SECTION 1108 SPECIAL OCCUPANCIES

1108.2 Assembly area seating. Assembly areas with fixed seating shall comply with Sections 1108.2.1 through 1108.2.7. Dining areas shall comply with Section 1108.2.8. In addition, lawn seating shall comply with Section 1108.2.5.

1108.2.1 Services. Services and facilities provided in areas not required to be accessible shall be provided on an accessible level and shall be accessible.

1108.2.2 Wheelchair spaces. In theaters, bleachers, grandstands, stadiums, arenas and other fixed seating assembly areas, accessible wheelchair spaces complying with ICC A117.1 shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1108.2.2.1 through 1108.2.2.4.

1108.2.2.1 General seating. Wheelchair spaces shall be provided in accordance with Table 1108.2.2.1

1108.2.2.2 Luxury boxes, club boxes and suites. In each luxury box, club box, and suite within arenas, stadiums and grandstands, wheelchair spaces shall be provided in accordance with Table 1108.2.2.1.

1108.2.2.3 Other boxes. In boxes other than those required to comply with Section 1108.2.2.2, the total number of wheelchair spaces provided shall be determined in accordance with Table 1108.2.2.1. Wheelchair spaces shall be located in not less than 20 percent of all  boxes provided.

1108.2.2.4 Team or player seating. At least one wheelchair space shall be provided in team or player seating areas serving areas of sport activity.

Exception: Wheelchair spaces shall not be required in team or player seating areas serving bowling lanes that are not required to be located on an accessible route per Section 1109.14.4.1.

1108.2.3 Dispersion of wheelchair spaces in multilevel assembly seating areas. In multilevel assembly seating areas, wheelchair spaces shall be provided on the main floor level and on one of each two additional floor or mezzanine levels. Wheelchair spaces shall be provided in each luxury box, club box and suite within assembly facilities.

Exceptions:

1. In multilevel assembly spaces utilized for worship services where the second floor or mezzanine level contains 25 percent or less of the total seating capacity, wheelchair spaces shall be permitted to all be located on the main level.

2. In multilevel assembly seating where the second floor or mezzanine level provides 25 percent or less of the total seating capacity and 300 or fewer seats, all wheelchair spaces shall be permitted to be located on the main level.

3. Wheelchair spaces in team or player seating serving areas of sport activity are not required to be dispersed.

1108.2.4 Designated aisle seats. At least 5 percent, but not less than one, of the total number of aisle seats provided shall be designated aisle seats.

Exception: Designated aisle seats are not required in team or player seating serving areas of sport activity.

1108.2.5 Lawn seating. Lawn seating areas and exterior overflow seating areas, where fixed seats are not provided, shall connect to an accessible route.

1108.2.6 Assistive listening systems. Each assembly area where audible communications are integral to the use of the space shall have an assistive listening system.

Exception: Other than in courtrooms, an assistive listening system is not required where there is no audio amplification system.

1108.2.6.1 Receivers. Receivers shall be provided for assistive listening systems in accordance with Table 1108.2.6.1.

Exceptions:

1. Where a building contains more than one assembly area, the total number of required receivers shall be permitted to be calculated according to the total number of seats in the assembly areas in the building, provided that all receivers are usable with all systems and if assembly areas required to provide assistive listening are under one management.

2. Where all seats in an assembly area are served by an induction loop assistive listening system, the minimum number of receivers required by Table 1108.2.6.1 to be hearing-aid compatible shall not be required.

1108.2.6.2 Public address systems. Where stadiums, arenas and grandstands provide audible public announcements, they shall also provide equivalent text information regarding events and facilities in compliance with Sections 1108.2.6.2.1 and 1108.2.6.2.2.

1108.2.6.2.1 Prerecorded text messages. Where electronic signs are provided and have the capability to display prerecorded text messages containing information that is the same, or substanally tiequivalent, to information that is provided audibly, signs shall display text that is equivalent to audible announcements.

Exception: Announcements that cannot be prerecorded in advance of the event shall not be required to be displayed.

1108.2.6.2.2 Real-time messages. Where electronic signs are provided and have the capability to display real-time messages containing information that is the same, or substantially equivalent, to information that is provided audibly, signs shall display text that is equivalent to audible announcements.

1108.2.7 Performance areas. An accessible route shall directly connect the performance area to the assembly seating area where a circulation path directly connects a performance area to an assembly seating area. An accessible route shall be provided from performance areas to ancillary areas or facilities used by performers.

1108.2.8 Dining areas. In dining areas, the total floor area allotted for seating and tables shall be accessible.

Exceptions:

1. In buildings or facilities not required to provide an accessible route between levels, an accessible route to a mezzanine seating area is not required, provided that the mezzanine contains less than 25 percent of the total area and the same services are provided in the accessible area.

2. In sports facilities, tiered dining areas providing seating required to be accessible shall be required to have accessible routes serving at least 25 percent of the dining area, provided that accessible routes serve accessible seating and where each tier is provided with the same services.

1108.2.8.1 Dining surfaces. Where dining surfaces for the consumption of food or drink are provided, at least 5 percent, but not less than one, of the seating and standing spaces at the dining surfaces shall be accessible and be distributed throughout the facility.

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