CAN-ASC-2.3 - 4. Fundamental design components

4.1 Surface conditions

4.1.1 General

A ground or floor surface shall:

1. be stable, firm and slip-resistant,
2. have a cross slope of 1:50 maximum,
3. have no opening that will permit the passage of a sphere more than 13 mm in diameter,
4. have any elongated openings oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel, and
5. have a low-glare or matte floor surface with no heavily patterned flooring.

Note: Disorienting, disruptive, and confusing ground or floor surface designs should be avoided.

4.1.2 Carpet

Carpet or carpet tile shall:

1. be securely attached and, and where cushion or pad is provided it is to be firm,
2. have a level loop, textured loop, level cut pile, or level cut/uncut pile texture,
3. have pile that is 6 mm maximum in height,
4. have exposed edges of carpet fastened to the floor and have trim along the entire length of the exposed edge, and
5. have a combined carpet and pad height of 13 mm maximum.

4.1.3 Floor mats

Floor mats shall:

1. be securely attached,
2. have a mat height of 13 mm maximum with beveled edges, and
3. provide a high luminance contrast with surrounding surfaces.

Note: Consider use of recessed grills instead of floor mats for entrance vestibules and other high traffic areas.

4.3 Clear area and height

4.3.1 Clear floor or ground area

A clear floor or ground area:

1. for a forward approach shall be:
   1. 1,500 mm minimum in depth, and
   2. 900 mm minimum in width,
2. for a parallel approach shall be:
   1. 2,200 mm minimum in depth, and
   2. 900 mm minimum in width,
3. for an area that requires approach and transfer shall be 2,100 mm minimum in depth and width, or
4. for turning shall be 2,500 mm minimum in diameter.

4.3.2 Clear height

A clear floor area and clear width shall have a clear height of 2,400 mm minimum measured vertically from the:

1. ground surface,
2. finished floor surface, or
3. straight-line tangent to the tread and landing nosings of a stairway to the lowest element above.

4.5 Protruding objects

Note: To assist pedestrians in avoiding protruding objects, place elements (e.g., benches, trash receptacles, planters) in an area adjacent to the path of travel with ground or floor finishes that contrast in colour and texture to the path of travel.

4.5.1 General

Except as permitted by Clauses 4.5.2 and 4.5.5, protruding objects shall not reduce the clear width or clear floor area.

4.5.2 Objects with a leading edge 685 mm minimum above the finished floor surface

Except where permitted by Clauses 4.5.4 and 4.5.5 objects with a leading edge 685 mm minimum above the finished floor surface shall not protrude more than 100 mm into the clear width or clear floor area.

4.5.3 Objects with a leading edge less than 685 mm above the finished floor surface

Objects with a leading edge less than 685 mm above the finished floor surface shall not protrude into a clear width or clear floor area.

4.5.4 Rails and barriers

4.5.4.1 Location

Where objects protrude more than 100 mm into a clear width or clear floor area, rails or barriers shall be provided 685 mm maximum above the finished floor surface and shall bound the area projected on the floor by the protruding object.

4.5.4.2 Identification

Rails or barriers shall have a medium luminance contrast with the surrounding surface.

4.5.5 Handrails

Handrails in conformance with Clause 5.1.6 are permitted to protrude 100 mm maximum into a clear width or clear floor area.

4.7 Operable parts

4.7.1 Location

Unless otherwise required by this Standard, the centreline of operable parts shall be:

1. located between 400 mm minimum and 1,100 mm maximum from the finished floor surface,
2. adjacent to and centered on the width or length of a clear floor area required by Clause 4.3.1, and
3. 600 mm minimum from any adjacent wall.

4.7.2 Operation

Operable parts shall be:

1. automatic,
2. operable with one hand in a closed fist position, without requiring tight grasping, pinching with fingers or twisting of the wrist, or
3. operable by another method that does not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

Note: Automatic controls are preferred.

4.7.3 Push-button type controls

Push-button type controls shall have a surface with a minimum diameter of 13 mm and shall not be recessed.

4.7.4 Specialized knowledge

Operable parts shall not require specialized knowledge to operate.

4.7.5 Operation force

If not automatic, operable parts shall be operable with a force of:

1. 19.5 N maximum for mechanically operable parts, and
2. 5 N maximum for electrically operable parts.

4.7.6 Identification

Operable parts shall:

1. have a high luminance contrast with their background,
2. provide tactile and auditory information to indicate function, position, and confirmation of activation, and
3. Not be obscured by shadows or obstructed.

Note: Important controls including security and safety related controls, should include braille.

4.7.7 Illumination

Operable parts shall be illuminated in conformance with Clause 4.8.

4.7.8 Visual displays

Information on visual displays shall be:

1. supplemented by tactile and auditory information,
2. colour-contrasted to its background, and
3. located on a surface that minimizes glare.