Trip & Fall Hazards

Remove the Liability of Uneven Walkways

Todd Fulk Georgia Safe Sidewalks

Trip & Fall Injuries Happen Every Day

ADA Guidelines for Trip Hazards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

303 Changes in Level 303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303. 303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical. Vertical Change in Level TECHNICAL CHAPTER 3: BUILDING BLOCKS 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. 303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 or 406. Advisory 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps). 405 Ramps 405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405. 405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. TECHNICAL CHAPTER 4: ACCESSIBLE ROUTES Table 405.2 Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings, and Facilities Slope1 Maximum Rise Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 3 inches (75 mm) Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 6 inches (150 mm) 1. A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited. Comes from Chapter 3: Building Blocks, pages 141-142

ADA Guidelines for Trip Hazards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

303 Changes in Level 303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303. 303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical. Vertical Change in Level TECHNICAL CHAPTER 3: BUILDING BLOCKS 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. 303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 or 406. Advisory 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps). 405 Ramps 405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405. 405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. TECHNICAL CHAPTER 4: ACCESSIBLE ROUTES Table 405.2 Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings, and Facilities Slope1 Maximum Rise Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 3 inches (75 mm) Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 6 inches (150 mm) 1. A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited. Comes from Chapter 3: Building Blocks, pages 141-142

ADA Guidelines for Trip Hazards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

303 Changes in Level 303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303. 303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical. Vertical Change in Level TECHNICAL CHAPTER 3: BUILDING BLOCKS 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. 303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 or 406. Advisory 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps). 405 Ramps 405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405. 405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. TECHNICAL CHAPTER 4: ACCESSIBLE ROUTES Table 405.2 Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings, and Facilities Slope1 Maximum Rise Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 3 inches (75 mm) Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 6 inches (150 mm) 1. A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited. Comes from Chapter 3: Building Blocks, pages 141-142

ADA Guidelines for Trip Hazards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

303 Changes in Level 303.1 General. Where changes in level are permitted in floor or ground surfaces, they shall comply with 303. 303.2 Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical. Vertical Change in Level TECHNICAL CHAPTER 3: BUILDING BLOCKS 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. 303.4 Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped, and shall comply with 405 or 406. Advisory 303.3 Beveled. Changes in level exceeding ½ inch (13 mm) must comply with 405 (Ramps) or 406 (Curb Ramps). 405 Ramps 405.1 General. Ramps on accessible routes shall comply with 405. 405.2 Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12. TECHNICAL CHAPTER 4: ACCESSIBLE ROUTES Table 405.2 Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings, and Facilities Slope1 Maximum Rise Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 3 inches (75 mm) Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 6 inches (150 mm) 1. A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited. Comes from Chapter 3: Building Blocks, pages 141-142

Liability to Property Owners • ADA is the “law of the land” • ADA places a direct responsibility upon property owner • Universities have a higher pedestrian population than most = higher risk & attention

Headaches of Litigation • It will always be less costly to repair sidewalks rather than litigate over them. • Stress & anxiety of giving depositions • Cost associated with employees being “out of office” • Cost associated with lawyer fees, settlement, or court ruling. • Affect on insurance premiums.

You can’t Hide from Obligation • Ignorance of the law is no defense • Ignorance approach already defeated in court

Campus Aesthetics • Poorly maintained sidewalks are a direct reflection of your university. • You are in competition with other institutions for that tuition money.

Repair Options • Ramping or “patching” • Grinding – Scarifying – Cup grinding

• Mud jacking • Saw Cutting • Demolition & replacement

Ramping or “Patching” Process: using a self-mixing concrete or asphalt material to construct a “ramp” from the high slab to the low. Advantages:  Usually a pretty low cost option.  Usually a fast repair option.  Can usually be done while class is in session.  Can be done with in-house maintenance staff. Disadvantages:  Majority of these type repairs do not meet ADA slope requirements  This is a very short term repair  Very common to see these repairs crackling, crumbling and falling apart in a matter of months.  End up re-doing these repairs every year.

Mud Jacking Process: Drill hole through surface of walkway, pump concrete under pressure below slab until pressure raises the existing concrete slab. Advantages:  A good option for extremely large slabs; ie, 20’ x 20’ concrete slabs.  Great option for stairwells, internal hallways or floors that are sinking.  Cost can vary depending upon “void” under the concrete.

Mud Jacking Disadvantages:  Very difficult to bring joint between two slabs to “flush”.  Very common to see joint “close to flush”, then they use concrete material to “ramp” the joint.  The hole that was drilled is left filled with the concrete material.  End up with a hole and concrete spill in every slab repaired.  Concrete hole will crack and begin to crumble with time.  Very labor intensive process that requires fairly large equipment onto campus.

Grinding - Scarifier Process: Using a machine called a grinder/scarifier to grind or chip away the high concrete. A machine with an engine and a drum in a frame spinning around with diamond “teeth” to chip away concrete. Advantages:  Machine can be rented or purchased.  Repairs can be done with your inhouse maintenance staff.  Usually a fairly low cost option.  Better for smaller hazards between ¼” and 1”.

Disadvantages:  Leaves a very ugly, unprofessional appearance, normally.  Very difficult to make repair without scarring up opposing slab.  Very difficult, if not impossible to remove entire trip hazard.

Grinder - Scarifier Disadvantages:  Leaves a very uneven repair surface.  Utilize equipment designed for “other applications”.  If purchased, requires an equipment investment for rare use.  Replacement of teeth very expensive.  Repairs rarely meet ADA guidelines, very common to see corner knocked off only.  A fairly slow process, specifically for hazards > ½” Customer Quote: “Nobody who truly cares about the appearance of their property will allow somebody to tear up their sidewalks with a grinder.”

Grinding – Cup Wheel Process: Use of a large angle grinder with a “grinding cup wheel” to grind/rub off the high concrete. Advantages:  Parts and equipment can be purchased at local hardware stores.  Repairs can be done by in-house staff.  A pretty low cost option: equipment and labor. Disadvantages:  Takes forever, and ever, ………….and ever to complete the repair.  Rarely do repairs meet ADA compliance (worker gets tired and cuts corner to get it done).  An extremely dusty process, no known dust suppression.

Saw Cutting Process: Utilization of concrete cutting blade technology to make a horizontal “flush” cut to remove the high concrete trip hazard. Advantages:  Only method specifically designed and developed for trip hazard removal.  A “precision” cut based on height of trip hazard, not length.  Inexpensive option, competitive if not below cost of other options.  Very fast process, average repair takes 15 minutes, do as much in 1 day as other processes take a week to complete.  Smooth, even surface, still exceed OSHA coefficient of friction.  Leaves a flush joint.  No contact with opposing slab.  Removal entire trip hazard, all the way to wall or drop off.

Saw Cutting Advantages:  Small equipment means no damage to landscaping & utilities.  Most projects done while class in session.  Long lasting repairs, years, 6+ and counting.  No increased degradation of concrete.  Use of GPS technology for project documentation.  No clean up or participation required by your staff.

Saw Cutting

Disadvantages:  ???????????????????  Different color? All processes leave a different color.  Dust suppression? Includes dust suppression but is not 100%, but can be.  Leaves a thinner repair? Unknown to be a problem.

Demolition & Replacement Advantages:  New sidewalk!  Should/better meet ADA compliance.  Creates a “new” appearance to campus.  Allows pruning of roots and/or repair of cause.

Disadvantages:  Most expensive option, as much as 80% more.  Disruptive to daily activities, requires closing of walkway.  Requires heavy equipment onto campus.  Frequent results in damage to landscaping, utilities, requiring subsequent repairs.  Subject to vandalism.  Creates greatest amount of waste into landfills.  Slowest of all processes.

Maintenance is Key • Every year your maintenance staff, or safety specialist should walk your sidewalks • Trip hazards take years and years to develop, not months • Keep heavy equipment and vehicles off of your “pedestrian” sidewalks • Invest in making some sort of repairs to your walkways every year

Trip & Fall Injuries are Not Funny