This seminar will examine ways in which barrier-free environments can be customized to include various design elements while remaining compliant for accessibility, based on the national standard CSA B651-18. This seminar will also address why bonded waterproofing technology lends itself to the construction requirements of barrier-free design.
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The 2015 version of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) requires grab bars to have a ‘slip-resistant’ finish. The 2015 NBC defines ‘slip-resistant’ as “provides additional traction in wet areas.” A slip-resistant finish provides surface traction, enabling secure gripping of a grab bar.
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The University of Manitoba has arranged for Adaptability Canada to conduct an audit of its built environment, assessing the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses and William Norrie Centre for barriers.
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Barrier-free, accessible, universal, and inclusive design are all terms used to describe the same thing: a design that creates a built environment usable by everyone. Minimum barrier-free design requirements are derived from the provincial and national building codes.
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Over the last decade, it seems the demand and desire for barrier-free bathrooms has grown dramatically. Aside from the importance of accessibility and universal design for those with physical challenges, this phenomenon can be partially attributed to ‘baby boomers’ who are now finding they are not as mobile as in the past; some are having difficulty stepping into a tub or even over a 150-mm (3-in.) high shower curb. Additionally, the popularity of large hot tubs in bathrooms seems to have run its course. Many builders have started to switch from using space-consuming and somewhat energy-inefficient luxury fixtures and are instead installing multiple shower heads and sometimes a steam generator into shower spaces.
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