GATORLAND ZIPLINE

Issue: Vertical accessibility to amusement towers.

Analysis: The applicant is requesting a waiver from providing vertical accessibility to a series of towers connecting a zipline through the amusement center. This is a new project that is currently in the conceptual phase, so no cost estimates are available. Patrons would climb a series of steps to reach platforms up to 145 feet above ground, then be attached to harnesses allowing then to ego from higher to lower towers via ziplines. There are no specific standards for this type of facility, either in Chapter 11 or ADAAG; however, the attraction is a place of public accommodation subject to the code.

NOTE: Review of this application was deferred from the October, 2010 meeting to allow the applicant to conduct further research for the feasibility of making the project accessible. Additional information is attached.

Project Progress:

The project is in plan review.

Items to be Waived:

Vertical accessibility to six towers, as required by Chapter 553.509, Florida Statutes.

553.509 Vertical accessibility. Nothing in Sections 553.501-553.513 or the guidelines shall be construed to relieve the owner of any building, structure or facility governed by those sections from the duty to provide vertical accessibility to all levels above and below the occupiable grade level regardless of whether the guidelines require an elevator to be installed in such building, structure or facility, except for:

(1) Elevator pits, elevator penthouses, mechanical rooms, piping or equipment catwalks and automobile lubrication and maintenance pits and platforms;

(2) Unoccupiable spaces, such as rooms, enclosed spaces and storage spaces that are not designed for human occupancy, for public accommodations or for work areas; and

(3) Occupiable spaces and rooms that are not open to the public and that house no more than five persons, including, but not limited to equipment control rooms and projection booths.

Waiver Criteria: There is no specific guidance for a waiver of this requirement in the code. The Commission’s current rule, authorized in Section 553.512, Florida Statutes, provides criteria for granting waivers and allows consideration of unnecessary or extreme hardship to the applicant if the specific requirements were imposed.