitate diverse arrangements w/o structural adaptation or
						  purchase of additional components.
All plumbing fixtures a) are operable with a
						  closed fist and b) require a minimum effort of operation.
All cabinetry/storage in all bathing and/or
						  toileting spaces a) is operable with a closed fist or a flat open hand and b)
						  requires a minimum effort of operation.
Perceptibility
of plumbing
						  fixtures.
All plumbing controls (e.g. sinks and bathing
						  fixtures) provide intuitive visual and tactile cues.
Security
of plumbing fixtures.
All plumbing fixtures in "livable" bathing and/or
						  toileting space(s) provide security against scalding.
3.25
All plumbing fixtures in all bathing and/or
						  toileting spaces provide security against scalding.
Mobility
within sleeping spaces.
A "visitable" sleeping space is provided which
						  meets all Level 3 criteria for sleeping spaces.
All "livable" sleeping spaces contain areas
						  enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
3.26
All sleeping spaces contain areas enabling
						  diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
Perceptibility
of alarms.
Emergency alarms in "livable" sleeping space(s)
						  provide both visual and auditory cues.
3.27
Emergency alarms in all sleeping space(s) provide
						  both visual and auditory cues.
Security
of egress.
A minimum of one window in each "livable"
						  sleeping space enables emergency egress or rescue of diverse occupants.
3.28
A direct route between a minimum of one bedroom
						  and one bathroom enables the future installation of a bed-to-bath hoist.
A minimum of one window in each sleeping space
						  enables emergency egress or rescue of diverse occupants.
Mobility
within food prep spaces.
Each "livable" food preparation space contains a
						  minimum of one area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180
						  degrees.
3.29, 3.30, 3.31, or 3.32
Configuration of "livable" food preparation
						  space(s) enables front or side approach to and use of sink(s), appliances, and
						  cabinetry/storage for diverse occupants.
3.29, 3.30, 3.31, or
						  3.32
All food preparation spaces contain a minimum of
						  one area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees.
Configurations of all food preparation spaces
						  enable front and side approach to and use of sink(s), appliances, and
						  cabinetry/storage for diverse occupants.
Operability
of fixtures.
Work surfaces enable usability for residents of
						  various heights.
3.33
All cabinetry/storage in "livable" food
						  preparation spaces a) is operable with a closed fist or a flat open hand and b)
						  requires a minimum effort of operation.
3.34
All plumbing fixtures in "livable" food
						  preparation spaces a) are operable with a closed fist and b) require a minimum
						  effort of operation.
3.34
Cabinetry, fixtures, and assistive devices can be
						  reconfigured to facilitate diverse arrangements w/o structural adaptation or
						  purchase of additional components.
All cabinetry/storage in all food preparation
						  spaces a) is operable with a closed fist or a flat open hand and b) requires a
						  minimum effort of operation.
All plumbing fixtures in all food preparation
						  spaces a) are operable with a closed fist and b) require a minimum effort of
						  operation.
Operability
of electrical
						  fixtures.
All lighting controls in "livable" spaces are
						  operable with a closed fist and a push-stick by residents of various heights.
3.35
All electrical outlets are operable by residents
						  of various heights.
3.35
All lighting and heating controls are operable
						  with a closed fist and a push-stick by residents of various heights
or
are controlled by automated devices or external
						  agencies.
All electrical outlets are operable by residents
						  of various heights.
Perceptibility
of plumbing
						  fixtures.
All plumbing controls (e.g. sinks and bathing
						  fixtures) provide intuitive visual and tactile cues.
Perceptibility
of appliances.
All devoted outlet appliances provide intuitive
						  visual and auditory or tactile cues.
3.36
All devoted outlet appliances provide intuitive
						  visual and auditory or tactile cues.
Security
against scalding.
All plumbing fixtures in "livable" food
						  preparation spaces provide security against scalding.
3.37
All plumbing fixtures in all food preparation
						  spaces provide security against scalding.
Mobility
at exterior.
An exterior space including a minimum of one area
						  enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180 degrees is provided.
Passage between "livable" interior and exterior
						  spaces is enabled for diverse occupants.
An exterior space is provided which contains a
						  minimum of one area enabling diverse occupants to rest and to turn 180
						  degrees.
Passage between interior and exterior spaces is
						  enabled for diverse occupants.
Mobility
to neighborhood/vicinity.
Egress from
main entry
of home
						  to neighborhood amenities (e.g. shopping, public transportation, employment,
						  etc.) is easily traversed by diverse visitors.
Operability
of doors.
All doors connecting "livable" interior spaces to
						  exterior spaces are operable with a closed fist.
All doors connecting interior spaces to exterior
						  spaces are operable with a closed fist.
Operability
of exterior.
Exterior landscaping, finish materials, and
						  assemblies are easily maintained.
Exterior landscaping, finish materials, and
						  assemblies are easily maintained or are maintained by a private agency.
Operability
of exterior lighting.
All lighting controls in "livable" exterior
						  spaces are operable with a closed fist and a push-stick.
All exterior lighting controls are operable with
						  a closed fist and a push-stick
or
are controlled by
						  automated devices or external agencies.
Operability
of exterior lighting.
All doors and drawers to storage units and spaces
						  in exterior "livable" areas are operable with a closed fist.
All doors and drawers to exterior storage units
						  and spaces are operable with a closed fist.
Perceptibility
of exterior controls and
						  signage.
All exterior controls (e.g. light switches) and
						  neighborhood signage provides visual, auditory, and tactile cues.
Security
against
						  slipping/tripping.
All materials, assemblies, and transitions in
						  "livable" exterior spaces provide security against slipping and
						  tripping.
All exterior materials, assemblies, and
						  transitions provide security against slipping and tripping.
Mobility
at electrical panels.
Electrical panels enable access for diverse
						  occupants and users of various heights.
3.38
Electrical panels enable access for diverse
						  occupants and users of various heights.
Security
at electrical panels.
Electrical panels provide security against
						  electrical shock.
3.38
Electrical panels provide security against
						  electrical shock.
Part 3: Examples
I: Parking, Approach & Entry
3.01 -
				3.08
II: Interior Spaces (general)
3.09 -
				3.19
III: Bathing & Toileting Spaces
3.20
				- 3.25
IV: Sleeping Spaces
3.26 - 3.28
V: Food Preparation Spaces
3.29 -
				3.37
VI: Miscellaneous
3.38
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Parking, Approach & Entry: Mobility
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Interior Spaces: Mobility
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Interior Spaces: Operability
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Interior Spaces: Perceptibility
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Bathing & Toileting Spaces: Mobility |
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Bathing & Toileting Spaces: Operability
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Bathing & Toileting Spaces: Security
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Sleeping Spaces: Mobility
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Sleeping Spaces: Perceptibility
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Sleeping Spaces: Mobility
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Food Preparation Spaces: Mobility
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Food Preparation Spaces: Operability
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Food Preparation Spaces: Perceptibility
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Food Preparation Spaces: Security
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Miscellaneous.: Mobility + Security
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