1 Scope
1.1 Application
This Standard can be used in the design and construction of new homes, or in alterations to existing housing, as it pertains to accessibility. This includes the design, construction, and alteration of built environments leading up to, into, and throughout accessible dwellings.
The requirements in this Standard are suitable for permanent dwellings, short-term dwellings and visitable dwellings. This includes accommodations such as detached houses, semi- detached houses, houses with a secondary suite, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, row houses and boarding houses, apartments or condominiums, and communal residential dwellings (e.g., hotels/motels, hostels, dormitories, care facilities).
Multi-unit residential accommodations with shared common elements outside the dwelling (e.g., shared parking, exterior and interior paths of travel outside of the dwelling, amenity spaces, washrooms located outside of dwellings, etc.) are addressed in CSA/ASC B651.
1.2 Conflicting requirements
This Standard does not address the application of technical requirements and recommendations through regulations or conformity assessment schemes. In cases where a requirement or method in another standard that is referenced in a regulation conflict with recommendations in this Standard, the regulatory requirements take precedence.
1.3 Dimensions
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.
This Standard contains minimum requirements based on adult dimensions. Where converted from non-SI units, values have been rounded off with respect to critical dimensions.
All dimensions in figures are given in millimetres (mm) and are measured to the centreline, unless otherwise specified.
1.4 Terminology
In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.