ADMINISTRATIVE
§ 60.1. Definitions.
The definitions set forth in § 49.1 (relating to definitions) are applicable when used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ADAAG—The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities at 28 CFR Part 36 App. A (relating to standards for accessible design).
Access aisle—An accessible pedestrian space between elements, such as parking spaces, seating and desks, that provides clearances appropriate for use of the elements.
Accessible—A building, building site or portion thereof which complies with the specifications and standards established by the Department and that can be approached, entered, negotiated and used by persons with physical disabilities. In the case of existing buildings, the Department under certain conditions may allow, by regulation or variance, for a lesser degree of accessibility than that required for new construction. In the case of residential buildings, the Department may allow, by regulation, that adaptable units will meet accessibility requirements.
Accessible element—An element specified by this chapter; for example, a telephone, a control, and the like.
Accessible route—A continuous unobstructed path which connects all areas within a building and a building site that can be negotiated by a person with a severe physical disability using a wheelchair and that is also safe for and usable by people with other physical disabilities. Interior accessible routes include doorways, corridors, floors, ramps, elevators, lifts and clear floor space at fixtures. Exterior accessible routes include doorways, parking access aisles, curb cuts, walks, ramps and lifts.
Act—The act of September 1, 1965 (P. L. 459, No. 235) (71 P. S. § § 1455.1—1455.3b), known as the Universal Accessibility Act.
Adaptable—The ability of certain building spaces and elements, such as kitchen counters, sinks and grab bars, to be added or altered to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities, or to accommodate the needs of persons with different types or degrees of disabilities.
Area of rescue assistance—An area which has direct access to an exit where people who are unable to use stairs may remain temporarily in safety to await further instructions or assistance during emergency evacuation.
Assembly area—A room or space accommodating 50 or more individuals for religious, recreational, educational, political, social or amusement purposes, or for the consumption of food and drink, including connected rooms or spaces with a common means of egress and ingress.
Automatic door—A door equipped with a power-operated mechanism and controls that open and close the door automatically upon receipt of a momentary actuating signal. The switch that begins the automatic cycle may be a photoelectric device, floor mat or manual switch mounted on or near the door itself. See the definition of ‘‘power-assisted door’’ in this section.
Board—The Advisory Board created under section 3.1 of the act (71 P. S. § 1455.3a).
Building—A structure used for supporting or sheltering a use or occupancy.
Building site—A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.
Children—People 11 years of age or younger.
Circulation path—An exterior or interior way of passage from one place to another for pedestrians, including walks, hallways, courtyards, stairways and stair landings.
Clear floor space—The minimum unobstructed floor or ground space required to accommodate a single, stationary wheelchair and occupant.
Closed circuit telephone—A telephone with dedicated lines, such as a house phone, courtesy phone or phone that must be used to gain entrance to a facility.
Common use—Interior and exterior rooms, spaces or elements that are made available for the use of a restricted group of people; for example, residents of an apartment building, the occupants of an office building or the guests of the residents or occupants.
Construction cost—The total cost or estimated cost of a building, including labor, materials and fixed equipment at current market rates and a reasonable allowance for overhead and profit for a building contractor. The term does not include the cost of architectural fees, other design consultant fees and the cost of the land. The owner or owner’s agent shall provide the construction cost to the Department.
Construction documents—Drawings, specifications, or both, which delineate proposed construction or remodeling.
Cross slope—The slope that is perpendicular to the direction of travel. See the definition of ‘‘running slope’’ in this section.
Curb ramp—A short ramp cutting through a curb or built up to it.
Department—The Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth. In cities of the First Class, Second Class and Second Class A, the term means the agency assigned the responsibility of enforcing the act.
Detectable—Perceptible by one or more of the senses.
Detectable warning—A standardized surface texture applied to or built into walking surfaces or other elements to warn visually impaired people of hazards in the path of travel.
Dwelling units—A room or suite of rooms with sanitation facilities, with or without cooking facilities, and occupied as the home or residence of a single family, individual or group of individuals.
Element—An architectural or mechanical component of a building, facility, space, or site, such as a telephone, curb ramp, door, drinking fountain, seating or water closet.
Entrance—An access point to a building or portion of a building or facility used for the purpose of entering. The term includes the approach walk, the vertical access leading to the entrance platform, the entrance platform, vestibules (if provided) the entry door or gate, and the hardware of the entry door or gate. The principal entrance of a building or facility is the main door through which most people enter.
Facility—All or a portion of a building, structure or area including the site on which the building, structure or area is located, wherein specific services are provided or activities are performed.
Ground floor—An occupiable floor less than one story above or below grade with direct access to grade. A building or facility always has at least one ground floor and may have more than one ground floor as where a split level entrance has been provided or where a building is built into a hillside.
Marked crossing—A crosswalk or other identified path intended for pedestrian use in crossing a vehicular way.
Means of egress—A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a safe area of refuge outside of the building or structure.
Net floor area—The surface area included within the surrounding walls of a building, including the areas occupied by equipment or furnishings. The term does not include vent shafts, elevator shafts, fire towers and other areas as may be designated by regulation.
Operable part—A part of a piece of equipment or appliance used to insert or withdraw objects, or to activate, deactivate or adjust the equipment or appliance; for example, a coin slot, pushbutton or handle.
Persons with physical disabilities—Individuals who have physical disabilities, including impaired sensory or manual abilities, which result in a functional limitation in access to and use of a building or facility.
Power-assisted door—A door used for human passage with a mechanism that helps to open the door, or relieve the opening resistance of a door, upon the activation of a switch or a continued force applied to the door itself. If the switch or door is released, the doors immediately begin to close or close completely within 3 to 30 seconds. See the definition of ‘‘automatic door’’ in this section.
Public—Employes, visitors or other persons who may be on the premises for a lawful purpose.
Ramp—A walking surface in an accessible space that has a running slope greater than 1:20.
Remodeled—Renovated, reconstructed, altered or added to. The term does not include the following: roofing alterations; energy-efficiency-improvement measures, such as weatherization and the addition of insulation; window repair or replacement; rebuilding or replacement of heating, ventilating and cooling systems; remodeling which is cosmetic in nature, such as painting, plastering, improving wall coverings, and repair and replacement of carpeting and floor coverings; rewiring and replumbing except when the rewiring or replumbing involves the relocation of receptacles, controls or fixtures; and other minor repairs and necessary maintenance which do not affect the accessibility or usability of a building by persons with physical disabilities.
Running slope—The slope that is parallel to the direction of travel. See the definition of ‘‘cross slope’’ in this section.
Secretary—The Secretary of the Department. In cities of the First Class, Second Class and Second Class A, the term means the administrative head of the agency assigned the responsibility of enforcing the act.
Service entrance—An entrance intended primarily for delivery of services.
Signage—Audio, symbolic, tactile and pictorial information.
Sleeping accommodations—Rooms in which people sleep; for example, a dormitory or hotel or motel guest room.
Tactile—An object that can be perceived using the sense of touch.
Tactile warning—A standardized surface texture applied to or built into walking surfaces or other elements to warn visually impaired people of hazards in the path of travel.
Temporary—Intended for use for 6 months or less.
Text telephone—Machinery or equipment that employs interactive graphic; that is, typed, communications through the transmission of coded signals across the standard telephone network. Text telephones can include, for example, devices known as TDD’s (telecommunication display devices or telecommunication devices for deaf persons) or computers.
Townhouse—A residential building in which dwelling units do not overlap each other in a vertical plane.
Variance—The permitted use of a standard or specification which differs in degree or measurement from the requirements of the act or this chapter or a permitted alternative solution to a design problem.
Vehicular way—A route intended for vehicular traffic, such as a street, driveway or parking lot.
Walk—An exterior pathway with a prepared surface intended for pedestrian use, including general pedestrian areas such as plazas and courts.
Worth of the building—The value of the building prior to the remodeling as reasonably determined, based upon the use of the building and the net floor area, either from a table of standard values established by the Department or from an appraisal provided by the owner or the owner’s agent.
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