Description

• Section 504 states that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program, service, or activity receiving federal financial assistance or conducted by any Executive agency. Regarding accessible housing, HUD’s Section 504 regulations define an accessible dwelling apartment as a unit that is located on an accessible route and can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with physical disabilities. In other words, an accessible unit ensures that people with disabilities can navigate and use the space comfortably. A minimum 5% of apartments must be 504 accessible.

Baseline

• Each parking lot, building entrance, vertical transportation system, apartment entrance, kitchens, bathroom & bedroom must comply with 504 accessibility VCA/ADA standards. Vertical transportation systems must meet Usability Standards as set forth by the VCA. Strobes, CO detectors, smoke detectors, must be installed as a standard. Outlets, switches and lever handsets should be accessible height and locations. 

Stretch

• Each living unit shall have an Emergency call system which register a call (annunciator and alarm) at one or more central supervised locations, an intercommunicating telephone system connected to a switch board which is monitored 24 hours a day, or an emergency call system which sound an alarm (not be fire alarm) in the immediate corridor and automatically actuates a visual signal at the living unit entrance.

Strategies

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

Last Updated on January 8, 2025 at 10:06 am

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Attachment E – PACT Accessibility Design Checklist

Description

• Bathroom renovations are critical for residents’ health and well-being. Quality finishes and fixtures improve the overall quality of the apartment while reducing indoor air pollution from mold and excessive moisture that could harm finishes outside the bathroom space. Thoughtful layouts contribute to an efficient use of space, finishes are chosen for durability, ease of maintenance, and adequate attic stock in the event replacement is required. GFCI outlets are required.
• Bathrooms must be designed with accessibility in mind. Because the size of NYCHA bathrooms poses a challenge to meet all ADA requirements as specified in federal ADA / UFAS standards, any conflicts with ADA / UFAS the VCA, is the controlling document, designers must include accessibility features including appropriate turn angles and door widths for the mobility impaired. Grab bars should be installed along with accessible basins.  New fixtures should comply with UFAS, utilizing the UFAS Accessibility Checklist, HPD Accessibility Guide, and ADA standards. 

Baseline

Overall

• All surfaces to be durable and cleanable to help with pest management and discourage mold growth.
• Piping under lavatories and sinks open to below must be insulated, enclosed, or configured to prevent contact.
• Provide a GFCI outlet in wet locations according to code.
• Use cement board, fiber cement board, or other waterproof surfaces for floors (where appropriate), walls, and ceilings (where appropriate). [COMPMOD] 
• Evaluate all plumbing lines and ensure proper allowance for % repair or replacement if full replacement is not required. [PACT]
• Wall-mounted vanities will only be accepted in apartments where they are the existing vanity type. PACT Partners should engage residents in preferences related to storage and exposed plumbing to determine vanity style. [PACT]
• All exposed water supply and drain pipes under lavatories and kitchen sinks shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories and sinks

Floors

• Bathroom floors should have porcelain or ceramic tiles and 4″ cove base.
• Floor tiles are typically 2×2-inch but can vary as per project requirements.
• Floor tile to be waterproof and slip-resistant. [COMPMOD]
• Wet rooms including bathrooms should be tiled with porcelain or ceramic. [PACT]

Walls

• Use cement board, fiber cement board or the equivalent meeting ASTM #D3273 for all wet wall backing.
• Walls are not to be tiled.

Ceilings

• Ceilings to be painted with mold-resistant paint. [COMPMOD]

Bathrooms

• Bathtubs are required to be standard cast-iron enamel with a push pop-up drain stopper with overflow and water-saving showerhead.
• Bathtub walls must be fitted with a fiberglass tub surround. If a tub surround is installed at a window, use a 3- to 5-piece trim kit.
• Provide fiberglass tub surround, seamless or with waterproof seams, and with no protruding elements. Lesson Learned: the protruding soap dishes on some shower surrounds are prone to cracking and have caused mold and moisture problems at multiple NYCHA properties. [COMPMOD]
• Bathtubs must be equipped with a removable in-tub seat or a permanent seat at the head end of the tub or Swivel Tub Transfer Bench.
• Consider shower with standard roll-In shower compartment. (This requires a raised shower stall with ramp) 

Sinks

• ADA adaptable 20-inch (W) x 19-inch (D) vitreous china sinks are required.

Toilets

• Provide floor-mounted toilets a maximum of 27 inches from the rear wall, and the water closet flange shall be installed 12 inches from the finished back wall. The centerline of the water closet shall be 16 inches minimum to 18 inches maximum from the side wall.
• Toilets must have a MaP rating of 1000. (Sustainability to verify. 500 min?)

Fixtures

• Provide 20-gauge 304 polished stainless steel curtain rod.
• Above the sink, provide a soap dish and toothbrush holder, a 28-inch (H) x 18-inch (W) surface-mounted medicine cabinet with mirror, and an LED light fixture.
• Provide toilet paper holder and towel rod.
• Specify fixtures that comply with UFAS and ADA standards.
• Provide a minimum of five grab bars to meet accessibility requirements as specified by ADA standards. Grab bars should be located at appropriate heights with ¾” plywood or metal plate between studs for secure attachment (see A-DG_Bathroom Diagram). Provide blocking in all units including non-ADA units.
• All new plumbing fixtures should be low-flow and comply with efficiency rates set by Local Law 57 of 2010 and Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. Plumbing layouts and design and emergency potable water access should comply with Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. [PACT]

Stretch

• Install ultra-high efficiency toilets (0.8 gpf).
• Provide vented exhaust in bathrooms. An exhaust fan significantly outperforms an operable window. It’s important that any integrated exhaust fan into a window unit allows for operability of the window unit for fresh air. Consider putting the fan and light switch on separate circuits for flexibility and less wear and tear on the fan. [COMPMOD]
• Provide rear-discharge toilets and run waste pipes in walls, eliminating the visible waste pipes from floor above. This proposal requires deepening chase wall and replacement of waste line riser. Water pressure must be checked. Plumbing may need to be upgraded. Rear discharge toilets allow for maintenance of that toilet without having to access the apartment below. [COMPMOD]
• Install extra-large or multiple medicine cabinets to provide residents with bathroom storage. Lesson Learned: under-sink vanity cabinets can cause maintenance problems and are not preferred. [COMPMOD] (Our medicine cabinets are surface mounted, there is no room for recessed cabinets) 
• Provide waterproof tile on walls, at least to 4” above the top of the sink. [COMPMOD] (This proposal will make repairs behind chase more expensive because of tile work) 
• Provide wider sinks with counters from 28 inches to 40 inches depending on available space, with integral space for tenant-supplied soap dishes and toothbrush holders, instead of the wall-mounted accessories. [COMPMOD] (Standard sized bathrooms are 5’x7’ nominally, in actuality it’s closer to +/- 4’-10 ½” x 6’-10 ½”, tub size and toilet space is limiting sink size without a major renovation) 
• Install ultra-high efficiency water-saving fixtures. [SA]
• Stop and prevent building plumbing systems leakage. [SA]
• Upgrade mechanical ventilation systems for mold prevention. [SA]
• Washer hookups should be fully inset into the wall and include a water supply and drain line; a dedicated electrical outlet nearby should be located. [PACT] (Take into consideration limited chase space and discharge volume into existing system. An additional waste line would be required for washer discharge)
• Toilet may be rear discharge if a new wastepipe is provided.
• Porcelain bathroom tiles are a viable alternative as it is better for wet environments. [COMPMOD]

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

CompModPACTSustainability Agenda

Last Updated on February 5, 2025 at 10:41 am

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Specifications

06 10 00 – Rough Carpentry

06 20 00 – Finish Carpentry

08 83 00 – Mirrors

09 22 36.10 – Furring and Lathing

09 23 00 – Plastering

09 29 10 – Gypsum Board Assemblies

09 30 13 – Ceramic Tiling

09 65 00 – Resilient Flooring

09 90 00 – Painting

10 28 00.10 – Grab Bars

22 40 00 – Plumbing Fixtures

Diagrams

Description

• Apartment entrance doors serve as the primary barrier between the interior living space and the external environment, providing security, privacy, and insulation for residents. They are generally made from hollow metal and include robust locking systems.

Baseline

• General Interior Doors
  • In all multiple dwelling buildings, building entrance doors, unit entrance doors, fire stair doors, fire tower doors, bulkhead doors, and rubbish chute closet doors are required to be self-closing. Local Law 62 of 2022 defines a self-closing door as a door equipped with a device that will ensure the door, when opened and released, returns to the closed position and self-latches shut.
  • All self-closing doors should comply with the NYC Housing Maintenance Code section 27-2041.1.
• Doors to apartments shall be equipped with a heavy-duty latch set and a heavy-duty deadbolt operable by a key from the outside and a thumb-turn from the inside. Those doors shall also be equipped with a chain guard so as to permit partial opening of the door. Apartment entrance doors shall also be equipped with a viewing device located so as to enable a person on the inside of the entrance door to view a person immediately outside.

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

Last Updated on October 17, 2024 at 1:15 pm

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08 71 30 – Thresholds, Weatherstripping and Seals

Description

• Kitchens are central to residents’ overall apartment living experience. A well-designed kitchen maximizes space utilization, enhances functionality, and promotes indoor air-quality with proper ventilation. Thoughtful layouts ensure an efficient workflow, adequate storage and lighting with materials chosen not only for aesthetics but also their durability and ease of maintenance. Kitchens must be designed with accessibility in mind, incorporating features that adhere to ADA requirements, including appropriate counter heights and clearances for those with mobility impairments. Accessible features such as pull-out shelves, lever handles, and strategically placed outlets should be integrated. New appliances should be in the range of ENERGY STAR’s “Save More” standards. New fixtures should comply with UFAS / ADA standards to ensure inclusivity and functionality for all residents. Tamper resistant receptacles (TR) and GFCI outlets are required by NYC Electrical Code.

Baseline

Overall

• All surfaces to be durable and cleanable to help with pest management and discourage mold growth.
• Kitchenettes (less than 80 square feet) must be provided with natural ventilation (window) or mechanical ventilation. Must be in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code.
• Wet rooms including enclosed or partially enclosed kitchens should be tiled with porcelain or ceramic. [PACT]
• Evaluate all plumbing lines and ensure proper allowance for repair or replacement if full replacement is not required. [PACT]
• All new plumbing fixtures should be low-flow and comply with efficiency rates set by Local Law 57 of 2010 and Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. [PACT]

Cabinets

• For durability, use a solid hardwood face frame, 5-ply side panels, 7-ply doors, and 170-degree (minimum) hinges.
• Provide 12-inch (D) x 42-inch (H) wall cabinets; the bottom shelf of the wall cabinets must measure 4 feet above the floor.
• The mid and top floors of a high rise may have reduced height wall cabinet.
• Install floor cabinets with a 24-inch (D) base; the top of countertop must measure 34 inches above the finished floor.
• Provide cabinet spaces for standard refrigerators and microwaves. When the kitchen size allows, provide a pantry closet.
• The cabinetry must allow for easy removal of components below the countertop for accessibility.
• Lay out kitchen cabinetry and appliances to maximize the amount of storage space while reducing the number of different cabinet sizes. [COMPMOD]
• Cabinets face frame should be solid wood (hardwood). Cabinet doors are to be plywood. [PACT]
  • Recent examples include: Concord Collection; Armstrong Cabinet Products: Extreme Series; Master Woodcraft: Ravello, Romanello Product Lines, Greenstar International.

Countertops

• Provide as much counter space as possible. Countertops shall be ¾-inch exterior-grade plywood covered with plastic laminate with an integral 4-inch backsplash.
• Provide solid surface resin-based countertops and backsplashes (minimum 4” high) as standard. Lesson Learned: consider the ability to repair countertops – solid colors are often easier to refinish than faux stone or other patterned surfaces. [COMPMOD]
• Use straight runs where possible to avoid corner cabinets and “L-shaped” countertops, which are large and difficult to store attic stock and maneuver replacements. [COMPMOD]
• Solid-surface countertops and cabinets rather than laminate products should be used. Solid-surface countertop options include quartz and other engineered stone products. [PACT]
• Backsplashes in kitchens should be full height (to the underside of cabinets). Tile backsplashes are preferred. [PACT]

Sinks

• Provide 18-gauge stainless steel, three-hole, single or double bowl sinks. Provide single-lever faucet with threaded inlet shanks, fastened for durability.

Appliances

• All appliances must be ENERGY STAR certified (where applicable).
• Provide a top-freezer refrigerator and a 30-inch-wide gas range with a non-vented range hood.
• Provide stainless steel appliances. [COMPMOD]

Fixtures

• Fixtures must comply with UFAS and ADA standards, and with durability standards set by the Severe Use requirements in the HUD Minimum Property Standards. (link: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/rmra/mps/mpshome)

Floors

• Floors to be waterproof and slip-resistant. [COMPMOD]

Walls & Ceilings

• Walls & ceilings to be primed with mold-blocking primer per the Mold Standard Procedure. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Install domestic dishwashing machines in new construction.
• Provide backsplashes for the full height between the countertop and cabinet above. Lesson Learned: tamperproof mechanical fasteners instead of glue could allow the removal of backsplash panels for future access to plumbing chases. [COMPMOD]
• Provide larger cooking ranges. Lesson Learned: The current standard 20” range is a common complaint from residents. [COMPMOD]
• Provide rock wool insulation for sound deadening between apartments. [COMPMOD]
• Assume all-electric ranges in units (with a preference for induction ranges), if feasible to convert from natural gas. [PACT]
• Install ultra-high efficiency water-saving fixtures. [SA]
• Stop and prevent building plumbing systems leakage. [SA]
• Upgrade mechanical ventilation systems for mold prevention. [SA]

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

CompModPACTSustainability Agenda

Last Updated on October 16, 2024 at 1:46 pm

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Specifications

06 10 00 – Rough Carpentry

06 20 00 – Finish Carpentry

06 41 00 – Architectural Wood Casework – Kitchens

09 22 36.10 – Furring and Lathing

09 23 00 – Plastering

09 29 10 – Gypsum Board Assemblies

09 30 13 – Ceramic Tiling

09 65 00 – Resilient Flooring

09 90 00 – Painting

22 40 00 – Plumbing Fixtures

Diagrams

Description

• Apartment renovations can significantly enhance the quality of life for residents while adhering to modern standards and regulations. Starting with lead testing and abatement, repairing or installing new plasterwork, drywall, molding, interior doors, flooring, and ceilings not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also ensures structural integrity and a healthy environment. For more comprehensive modernizations, installing new electrical panels, lighting fixtures, and ventilation fans will improve safety and energy efficiency while ensuring proper air circulation and reducing moisture buildup. Renovations must comply with ADA standards, where feasible, to accommodate residents with disabilities, incorporating features like appropriate door widths and lever handles for ease of use. Specifications should strive to be sustainable and environmentally responsible, selecting low-VOC materials to improve indoor air quality, while emphasizing the importance of durability, ease of maintenance, and overall tenant well-being. Tamper resistant receptacles (TR) are required in all rooms except bathroom and kitchen.

Baseline

Materials

• Use low- or no-volatile organic compound (VOC) caulks, paints, primers, coatings, and adhesives as defined by SCAQMD Rules 1113 and 1168.
• Use composite wood products that emit no formaldehyde per the requirements of California 93120 Phase 2.
• Use non-vinyl, non-carpet floor coverings throughout a building.
  • Alternatives include bio-based tile (“BBT”), engineered wood and wood laminates, linoleum tile, ceramic and porcelain tile, and rubber tile products. [PACT]
  • Recently approved products: Ecco Floor: Ecco 720 Digital Print HDF; AquaProof; Nu Solutions NuWud Classic Collection; Essence Oak Premium Hardwood Flooring; Forbo Marmoleum Modular. [PACT]
• For developments that have existing hardwood floors, teams should evaluate preserving and refinishing existing floors wherever possible. For developments with hardwood flooring that has been covered with vinyl tile, evaluate removing vinyl tile and refinishing hardwood floors. [PACT]
• Vinyl wall bases cannot be specified in apartments. Preferred alternatives to vinyl include formaldehyde-free MDF and solid wood. [PACT]
• Interior hollow core doors should typically be replaced in kind. Hinges should be replaced or stripped before reinstalling door.
• Hardware should match throughout units. [PACT]
• Where exposed wiremold is used to install new light fixtures, it should be designed to be visually unobtrusive. All existing lighting fixtures should receive LED bulbs. [PACT]

Safety

• Identify lead hazards and abate them according to EPA and HUD guidelines.
• Install one hard-wired smoke detector CO alarm with battery backup for each sleeping zone.

Stretch

• Consider floating floor options with underlayment to improve the feel of flooring for residents and the energy performance of residential units. [PACT]
• Where feasible and desired by residents, identify opportunities to introduce new overhead lighting fixtures, wall sconces, and/or ceiling fans in developments that do not have them. [PACT]
• Provide balanced mechanical ventilation (supply & exhaust) for all residential units. System(s) can be centralized or unitized (per unit or per floor), or any combination as appropriate, in residential buildings. [PACT]
• Provide in-unit supply registers in all bedrooms and living spaces. [PACT]
• Provide mineral wool insulation for sound deadening between apartments. [COMPMOD]

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Ensure Accessibility & Inclusion

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

CompModPACT

Last Updated on October 16, 2024 at 1:44 pm

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Specifications

06 10 00 – Rough Carpentry

06 20 00 – Finish Carpentry

09 22 36.10 – Furring and Lathing

09 23 00 – Plastering

09 29 10 – Gypsum Board Assemblies

09 65 00 – Resilient Flooring

09 90 00 – Painting