Drinking Fountains	3.8.3.17.(1) In each location where a drinking fountain or fountains are installed, one fountain shall have a spout opening not less than 750 mm nor more than 915 mm above the finished floor, and
	It is recommended that the spout be set close to the front of the fountain with the preferred direction of flow of water being parallel to the front of the fountain.
	have lever or push-bar controls operable by a force of not more than 22 N, located either on the front or on both sides.
	2) Where the drinking fountain is located in an alcove the alcove shall be not less than 800 mm wide, and the fountain shall be of the surface-mounted type.
	Figure 3.8.59. illustrates a surface-mounted drinking fountain installed in an alcove.
Counters	3.8.3.18.(1) Every counter more than 2 m long serving the public shall have at least one accessible section in conformance with Sentences (2) and (3).
	2)An accessible counter surface shall be not more than 865 mm above the floor.
	3) Knee space beneath an accessible counter intended to be used as a work surface by persons with disabilities shall be not less than 760 mm wide, 685 mm high, and 485 mm deep.
	Figure 3.8.60. illustrates an accessible counter. (See Article 3.8.2.33.)
Egress from Floor Areas	3.8.3.19.(1) Every floor area that is not sprinklered throughout and that is required to be accessible shall be served by an elevator conforming to Sentences 3.2.6.5.(4) to (6) [B.C. Bldg Code], protected against fire in conformance with Clauses 3.2.6.5.(3)(b) or (c) [B.C. Bldg. Code], and in a building over 3 storeys in building height, protected against smoke movement so that the hoistway will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from a fire floor during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire, assuming an outdoor temperature equal to the January design temperature on a 2.5% basis determined in conformance with Subsection 2.2.1.,
	be divided into at least 2 zones by fire separations conforming to Sentences (2), (3) and (4) so that persons with disabilities can be accommodated in each zone, and the travel distance from any point in one zone to a doorway leading to another zone shall be not more than the value for travel distance permitted by Sentence 3.4.2.5.(1) [B.C. Bldg. Code] for the occupancy classification of the zone, in the case of residential occupancies, be provided with balconies conforming to Sentence (5), except on the storey containing the accessible entrance, have an accessible exterior exit at ground level, or have a ramp conforming to Article 3.8.3.3. leading to ground level.
	2)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the fire separations referred to in Clause (1)(b) shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
	3) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separations referred to in Clause (1)(b) is permitted to be less than 1 h but not less than 45 min provided the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. [B.C. Bldg. Code] is permitted to be less than 1 h for the floor assembly above the floor area, or the floor assembly below the floor area, if there is no floor assembly above.
	4) A door acting as a closure in a fire separation referred to in Clause (1)(b) shall be weatherstripped or otherwise designed and installed to retard the passage of smoke.
	5) A balcony required by Clause (1)(c) shall have direct access from the suite or floor area, be not less than 1.5 m deep from the outside face of the exterior wall to the inside edge of the balcony, and provide not less than 2 m2 of balcony space for each accessible sleeping room.
	These egress requirements are intended to provide temporary refuge for persons with disabilities. It is acknowledged, however, that the measures cannot provide absolute safety for all occupants in the fire area. It may, therefore, be necessary to develop special arrangements in the fire safety plan to evacuate persons with disabilities from these areas. Details for a suitable plan are contained in the B.C. Fire Code. The protected elevator referred to in Clause 3.8.3.19.(1)(a) is intended to be used by fire fighters as a means for evacuating persons with disabilities. It is not intended that this elevator be used by persons with disabilities as a means of egress without the assistance of fire fighters. If an estimate is to be made of the number of persons with disabilities in a floor area who can be accommodated in each zone in Clause 3.8.3.19.(1)(b), this estimate may be based on Table 3.8.2.5. in the B.C. Building. Code, which is used to determine the minimum number of spaces to be provided for wheelchair occupants in fixed seating areas. If more precise information is available, it should be used for sizing the zones.
Assistive Listening Devices	3.8.3.20.(1) Where assistive listening systems are required they shall be provided throughout the entire seating area except that with an induction loop system only half the seating area need be encompassed.
	Wireless sound transmission systems such as FM, infrared or magnetic induction loop, improve sound reception for the hard of hearing by providing amplification which can be adjusted by each user while blocking out unwanted background noise. These systems transmit a signal that is picked up by special receivers available for use by persons with a hearing impairment, whether or not they use a hearing aid. Neither system interferes with the listening enjoyment of others. The induction loop system requires users to sit in the area surrounded by the loop whereas FM and infrared systems can be designed to broadcast signals which cover the entire room. Although portable systems are permitted they are best suited to small audiences. Good acoustics are required for any of these systems to function adequately. More information is available from the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, B.C. Chapter.
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