SECTION 554.319. Provisions for Persons with Disabilities

New facilities and additions must meet the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Elimination of Architectural Barriers Section. Existing facilities must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and must, at a minimum, comply with the following:

(1) The facility must provide and mark at least one parking space for persons with disabilities.

(2) The facility must provide wheelchair access into the building by use of ramps and curb breaks. Ramps must not slope more than 1:12 (one unit of rise to 12 units of run).

(3) Room identification signs or letters must be installed four feet six inches to five feet above finished floor and located on the corridor walls adjacent to the latch side of the door jamb. Letters or numbers on signs must be raised or recessed at least 1/32 inch minimum. Characters must be at least 5/8 inch in height and no higher than two inches.

(4) Grab bars at toilet and bathing units must be 1-1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch in diameter.

(5) Toilet facilities must be available and of sufficient size to accommodate wheelchairs. There must be at least one public wheelchair-accessible restroom.

(6) Water closet seat height in toilet facilities for persons with disabilities must be 17 to 19 inches from floor.

(7) Mirrors and dispensers for persons with disabilities must be no higher than 40 inches above the floor.

(8) Drinking fountains or coolers must meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1 (that is, up front spout and controls no more than 36 inches from floor maximum). Fountains existing at the time of this publication do not have to be altered.

(9) Public telephones, if provided, must meet ANSI A117.1. Mounting height must not exceed 48 inches to coin slot.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.319 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4408; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871