The 2010 ADA Accessibility Guidelines provide design requirements for accessibility to buildings and site by individuals with disabilities. The following sections address how Belgard® pavers and slabs can be used to meet ADA guidelines.
ADA-compliant pavers and slabs installed on aggregate or concrete base assemblies inherently create stable and firm surfaces. Slip resistance can be measured using ANSI A326.3 American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Materials, which covers all hard flooring surfaces, interior and exterior.
The test method uses a tribometer BOT 3000E device. Belgard smooth finish pavers meet the acceptance criteria of ? 0.42.
To verify the openings in a ground surface are compliant, a simple test is done to see if a ½ inch diameter sphere can pass through the opening. Most Belgard permeable pavers create surface openings less than 1/2 inch wide.
The optimal opening size for permeable joint aggregates is 3/8" (10 mm) which is below the ADA opening threshold.
Belgard truncated dome brick pavers are manufactured in accordance with the size and spacing truncated dome requirements in Section 705. Plus, the modular size makes it easy to match the specified marking dimensions for curb ramps in Section 406.
Detectable warning pavers are vital to pedestrian accessibility, and are measured with Light Reflectance Value (LRV) testing to ensure ADA paver compliance. Light Reflectance Value (LRV) testing was done on select Belgard paver colors to determine which pairings provide the required visual contrast.
The test results are summarized in the adjacent table.
Although not addressed in the ADA Accessibility Guidelines, there has been industry research regarding pavement roughness and wheelchair use comfort. 2018 research found that pavers with micro-chamfers (nominal 3 mm width) and industry recommended joint widths, along with smooth or low-profiled textured pavers did not cause wheelchair discomfort.
Most Belgard pavers, slabs and planks can be used in pedestrian wheelchair access applications.
“ 2mm chamfers would be acceptable for any route travelled by individuals using wheelchairs.”
