36 CFR Part 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Emergency Transportable Housing Units

Summary of Major Provisions

The final rule applies to entities subject to the ADA or ABA that provide emergency transportable housing units to disaster survivors. Emergency transportable housing units are prefabricated so they can be deployed rapidly in response to disasters. They are transported on a single transport vehicle over roadways, which results in size and space limitations. They provide temporary housing for persons whose homes have been destroyed or damaged by a disaster until they find suitable permanent housing.

Where group sites are developed for emergency transportable housing units, the final rule requires at least 10 percent of the unit pads at each group site to be designed and constructed to accept the installation of units with mobility features for disaster survivors who have mobility disabilities, and at least 5 percent of the total number of units installed at each group site to provide mobility features. Where emergency transportable housing units are installed on private sites provided by the occupant of the unit, existing commercial sites, or military installations, the final rule requires entities to provide units with mobility features as determined by a needs assessment conducted by the entity providing the units.

The final rule requires emergency transportable housing units with mobility features to comply with the technical requirements for residential dwelling units with mobility features. The final rule adds new technical requirements for floor surfaces, bedrooms, and weather alert systems in emergency transportable housing units with mobility features. The final rule also requires a water spray unit at kitchen sinks and a seat in roll-in type and transfer type shower compartments in emergency transportable housing units with mobility features. The final rule does not permit the use of platform lifts at the primary entrance to emergency transportable housing units with mobility features. The final rule revises existing exceptions and adds new exceptions relating to operable parts, ramps, grab bars, clear floor space at lavatories and kitchen sinks, and kitchen work surfaces in emergency transportable housing units with mobility features.

The final rule requires entities to provide emergency transportable housing units with communication features for disaster survivors who are deaf or have a hearing loss as determined by a needs assessment conducted by the entity providing the emergency transportable housing units, regardless of the type of site where the units are installed. The final rule requires emergency transportable housing units with communication features to provide combination smoke alarms and visible notification appliances complying with NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code. Where weather alert systems are provided in emergency transportable housing units, the final rule requires weather alert systems in units with communication features to provide audible and visible output.