Accessible entrances and visual alarms

One-line orientation

At least 60% of public entrances must be accessible. Visible fire-alarm notification is required in specified locations, including public and common areas and certain sleeping occupancies.

Key points

• Accessible entrances:
  • Public entrances — at least 60% accessible. A public entrance is any entrance that is not a service or restricted entrance (2010 ADA Standards §206.4.1).
  • Restricted entrances — at least one accessible when restricted entrances are provided.
  • Service entrance — accessible when it is the only entrance.
• Accessible entrances must be identified: where not all entrances are accessible, the inaccessible ones must have directional signage pointing to the nearest accessible entrance.
• Visual alarms (strobes): visible notification supplements audible alarms in required locations. These include public and common areas, provisions for employee work areas, and specified sleeping occupancies.
• Strobe placement: place visible notification devices so the required space has unobstructed visual coverage. Walls, corners, and partitions affect placement.
• Sleeping areas: visual alarms (or notification devices) are also required in accessible sleeping rooms and suites in hotels and other transient lodging.
• Integration with building systems: visual alarms are typically connected to the same fire-alarm circuit as audible devices, activating simultaneously.

Confusions / comparison

Requirement	Rule	Common wrong assumption
Accessible entrances	≥60% of public entrances	”All entrances must be accessible”
Service / restricted entrances	Outside the 60% count; own minimums apply	”They count toward (or are fully covered by) the 60%“
Fire alarms	Add visible notification in required locations	”One audible device covers every accessibility requirement”
Strobe placement	Unobstructed visual coverage in the required area	”One strobe per floor is enough regardless of layout”

Visual alarm context	Requirement
Public / common areas	Visible notification arranged for required coverage
Accessible sleeping rooms	In-room visual notification device
Corridors	Strobes spaced for coverage per code

Related

→ Accessible doors (this topic): accessible entrances must also meet the door clear-width, force, maneuvering clearance, and hardware rules · Accessible routes (this topic): accessible entrances must connect to the interior accessible route · Fire alarms (Systems module): the strobe requirement intersects with NFPA 72 notification appliance placement rules.