Search Results "Dwelling Unit (FHA)"
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Requirement 3 -- Usable Doors
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16.1 Q. Will a standard hung 32-inch door provide sufficient clear width to meet the requirements of the Fair Housing Act?
A. No, a 32-inch door would not provide a sufficient clear opening to meet the requirement for usable doors. A notation in the Guidelines for Requirement 3 indicates that a 34-inch...
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17.1 Q. Is it correct that only the exterior side of the main entry door of covered multifamily dwellings must meet the ANSI requirements?
The interior of the main entry door is part of the dwelling unit and only needs to meet the requirements for usable doors within the dwelling intended for user passage, i.e., at least 32...
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18.1 Q. Is it necessary to provide usable doors when the door leads to an area of the dwelling that is not accessible, such as the door leading down to an unfinished basement...?
Within the dwelling unit, doors intended for user passage through the unit must meet the requirements for usable doors....
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Requirement 4 -- Accessible Route Into and Through the Unit
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19.1 Q. If a sliding door track has a threshold of 3/4, does this trigger requirements for ramps?
A. No. The Guidelines at Requirement 4 provide that thresholds at doors, including sliding door tracks, may be no higher than 3/4 and must be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2.
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21.1 Q. Is a dwelling unit that has a split entry foyer...required to be accessible if it is a ground floor unit in a covered multifamily dwelling?
Under Requirement 4, there must be an accessible route into and through the dwelling unit. This would preclude a split level foyer, unless a properly sloped ramp can be provided....
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22.1 Q. Must the switches on range hood kitchen ventilation fans be in accessible locations?
The Fair Housing Act has no requirements for appliances in the interiors of dwelling units, or the switches that operate them....
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Requirement 6 -- Reinforced Walls for Grab Bars
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23.1 Q. What type of reinforcement should be used to reinforce bathroom walls for the later installation of grab bars?
A. The Guidelines do not prescribe the type of material to use or method of providing reinforcement for bathroom walls. The Guidelines recognize that grab bar reinforcing may be...
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24.1 Q. What types of grab bars should the reinforcement be designed to accommodate and what types may be used if the builder elects to install grab bars in some units at the time of construction?
A. The Guidelines do not prescribe the type of product for grab bars, or the structural strength for grab bars. The Guidelines only state that the necessary reinforcement must be...
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Requirement 7 -- Usable Kitchens and Bathrooms
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25.1 Q. It appears from Figure 2(c) of the Guidelines (under Requirement 5) that there is a 34 inch height requirement for kitchen counters and vanities. Is this true?
A. No. Requirement 7 addresses the requirement for usable kitchens and bathrooms so that a person in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space. The legislative history of the Fair...
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26.1 Q. Is a parallel approach required at the shower, as shown in Figure 7(d) of the Guidelines?
A. Yes. For a 36 x 36 shower, as shown in Figure 7(d), a person in a wheelchair would typically add a wall hung seat. Thus the parallel approach as shown in Figure 7(d) is essential...
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27.1 Q. Do the Guidelines set any requirements for the type or location of bathtub controls?
A. No, except where the specifications in Requirement 7(2)(b) are used. In that case, while the type of control is not specified, the control must be located as shown in Figure 8 of...
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28.1 Q. If an architect or builder chooses to follow the bathroom specifications in Requirement 7...are the other bathrooms in the dwelling unit required to have reinforced walls for grab bars?
A. Yes. Requirement 6 of the Guidelines requires reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars. Even though Requirement 6 was not repeated under Requirement...
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29.1 Q. Is it acceptable to design a bathroom with an in-swinging 2'10 door which can be retrofitted to swing out in order to provide the necessary clear floor space in the bathroom?
A. No. The requirements in the Guidelines must be included at the time of construction. Thus, for a bathroom, there must be sufficient maneuvering space and clear floor space so that...
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30.1 Q. Would it be acceptable to use removable base cabinets beneath a wall-hung lavatory where a parallel approach is not possible?
A. Yes. The space under and around the cabinet should be finished prior to installation. For example, the tile or other floor finish must extend under the removable base cabinet.
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31.1 Q. Can a water closet (toilet) be located in an alcove with a wing wall?
A. Yes, as long as the necessary clear floor space shown in Figure 7(a) is provided. This would mean that the wing wall could not extend beyond the front edge of a lavatory located...
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Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination...
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Fair Housing Act Design Manual
The manual was first published in August, 1996, and this update is intended to provide clear and helpful guidance about ways to design and construct housing which complies with the...