Accessibility and Life Safety Work
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Compliance with barrier-free access requirements and life-safety codes (including requirements for impact-resistant glazing or security) should result in the least amount of impact to the historic building’s character-defining exterior features, finishes, and features of the site and setting.
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Accessibility
10.1 Solutions to meet accessibility requirements should minimize the impact of any necessary alteration on the historic building, its site, and setting, such as compatible ramps, paths, and lifts.
a. Place modifications on non-primary facades where possible.
b. Any changes should avoid altering the building and instead create exterior changes to the site to accommodate accessibility.
1. Avoid damage to character defining features and design the modification to be reversible to accommodate future changes in technology or building use.
2. A gradual slope or grade to the sidewalk to access the entrance is less intrusive than a ramp.
3. If the landscape is a character defining feature, integrate ramps and other accessibility features with the slope and character of the setting.
c. Ramp design should be compatible with the original building in material and design.
d. If necessary to locate on a primary facade, lifts and ramps should be as inconspicuous as possible. Pre-manufactured steel ramps and lifts are typically not compatible with historic buildings.
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The above ramp was installed to provide ADA access to the businesses in the historic district. The low profile of the ramp walls avoids obscuring the facade of the adjacent historic buildings.
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The image above shows the Old Federal Building with a ramp added to the rear of the building. The grey color of the railing does not compete with the building, however the amoung of rails starts to interfere with the facade. It’s location on the rear is ideal for a treatment of this level.
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To meet code requirements on guard rail spacing, the Sky Park Manor project added the additional horizontal black rails which fade into the background, allowing the original aluminum rails to stand out.
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The image above shows the Old City Hall with a ramp added on the side with a simple black railing that does not obscure the facade.
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Life Safety
10.2 Building material should only be removed after testing has been conducted to confirm hazardous material is present and should use the least damaging abatement methods.
10.3 Use relevant sections of existing codes regarding life safety for historic buildings that provide alternative means of code compliance when code-required work would otherwise negatively impact the historic character of the building.
10.4 When a second means of egress is necessary, existing openings on secondary or less-visible elevations or, if necessary, new openings on secondary or less-visible elevations, should be used.
10.5 Simple additions that do not detract from the character of the feature or obscure architectural details may be necessary to meet current codes. The original features should be retained in its original configuration, with simple additions to meet code requirements such as an extra railing above the original railing to meet the modern code height while retaining the original configuration underneath.
| Chapter 12: Historic Buildings (IEBC 2018)
The City of Lincoln, as of October 2023, operates under the International Existing Building Code 2018 Edition. Chapter 12 Historic Buildings provides some exceptions from code requirements when the building in question has historic value. Chapter 20.08 of the Lincoln Municipal Code includes a list of amendments to this code, but much of the historic building exceptions are maintained. The IEBC should be consulted when rehabilitating or repairing portions of a locally designated commercial building or apartment with 3 or more units to ensure changes that would detract from the historic character under the standard IEBC aren’t provided an exception under Chapter 12.
https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Building-Safety/Codes
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