Modern Wheelchair Accessibility Options for Commercial Properties

Posted on March 27, 2020 by bafcorp20

As a commercial property owner, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is something you need to fully appreciate and consider when it comes time to plan a major remodel or renovation, especially for multi-story buildings. ADA compliancy and adequate wheelchair accessibility are two key factors that must be addressed and incorporated into your commercial building in order to remain non-delinquent under the civil law requirements for public accommodation.

Not sure where to begin with your new ADA compliancy and wheelchair accessibility plan? Continue reading to learn some of the most popular options for commercial buildings, and how to get started on the right track in terms of planning and construction.

Indianapolis Design Build Commercial Construction 317-253-0531

ADA Compliant Options for Disabled Individuals

There are plenty of options you can choose from to ensure your commercial property is adequately accessible to those in wheelchairs, as well as those who are disabled. Some of the most popular ADA compliancy and wheelchair accessibility options include wheelchair lifts, ADA ramps, and ADA elevators. Often times, commercial buildings owners will incorporate more than one method to achieve optimal accessibility. To learn more about ADA standards for accessible design, visit ADA.gov.

ADA Ramps

There are very strict and specific state requirements for ADA ramps. First, wheelchair ramps have to be at least 36 inches wide, and retain protective edges to prevent falling accidents. Furthermore, such ramps must be constructed with perfectly level platforms at both ends to ensure stability. These landing areas must be as wide as the ramp, and at least 5 feet long. Aside from width and length, ADA ramps are required to meet certain criteria for slope as well. Maximum slope allotment for wheelchair ramps are 1 inch of rise to every 12 inches of length. More commonly, ADA ramps are constructed with 1 inch of rise to every 20 inches of length.

Wheelchair Lifts

As you just learned, ADA ramps must have the correct slope and height ratio to deliver a safe and comfortable passageway for disabled individuals. But sometimes, a commercial building does not have the space to accommodate a ramp. In really tight quarters, such as spiral staircases or multi-story lobbies, commercial construction specialists will recommend using a wheelchair lift. Wheelchair lifts are similar to elevators in that they mechanically transport a wheelchair from one level to another. Such lifts are compatible with most high-level spaces, and do not require invasive construction. Best of all, they can be applied to interior staircases, exterior stairways, and even swimming pools.

ADA Elevators

When ramps and lifts are not a compatible solution to ADA compliancy and wheelchair accessibility, a great option are ADA-approved elevators. ADA elevators are different from standard elevator systems because they are designed with greater dimensions to allow safe and easy access for those in wheelchairs. Furthermore, their doors must remain open for at least 3 seconds prior to closing. ADA elevator compliancy also requires easy access to buttons and controls on the inside of the elevator and on the wall outside of the elevator, as well as, visual and audio cues that signal elevator availability and movement.

Indianapolis Commercial Construction Company You Can Trust

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction management in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services — Contact Us Today 317-253-0531

6 Building Features That Corporate Tenants are Looking For

Posted on March 9, 2020 by bafcorp20

In the modern commercial real estate world, it is becoming very common for office buildings to offer a number of amenities for the purpose of attracting new tenants. Such features work well to fill corporate leases because they effectively increase convenience, safety, and overall productivity. As a result, office spaces get filled faster, and stay filled longer; all of which satisfies profitability. If you are interested in attracting new corporate tenants to your commercial office building, perhaps you too should consider applying some of these features they are so fervently looking for.

Continue below to learn the top 6 recommended building amenity options, and how to get started on a bid for your property.

Indianapolis Office Building Contractors 317-253-0531

LEED Certification

Buildings that are LEED-certified are a hot pick in today’s commercial real estate market. Going green or achieving “greener” operations is a popular construction approach that can significantly reduce regular utility costs. Such energy efficiency subsidies are beneficial to both proprietor and tenants, alike.

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)

Distributed antenna systems (DAS) are a must-have in today’s technologically-driven society, especially for large corporate buildings and campuses. They are basically a series of antennas that provide optimal wireless coverage throughout a property. Read our blog, “Top Commercial Real Estate Technology Trends Today” to learn more technology applications that render higher success.

On-Site Dining

The corporate world doesn’t want to waste too much time commuting and waiting when it comes to lunch breaks. For this reason, corporate tenants are looking for buildings that offer a more convenient and efficient option. To meet this demand, many corporate buildings are now being designed with on-site dining options, like cafeterias, coffee shop, and food courts.

Natural Light

Natural lighting is a big request among commercial real estate proprietors. Not only is natural light aesthetically-pleasing and advantageous to the resale value of a property, it can also boost employee morale, which in turn, can increase productivity and overall profitability. Features like larger windows, skylights, and sunrooms are popular.

Outdoor Break Areas

Corporate tenants want a place they can gather and hang out other than inside the office. For this reason, outdoor break and recreation areas are becoming more common among corporate building designs. Terraces, patios, decks, verandas, rooftop gardens, and more are all popular features seen in today’s office real estate.

Excellent Elevators

It is common for tenants to be very frustrated with the elevator systems inside their office building. No one wants to leave their house 15 minutes earlier than they should just because the elevator wait at work is so long. Corporate tenants are highly in search of buildings that are designed with easy and efficient elevator systems.

Indiana Commercial Office General Contractors

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted office and commercial use construction in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors deliver a streamlined construction process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

General Tenant Improvements for Commercial Properties

Posted on February 28, 2020 by bafcorp20

Tenant improvement (TI) refers to a type of customized construction work done to enhance or upgrade a commercially-leased property. There are different types of tenant improvements in commercial real estate, including new space TI’s, existing space TI’s, and even stipends known as tenant allowances. Continue reading to learn more about these kinds of commercial tenant improvements, including who to consult for personalized advice regarding your commercial TI needs.

Indianapolis Commercial Tenant Improvement Contractors 317-253-0531

Tenant Improvements for New Spaces

Most new commercially-leased spaces come as a blank-slated empty shell. This is a highly-beneficial approach for commercial property owners since it gives potential tenants the opportunity to customize the space to meet the needs of the business’s culture, operation, and appeal. This is especially important for franchised businesses and retail stores. As a result, real estate proprietors do not waste any money on remodeling or design efforts that ultimately do not work for the tenant.

Tenant Improvements for Existing Spaces

For spaces that are already built and designed, tenant improvement work can come in the form of build-outs or renovations. Most businesses looking to lease a new space will opt for pre-built options. In this case, the existing design might not work for them, which is where TI work comes into play. Before a tenant takes over the lease on an existing space, renovations can be made to customize the property to meet the exact needs of the business.

TI Allowances

Tenant improvement allowances are sums of money made available to tenants by the landlord to cover some of the cost of needed remodeling work. Such allowances are most common for new spaces, since more renovations are needed to finish the project. However, the amount of money provided by a landlord for TI work varies greatly, and depends on a wide range of factors, such as the age or current condition of the space, duration and value of a tenant’s lease agreement, market demand, and more.

Commercial Tenant Improvement in Central Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for accomplished tenant improvement remodels and construction in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our commercial construction teams use a client-centered partnership approach to accurately understand our client’s business objectives and tenant’s needs, and deliver results that maximize profitability by driving greater value. When you choose BAF Corporation for commercial tenant improvement service, you can expect competitive pricing, value engineering, efficient project completion, and turnkey service. Get started with an over-the-phone consultation, today.