Description

It has been brought to my attention that there is an unusual building condition at the above address. I went to this location and found a step/ramp combination at the front entrance, which appeared to be the only access to the establishment that is inherently dangerous. I feel that this installation poses a hazard to public safety. If fact, the condition has been brought to my attention through the unfortunate circumstance of someone falling and being seriously injured at this very spot. I am asking that someone please send an inspector to this location to determine the hazard level for the you own information. Hopefully that will require the necessary changes should you agree that the condition is hazardous. I have listed some of the observed problems and issues.

• Doors in the path of travel are required to have level landings on either side of the door. At this location, there is no level landing on the exterior side of the door (in-swinging). The “ramp” begins at the door threshold and continues to the 7” step at the sidewalk, a short distance away (40”).
• A ramp over 1:20 (0.6:12) slope must have a landing at each end, not a step, or a door.
• The maximum slope for a ramp is 1:8 (1.25:12).
• The ramp at this location has a minimum slope of 1.75:12 up to at least 2.4:12 in the direction of travel.
• The cross slope on the ramp is over 1:12. (1/4” per foot, 0.25:12, is the usual maximum allowable cross slope, typically for drainage).
• The door threshold seems to be over two inches, 1” maximum.
• There is no handrail as required for ramps with slopes greater than 1:20.
• The cross slope of the step at the sidewalk is far beyond (approx. 1:12) the typical ¼” per foot of any normal or expected “step.” (Although one step alone does not make a “stair” it is unclear how this combination step/ramp would be classified).
Thank you,

Jack McGillis, Architect
484 Lakepark Ave. #159
Oakland CA 94610