ABA Accessibility Standard for GSA Facilities Pocket Guide

F202.4 Alterations Affecting Primary Function Areas.

In addition to the requirements of F202.3, an alteration that affects or could affect the usability of or access to an area containing a primary function shall be made so as to ensure that, to the maximum extent feasible, the path of travel to the altered area, including the rest rooms, telephones, and drinking fountains serving the altered area, are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, unless such alterations are disproportionate to the overall alterations in terms of cost and scope as determined under criteria established by the Administrator of the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, or the United States Postal Service.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. Residential dwelling units shall not be required to comply with F202.4.

2. Camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, trailheads, trails, and beach access routes shall not be required to comply with F202.4.

41 CFR, Chapter 102, Subchapter C, Part 102-76, Subpart C—Architectural Barriers Act

Sec. 102-76.70. When are the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to an altered area containing a primary function disproportionate to the costs of the overall alterations for facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a)? For facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a), the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to an altered area containing a primary function are disproportionate to the costs of the overall alterations when they exceed 20 percent of the costs of the alterations to the primary function area. If a series of small alterations are made to areas containing a primary function and the costs of any of the alterations considered individually would not result in providing an accessible path of travel to the altered areas, the total costs of the alterations made within the three year period after the initial alteration must be considered when determining whether the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to the altered areas are disproportionate. Facilities for which new leases are entered into must comply with F202.6 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard without regard to whether the costs of alterations to comply with F202.6 are disproportionate to the costs of the overall alterations.

Sec. 102-76.75. What costs are included in the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to an altered area containing a primary function for facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a)? For facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a), the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to an altered area containing a primary function include the costs associated with--

    (a) Providing an accessible route to connect the altered area and site arrival points, including but not limited to interior and exterior ramps, elevators and lifts, and curb ramps;

    (b) Making entrances serving the altered area accessible, including but not limited to widening doorways and installing accessible hardware;

    (c) Making restrooms serving the altered area accessible, including, but not limited to, enlarging toilet stalls, installing grab bars and accessible faucet controls, and insulating pipes under lavatories;

    (d) Making public telephones serving the altered area accessible, including, but not limited to, placing telephones at an accessible height, and installing amplification devices and TTYs;

    (e) Making drinking fountains serving the altered area accessible; and

    (f) Making parking spaces serving the altered area accessible.

Sec. 102-76.80. What is required if the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to an altered area containing a primary function are disproportionate to the costs of the overall alterations for facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a)? For facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a), if the costs of alterations to provide an accessible path of travel to an altered area containing a primary function are disproportionate to the costs of the overall alterations, the path of travel must be made accessible to the extent possible without exceeding 20 percent of the costs of the alterations to the primary function area. Priority should be given to those elements that will provide the greatest access in the following order:

    (a) An accessible route and an accessible entrance;

    (b) At least one accessible restroom for each sex or a single unisex restroom;

    (c) Accessible telephones;

    (d) Accessible drinking fountains; and

    (e) Accessible parking spaces.

Sec. 102-76.85. What is a primary function area for purposes of providing an accessible route in leased facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a)? For purposes of providing an accessible route in leased facilities subject to the standards in Sec. 102-76.65(a), a primary function area is an area that contains a major activity for which the leased facility is intended. Primary function areas include areas where services are provided to customers or the public, and offices and other work areas in which the activities of the Federal agency using the leased facility are carried out.