PLAN REVIEW REPORT for Compliance with Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law)

For the University of the Philippines Professional Schools Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Prepared by:

ARMAND MICHAEL R. EUSTAQUIO, UAP Architect, Accessibility Consultant

Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

TABLE OF CONTENTS Section I.

Introduction

Page 2

II. Findings and Recommendations of Access Audit A. Typical Design of Toilet for Persons with Disabilities 1. Findings

2

2. Recommendations

3

B. Upper Ground Floor Plan 1. Findings

5

2. Recommendations

5

C. Auditorium at Fourth Floor 1. Findings

6

2. Recommendations

6

D. Sixth Floor 1. Suite Rooms 2. Office of the President

7 9

E. Typical Fire Exit Stairs 1. Findings

10

2. Recommendations

10

F. Recommended Suppliers

11

III. Conclusions

12

IV. References

13

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

I.

INTRODUCTION In January 1983, the United Nations declared 1983 to 1992 the International Decade of Disabled Persons. Less than two months after this declaration, Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (BP344), otherwise known as An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons [Persons with Disabilities] by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments, and Public Utilities to Install Facilities and Other Devices, or the accessibility Law was passed into law on February 25, 1983. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of BP 344 were amended in 1994 and is the current version in use and being implemented by all Local Government Units, the DPWH, the DOTC, and all other concerned government agencies. The contents of this Plan Review Report for Compliance with Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (BP344) or the Accessibility Law were based primarily on the current version of BP344 or the Accessibility Law and the Draft Amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of BP344. Reference to the Draft Amendments of BP344 were made to cover provisions not yet incorporated in the current version of BP344 like walk-in or accessible showers, areas of refuge and enhancements to grab bar configurations that need updating or in the current version of BP344. Recommendations that are based on the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments are noted in this Plan Review Report.

II. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PLAN REVIEW A. Typical Design of Toilet for Persons with Disabilities 1. Findings 1.1 The door swings open into the toilet. Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (BP344) or the Accessibility Law requires the doors of accessible toilets to swing out of the toilet so that in case of emergencies when an occupant with disabilities accidentally falls, possible against the door, and may need rescue or assistance the door can be forced open without risking injury to the occupant.

Fig. A.1.1 Image above shows current design of PWD toilet layout.

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

1.2 The current location of the urinal, lavatory and the configuration of their respective grab bars reduce the overall size of the accessible toilet to less than the minimum clear dimensions of 1.70M wide by 1.80M deep as required by BP344. 1.3 The water closet is farther than the required distance of 400MM from the face of the adjacent wall to the centerline of the water closet. 2. Recommendations 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

Relocate the door to swing out as shown in Fig. A.2.1. Relocate the urinal and lavatory as shown in Fig. A.2.1. Relocate the watercloset closer to the adjacent wall as shown in Fig. A.2.1. In addition to the grab bars already provided for the watercloset install a flipup grab bar (outrigger) as shown in Fig. A.2.1, A.2.2, and A.2.3. (“Cellox” Brand available at Wilson Depot or “Delux Grab Bar” as supplied by BCI Builder’s Choice.) 2.5 Enhance the fixed grab bar at the wall adjacent to the watercloset by making it an L-Type Grab Bar as shown in Fig.A.2.4. (“Cellox Brand“ available at Wilson Depot or “Delux Grab Bar” as supplied by BCI Builder’s Choice.)

Fig. A.2.1 Image above shows proposed modifications to current design of PWD toilet layout.

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

Fig. A.2.2

(“Fig. C.6.2 3D VIEW OF ACCESSIBLE TOILET FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES” in the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments, page 33)

Fig. A.2.3 (“Fig C.6.3 BLOW UP FLOOR PLAN OF ACCESSIBLE TOILET FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES” in the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments, page 34)

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

Fig. A.2.4 (“Fig. C.6.4 L-TYPE GRAB BAR” in the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments, page 34) B. Upper Ground Floor Plan 1. Findings 1.1 Unless the curb in the sidewalk separating the driveway from the Plaza is a blended curb there is no dropped sidewalk or curb ramp provided. 2. Recommendations 2.1 Provide a curb ramp as shown in Fig. B.2.1. Depending on the height of the sidewalk from the driveway the slope of the curb ramp may be gentler than the 1:12 slope required by BP344. The configuration of the ramp was recommended to be as in synch as possible with the floor pattern layout of the Plaza.

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

2.2 Fig. B.2.1 Image above shows proposed location, configuration, and dimensions of proposed curb ramp at the plaza.

C. Auditorium at Fourth Floor 1. Findings 1.1 The auditorium seating seems to make use of stackable chairs. 1.2 The stage is not accessible to a person who uses a wheelchair. 2. Recommendations 2.1 If seating is fixed provide a minimum of six (6) wheelchair parking slots (as pictured in Fig. C.2.1) base on the current seating capacity of 352.

Fig. C.2.1 Image at left shows accessible wheelchair parking slots 2.2 Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (BP344) or the Accessibility Law is silent about the need to make auditorium/theater stages accessible for persons with disabilities. However Republic Act No. 7277 (now amended as Republic Act No. 9442) or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons [Persons with Disabilities] prohibits all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities. If a graduate student with disabilities is part of a class or school program with functions requiring access to the stage it would be impossible for a person who uses a wheelchair to go on stage independently and this may be construed as discriminatory.

Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

2.3 Reduce the total seating capacity by 16 by removing seats in the front row. Limit the stage height to a maximum of +43200mm or 500mm from the finish floor (a ramp longer than 6000mm would require a landing. Increase the depth of the stage accordingly to accommodate an accessible ramp as shown in Fig. C.2.2

Fig.C.2.2

Image above shows recommended enhancements to the stage to make it accessible to persons with disabilities.

D. Sixth Floor 1. Suite Rooms 1.1 Findings a. There is no accessible Suite Room with an accessible toilet and bath.

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

1.2 Recommendations a. Make the suite room located nearest to the Elevator Lobby the accessible suite room as shown in Fig. D.1.2: 1) For Toilet and Bath a. Replace shower partition with shower curtains b. Provide trench drains with gratings mounted flush to the shower floor. c. Provide fold down shower seat/bench, grab bars, and “telephone” or handheld shower fixtures as shown in Fig. D.1.1.

Fig.D.1.1

(“Fig.C.6.8: 3D View of Walk-in Shower” in the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments, page 37) d. Use lever type faucets, lever type shower valves, and lever type flush handles. e. Provide wider doors, 850mm sash width (Min.); 950mm sash width (preferred) that swings out. f. Provide flip-up grab bars or outriggers for the accessible toilet. (“Cellox” Brand available at Wilson Depot or “Delux Grab Bar” as supplied by BCI Builder’s Choice.) g. Ensure floors are sloped properly for drainage of water.

2) For Accessible Bed Room/Suite Room in General a. Provide Horn strobe type fire alarm with vibrating alert that can be mounted on the bed. b. Use lever type lockset. c. Provide secondary door peephole 1000mm high from floor.

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

Fig.D.1.2

Image above shows proposed Accessible Toilet & Bath in the proposed Accessible Suite Room.

2. Office of the President 2.1 Findings a. The toilet and bath is not accessible. 2.2 Recommendations a. BP344 does not require individual private toilets to be accessible if there is an accessible toilet that is accessible by elevator. It would however be very awkward when the time comes that the UP Professional Schools will have a president or board members with disabilities and would not to be able to use the private toilet at the president’s office and would have to go out of the office to use the common accessible toilet on one of the lower floors. b. Provide an accessible toilet as shown in Fig.D.2.1.

Fig.D.2.1

Proposed modifications to T & B and Walk-in Closet at President’s Office

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

1) For Toilet and Bath a. Replace shower partition with shower curtains b. Provide trench drains with gratings mounted flush to the shower floor. c. Provide fold down shower seat/bench, grab bars, and “telephone” or handheld shower fixtures as shown in Fig. D.1.1. e. Use lever type faucets, lever type shower valves, and lever type flush handles. f. Provide wider doors, 850mm sash width (Min.); 950mm sash width (preferred) that swings out. g. Provide flip-up grab bars or outriggers for the accessible toilet. (“Cellox” Brand available at Wilson Depot or “Delux Grab Bar” as supplied by BCI Builder’s Choice.) h. Ensure floors are sloped properly for drainage of water. 2) For Walk-in Closet a. Use shelves with heights that can be easily adjusted b. Use hanger rods that can be easily adjusted in height.

Note: Neither the current version of BP 344 nor the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments have guidelines for a combination accessible toilet and bath. Fig. C.2.1 is based on the dimensional clearances of the current version of BP 344’s guidelines for an accessible toilet compartment and the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendment’s requirements for an accessible roll-in shower. The required dimensions of both were made to overlap to get the most efficient overall size of the accessible toilet and bath.

E. Typical Fire Exit Stairs 1. Findings 1.1 There is no area of refuge 2. Recommendations 1.1 Provide area of refuge as shown in Fig. E.1.1 in the fire exit stairs at the sixth and third floor.

Fig.E.1.1

Image above shows typical Area of Refuge for Fire Exit Stairs (“Fig.D.1.1” in the Draft BP 344 IRR Amendments, page 45)

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

1.2 In addition:

“Areas of Refuge shall be: 5.5.1.

5.5.2.

5.5.3. 5.5.4.

Identified by illuminated signage (Refer to Section on Illumination of Means of Egress of the latest edition of Fire Code of the Philippines). Be equipped with an emergency communication system in compliance with the latest edition of the Fire Code of the Philippines. Identified on all publicly displayed tactile and Braille floor evacuation plans. Designated in evacuation procedure documents.”

As taken from the section on Areas of Refuge from the Draft BP 344 IRR.

F.

Recommended Suppliers 1. Grab Bars with traction Grip Surface: a. Option 1 CELLOX Brand available at Wilson Builders Outlets

Fig. F.1.1 Image Flip-up Grab Bar Outrigger by Cellox

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

of or

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

Fig. F.1.2 Image of Fixed L-Type Grab Bar by Cellox b. Option 2 “Delux Grab Bar” as supplied by BCI Builder’s Choice (www.builderschoice.com.ph) 2. Gratings for flush mounted Trench Drains: As manufactured by Johnson Screens and distributed locally by CG Integra Corporation. (www.cgintegra.com)

III. CONCLUSION The findings and recommendations of this Plan Review Report for compliance with BP344 on the U.P. Professional Schools were based on the drawings made available to the Accessibility Consultant through the Office of Design and Planning Initiatives. Care should be taken to properly communicate to the Contractor the details of the recommendations made in this Plan Review Report. Shop drawings submitted by the Contractor based on the recommendations of this report should be carefully reviewed. Shop drawings may be referred to the Accessibility Consultant for review. More recommendations to enhance compliance with BP344 can be made with the availability of more drawings and details like Details of Signage and Way-Finding, Passenger Elevator Specifications, Door Hardware Specifications, Stair Details, Toilet Details, Site Development Details, and other components of the building that need to be BP344 compliant. BP344 and the proposed amendments to the current IRR of BP344 are minimum requirements for compliance. Nothing shall prevent the Architect on Record from providing better provisions for accessibility but this shall be subject to the approval of the National Council on Disability Affairs. (www.ncda.gov.ph).

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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Plan Review Report of the UP Professional Schools

Rule I, Item 5. of the current version of BP344 on “Special Standards of Accessibility” states that: “When the requirements for accessibility in the Rules shall create an unreasonable hardship in design/construction, special standards of accessibility through the use of other methods and/or materials shall be allowed If better facilities can be provided subject to the approval of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons” [National Council on Disability Affairs].

IV. REFERENCES 1. National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law) and it’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, NCWDP, 1995. 2. Draft Amendments to Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 July 10, 2013

Prepared by: Armand Michael R. Eustaquio, Architect, Accessibility Consultant

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