Site Accessibility Evaluation

Americans with Disabilities Act
Title II (Public Services: State and Local Government)
Evaluation PU18-0029 Cover Photo
Fire Station 3
922 W Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Accessibility Evaluation
Inspection Date: 01/10/2017
Inspectors: Robert Hernandez
Prepared By
City of Colorado Springs Logo
City of Colorado Springs
(719) 385 - 5175
https://coloradosprings.gov/
Report Date: 01/16/2025

FOR RECORD:

FROM: Robert L. Hernandez, Title II ADA/Section 504 – Manager

DATE: 01/16/2025

SUBJECT: Fire Station 3 Self-Evaluation

1. On 01/10/2017, Title II ADA / Section 504 Coordinator(s) from the Office of Accessibility performed a Title II - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation. This evaluation was performed in accordance with 1991/2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

2. Priorities for removing barriers are assigned in accordance with the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities, promulgated by the ADA National Network. The checklist follows the four priorities listed in the Department of Justice ADA Title III regulations. These priorities are equally applicable to state and local government facilities:

Priority 1 - Accessible approach and entrance
Priority 2 - Access to goods and services
Priority 3 - Access to public toilet rooms
Priority 4 - Access to other items such as water fountains and public telephones

3. Corrective actions to findings were / will be submitted to the City maintenance work request system and will be managed in accordance with the City Transition Plan. Note: Recommended corrections may be modified where appropriate. Corrections are developed in consideration of the “Program Access” provisions of Title II, where applicable.

4. A copy of this report will be maintained by the Office of Accessibility. Updates to the findings included in this report will be available at the following link: https://access6.bluedag.com/access/barriers/GfhHF91nlvMItTaD4rVzj85XBKNZxywJ. Alternatively, this link is available from the Office of Accessibility’s webpage on the City of Colorado Springs website.


City of Colorado Springs Title II ADA/Section 504 – Manager
30 S. Nevada Ave, Suite 301
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
ADACompliance@coloradosprings.gov


Atch 1. City of Colorado Springs, ADA Self-Evaluation Report

Sincerely,


Robert Hernandez

Findings

Exterior - Parking

BFID: 184231

There are no accessible parking stalls. The parking lot serves the fire department personnel. There is not an accessible route to the rear entrance of the fire station which this parking lot serves.

Each lot where parking is provided for the public as clients, guests, or employees, shall provide accessible parking and shall be located on the shortest accessible route of travel from adjacent parking to an accessible entrance.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 208.2
Parking spaces complying with 502 shall be provided in accordance with Table 208.2 except as required by 208.2.1, 208.2.2, and 208.2.3. Where more than one parking facility is provided on a site, the number of accessible spaces provided on the site shall be calculated according to the number of spaces required for each parking facility.

Recommendation:
Consider making the unorthodox stall pictured into an access aisle with the adjacent stall designated as accessible. Explore larger signage.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 184231 Main Photo
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 184231 Additional Photo
Finding 184231 Additional Photo
Finding 184231 Additional Photo
Finding 184231 Additional Photo

Exterior - Accessible Routes

BFID: 184232

The rear entrance may only be accessed by 2 steps, totalling 14".

This path of travel requires crossing a drainage grate with holes greater than 1/2" in the path of travel.

The walkway contains abrupt vertical edges and/or variations over a 1/4 inch.

1/4 inch is the maximum vertical rise. Changes in level between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch must be beveled at 1:2 or less.

Changes in level greater than 1/2 inch must be by way of a ramp.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 303.3
Changes in level between 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and 1/2 inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.

2010 ADAS Section 303.2
Changes in level of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical.

Recommendation:
Leave as is, and install signage indicating the front entrance is the accessible/public entrance.
Barrier Priority:
Important (2): Should be completed as soon as possible. (Includes findings that would remove barriers to the greatest number of people to your goods and services)
Department:
CSFD
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BFID: 184233

Surface cross slopes shall not exceed one unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2-percent slope). When the slope in the direction of travel of any walk exceeds 1 unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), it must be constructed as ramp.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 403.3
The running slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:20. The cross slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:48.

Recommendation:
Remove and replace pads to compliance.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 184233 Main Photo
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 184233 Additional Photo
Finding 184233 Additional Photo
Finding 184233 Additional Photo
Finding 184233 Additional Photo
Finding 184233 Additional Photo
Finding 184233 Additional Photo

BFID: 184234

The walkway contains abrupt vertical edges and/or variations over a 1/2 inch.

1/4 inch is the maximum vertical rise. Changes in level between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch must be beveled at 1:2 or less.

Changes in level greater than 1/2 inch must be by way of a ramp.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 303.3
Changes in level between 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and 1/2 inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2.

2010 ADAS Section 303.2
Changes in level of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical.

Recommendation:
Tear out and replace pads. Costs in previous findings.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 184234 Main Photo
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 184234 Additional Photo
Finding 184234 Additional Photo

BFID: 194671

The curb ramps do not have detectable warnings.
Citation:
2011 PROWAG Section R208.1
Detectable warning surfaces complying with R305 shall be provided at the following locations on pedestrian access routes and at transit stops:
1. Curb ramps and blended transitions at pedestrian street crossings;
2. Pedestrian refuge islands;
3. Pedestrian at-grade rail crossings not located within a street or highway;
4. Boarding platforms at transit stops for buses and rail vehicles where the edges of the boarding platform are not protected by screens or guards; and
5. Boarding and alighting areas at sidewalk or street level transit stops for rail vehicles where the side of the boarding and alighting areas facing the rail vehicles is not protected by screens or guards.Advisory R208.1 Where Required. On pedestrian access routes, detectable warning surfaces indicate the boundary between pedestrian and vehicular routes where there is a flush rather than a curbed connection. Detectable warning surfaces should not be provided at crossings of residential driveways since the pedestrian right-of-way continues across residential driveway aprons. However, where commercial driveways are provided with yield or stop control, detectable warning surfaces should be provided at the junction between the pedestrian route and the vehicular route. Where pedestrian at-grade rail crossings are located within a street or highway, detectable warning surfaces at the curb ramps or blended transitions make a second set of detectable warning surfaces at the rail crossing unnecessary.
Detectable warning surfaces are not intended to provide wayfinding for pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. Wayfinding can be made easier by:
•Sidewalks that provide a clear path free of street furniture;
•Visual contrast between walking and non-walking areas (e.g., planted borders);
•Route edges that are clear and detectable by cane;
•Direct pedestrian street crossings and curb ramps that are in-line with direction of travel;
•Small corner radiuses that permit pedestrian street crossings to be as short and direct as possible;
•Orthogonal intersections that facilitate navigation using parallel and perpendicular vehicle sound cues;
•and barriers where pedestrian travel or crossing is not permitted.

Recommendation:
Add detectable warnings. Consider replacing these ramps.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Corrected Condition:
Detectable warnings were added to ramp face.
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Finding 194671 Corrected Photo
Additional Finding Photos
Finding 194671 Corrected Photo
Finding 194671 Corrected Photo

BFID: 185521

There are multiple issues with these curb ramps including: sharing a common landing with a high slope and vertical lift from the ramp face to the landing pad. The gutter pans also exceed 5%.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 406
Curb Ramps

Recommendation:
Remove and replace the curb ramp landing.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 185521 Main Photo
Additional Finding Photos
Finding 185521 Additional Photo
Finding 185521 Additional Photo

BFID: 184236

The accessible route has running slopes greater than 5% and has not been constructed as a ramp (i.e. handrails,edge protection, etc.). Cross slopes are greater than 2% across the width of the walk.

When the slope in the direction of travel of any walk exceeds 1 unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), it must be constructed as a ramp. Surface cross slopes must not exceed 1 unit vertical in 48 units horizontal (2-percent slope).
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 403.3
The running slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:20. The cross slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:48.

Recommendation:
Remove and replace sidewalk concrete to compliance and the driveway pan to the maximum extent practicable.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 184236 Main Photo
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 184236 Additional Photo
Finding 184236 Additional Photo

BFID: 185522

The accessible route contains running slopes greater than 5 percent across the width of the walk and has not been constructed as a ramp (i.e. handrails, wheel guides, etc.). The driveway has running slope up to 6.3%.

When the slope in the direction of travel of any walk exceeds 1 unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), it must be constructed as ramp. Surface cross slopes must not exceed one unit vertical in 48 units. Horizontal (2-percent slope).
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 403.3
The running slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:20. The cross slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:48.

Recommendation:
Create an accessible route from the sidewalk to the entry of the building. Consider extending the existing sidewalk in front of the station east to Limit St.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 185522 Additional Photo
Finding 185522 Additional Photo

Exterior - Entrance

BFID: 184237

The door bell is small and difficult to see.

Compliant room identification signs are missing on the strike side of the door.

Wall signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces of a building shall be in a horizontal format and the characters raised 1/32 inch minimum and shall be sans serif uppercase characters a minimum of 5/8 inch and a maximum of 2 inches high. Contracted Grade 2 Braille shall be in a horizontal format and shall be placed a minimum of 3/8 inch and a maximum of 1/2 inch directly below the tactile characters; flush left or centered. Dots shall be 1/10 inch on center in each cell with 2/10-inch space between cells, measured from the second column of dots in the first cell to the first column of dots in the second cell. Dots shall be raised a minimum of 1/40 inch above the background. Braille dots shall be domed or rounded. Signs with raised characters or Braille shall be located 48 inches minimum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character and 60 inches maximum above the finish floor or ground surface, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 216.2
Interior and exterior signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces shall comply with 703.1, 703.2, and 703.5. Where pictograms are provided as designations of permanent interior rooms and spaces, the pictograms shall comply with 703.6 and shall have text descriptors complying with 703.2 and 703.5.

2010 ADAS Section 703.4.2
Where a tactile sign is provided at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the door at the latch side. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with one active leaf, the sign shall be located on the inactive leaf. Where a tactile sign is provided at double doors with two active leafs, the sign shall be located to the right of the right hand door. Where there is no wall space at the latch side of a single door or at the right side of double doors, signs shall be located on the nearest adjacent wall. Signs containing tactile characters shall be located so that a clear floor space of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum by 18 inches (455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, is provided beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position.

Recommendation:
Add signage.
Barrier Priority:
Important (2): Should be completed as soon as possible. (Includes findings that would remove barriers to the greatest number of people to your goods and services)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 184237 Main Photo
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 184237 Additional Photo

BFID: 184238

The threshold has a vertical change greater than 1/4 inch high.

The threshold at a doorway shall be no higher than 1/2 inch. Changes in level between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch must be beveled at 1:2 or less. I/4 inch is the maximum vertical rise.
Citation:
2010 ADAS Section 404.2.5
Thresholds, if provided at doorways, shall be 1/2 inch (13 mm) high maximum. Raised thresholds and changes in level at doorways shall comply with 302 and 303.

Recommendation:
Explore method to level out the threshold.
Barrier Priority:
High (1): Should be completed immediately. (Includes findings that have little or no cost, were in violation of the codes at the time of construction, or pose an imminent safety threat)
Department:
CSFD
Finding 184238 Main Photo
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Additional Finding Photos
Finding 184238 Additional Photo