A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n Report on the Section 504 Self-Evaluation - May 1996

Portals Building

Property & Address
US Dept of Education
Portals Building
1240 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC
Surveyor: J. DiLuigi
UFAS Compliance Officer: Carolyn Martin
Survey Date: October 25, 1995
Category/Description: Offices
Report Date: Mar 22, 1996
Programs, Services & Activities: Offices; Meetings
Other Areas: None

A. Overview of UFAS Compliance at the Portals Building

The Department of Education leases the 4th and 6th floors and a part of the courtyard level totalling approximately 111,000 square feet of space at the Portals private commercial office building. The building is new, sprinklered, and has a significant amount of accessibility including the entrance, doors with lever handle hardware, toilets, and some signage.

The more significant accessibility enhancement priorities include modifying curb ramps; providing a van parking space; improving the parking garage; trimming tree branches; changing door closers; providing tactile signage at the 4th floor and courtyard levels; providing assistive listening equipment; and modifying details at toilets and drinking fountains. Many of the recommended accessibility modifications are likely to be landlord responsibilities.

B. Specific UFAS Compliance Issues

It is recommended that the actions described in each of the following categories be considered as priorities for making accessibility enhancements at this facility. The specific action items and costs are believed to have the potential of optimizing accessibility should capital investment funds be limited. The cost estimate information in Tab 3 of this report gives a more complete listing of all elements and costs which would be required for more complete UFAS compliance.

1. Parking & Passenger Loading Zones (Photos 4, 5, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16-20)

Garage parking is neither controlled nor used by the Department of Education except for visitors. There do not appear to be an appropriate number of accessible parking spaces and most that are provided do not all appear to have appropriate signage and/or adjacent access aisles. Ramp access to the parking garage elevator lobbies is slightly narrower than the required 36 inch minimum and the edges are not protected. (Photos 16-20)

We recommend that the landlord be notified regarding these conditions. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

A passenger drop-off and loading zone with curb ramp is located at the cul de sac directly in front of the Maryland Avenue entrance. (Photos 9, 10) A permit only parking area is located off the cul de sac. (Photos 13, 14)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to provide a van accessible parking space with an 8 foot wide access aisle and curb ramp at the cul de sac permit parking area. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

2. Site Accessible Routes (Photos 1-15, 78-81)

Trees in the sidewalk along the Maryland Avenue sidewalk and at the cul de sac entry area have low hanging limbs. (Photos 1-5, 9, 10)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to trim tree branches to maintain an 80 inch high clear unobstructed height along the walkway. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

Sidewalk curb ramps at the inner circular part of the cul de sac drive (Photo 9-11) and at the north side of Maryland Avenue at the mouth of the cul de sac leading to the park area (Photos 6, 7) do not have level areas at the top for wheelchair maneuvering.

We recommend that the landlord be requested to reconfigure these two curb ramps. Other sidewalk curb ramps along Maryland Avenue leading to 12th Street do not have appropriately configured side slopes (Photo 4), but are not considered to be accessibility barriers. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

3. Entrances (Photos 5, 9, 10, 12-15, 76-80)

The 1250 Maryland Avenue entrance has two pair of 36 inch wide swinging doors. There are no vestibules or automatic door openers. A telephone is mounted at an accessible height on the exterior wall, for communication when the entry is locked. (Photo 12)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to change the handset to be hearing aid compatible with volume control. We also recommend that the landlord be requested to designate one exterior door with the international wheelchair symbol and change the door closer to provide the minimum practical pull force (5-10 pounds) with 3 seconds minimum closing speed. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

A security desk with a 48 inch high counter is located in the Maryland Avenue entrance lobby. Visitors are required to sign in and employees must display photo IDs. (Photo 25)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to modify the security desk to include a writing shelf at a 36 inch height maximum. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

The parking garage elevator lobby is connected to the 1250 Maryland Avenue entrance lobby by a pair of 36 inch wide swinging doors. (Photo 24)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to change the door closers to provide 5 lbs. maximum pull force with 3 seconds minimum closing speed. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

A building directory with one-fourth inch high back lit lettering is located in the 1250 Maryland Avenue entry lobby. (Photo 26)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to increase the lettering size to a one-half inch height with upper and lower case type. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

The 1280 Maryland Avenue entrance is located off a pedestrian plaza but can only be used by employees who can access security devices at that elevator bank. (Photos 14, 15)

No accessibility enhancement modifications are recommended.

A courtyard level exterior entrance is reached by steps leading down from the 1280 entry plaza area. The entry doors are kept locked. (Photos 76, 77)

No accessibility enhancement modifications are recommended.

4. Building Accessible Route (Photos 21-37, 52, 63-68, 72, 74-77, 82)

A bank of 4 accessible elevators with tactile indicators at door jambs and cab controls and audible signals serves the 1250 Maryland Avenue entrance lobby. (Photos 27-30) A similar bank of elevators serves the 1280 entrance.

We recommend that tactile indicators be added to the emergency communications phone cabinets in the elevator cabs. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $270.

Parking garage elevators (2) have accessible controls. Cab size is 50 inches deep (55 inches at doors) by 79 inches wide with 42 inch wide center opening doors. (Photos 21-23)

We recommend adding tactile indicators at the emergency communications phone cabinets in the cabs (4). No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

Directory and directional signage at the 4th floor elevator lobby is high-contrast with moderate-glare. (Photo 31) 4th floor corridor signage at rooms and toilets is high contrast, moderate-glare and tactile. (Photos 32, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 48) 6th floor room signage is engraved and not tactile and the floor does not have a directory. (Photos 66, 67, 70, 72)

We recommend that the 6th floor be provided with a high-contrast low-glare directory at the 1250 Maryland Avenue elevator lobby and high-contrast low-glare tactile room signage at corridor and corridor office doors (16). The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $3,630.

Corridor doors leading into office areas, elevator lobbies and other corridors are 36 inches wide and have lever handles or pulls and closers. (Photos 33, 35-37, 40, 64, 66-68, 74, 82)

We recommend that 4th floor (19), 6th floor (16), and courtyard level (4) corridor and corridor office door closers (39) be changed to provide 5 lbs. maximum push/pull force with 3 seconds minimum closing speed. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $11,560.

Corridor door #600 at the west end of the 6th floor into a large office does not have adequate pull side clearance because of file equipment. (Photos 67, 68)

We recommend adjusting the placement of the file equipment. There should be no cost for this accessibility maintenance issue.

Exit stair doors do not have tactile signage and typically require about 20 lbs. of force to open with about 1 second closing speed. (Photos 33, 52, 54, 63)

We recommend that tactile signage be provided and closers changed at exit stair doors (10). The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $3,680.

A door at the northeast corner of the courtyard level opens onto the lobby but is kept locked. (Photo 75)

We recommend that this door be changed to be alarmed and to have panic hardware. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $570.

Fire extinguisher cabinets (11) do not have accessible hardware. (Photos 63, 83)

We recommend providing pull type handles. The estimated cost of this accessibility enhancement is $530.

At the door to the courtyard, the exterior pavement is sinking at the threshold. (Photos 78-80)

We recommend that the landlord be requested to correct this condition. No estimated cost is provided for these accessibility enhancements because this area is not in the survey scope of work.

5. Rooms, Assembly Spaces & Special Facilities (Photos 34, 35, 53, 69-71)

Meeting/conference rooms at the 4th floor have tactile signage and tables with accessible height knee clearance. (Photos 34, 35) Meeting/conference rooms (9) in various locations at the interior part of the east end and the west end of the 6th floor do not have tactile signage. (Photo 69)

We recommend that tactile signage be provided at the 6th floor. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $1,720.

We recommend providing a portable assistive listening system for use in meeting rooms. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $3,350.

A vending room #4151 is located off the 4th floor west side corridor. Access to the vending machines is severely restricted and some machines do not have the controls at accessible heights. (Photo 53)

We recommend that the machines be relocated to another room to provide an accessible path of travel. Also, the juice and soda machines should be changed to equipment with 54 inch high (48 inches high preferred) maximum controls. There should be no cost for this accessibility enhancement.

A pantry is located at the west end of the 6th floor. (Photos 70,71)

We recommend that tactile signage be provided, the closer changed and the small refrigerators relocated so as not to block the pull side clearance of the entry door. The estimated cost of these accessibility enhancements is $490.

Work room #4200 entry door has no pull side clearance.

We recommend that the hinges be reversed. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $550.

Mechanical, electrical, telephone and janitors closet rooms do not have tactile signage or warning textures on the door handles.

We recommend keeping these doors locked. There should be no cost for this accessibility enhancement action.

6. Toilets, Drinking Fountains & Telephones (Photos 38-51, 54-62, 83-93)

Mens and Womens toilets are located at both the east and west ends of the main corridor on the 4th and 6th floors and within the office area at the courtyard level. Although each has a significant amount of accessibility including visual fire alarms, 5 feet by 5 feet type accessible water closet stalls are available at the east and courtyard level toilets only. The west toilets on the 4th and 6th floors have 4 feet wide by 5 feet deep accessible type stalls. The toilet room entry vestibules have raised thresholds which present an accessibility barrier between the carpeted entry vestibules and tiled toilet areas. Toilets at the 6th floor and courtyard level do not have tactile signage. (Photos 41-51, 55-62, 73, 83, 85-93)

We recommend that the thresholds be changed at all the toilet rooms. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $570.

We recommend that informational signage be provided at the elevator lobby area and at the entrances to the west toilet rooms indicating the location and distance to the accessible toilet rooms with 5 foot by 5 foot stalls. The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $1,150.

We recommend changing the door closers at all toilets (10) and adding tactile signage at the 6th floor and courtyard level toilets (6). The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $3,390.

We recommend changing the twist latch to a slide type, providing a coat hook at 48 inches high and providing semi-recessed toilet paper dispenser and sanitary napkin container at all accessible water closet stalls (10). The estimated cost of these accessibility enhancements is $2,100.

We recommend relocating or providing electronic flush valves at accessible water closet stalls where the valve is not on the outboard side (5). The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $860.

We recommend adding a full length mirror in each toilet room. The estimated cost for this accessibility enhancement is $1,960.

A pair of counter type non-accessible drinking fountains are located at the east and west ends of the corridors near the toilet rooms at the 4th and 6th floors. (Photos 38, 39)

We recommend installing a cup dispenser and trash receptacle at the non-accessible drinking fountains (4). The estimated cost for these accessibility enhancements is $230.

Accessible type drinking fountains are located near the center of the corridor at the 4th and 6th floors and at the toilet entry area at the courtyard level. (Photos 54, 83, 84)

We recommend repairing the controls at the courtyard level accessible type drinking fountain. There should be no cost associated with this accessibility maintenance issue.

Cost Estimate Information for UFAS Compliance

UFAS Accessibility Compliance Cost Summary

The UFAS Accessibility Compliance Cost Summary consolidates the costs for the following three categories of barrier removal actions, adjusted by a regional multiplier: The Total Accessibility Compliance Cost combines all three categories of barrier removal actions, as adjusted by the regional multiplier.

Cost Worksheeets for UFAS Barrier Removal

The Cost Worksheets for UFAS Barrier Removal provide a line item consolidated and categorized detailed synopsis of the barrier removal actions, with unit costs, quantities, subtotals and totals.

CATEGORY A: $96,700
  1. Parking and Passenger Loading Zones: $0
  2. Site Accessible Routes: $0
  3. Entrances: $0
  4. Building Accessible Route: $84,030
  5. Rooms, Assembly Spaces and Special Facilities: $6,381
  6. Toilets, Drinking Fountains and Telephones: $10,740

    SUBTOTAL: $101,151

    Multiplied by Regional Multiplier: 0.956

    CATEGORY A SUBTOTAL: $96,700

CATEGORY B: $59,243
  1. Parking and Passenger Loading Zones: $0
  2. Site Accessible Routes: $0
  3. Entrances: $0
  4. Building Accessible Route: $61,970
  5. Rooms, Assembly Spaces and Special Facilities: $0
  6. Toilets, Drinking Fountains and Telephones: $0

    SUBTOTAL: $61,970

    Multiplied by Regional Multiplier: 0.956

    CATEGORY B SUBTOTAL: $59,243

CATEGORY C: $0
  1. Parking and Passenger Loading Zones: $0
  2. Site Accessible Routes: $0
  3. Entrances: $0
  4. Building Accessible Route: $0
  5. Rooms, Assembly Spaces and Special Facilities: $0
  6. Toilets, Drinking Fountains and Telephones: $0

    SUBTOTAL: $0

    Multiplied by Regional Multiplier: 0.956

    CATEGORY C SUBTOTAL: $0

TOTAL ACCESSIBILITY COMPLIANCE COST: $155,944

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PRIORITY COST: $36,610


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