Becoming law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures all Americans have the same level of access to public life, regardless of ability. Because of the importance the ADA carries, implementing each aspect of this act should be planned carefully to ensure true accessibility.
Detectable warning tiles, a critical aspect of public accessibility, are no different. Following this roadmap to success puts you on the right path to creating a truly accessible space!
Understand Code Compliance
While meeting code compliance is a major concern for any project, understanding the reasoning behind the regulations is just as important.
Detectable warning tiles are an important aspect of the ADA and allow public spaces to remain truly accessible to all members of the public, regardless of ability. ADA tiles are required to provide a non-visual pathway as well as a non-visual warning of upcoming changes or potential hazards.
Additionally, the success of ADA tiles is determined whether they meet the stringent guidelines outlined in the ADA, such as installation location, truncated dome height and width, surface area of installation and more.
Define Installation Locations
ADA tiles are required in several key areas of public spaces to provide non-visual wayfinding cues and path marking. Refer to the ADA to clearly define the required locations of ADA tiles, to ensure your space remains easily accessed by persons with visual impairments.
As a starting point, consider the most common installation locations for ADA tiles, such as:
- Curb Ramps
- Transit Platforms
- Stair Landings
- Parking Lots
- Concourse Halls
Determine Application Type
The application of ADA tiles may vary, based on installation location or building code regulations. For example, replaceable cast-in place ADA tiles are often recommended in new construction as they are placed directly into wet-set concrete, creating a permanent installation.
Alternatively, surface applied truncated dome tiles are commonly used to retrofit existing areas as installation does not require disturbing the substrate, and are well-suited for interior applications.
To accommodate the radius curve found at many pedestrian crossings, ADA tiles are also offered in standard radius sizes to easily ensure code compliance.
Follow Through with Installation
After clearly defining the ADA tile installation locations in your space and determining the right application, it’s time to bring all your careful planning to fruition!
Referring to the ADA and any other applicable building code guidelines, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a code compliant installation of your ADA tile. Following through on the installation is the most important stop on the roadmap to successful detectable warning tiles.
The Final Product
By now you should have a successful installation of ADA tiles! After the installation has set you can rest easy knowing your space is easily accessible and allows persons with visual impairments to safely navigate the space, unaided.
Understanding the importance of detectable warning tiles is just the first step on a roadmap to successful ADA tile installations. As a critical aspect of the ADA, detectable warning tiles provide critical accessibility to public spaces.
For the most successful ADA tile installation, choose Access® Tile’s industry leading detectable warning pavers. We offer a full range of detectable warning surfaces in a variety of sizes and colors to ensure the perfect solution for every project. Our innovative replicability feature is unmatched by any other tile in the industry. For existing surfaces, Access® Tile’s surface applied tiles are light-weight and easy to install, without the need to disturb the surrounding substrate.
Reap the rewards of the ultimate solution® in detectable warning systems and choose Access® Tile for your next project!
