General Definition

• Accessibility requirements refer to the minimum design and construction standards established by building codes to ensure that buildings and facilities are usable, accessible, and safe for individuals with disabilities.
  • These requirements apply to entryways, exits, circulation paths, restrooms, signage, and other building elements to provide equal access and mobility for all occupants.

• The following is a comparative table listing the mandatory accessibility requirements for Group A-1 occupancy under the United States IBC (International Building Code) and their equivalent under the Japanese BSL (Building Standards Law).
  • By clicking on the blue underlined text, the reader will be directed to the specific accessibility requirements for A-1 occupancy under the USA (IBC) and Japanese (BSL:)

Mandatory Accessibility Requirements for Group A-1
Requirement	IBC (Group A-1: Theaters, Concert Halls, etc.)	Japanese BSL (劇場, 映画館, コンサートホール, etc.)
Accessible Seating	🔹 Minimum number of wheelchair spaces required based on total seating capacity (2018 IBC: Table 1108.2.2.1). 🔹 Distribution across various viewing angles (not clustered).	🔹 Barrier-free law (バリアフリー法) mandates accessible seating in theaters, cinemas, and concert halls. 🔹 The Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation (交通バリアフリー法) requires accessible seats in public assembly spaces.
Accessible Routes to Seating	🔹 At least one accessible route (ADA/IBC 1104.1) from entrance to all wheelchair spaces.	🔹 Barrier-free Building Design Standards (バリアフリー建築設計基準) mandate step-free pathways to accessible seating.
Companion Seating	🔹 Companion seats must be provided adjacent to each wheelchair space.	🔹 Not explicitly required, but many modern theaters provide companion seating per local guidelines.
Assistive Listening Systems	🔹 Required for assembly areas with audio amplification (IBC 1108.2.7 & ADA 219).	🔹 Required under バリアフリー法, with specific guidance in public theaters and cinemas.
Accessible Entrances	🔹 At least 60% of public entrances must be accessible (IBC 1105.1). 🔹 Power-assisted doors recommended in high-occupancy venues.	🔹 Barrier-free Act mandates at least one accessible entrance in large theaters.
Accessible Restrooms	🔹 Required on each floor with public seating (IBC 1109.2). 🔹 Clear floor space for wheelchair turning radius required (ADA 603.2).	🔹 Barrier-Free Guidelines require accessible toilets near seating areas in public assembly buildings.
Elevators for Multi-Level Seating	🔹 Required for multi-level seating arrangements unless a ramp is provided (IBC 1104.4).	🔹 Mandatory for multi-level venues with alternative evacuation options for disabled persons.
Emergency Evacuation for Disabled Persons	🔹 Areas of refuge required in multi-story buildings unless the building has an automatic sprinkler system (IBC 1009.6). 🔹 Evacuation elevators allowed with backup power and fire-resistant lobbies.	🔹 Fireproof refuge areas required for high-rise theaters and concert halls (消防法, Fire Service Act).

Key Differences

• IBC has more detailed requirements for seating distribution and assistive listening devices.
• Japan’s BSL mandates stricter fireproof refuge spaces in large assembly buildings.
• Both systems require accessible routes, restrooms, and emergency evacuation plans but differ in implementation.

• The above chart representing accessibility features, including Accessible Seating, Accessible Route to Seating, Companion Seating, Assistive Listening Systems, Accessible Entrances, Accessible Restrooms, Elevators to Multi-Level Seating, and Emergency Evacuation, all based one each element’s accessibility level importance (75% to 100%) for group A-1 occupancy.