How Do I Make My Parking Lot ADA-Compliant?
Parking lot accessibility isn’t always a walk in the park, especially if your parking lot is older. For facility managers, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards is crucial for providing equal access to all customers and avoiding potential fines. Our step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of making your parking lot ADA-compliant and creating a safe, welcoming environment for all your visitors.
Understand ADA Requirements for Parking Lots
The first thing you should do to make your parking lot ADA compliant is to familiarize yourself with the ADA requirements. These include the size of ADA parking spaces, the number of ADA spaces required in a given lot, and the type of signage. For example, you will want to have at least one ADA parking space for every 25 spaces in your lot. Larger parking lots will have to have a higher ratio of ADA spaces to standard ones. Additionally, you should have at least one van-accessible space for every six ADA spaces.
Be sure to consult the official ADA guidelines or a paving expert to ensure you are meeting all legal standards.
Designate and Mark Accessible Parking Spaces
One of the important rules to follow to make your parking lot ADA-compliant is to mark and stripe accessible parking spaces appropriately. Access aisles should accompany accessible spaces for those who use mobility devices to get in and out of their vehicles and a marking on the pavement that designates it as an accessible space. Access aisles should be at least 5 feet wide for regular spaces and 8 feet wide for van-accessible spaces.
You should also have visible signs on each accessible parking space that designate it as accessible. Signs should be equipped with the international symbol of accessibility and should identify the space as van-accessible if it is the case. Signs should be installed at least 60 inches off the ground to ensure they remain visible, even when cars are parked.
Ensure Proper Surface Grading and Slope
The slope of the accessible parking spaces and aisles is also a factor in a parking lot ADA compliant design. The parking lot surface should be level and have a slope of no more than 2% in any direction. This will make it easy and safe for someone in a wheelchair or on a walker to maneuver.
Should your current parking lot surface be unlevel or have slopes that are too steep, they can be corrected with asphalt resurfacing or regrading. Productive Asphalt can level and resurface asphalt for ADA-compliant parking.
Provide Accessible Pathways to Building Entrances
ADA compliance extends beyond the spaces themselves. You will need to ensure there are safe and accessible routes from the parking lot to the building entrance. The paths should be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs (minimum 36 inches) and clear of obstructions.
If there are elevation changes, ramps with handrails may be necessary. Be sure that all surfaces are slip-resistant and that the routes are clearly marked. Curb ramps should be provided whenever an accessible route crosses a curb.
Perform Regular Maintenance to Ensure Compliance
Maintaining ADA compliance is an ongoing process. Parking lot striping and paint can fade over time, and signs can become damaged or weathered. Please check out your parking lot and repaint striping as needed. Replace any missing or illegible signs.
In addition, cracks, potholes, or other uneven surfaces can create a safety hazard for people with mobility issues. Repair any such issues as soon as possible to ensure your parking lot remains accessible and safe for all users.
Consult Professionals for ADA Upgrades
ADA regulations can be tricky, and you don’t have to figure them out on your own. Working with an expert company like Productive Asphalt will ensure your parking lot is ADA-compliant and adheres to all local and federal regulations. Our professional staff can stripe, resurface, and grade your lot to create a safe, functional, and attractive space that is accessible for any business.
Conclusion
Paving your parking lot to ADA standards is a vital step in creating an accessible and inclusive environment. This process includes everything from proper striping and signage to ensuring level surfaces and safe pedestrian pathways. ADA compliance is all about careful planning and attention to detail, so staying proactive and working with professionals can help you meet the requirements. By doing so, you can create a safe and welcoming space that prioritizes accessibility for all visitors.
Ready to upgrade your parking lot? Contact Productive Asphalt today for a free consultation and let us help you ensure ADA compliance with ease!
