If you have just bought or rented a retail space and are ready to start your own business, congratulations. Or perhaps you've been in business for a while but you want to expand – or just give the interior a much-needed facelift.
It's certainly understandable that you'll want to make the interior of your store look aesthetically pleasing for your customers as you remodel. You'll also want to pay attention to your store layout and other details so that shopping will be convenient: A pleasant shopping experience will entice your customers to return, thus helping ensure the success of your business.
However, there are also building requirements that you must accommodate by law when you remodel. You must pay attention to:
Fire codes
Most ordinances require that there be at least two completely separate exits in an establishment. They must not be blocked by shelving units, stacks of inventory, or other items; they must be kept clear at all times. More than two exits may be needed depending on the size of the store, the number of people required to evacuate in case of fire, and the likelihood of fire occurring.
If any exit doors are kept locked for security reasons, individuals must be able to open them from the inside immediately should the need occur.
Pathways to exit doors should also be kept clear at all times and clearly marked as exit paths.
Maximum capacity
A retail establishment's fire marshal will establish a maximum capacity or occupancy for the retail space in question. Your maximum capacity will be decided based on:
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Available floor space
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Ceiling height
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Number and placement of fire exits
Disabled access requirements
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that any newly constructed business be fully compliant with current ADA regulations and that any existing business, such as a retail store, make "readily achievable" adjustments to remove existing barriers. Disabled access requirements include but are not limited to:
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Disabled parking spaces
If applicable; the number depends on the location and size of your store.
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At least one accessible entrance
This is usually the main entrance. If not, clearly mark the entrance so that it is easily identifiable. Doorways should be at least 32 inches wide and the entrance should be ramped if needed. ADA requirements state that ramps should have a grade increase of no more than one inch per foot in distance.
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Accessible dressing rooms and bathrooms
At least one accessible bathroom and dressing room for each gender should be provided, as applicable, with handrails, raised toilets, and lowered mirrors and sinks included.
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Lower counters, and wider checkout lanes and aisles
At least one service counter in any given area (including checkout lanes) should have part of the counter at no more than 36 inches above the floor, so as to provide easy access for wheelchair users. Checkout lanes should be at least 36 inches wide, and retail shelving units should be placed far enough apart to provide wide aisles within each department, as well.
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Accessible retail shelving units and fixtures
While it's certainly advisable to make use of vertical space by making use of shelving units that are as much as (but no more than) six feet tall, merchandise should also be placed on the lower shelves of retail shelving units and fixtures to provide disabled customers easy access.
Be aware of the building requirements in your area *before* you remodel your retail business; that way, you'll make sure you meet them as you remodel and won't have the expense or headaches of having to redo them in order to be in compliance.
