3.8.1.3.Barrier-Free Path of Travel

(1) Except as required in Sentence (4) and except as permitted in Subsection 3.8.3., every barrier-free path of travel shall provide an unobstructed width of at least 1 100 mm for the passage of wheelchairs. (2) Interior and exterior walking surfaces that are within a barrier-free path of travel shall (a) have no opening that will permit the passage of a sphere more than 13 mm in diam, (b) have any elongated openings oriented approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel, (c) be stable, firm and slip-resistant, (d) be bevelled at a maximum slope of 1 in 2 at changes in level not more than 13 mm, and (e) be provided with sloped floors or ramps at changes in level more than 13 mm. (See Note A-3.8.1.3.(2)) (3) A barrier-free path of travel is permitted to include ramps, passenger elevators or other platform equipped passenger elevating devices to overcome a difference in level. (4) Every barrier-free path of travel less than 1 600 mm in width shall be provided with an unobstructed space not less than 1 800 mm in width and 1 800 mm in length located not more than 30 m apart. (See Note A-3.8.1.3.(4)) (5) Where the headroom of an area in a barrier-free path of travel is reduced to less than 1 980 mm, a guardrail or other barrier with its leading edge at or below 680 mm from the finished floor shall be provided. (See Note A-3.8.1.3.(5) and (6)(b)) (6) A normally occupied floor area that is not required by Article 3.8.2.1. to have a barrier-free path of travel shall meet the following requirements: (a) interior walking surfaces throughout the normally occupied floor area shall comply with Clauses (2)(a) to (e), and (b) where the headroom of an area in a corridor or aisle in the normally occupied floor area is reduced to less than 1 980 mm, a guardrail or other barrier with its leading edge at or below 680 mm from the finished floor shall be provided. (See Note A-3.8.1.3.(5) and (6)(b))